AI and Robots Transform Animal Welfare at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Park

Published Date : 13/10/2025 

Researchers from the University of Adelaide, in collaboration with Zoos South Australia, are using artificial intelligence and robotics to enhance animal welfare at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park. These innovative technologies are providing unprecedented insights into animal behavior and creating new forms of enrichment for the animals. 

Developed by University of Adelaide researchers, with support from Zoos South Australia’s research team, artificial intelligence and robotics are being tested at the Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park. These technologies are giving zookeepers and researchers real-time, unprecedented access to animal behavior, significantly enhancing animal welfare.

For Monarto Safari Park’s African painted dogs, this unique approach is allowing them to engage in a new kind of naturalistic enrichment that mirrors the thrill of the chase. “We are using a semi-autonomous rover—an advanced remotely controlled vehicle—to carry a food carcass through the painted dogs’ habitat, simulating the movement of live prey,” University of Adelaide’s Dr Xin (Vernon) Yuan said. “This novel approach prompts the dogs to interact, communicate, and move together as they would in the wild. It’s a great example of how the ongoing development of AI, remote sensing, and robotics can and will continue to create more opportunities for humans to understand, preserve, and protect wildlife.”

At Adelaide Zoo, the focus is on understanding the welfare states of Sumatran orangutans. A camera system has been installed in their habitat to monitor their activities around the clock, with computer vision algorithms detecting and tracking body movements to build and analyse ‘skeletal’ models. This tool allows researchers to classify behaviors more accurately. Facial expression tracking is also underway to gather more information about the emotional states of the orangutan. The collected data will be interpreted alongside expert welfare knowledge in the next phase of the project.

“Orangutans, like humans, exhibit distinct facial features and micro expressions that convey emotions such as curiosity, distress, and relaxation,” Georgia Mason said. “Our AI model recognises individuals with high accuracy and interprets facial expressions to estimate emotional states.” Zoos SA conservation manager Mark Smith added: “These innovative engineering solutions are already significantly advancing our ability to monitor and enrich the lives of zoo-housed animals and show great promise for the future.”

The integration of AI and robotics in zoological settings is not only improving the welfare of the animals but also providing valuable insights for conservation efforts. By understanding the natural behaviors and emotional states of animals, researchers can develop more effective conservation strategies and improve the overall well-being of wildlife in captivity and in the wild. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the primary goal of using AI and robotics in zoos?

A: The primary goal is to enhance animal welfare by providing real-time monitoring of animal behavior and creating new forms of enrichment that simulate natural environments and activities.

Q: How are semi-autonomous rovers used at Monarto Safari Park?

A: Semi-autonomous rovers are used to carry food carcasses through the painted dogs’ habitat, simulating the movement of live prey and encouraging natural hunting behaviors.

Q: What technology is used to monitor Sumatran orangutans at Adelaide Zoo?

A: A camera system with computer vision algorithms is used to monitor orangutan activities around the clock, tracking body movements and facial expressions to classify behaviors and estimate emotional states.

Q: Why is facial expression tracking important for orangutans?

A: Facial expression tracking helps researchers understand the emotional states of orangutans, which is crucial for assessing their welfare and developing appropriate enrichment activities.

Q: How do these technologies benefit conservation efforts?

A: By providing valuable insights into animal behavior and emotional states, these technologies help researchers develop more effective conservation strategies and improve the overall well-being of wildlife in both captive and natural environments. 

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