Leveraging AI for Smarter Feral Pig Management at GAWB​

Challenge

The Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) needed to better understand the scale, timing, and distribution of feral pig activity across its catchment. Existing data from cameras was underutilised, and previous management efforts lacked evidence-based prioritisation. The challenge was to turn thousands of raw images into reliable insights that could guide targeted, efficient management actions.

Approach

Delivering a Strategic Feral Pig Study & AI-Driven Management Framework​​

The Strategy Group partnered with GAWB to design and deliver an evidence-based management strategy through the following steps:​

1. Establishing Reliable Data Foundations

• Processed nearly 2,000 camera trap images collected across seven sites.
• Built a custom pig-counting app to automate data extraction (timestamps, camera IDs, counts) and standardise the dataset.

2. Data Visualisation and Pattern Analysis

• Identified movement hotspots, daily behavioural rhythms, and seasonal surges.
• Produced visual outputs that linked data to operational decision-making.
  

3. Evidence-Based Insights for Management Prioritisation​

• Detected predictable movement patterns across several timeblocks in the day.​
• Pig movements were recorded across several months.

4. Pathway to Predictive Management

• Developed a staged roadmap to evolve from monitoring to forecasting, ensuring future management becomes more proactive and data-driven.
• Recommended steps to strengthen coverage, integrate broader environmental context, and prepare for scalable technology adoption over time.

Outcomes

From Manual Monitoring to Predictive Intelligence

• Structured Evidence Base: Transformed thousands of unstructured images into a validated dataset that supports ongoing management.
• Operational Focus: Pinpointed specific hotspots and optimal times for intervention, maximising efficiency of on-ground control.
• Enhanced Monitoring Capability: Created a repeatable, scalable process for data processing, reducing reliance on manual effort.‍
• Foundation for Predictive Management: Positioned GAWB to evolve from reactive monitoring to proactive, data-driven decision-making.‍
• Strategic Roadmap Established: Defined clear next steps for scaling monitoring, improving analysis, and integrating predictive capability.