Photo by Jess Newley
We’re thrilled to announce that Microsoft Azure has once again extended their support of our ongoing creation of the Killer Whale Health Database through their AI For Earth program. The database, which aims to house a wealth of valuable health data, is currently being developed by The SeaDoc Society and the National Marine Mammal Foundation.
The AI For Earth grant, which was initially awarded to SeaDoc in 2018, offers Microsoft Azure’s cloud-computing platform and assistance with artificial intelligence computing tools for comprehensive data analysis.
The database currently contains 10 ecotypes and 964 individual whales, including 221 endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales specifically. It also contains necropsy reports for 87 animals.
Our goal in 2020 is to apply this technology to program the front-end of the Killer Whale Health Database system for improved data upload and retrieval so that we can continue to update and harness the power of this valuable data with ease.
These tools give us the potential for real-time data entry and evaluation, which enables us to more quickly and effectively respond to threats impacting individual whales and overall population health.
By Winston Rockwell
This is particularly important for endangered species, where the added computing power and Microsoft's ability to analyze multiple complex factors will allow us to understand what causes disease and then help address risk factors.
Individual animal immune status, contaminant burdens, prey availability, and a huge suite of environmental and human-induced factors influence whale health. It is critical to evaluate all threats simultaneously to know how they interact to impact animal health.
Collecting data is crucial to scientific research and species recovery, but the data is only as good as the tools you use to unlock its meaning. For that reason, we are deeply grateful for this Microsoft AI for Earth grant.
SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATORS
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries)
Animal Health Centre, BC Ministry of Health
Center for Whale Research
Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
National Marine Mammal Foundation
New England Aquarium
Pacific Marine Mammal Center
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
SeaDoc Society, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment
SR3 SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation and Research
University of Washington Center for Conservation Biology
Vancouver Aquarium
Whale Museum
Wild Orca