As part of an early alert system called TrailGuard AI, deployed in the Similipal Tiger Reserve, 100–150 cameras integrated with an artificial intelligence (AI) model have been installed. T
hese cameras capture images of people and wildlife entering the forest and relay them to the AI model, which analyzes them for the presence of poachers.
Over the past 10 months, TrailGuard AI has assisted wildlife officials at Similipal in arresting 96 poachers and seizing more than 86 country-made guns. If the AI deems it necessary, it autonomously transmits an image via the cellular system attached to the camera to an end-user within 30–40 seconds.
A control room at headquarters, equipped with a large screen, receives alerts whenever there is a photo update.
TrailGuard AI was developed by Nightjar Technologies, a social impact enterprise based in Gurgaon that designs remote surveillance devices for conservation purposes.
The system consists of two units: a camera unit, about the size of a pen, and a battery/communication unit, about the size of a notepad, connected by a two-meter-long cable. This design makes it compact and less likely to be stolen by poachers.
One of TrailGuard AI’s standout features is its battery life. Unlike other live transmission technologies, its battery lasts between six months and a year, depending on the number of photos transmitted.
Additionally, the system is relatively cost-effective, with each TrailGuard AI camera priced at approximately ₹50,000–₹53,000 per unit.