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Combatting extinction with citizen science and artificial intelligence.
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Flukebook.org is a free, online research platform that assists the conservation of whales and dolphins by automating individual identification and providing a common data model for collaboration, saving significant time and money in the research process. Flukebook uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to help researchers rapidly curate cetacean sightings and photo-identification data across their catalogs, and it provides a portal for citizen scientists to contribute to marine conservation and follow individual animals they have met.
One platform. Many species. Many researchers.
“Sperm whales roam so vastly that no one research group can study them across their range. PhotoID as a tool for conservation and research finds power in numbers and international, inter-institutional collaboration. Flukebook enables us to do this easily.”
- Shane Gero, The Dominica Sperm Whale Project
Humpback whales can be ndividually identified by the visual texture and edge of their flukes.
Dolphins can be ndividually identified by the trailing edge of their fins.
Sperm whales can be ndividually identified by the trailing edge of their flukes.
Right whales can be individually identified by the callosity patterns on their heads.
Manta Matcher is the first global online manta ray database, managing manta ray sightings and identifications worldwide. Researchers and citizen scientists all collaborate through our Wildbook software.
“Manta Matcher will revolutionize global research on these threatened rays and help change the way field researchers approach scientific research on wild animals by means of successful and meaningful public involvement.” - Dr. Andrea Marshall, co-founder
The Wildbook for Whale Sharks photo-identification library is an award-winning visual database of whale shark (Rhincodon typus) encounters and of individually catalogued whale sharks. The library is maintained and used by marine biologists to collect and analyze whale shark sighting data to learn more about these amazing creatures.
The Wildbook uses photographs of the skin patterning behind the gills of each shark, and any scars, to distinguish between individual animals. Cuttin
g-edge software supports rapid identification using pattern recognition and photo management tools.
Software for wildlife research is often developed in isolation and rarely evolves beyond a single project. Compounding this problem is a lack of software development skills in the wildlife research community. Wild Incubator™ is an on-site, staffed software incubator in Portland, Oregon. The incubator allows code school graduates and undergraduate computer science students to hone their skills on directed, open source wildlife software problems (e.g., develop a new feature for Wildbook to help whale shark researchers). Students work in an environment where professional engineers can guide their experience and focus their efforts on real world problems. Wild Incubator helps modernize wildlife research by matching researchers with much needed technical software talent.
Want to learn more? Email incubator at wildme dot org.