Team Name

Croc Rangers

Team Members

Project Description

The Crocodile Watch project leverages cutting-edge technologies to improve public safety in the Northern Territory, where crocodiles pose a significant risk to residents and visitors. The platform integrates data from various sources, including high-beam sonar, drones, and night-vision cameras, along with crowdsourced reports from the public, to track crocodile movements and sightings.

A ticketing system prioritizes response efforts based on proximity to human populations, with action teams including autonomous drones, rangers, and helicopter-based rescue units responding to the sightings. The platform also features a real-time map displaying the status of reported sightings (green for resolved, yellow for under investigation, red for high-risk areas).

Additionally, predictive models will be developed to optimize operations by forecasting high-risk times for crocodile activity and efficiently deploying resources. A future feature involves satellite trackers on crocodiles to study their habitat and behavior, contributing to long-term wildlife management.

This innovative approach enhances public safety and raises awareness of crocodile-related risks.

Data Story

Data Story: Crocodile Watch – Enhance Public Safety in the Northern Territory

Setting the Scene: The Challenge of Crocodile Management

In the Northern Territory, crocodiles are not just fascinating wildlife; they are a serious public safety concern. With populations of saltwater crocodiles inhabiting both rural and urban-adjacent waterways, the risk of human-crocodile encounters is an ever-present reality. Traditional methods of monitoring these creatures are often reactive and limited, relying heavily on occasional sightings or reports by rangers and locals.

The Solution: Turning Data into Action

Crocodile Watch is designed to flip this script by leveraging data-driven solutions to proactively manage crocodile risks. Data lies at the heart of every phase of the platform, from collecting real-time information to prioritizing responses and predicting future risks. Through diverse data sources such as drones, sonar systems, night-vision cameras, and crowdsourced reports from the public, we now have a dynamic, up-to-the-minute view of crocodile activity.

1. Data Collection

• The story begins with the collection of real-time data from cutting-edge technologies. High-beam sonar scans the water’s depths, drones fly overhead capturing aerial footage, and night-vision cameras work around the clock to track crocodile movements.
• But it’s not just high-tech devices collecting data. We’ve built a platform that enables community participation. Locals and tourists can snap photos of crocodiles and upload them, complete with GPS information, directly into the system. These crowdsourced sightings, combined with technology-driven observations, form a comprehensive database of crocodile activity.

2. Data-Driven Decision Making

• The real magic happens when this data is funneled into a system like Power BI, where it is visualized, analyzed, and acted upon. Each crocodile sighting or movement triggers the creation of a ticket, which is then prioritized based on proximity to human populations. This ensures that the most dangerous encounters—those nearest to residential zones or tourist areas—are handled first.
• Different response teams—from autonomous drones to rangers on the ground and helicopter rescue teams—are deployed based on the urgency and location of the sighting. Every decision is guided by the data, ensuring resources are deployed effectively to protect the public.

3. Visualizing Crocodile Activity

• For public transparency and safety, this same data is used to flag crocodile sightings on a public map. Residents and tourists can view a real-time map on both an app and a website, where sightings are color-coded:
  • Green: Issue resolved.
  • Yellow: Under investigation.
  • Red: Crocodile-infested area, requiring urgent attention.
• This visual representation empowers people to make informed decisions about their movements, avoiding high-risk areas and staying aware of ongoing investigations.

4. Predicting Future Risks: Harnessing Historical Data for Safety

• While real-time data collection is crucial, predictive modeling takes safety to the next level. Historical data on crocodile movements, combined with environmental factors like water levels and temperatures, helps build a model to predict when and where crocodiles are most likely to appear.
• This allows us to optimize future operations, ensuring drones, rangers, and helicopters are positioned in high-risk areas during peak times, reducing the likelihood of surprise encounters.

A Vision for the Future: Understanding Crocodile Behavior

The long-term goal of this project extends beyond immediate safety. By placing satellite trackers on crocodiles, Program objectives include:

Detail the movement patterns and habitat use of adult crocodiles within the Proserpine River and adjacent coastal and oceanic waters.
Conserve and protect Territory’s biodiversity and threatened species
Provide leading-edge science to support the NT Crocodile Management Plan. This could unlock crucial insights into the ecosystems crocodiles thrive in, helping both conservationists and safety officials manage their presence in populated areas more effectively.

Conclusion: Data as the Backbone of Public Safety

The Crocodile Watch project showcases the transformative power of data in solving real-world problems. By integrating real-time data collection, crowdsourcing, predictive analytics, and advanced technologies, we’ve created a platform that not only enhances public safety but also promotes awareness and proactive risk management. With every piece of data collected, analyzed, and visualized, we move closer to a safer Northern Territory, where people and crocodiles can coexist more harmoniously.