Lizard in your luggage? We're using artificial intelligence to detect wildlife trafficking

A scanned lace monitor lizard (Varanus varius) image produced by using new technology. Blue-tongue lizards and sulphur-crested cockatoos are among the native animals frequently smuggled overseas. While the number of live animals seized by the Australian Government has tripled since 2017, the full scale of the problem eludes us as authorities don't often know where and how wildlife is trafficked. Now, we can add a new technology to Australia's arsenal against this cruel and inhumane industry. Our research shows the potential for new technology to detect illegal wildlife in luggage or mail.