Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has reported early success in using artificial intelligence-powered surveillance cameras to combat illegal animal feeding at Kam Shan Country Park.
Since the AI CCTV system was installed at the park’s car park last year, it has helped authorities detect and prosecute six cases of illegal monkey feeding, with plans underway to expand the technology to monitor other wildlife such as wild boars and pigeons.
Senior Fauna Conservation Officer Shek Chung-tong explained on a radio program Thursday that the AI system is designed to detect interactions between people and monkeys.
When a person approaches a monkey, the system instantly alerts AFCD staff, who can arrive on the scene to enforce the law, sometimes within as little as five minutes, he said.
Shek noted that, under normal circumstances, monkeys do not approach people unless food is offered, making the system an effective tool for identifying potential violations.
While the AI occasionally issues false alarms, Shek said that on-site staff review each situation to minimize unnecessary interventions.
If a suspect leaves the scene before staff arrive, the system can also recognize vehicle license plates. Should the same vehicle return to the car park, the system will notify authorities, a feature that has already led to successful prosecutions.
Since the installation of the AI cameras, six cases of illegal monkey feeding have resulted in prosecution, with three additional cases currently under investigation, according to Shek.
The AFCD plans to install the system at another car park in Kam Shan Country Park in the third quarter of this year, and to expand its capabilities to detect illegal feeding of wild boars. There are also plans to deploy mobile systems at known pigeon feeding hotspots to further strengthen enforcement efforts.
(Marco Lam)
