tech
January 28, 2026
How Conservation X Labs Is Using Segment Anything Model 3 for Endangered Wildlife Monitoring
Start-ups like Conservation X Labs are using Meta’s Segment Anything Models to bolster on-the-ground conservation expertise.
TL;DR
- Conservation X Labs (CXL) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are using Meta's Segment Anything Models (SAM) for conservation.
- SAM 3 can detect, segment, and track objects in videos using text phrases, extending SAM 2's capabilities.
- The SA-FARI dataset, a collaboration involving CXL and other organizations, provides over 10,000 annotated camera trap videos for AI research in conservation.
- FWC is using SAM 2 and plans to use SAM 3 to monitor Florida mountain lions, an endangered subspecies affected by feline leukomyelopathy (FLM).
- These AI tools are expected to enable scalable, accurate wildlife monitoring and data-driven conservation interventions.