New Zealand to use AI-enabled drones to track endangered dolphins

Ardern said on Feb 26 that her government was backing a new project that uses drone technology to understand and protect the endangered Maui dolphins in the country. — Screengrab from a video

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s government said on Feb 26 that it was backing a new project that uses drone technology to understand and protect the endangered Māui dolphins in the country.

Maui dolphins live in a small stretch of ocean off the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island and current estimates suggest that only 63 dolphins older than one year remain, raising concerns that they may soon become extinct.