Smart Wetland 2.0 – A Smart Monitoring Network for Mai Po Nature Reserve

Proponent: World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong

Site: Mai Po Nature Reserve

Project Description

Camera traps have been used in wildlife monitoring for over a century. These remote, automated cameras allow the capture of photographic and video records of animals passing in front of the cameras. However, the implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive camera trap monitoring system face several challenges that can be addressed through the deployment of smart camera traps with integrated AI-assisted management systems. The major challenge being that elusive and rare species are often difficult to record, as they may inhabit remote and hard to access areas. Another major challenge being that human activities can disturb wildlife and impact the functioning of protected areas, which are often located in remote areas. Smart Wetland 2.0 encompasses building a solar-powered camera trap network augmented with an artificial intelligence (AI) online data management platform, real-time data can be collected via a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) and automatically analysed using AI species identification software. These smart solutions will continue to serve as the knowledge foundation and empowerment of future smart wetland management in the region.

Grant Approved

HK$2,997,683

Project Duration

01/07/2024-30/06/2026

Mai Po Nature Reserve

How To Get There

1 | Minibus + Walking |

• Take red minibus No. 17 from Shui Che Kwun Street, Yuen Long, to Mai Po Village (alight at Tam Kon Chau Road), then walk for about 20 minutes along Tam Kon Chau Road to Mai Po Nature Reserve.

2 | Bus + Walking |

• Take Kowloon Motor Bus No. 76K from Yuen Long MTR Station to Mai Po, then walk for about 20 minutes along Tam Kon Chau Road to Mai Po Nature Reserve.