Search Results (2)

This study introduces a novel, drone-based approach for the detection and classification of Greater Caribbean Manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the Panama Canal Basin by integrating advanced deep learning techniques. Leveraging the high-performance YOLOv8 model augmented with Sliced Aided Hyper Inferencing (SAHI) for improved small-object detection, our system accurately identifies individual manatees, mother–calf pairs, and group formations across a challenging aquatic environment. Additionally, the use of AltCLIP for zero-shot classification enables robust demographic analysis without extensive labeled data, enhancing model adaptability in data-scarce scenarios. For this study, more than 57,000 UAV images were acquired from multiple drone flights covering diverse regions of Gatun Lake and its surroundings. In cross-validation experiments, the detection model achieved precision levels as high as 93% and mean average precision (mAP) values exceeding 90% under ideal conditions. However, testing on unseen data revealed a lower recall, highlighting challenges in detecting manatees under variable altitudes and adverse lighting conditions. Furthermore, the integrated zero-shot classification approach demonstrated a robust top-2 accuracy close to 90%, effectively categorizing manatee demographic groupings despite overlapping visual features. This work presents a deep learning framework integrated with UAV technology, offering a scalable, non-invasive solution for real-time wildlife monitoring. By enabling precise detection and classification, it lays the foundation for enhanced habitat assessments and more effective conservation planning in similar tropical wetland ecosystems. Full article

There is evidence of a thriving population of West-Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) in the Panama Canal, although it is not clear if they are descendants of a small group of introduced manatees or if manatees have entered the Canal from the Caribbean through the Canal locks. This study describes the development and application of an individual-based model to assess the survival of a population of West-Indian manatees in the Panama Canal. In addition, we seek to determine the effects of isolation, predation, and mortality on long term survival. The model was parameterized using empirical data collected from the literature to every extent possible. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the model’s sensitivity to changes in the used parameters. Four scenarios were modeled to understand under which conditions the original population could have been maintained over time. Our results show that the manatee population would have collapsed quite quickly after its initial introduction and that only through the addition of several individuals into the lake over the years could the population have survived until the present day. Our results have important implications for the long-term conservation of this endangered species. Full article