Short Wave These Scientists Are Using AI To Listen To Frogs
11 snips
Jul 18, 2025 
Nate Rott, a science correspondent, dives into the fascinating world of the California red-legged frog, the largest native frog in the western U.S. He shares how AI is revolutionizing conservation efforts by analyzing frog calls to monitor their populations. The discussion highlights the groundbreaking collaboration between scientists and technology experts to restore these endangered frogs. With a blend of humor, Rott emphasizes the crucial role of frogs in our ecosystem and the innovative techniques helping preserve biodiversity.
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Egg Mass Journey from Baja to California
- Annie Peralta Garcia's team transported red-legged frog egg masses from Baja to Southern California.
- They used cars and even helicopters to overcome logistical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AI Revolutionizes Frog Monitoring
- AI acoustic models dramatically speed up frog call identification from thousands of hours of recordings.
- This technology also monitors invasive species like bullfrogs to protect native frogs.
Use Microphones for Wildlife Monitoring
- Use stationary microphones to continuously record wildlife sounds at restoration sites.
- Analyze these recordings to monitor species without exhausting effort or personnel.