Scientists Use AI to Track Threatened California Red-Legged Frogs
Conservationists are deploying AI to monitor the elusive California red-legged frog. This species, once common across California and northwest Mexico, is now threatened due to overharvesting, invasive bullfrogs, and habitat loss.
The frogs were recently relocated from Mexico to two California sites. But tracking their population growth proved tough. Their distinct mating call—a low, creaky sound—can be lost in the noise of Southern California nights filled with other animals and urban sounds. 
Enter AI. Machine learning models sift through thousands of hours of audio recordings to pinpoint frog calls. This tech boost saves scientists time and money and lets them focus on further conservation efforts.
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How do scientists keep tabs on these frogs? Careful listening plus AI.
Paula Sternberg Rodriguez/San Diego Natural History Museum
For more details, listen to Short Wave on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
