Bio Acoustic Intelligence Model for Non-Invasive Wildlife Behaviour Monitoring and Conservation Assessment

Abstract

Monitoring of wildlife behaviour is an important aspect of conservation biology, but the traditional methods of field observations and samples collection are known to disrupt animals, interfere with natural behaviour expression, and create logistic and ethical challenges especially with regard to elusive, nocturnal, or endangered species. Vocal communication is an example of biologically based and non-invasive means of understanding animal's behaviour, physiological condition, and social context without manipulating an animal directly. This paper develops a framework referred to as BioAcoustic Intelligence Model (BAIM). It is an application of knowledge obtained in the field of animal behaviour that classifies naturally occurring vocalization patterns into meaningful categories such as distress, territorial calls, courtship behaviours, alarms, and contact vocalizations. Using ethological, biological principles of vocal communication, and conservation behaviour, the model establishes the connections between acoustic behavioural categories and animal welfare, reproduction, habitat use, and stress within population. The paper will discuss the model in terms of its applicability to different taxa, possible limitations associated with identification of individuals and variability of calls depending on social context, and incorporation into monitoring programs.