My Research - Blog Posts

Fight AI and Protect Endangered Cozumel Raccoons!

Remaking this post with better info on how you can help the critically endangered Cozumel raccoon from your own home by BULLYING AI INTO SUBMISSION.

The issue: There is a critically endangered species of raccoon known as the Cozumel/pygmy raccoon. Among a shitload of other threats, the Cozumel raccoon also has to deal with the fact nobody knows it exists. This issue has gotten worse with Google's new "AI Search Overviews." Unfortunately, when people search things like "Mexican raccoons" or "What species of raccoons are in Mexico," all the results show coatis. Which are not raccoons (they are more closely related to Olingos.) Mexico actually has two species of raccoon, the common raccoon (Procyon lotor) and the Cozumel raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus.) If people can't even find the Cozumel raccoon on google without using the actual species name, how tf are folks supposed to know they are endangered and need help?

Anyway, here is a way you can fight back against Google's bullshit AI and search algorithms that are limiting pygmy raccoon conservation efforts:

Method 1: Report Incorrect Google AI Overview Results

1. Google phrases like “Mexican raccoons,” “what species of raccoon are in Mexico," "types of raccoons in Mexico," “what kind of raccoons live in Mexico," etc.

2. If coatis appear instead of actual raccoons in the Google AI Overview, scroll to the bottom and click the thumbs down.

3. Click “Report a problem”

4. Click “Not Factually Correct” or "Unhelpful."

5. Type something along the lines of: “Mexican raccoons are not coatis. The two raccoon species in Mexico are the common raccoon, Procyon lotor and the critically endangered pygmy raccoon/Cozumel raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus)” or "Bro, I searched for raccoons, this is a coati. Show me the raccoons."

6. Click “Include a screen capture” and submit.

Method 2: Report Individual Search Results

Find any search result that refer to coatis as Mexican raccoons

2. Click the three dots next to the listing.

3. Scroll right and click “Feedback.”

4. Select “Inaccurate content” or "Irrelevant content." Again, whatever floats your boat.

5. Explain the error by typing something like I mentioned above.

6. Click “Include screenshot.”

7. Submit your report.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!!

For more information about the pygmy raccoon and the threats they face, feel free to visit my site here! I still have a lot of work to do there, but that is where I will be posting updates about my research as well.

Also, if you are interested in learning more about how AI is impacting wildlife conservation issues, I actually have two youtube videos about the topic! How AI is Hurting Critically Endangered Mexican Raccoons (And How You Can Help)

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