How AI and Passion Are Transforming Animal Care at the Columbus Zoo
- AI OWL
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
When you think about AI, maybe you picture chatbots, spreadsheets, or futuristic robots. But at the Columbus Zoo, AI is doing something much more meaningful: helping care for living, breathing animals.
And at the heart of it all? A team of passionate people fueled by curiosity and purpose, united by the belief that when technology is used thoughtfully, it can make life better — not just for people, but for the animals we share this planet with.
The Challenge: Caring for Animals, Every Hour of Every Day
At the Columbus Zoo, animal care is a 24/7 commitment. Zookeepers like Mindy Scott know that true well-being isn’t measured just by feeding schedules or vet checks. It’s in the small moments — the way an animal moves, rests, interacts, or isolates.
Until now, those insights came from constant human observation and manual record-keeping. But no matter how dedicated the team, there are limits to how much a person can track. That’s where AI stepped in.
The Innovation: Primalytics, an AI System with Heart
Working alongside the Columbus Zoo, AI OWL helped develop Primalytics, an AI-powered system that uses machine vision and environmental sensors to monitor animal behavior and habitat conditions.
It doesn’t replace the zookeepers’ deep knowledge or intuition. It amplifies it. By analyzing zoo footage and environmental data, Primalytics can help detect subtle changes that might signal stress or early health concerns — things that might otherwise go unnoticed. As Cas Maxwell, co-founder of AI OWL, and Kevin Bonifas, Director of Innovative Technology at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, put it: “AI helps zookeepers be more proactive, giving them more time to focus on what matters most: caring for the animals.”
The People: Turning Ideas Into Impact
What makes this project truly special isn’t just the technology — it’s the team behind it. The AI OWL crew worked hand in hand with the zoo’s experts, not to chase flashy innovation, but to create something meaningful. They listened closely, asked the right questions, and applied AI in ways that genuinely improve animal care.
This project is a reminder that when you combine curiosity, skill, and shared purpose, you don’t just build technology. You build solutions that make a difference.
The Bigger Picture: A Ripple Effect
The lessons learned here have the potential to shape how animal care institutions around the world support the well-being of their animals. As highlighted at a Jobs for the Future’s Horizons event, it’s also a powerful reminder of how hands-on, responsibly developed AI can deliver innovation and meaningful learning experiences. It’s about turning curiosity into action, and action into impact.
Why We’re Excited
At AI OWL, we believe the future of AI isn’t just faster tools or smarter tech. It’s people, especially the next generation, using AI to solve problems that matter.
We’re honored to have been part of this project and proud of the team, partners, and zookeepers who brought it to life. Because when innovation is powered by purpose, everyone benefits.
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