About
WildTracker Tasmania is a citizen science initiative developed by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy that connects private landholders with conservation research. Through the platform, users can upload camera trap images, tag wildlife, and contribute records that build a comprehensive picture of biodiversity across Tasmania's private properties — farms, bush blocks, restoration plantings, and urban backyards. At the heart of the platform is Stickybeak AI v2.0, an animal detection and species classification model capable of identifying wildlife across 96 species classes with high accuracy. Version 2.0 introduced significantly smarter detection, reducing false positives from non-animal subjects like rocks and leaves. The platform has already processed over 310,000 tagged photos across 635 unique sites contributed by 480 landholders. Beyond image tagging, WildTracker provides Species Spotlights — Tasmanian-specific land management tips generated based on the wildlife found on a user's property. This turns raw sightings data into actionable conservation guidance. The platform also helps users build species identification skills through a dedicated Wildlife ID Guide. WildTracker is ideal for private landholders, conservation enthusiasts, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding and protecting Tasmania's exceptional native fauna, including threatened species like the Spotted-tailed Quoll, Tasmanian Devil, and Long-nosed Potoroo.
Key Features
- Stickybeak AI v2.0 Species Detection: Automated AI model that detects animals in camera trap images and classifies them across 96 Tasmanian wildlife species with high accuracy, reducing false positives from non-animal content.
- Camera Trap Image Upload & Tagging: Landholders can easily upload, organise, and tag camera trap images, contributing to a growing database of over 310,000 tagged photos across 635 unique sites.
- Species Spotlights & Management Tips: Automatically generated, Tasmanian-specific land management recommendations based on the wildlife species detected on each individual property.
- Biodiversity Record Building: Aggregates wildlife sighting records from private land to fill critical gaps in biodiversity knowledge, supporting conservation research into threatened species and environmental change.
- Wildlife ID Skills Development: Includes a dedicated Wildlife Identification Guide to help landholders build their own species recognition skills alongside the AI assistance.
Use Cases
- A Tasmanian farmer deploys camera traps across their property and uses WildTracker to automatically identify native species, building a long-term record of local biodiversity.
- A conservation researcher accesses aggregated WildTracker records to study the range and habitat use of threatened species like the Spotted-tailed Quoll on private land.
- A bush block owner uses Species Spotlights to receive tailored land management advice after WildTracker detects Tasmanian Devils on their property.
- A citizen scientist builds their wildlife identification skills using the platform's ID guide and by reviewing AI-tagged images submitted by the community.
- An environmental organisation uses WildTracker data to build evidence for conservation policy and funding proposals targeting private land management.
Pros
- Completely Free to Use: WildTracker is a not-for-profit citizen science initiative, making it freely accessible to all Tasmanian private landholders without subscription fees.
- Actionable Conservation Insights: Species Spotlights translate raw wildlife data into practical, property-specific land management advice, giving users immediate conservation value.
- High-Accuracy AI with 96 Species Classes: Stickybeak AI v2.0 offers a significantly improved classification model covering a broad range of native Tasmanian species, reducing manual tagging effort.
- Fills a Critical Biodiversity Data Gap: By focusing on private land — where many threatened species live — WildTracker generates wildlife records that are otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain.
Cons
- Tasmania-Only Geographic Scope: The platform and its AI model are specifically built for Tasmanian wildlife, making it inapplicable for landholders and researchers outside of Tasmania.
- Requires Camera Trap Hardware: Participation depends on users owning and deploying physical camera trap equipment, which represents an upfront cost and technical barrier for new users.
- Niche Conservation Use Case: The platform is purpose-built for wildlife monitoring and citizen science, with no utility outside of this specific domain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use WildTracker Tasmania?
WildTracker is open to any private landholder in Tasmania, including farmers, bush block owners, people with restoration plantings, and urban property owners who want to monitor the wildlife on their land.
What is Stickybeak AI?
Stickybeak is WildTracker's built-in AI model that automatically analyses uploaded camera trap images to detect the presence of animals and classify them by species. Version 2.0 covers 96 species classes and features improved accuracy with fewer false positives.
Is WildTracker free to use?
Yes. WildTracker is a free citizen science program run by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and supported by philanthropic foundations. There is no cost to register or use the platform.
How does contributing to WildTracker help conservation?
Records submitted through WildTracker fill a major gap in biodiversity data — private land is where many threatened species live, yet it is rarely monitored. Aggregated records help researchers understand species distributions, population trends, and how the natural environment is changing over time.
What are Species Spotlights?
Species Spotlights are personalised land management tips generated based on the wildlife detected on your specific property. They provide simple, Tasmanian-specific advice to help landholders better support the native species found on their land.
