Tech4Nature Phase 2 Launched in Mexico to Protect Jaguars Through Technology

New Phase of Tech4Nature Launches in Mexico

At the recent Tech4Nature 2025 Summit held in Merida, Mexico, an important milestone was reached as Huawei, in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and local partners, launched the second phase of the Tech4Nature project. This initiative aims to enhance the protection of jaguars in the Dzilam de Bravo state reserve and assess the impact of climate change on biodiversity.

Dr. Marina Robles García, Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in Mexico, emphasized the urgency of addressing the degradation of local ecosystems, which affects 42% of the region. She stated, “This includes monitoring and substantial restoration efforts, but more importantly, our collaboration highlights the necessity of leveraging technology in our conservation endeavors.”

Tech4Nature, which began in 2020, is a global partnership that employs technological innovation to promote nature conservation, aligning with Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative and the IUCN Green List. In his address, Joaquín Díaz Mena, the governor of Yucatan, remarked on the need for a collaborative vision, stating, “We understand that protection can no longer rely solely on goodwill or isolated regulations. We require science, technology, competent communities, and engaged governments.”

The jaguar, classified as nearly threatened on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and fragmentation, has seen proactive measures implemented during the project's initial phase. This included the installation of 60 audio devices and over 20 camera traps in the Dzilam de Bravo reserve, facilitating the collection of vital data to support conservation efforts. The AI system utilized in the project can recognize sounds and images of various species in the reserve. By April 2025, the system had identified 147 species and confirmed the presence of nine jaguars within the area.

Phase 2 of the project aims to further collect data on the jaguar population's distribution and gather specific insights to support decision-making and management of the reserve, ultimately working towards creating a biological corridor for this endangered species.

The Tech4Nature 2025 Summit has united experts, scientists, and conservation leaders from around the world to share advancements and strategies in nature conservation aided by technology. As Tao Jingwen, Director of the Board and Director of the Corporate Committee for Sustainable Development at Huawei, noted, “Digital technology contributes to more efficient biodiversity protection, enabling governments and conservationists to take faster and more targeted actions.” He invited more partners to join the Tech4Nature initiative, emphasizing that digital technology should serve as a shared tool for global ecosystem protection.

The summit also highlighted ongoing projects in Brazil, China, Spain, Kenya, and Turkey, demonstrating how digital technologies and AI analytics can be adapted to meet the specific needs of various ecosystems. For example, Brazil is studying the impact of climate change on Marajó Island and monitoring the mangrove crab as an ecosystem health indicator, while China employs digital solutions to support the rewilding of the critically endangered Hainan gibbon, of which only 42 individuals remain.

Spain's focus is on protecting the Bonelli's eagle in the natural park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac through digital technologies that analyze visitor impacts on the birds’ reproductive success. Meanwhile, Kenya is working to enhance monitoring in protected marine areas and coral reefs of the Kisite-Mpunguti national park and reserve to address challenges like illegal fishing and tourism pressure, alongside monitoring parrot populations that support coral survival. Lastly, Turkey features pioneering collaboration between NGOs, the private sector, and government to assess biodiversity conservation focused on large mammals, including deer and wild goats in two pilot sites.

The Tech4Nature 2025 Summit underscored how collaboration among the technology sector, NGOs, governments, academic institutions, and local communities creates a new perspective on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Through the TECH4ALL initiative, Huawei aims to bridge the digital divide, fostering inclusion and sustainability in a digital world.

For further details on the Tech4Nature initiative, visit the Huawei Tech4ALL website.