The ongoing Qinling Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Scientific Expedition is organized by Northwestern University, and some science and technology have played an important role in wildlife surveys. The scientific research team used the combined technology of drones and thermal imaging to achieve the number of golden monkeys.
The golden snub-nosed monkey is an iconic species in the Qinling Mountains, and it is also a world-class rare species. The monitoring and investigation of the golden snub-nosed monkey is one of the important contents of Qinling research. However, because the golden snub-nosed monkeys live in the inaccessible deep mountains and dense forests, and are active in the canopy all year round, traditional infrared cameras can neither realize the individual identification of the golden snub-nosed monkeys, nor the monitoring and statistics of their population. After years of practice and exploration, researchers have created a new set of tools to "detect" rather than "monitor" the golden monkey population: thermal imaging aerial photography equipment.
The best time to "detect" the golden monkey population is late at night. Golden monkeys that scattered foraging during the day would gather in families for the night due to less noise from the background heat source. At this point, it is a good time to gather them together in the shot.
It is understood that the researchers went through many demonstrations and experiments, tried a variety of technical combinations, and finally decided to use a combination of thermal imaging and drones to count the number of golden snub-nosed monkeys in Sichuan. In the three experimental areas of the Evergreen Branch of the Giant Panda National Park, not only the number of golden monkeys in the whole area has been accurately counted for the first time, but some of the monkey groups are also discovered for the first time.
According to experts, because there are no primates other than golden monkeys in the Changqing Reserve, the statistical results of this technique are very accurate and reliable.
"Precision Recognition" technology to realize facial recognition of wild animals
Using the same combination of technologies, another research team from Northwestern University has developed a "precise recognition" technology for facial recognition of a variety of wild animals.
As a primate closely related to humans, golden snub-nosed monkeys have always been concerned and explored for their unique relationship. So, if you want to study their social relationships, the first problem to be solved is the individual identification of golden monkeys, and who is who. Today, this technology, which is only imagined, has been successfully broken through by Northwestern University and has been promoted and used among species such as golden monkeys.
According to experts, wild animals, especially primates represented by golden monkeys, have a set of specific models and extremely complex algorithms for facial recognition based on AI facial recognition, behavioral characteristics, and genetic recognition.
The group of golden snub-nosed monkeys in Sichuan is a family unit, and there is no "monkey king"
Primates are wild animals that are closely related to humans and also have social organizations. The study of their community relationships is also an important means of human social evolution and prediction of future development.
Due to the influence of "Journey to the West", many people mistakenly believe that there must be a "monkey king" in the monkey group. However, according to experts, the top manager of the real Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey group is the "parent" of a single family. "Monkey King".
The head of the golden monkey in each family is a strong male monkey. In the past, it was believed that the parents of golden monkeys were selected by "strength", that is, the final winner of multiple rounds of fights. In fact, according to the follow-up observation of the scientific research team for many years, it was found that although the parents of golden monkeys are generally strong and powerful, they are really recognized and obeyed by individual "charm", and strength is only part of it.
In the world of snub-nosed monkeys, individual "charm" determines the social rank. Then, how to cultivate or acquire the "charm" of snub-nosed monkeys? After years of observation and summary, researchers have found that the common behavior of "grooming" among golden monkeys is a good time to cultivate feelings and show "charm".