The Gujarat Forest Department has is now using AI-based software called SIMBA for the management and conservation of Asiatic lions. The software individually identifies Asiatic lions based on their physical features.
Salient features of SIMBA
- The tool will be used for understanding population demographics and expanding conservation and management efforts towards thriving Gir’s and India’s pride – the Asiatic Lions.
- SIMBA or Software with Intelligent Marking Based identification of Asiatic lions is a photo-identification software, specifically designed to distinguish patterns or marks.
- The software has been developed by Hyderabad-based “teliolabs”. The software is trained with sufficient training data and is able to isolate the region of interest (ROI) and separate them for further identification.
- SIMBA or Software with Intelligent Marking Based identification of Asiatic lions is a photo-identification software, specifically designed to distinguish patterns or marks. The software has been developed by Hyderabad-based “teliolabs”. The software is trained with sufficient training data and is able to isolate the region of interest (ROI) and separate them for further identification.
- SIMBA software would be used to create a library of data on the Asiatic lions. It can be used to create a database with a unique identification number/ name.
- Asiatic lions have unique whisker spots on either side of their muzzle. These precise patterns are highly variable and do not change over time.
- SIMBA works with a deep machine learning technique that matches a point-pattern for pairwise comparisons that automates the individual identification, based on the variability in the individual’s whisker spot pattern, the presence of scars on the face, notches on the ears, and other metadata of the photograph.
About Asiatic Lions
- Asiatic lions are endemic to the Gir landscape of Gujarat. It is found in Gir National Park, Gir Sanctuary, Pania Sanctuary, Mitiyala Sanctuary, and Girnar Sanctuary, all located in Gujarat.
- It is one of the 21 critically endangered species identified by the Union Environment Ministry for taking up recovery programmes.
- Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions and have unique whisker spot patterns. The Asiatic lions are also accorded the highest degree of protection and are listed in Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Asian lions are slightly smaller than African lions. Unlike African lions, the males do not tend to live with the females of their pride unless they’re mating or have a large kill.
- The most distinguishing characteristic of the Asiatic lion is the longitudinal fold of skin that runs along its belly. This is absent in African lions.
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