Deep learning-based analysis of daily activity patterns of farmed dromedary camels

IntroductionThis study addresses the need for automated monitoring solutions to evaluate the daily activity patterns of camels, which is critical for improving animal welfare and farm management practices. By leveraging advanced deep learning techniques, this research aims to identify and analyze fi...

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Main Authors: Rama Al-Khateeb, Nabil Mansour, Shaher Bano Mirza, Fouad Lamghari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Animal Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fanim.2024.1445133/full
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author Rama Al-Khateeb
Nabil Mansour
Nabil Mansour
Shaher Bano Mirza
Fouad Lamghari
author_facet Rama Al-Khateeb
Nabil Mansour
Nabil Mansour
Shaher Bano Mirza
Fouad Lamghari
author_sort Rama Al-Khateeb
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study addresses the need for automated monitoring solutions to evaluate the daily activity patterns of camels, which is critical for improving animal welfare and farm management practices. By leveraging advanced deep learning techniques, this research aims to identify and analyze five key daily activities—sleeping, sitting, standing, eating, and drinking—using video recordings from a camel farm in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.MethodsThe dataset was collected over two 7-day phases in November and December 2022. In Phase 1, video recordings were analyzed to monitor the activities of two camels and measure the duration of each activity. In Phase 2, the study expanded to include six camels, enabling an evaluation of individual behavioral variations. The YOLOv7 object detection algorithm was used to train and validate the model on images extracted from the recordings, achieving high accuracy in detecting and classifying the defined activities.ResultsThe results showed notable variations in activity patterns between Phases 1 and 2. Average standing time decreased from 9.8 hours (40.8%) to 6.0 hours (25.1%), and sleeping time dropped from 4.3 hours (18.0%) to 2.8 hours (11.7%). Conversely, sitting time increased from 6.2 hours (25.8%) to 9.9 hours (41.5%), and eating time rose from 3.1 hours (12.8%) to 4.6 hours (19.2%). Drinking time remained consistent at an average of 37 minutes (2.6%) across both phases. Activity peaks were observed during early mornings and after 16:00, with midday hours dominated by resting in shaded areas. Evening and nighttime activities primarily included sitting, minimal head movements, and occasional standing or walking.DiscussionThe established deep learning framework demonstrated reliable performance in detecting and analyzing camel activity patterns, offering a practical solution for continuous monitoring and improved farm management. However, further research is recommended to validate the model’s performance across different seasons and environmental conditions to enhance its robustness and adaptability.
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spelling doaj-art-cefdf16a71914aa9b45f4d3f426fd5be2025-08-20T02:50:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Animal Science2673-62252024-12-01510.3389/fanim.2024.14451331445133Deep learning-based analysis of daily activity patterns of farmed dromedary camelsRama Al-Khateeb0Nabil Mansour1Nabil Mansour2Shaher Bano Mirza3Fouad Lamghari4Department of Camel Research, Fujairah Research Centre (FRC), Fujairah, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Camel Research, Fujairah Research Centre (FRC), Fujairah, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, EgyptDepartment of Camel Research, Fujairah Research Centre (FRC), Fujairah, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Camel Research, Fujairah Research Centre (FRC), Fujairah, United Arab EmiratesIntroductionThis study addresses the need for automated monitoring solutions to evaluate the daily activity patterns of camels, which is critical for improving animal welfare and farm management practices. By leveraging advanced deep learning techniques, this research aims to identify and analyze five key daily activities—sleeping, sitting, standing, eating, and drinking—using video recordings from a camel farm in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.MethodsThe dataset was collected over two 7-day phases in November and December 2022. In Phase 1, video recordings were analyzed to monitor the activities of two camels and measure the duration of each activity. In Phase 2, the study expanded to include six camels, enabling an evaluation of individual behavioral variations. The YOLOv7 object detection algorithm was used to train and validate the model on images extracted from the recordings, achieving high accuracy in detecting and classifying the defined activities.ResultsThe results showed notable variations in activity patterns between Phases 1 and 2. Average standing time decreased from 9.8 hours (40.8%) to 6.0 hours (25.1%), and sleeping time dropped from 4.3 hours (18.0%) to 2.8 hours (11.7%). Conversely, sitting time increased from 6.2 hours (25.8%) to 9.9 hours (41.5%), and eating time rose from 3.1 hours (12.8%) to 4.6 hours (19.2%). Drinking time remained consistent at an average of 37 minutes (2.6%) across both phases. Activity peaks were observed during early mornings and after 16:00, with midday hours dominated by resting in shaded areas. Evening and nighttime activities primarily included sitting, minimal head movements, and occasional standing or walking.DiscussionThe established deep learning framework demonstrated reliable performance in detecting and analyzing camel activity patterns, offering a practical solution for continuous monitoring and improved farm management. However, further research is recommended to validate the model’s performance across different seasons and environmental conditions to enhance its robustness and adaptability.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fanim.2024.1445133/fulldromedary camelsdeep learningactivity patterncamel farmwelfare
spellingShingle Rama Al-Khateeb
Nabil Mansour
Nabil Mansour
Shaher Bano Mirza
Fouad Lamghari
Deep learning-based analysis of daily activity patterns of farmed dromedary camels
Frontiers in Animal Science
dromedary camels
deep learning
activity pattern
camel farm
welfare
title Deep learning-based analysis of daily activity patterns of farmed dromedary camels
title_full Deep learning-based analysis of daily activity patterns of farmed dromedary camels
title_fullStr Deep learning-based analysis of daily activity patterns of farmed dromedary camels
title_full_unstemmed Deep learning-based analysis of daily activity patterns of farmed dromedary camels
title_short Deep learning-based analysis of daily activity patterns of farmed dromedary camels
title_sort deep learning based analysis of daily activity patterns of farmed dromedary camels
topic dromedary camels
deep learning
activity pattern
camel farm
welfare
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fanim.2024.1445133/full
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AT nabilmansour deeplearningbasedanalysisofdailyactivitypatternsoffarmeddromedarycamels
AT shaherbanomirza deeplearningbasedanalysisofdailyactivitypatternsoffarmeddromedarycamels
AT fouadlamghari deeplearningbasedanalysisofdailyactivitypatternsoffarmeddromedarycamels