Smart Solutions for Invasive Species: The Myna Trap Challenge

The Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), an invasive bird species, poses a growing threat to Qatar’s ecosystems, agriculture, and urban spaces. With its aggressive behavior, it disrupts biodiversity, damages infrastructure, and creates safety concerns. Despite existing control efforts, the current methods are labor-intensive, limited, and unsustainable.

Challenge Statement

• How might they develop smart traps to capture the common Myna (Arcidotheres tristis) – an invasive bird in Qatar?
• Potential solutions they can look at could include (but should not be limited to):
  • AI-driven species identification: cameras and AI algorithms will analyse bird’s physical characteristics and behaviour to ensure that only Myna’s are trapped, while non-target species are released.
  • Sensors and motion detectors: infrared or pressure sensors will trigger the trap only when the target species is detected.
  • Automated reset and remote monitoring: the trap will reset itself after each capture, with real -time notifications sent to a mobile or web platform for remote monitoring and data collection.
  • Lura systems: the use of sound technology (pre-recorded Myna calls) and food bait (breadcrumbs, fruit) to attract the birds.

Funding Information

• Cash contributions from QRDI: 100,000 USD
• Mentorship and support for solution development
• Access to relevant datasets and to pilot site(s)

Eligibility Criteria

• The challenge is open to startups from all over the world.

For more information, visit QRDI.