The narrative of conservation is changing. We are no longer just watching species disappear; we are using cutting-edge technology to snatch them back from the brink.
How AI is Finding the “Little Dodo”
The Manumea (tooth-billed pigeon) is so elusive that it hadn’t been seen for five years until a series of sightings in late 2025 confirmed its survival. Because this “Little Dodo” is so shy and moves quickly through the thick canopy, traditional spotting is nearly impossible.
This is where AI comes in:
- Smart Listening: Scientists are using AI models like Perch to sift through thousands of hours of audio recordings from Samoa’s rainforests.
- Decoding the Coo: The Manumea’s call is very similar to the common Pacific imperial pigeon. AI algorithms can now distinguish the two, helping researchers find exactly where the last 50 to 150 birds are hiding.
- Speeding Up Science: AI can analyze bioacoustic data up to 50 times faster than human researchers, allowing for much larger areas of the forest to be monitored.
The World’s Last Wild Horse: The Takhi
The Przewalski’s horse (or takhi) is the only truly wild horse left on Earth. After being declared extinct in the wild in the late 1960s, a massive global effort has brought them home.
- A Growing Population: From just 14 individuals in zoos, the population has grown to nearly 2,500 horses worldwide.
- Expanding Horizons: While most live in Mongolia and China, a new reintroduction project launched in 2024 aims to bring 40 horses to the steppes of Kazakhstan over the next five years.
- Genetic Wonders: AI is now being used to sequence their genomes to ensure the herds stay healthy and avoid inbreeding as they return to their ancient grazing grounds.
England’s “Back from the Brink” Success
- The Chequered Skipper: This butterfly was successfully reintroduced to Rockingham Forest, with English-born adults now being spotted regularly.
- Beavers as Ecosystem Engineers: In 2025, beavers were released into Glen Affric in the Scottish Highlands. These animals are “allies” for biodiversity because their dams create wetlands that store 20% more carbon than surrounding areas.
- Pine Martens & White-Tailed Eagles: Pine martens have been successfully moved from Scotland to the Forest of Dean, and majestic white-tailed eagles are once again soaring over the Isle of Wight.
Why 2026 is the Year of Hope
With tools like SpeciesNet, which can identify animals in camera-trap photos with over 98% accuracy, conservationists can now protect wildlife in real-time. Whether it’s detecting a tiger in India to warn local farmers or using thermal cameras to stop poachers in Kenya, technology is making the world a safer place for animals.
Read more in our Extinction Section ‘Back from the Brink‘.
As we say in Rockford’s Rock Opera, everyone can make a difference. These high-tech success stories prove that when we combine our ingenuity with a love for nature, we can save even the rarest “Little Dodos” of the world.
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