Keeping It Wild

AI, Drones And Sensors Are Being Put To Good use To Stop Poaching And Protect wildlife Habitats. Madeline Bennett Investigates

- Madeline Bennett

The technology sector has a lot to answer for when it comes to detrimental effects on our planet and resources: overflowing landfill sites filled up with our discarded smartphones, tablets and computers; scarred landscapes, a by-product of industrial mining for minerals such as cobalt and tantalum needed to manufacture our electronics; and the pollution from coal-powered plants where our devices are made.

Fortunately, there are also many examples where technology is giving back, with various projects aimed at protecting the environment through preventing poaching and stopping the disappearance of endangered species.

TURNING THE TABLES

Poaching is one of the biggest threats to wildlife, driven by the black market for animal products used in traditional medicines and trinkets. Elephant and rhino are prime targets for armed gangs, who hunt down the animals and hack off their tusks and horns. Poaching has become a highly professional endeavor, with millions of dollars to be made from illegal sales. Where in the past, poachers were equipped with a machete, individuals now come into national parks and wildlife reserves across Africa armed with assault weapons, and are often flown in across borders to carry out attacks.

Luckily, technology is helping to foil these efforts.

South African technology firm Dimension Data has been working with communications specialist Cisco since 2015 to tackle the poaching problem, after a private reserve in South Africa – which was losing a rhino every week to poachers – requested help.