AI, Drones And Sensors Are Being Put To Good use To Stop Poaching And Protect wildlife Habitats. Madeline Bennett Investigates
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.
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Denne historien er fra July 2019-utgaven av Computer Shopper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
XIAOMI Mi Mix 3 5G
VERDICT This is the most affordable of the first 5G smartphones, but even with great hardware, the service isn’t yet worth the expense
RHA T20 Wireless
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Protect And Preserve
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NZXT H510i
VERDICT Some qualities shine through, but this is an underwhelming case from a maker we know can do better
Kicking Off A New Era Of Football?
With the new football season well and truly under way, David Crookes talks to Jon Hare about reviving the spirit of Sensible Soccer with a new, more sociable offering that he hopes will avoid an own goal
NAIM Mu-so 2
VERDICT A luxurious and fine-sounding slab of metal, but for most homes it won’t be worth the expense
Motorola One Vision
VERDICT The One Vision comes close to being a brilliant mishmash of tech – shame about the camera
JBL Xtreme 2
VERDICT With top-quality sound and a versatile design, this is a great – if expensive – rugged Bluetooth speaker
HUAWEI MateBook 13
VERDICT What the MateBook 13 lacks in flourish, it makes up for in value and performance
GIGABYTE X570 Aorus Master
VERDICT A loaded and forward-thinking motherboard, but not one that fully justifies its high price
