Machine vision algorithms for robust animal species identification

Numerous military bases have a requirement, based on the Sikes Act, to maintain the base's natural environment while still meeting military mission objectives. One method used to accomplish this is by working towards the goal of achieving habitat and species sustainability. One difficulty is that there is currently no baseline of the ecosystem. Specifically, a critical need is the detection and identification of animals on Federal and State endangered lists. For instance, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists 130 animals as either endangered or threatened, including the desert tortoise, the Mohave ground squirrel, various species of fox, jaguar, mountain beaver, and wolf. In order to even begin to form an appropriate natural environmental baseline, the location and movements of these animals must be acquired, recorded, and made available for review.