International. Dahua Technology has joined a project to protect Hainan gibbons, an endangered diurnal and arboreal primate. In this case, intelligent video technology is used to improve the effectiveness of reserve surveillance and help protect local biodiversity.
In this sense, it is worth noting that Dahua has also contributed to the protection of biodiversity in other parts of the world, through the installation of cameras equipped with technologies such as thermal and full color images, which serve to monitor the vital environment and the state of health of wild animals without disturbing them.
As the company indicates, "many species on Earth are currently threatened by environmental problems and human activities." For this reason, and to help endangered species survive, technology that was initially intended for human security is being used "increasingly as an innovative way to promote sustainability and biodiversity conservation."
Hainan Gibbon Project
Hainan gibbons (Nomascus hainanus) live in the Bawangling National Nature Reserve on the Chinese island of Hainan and are listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). One piece of information that reveals their situation is that in the 1980s there were less than 10 specimens left, and although thanks to decades of protection their number has grown to 37 individuals in 5 populations, it is still remarkably low.
That's why Dahua joined the Hainan Gibbon Protection Project in 2021, joining in using smart video technology "to improve the effectiveness of reserve surveillance and help protect local biodiversity."
Keeping an eye on gibbons: the challenge
As longtime tree-dwelling animals, Hainan gibbons are difficult to see in dense forests. "At first, they ran away as soon as they saw me. After a long time, little by little we can 'communicate', especially newborns. We come up and say hello every day. After a few years, we get along well, and even comes directly to us," explains Mr. Zhang of the surveillance staff.
While watching the gibbons can be rewarding for the surveillance team, the process is still complex as they move fast, "sometimes too fast for the human eye to follow." Hence, to keep up with the gibbons, monitors often skip meals and suffer from stomach problems. Bad weather, such as rain, thunder and even typhoons, can make the observation worse.
Intelligent "eyes" thanks to video technology
According to Dahua, the introduction of technology changed all that, as smart cameras can quickly identify gibbons and take photos, allowing monitors to get a closer look at these creatures without disturbing them.
"The gibbon itself is difficult to see in the trees, and they are very vigilant when people approach them. The camera lens perfectly solved this problem," Zhang explains.
Dahua's solution was to integrate a highly sensitive motion algorithm into a smart camera. “The algorithm is continuously trained through Dahua's AI platform to accurately identify and collect images of fast-moving gibbons based on hair color, movements, habits, etc. of the gibbon, in order to provide a scientific basis for the study of individuals, populations, age, sex, developmental trends and dynamic changes in habitats of Hainan gibbons”.
Dahua focused on the protection of biodiversity
Another case is that of the Schwarze Berge Park (Black Mountains), located in Germany, where a complete series of Dahua cameras equipped with full-color thermal images have also been installed, which improve the operational and management efficiency of the park, from the environmental conservation approach.
Dahua also set up a 5G digital monitoring system to help Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve monitor 62 species of wildlife, which provided accurate observation and research assessment of wildlife, ecological types and biodiversity of the reserve, thus helping to protect the species that live in the area and its ecological balance. The intelligent system is capable of calculating the animal population, analyzing their activity patterns, understanding their living habits and detecting illegal activities in the reserve such as poaching, illegal logging and overgrazing.
In addition, the brand entered the Antarctic region for the first time by donating 15 smart devices to different local scientific bases. This equipment providing clear images of the flora and fauna in the Argentine region of Antarctica is beneficial in research studies carried out on "The White Continent."
Finally, with its mission of "enabling a safer society and smarter life", Dahua ensures that it will continue to create value beyond security through technology and contribute to the harmonious community of humans and nature.
