By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Kaohsiung officials are using artificial intelligence to better understand and manage growing human–monkey conflicts on Shoushan (壽山), as new data shows that activity peaks during the summer months.
The Liberty Times reports that according to the Kaohsiung City Government Agriculture Bureau (高雄市政府農業局), analysis of collected data indicates that Taiwan macaques (台灣獼猴) are most frequently observed in July and August. Officials attribute the increase to higher visitor numbers during summer vacation, which often leads to more feeding and increased interaction between humans and wildlife.
The findings were presented at the Kaohsiung Smart City Summit, where the bureau showcased its “AI Monitoring × Analysis × Prediction” system. The platform integrates geographic and time-based data, using public reports and environmental factors to map macaque activity and identify potential conflict hotspots.
Officials aim to establish a comprehensive, shared database that will enhance long-term wildlife management. By combining observation records with environmental variables, the AI model can help predict high-risk areas in advance and support policy planning.
Encounters between macaques and residents have increased in recent years, particularly in areas near Shoushan where urban development meets natural habitat. Authorities continue to stress that feeding wild monkeys contributes to the problem and are urging the public to avoid direct interaction.
