On March 3rd, the United Nations commemorated World Wildlife Day, with the 2024 theme focusing on the intersection of digital innovation and wildlife conservation. The world is in the process of a digital revolution, reshaping all aspects of life, with new innovative technologies driving the changes.
Amidst this transformation, technology has emerged as a key weapon in conservationists’ arsenal for protecting ecosystems and wildlife habitats. From deploying digital fences in oceans, in order to combat overfishing, to utilising infrared drones to deter elephants from agricultural lands, digital innovation has taken on a crucial role in animal conservation.
This article will explore some emerging innovative technologies being used to bolster elephant and rhino conservation efforts, alongside exploring how organisations like Tsavo Trust leverage technology to safeguard wildlife and empower communities.
Gathering information
Collars have long been important to conservation efforts, serving as vital tools in tracking wildlife. At Tsavo Trust, we currently have 16 elephants equipped with tracking collars, including influential matriarchs, big tuskers, and notorious crop raiders.
These collars provide invaluable data on elephants’ ranging patterns, habitat connectivity, and responses to encroaching infrastructure, offering useful insights into their behaviour. Such information proves immensely beneficial in enhancing our ability to protect these animals.
Smart technology
Through innovation, tracking collars are becoming more advanced and are able to give conservation organisations much more information. For example, Rouxcel Technology has developed a smart, solar-powered collar that uses algorithms to monitor rhino behaviour. If the collar detects unusual behaviour from the rhino it will send out an alert and the GPS coordinates. Unusual behaviour is classed into three categories: grey, amber and red.
The grey category means the collar has detected the rhino was in a fight, and might need medical assistance. The amber alert means the rhino is giving birth, allowing the ecological team to understand population information and calving records. The red alert is triggered if the animal has died or is severely injured, notifying a quick response team to assess the causes of the death, and possibly apprehend poachers, if they are responsible.
The use of smart collars means conservation teams can work a lot more efficiently, focusing their efforts on rhinos that are showing unusual behaviour. It also allows response teams to react immediately to the threats of poaching, increasing the chances of arrest.
Data driven decision making
The main goal of technologies such as collars is to give conservation organisations more data. Data is the driving force behind decision making and being able to access more data more efficiently allows a more streamlined and robust response by conservationists.
Here at Tsavo Trust, we use a program called Earth Range to facilitate the sharing of data. This system allows us to track all of our rangers and vehicles (including aircraft) in real time. Meaning, if a team needs to be mobilised to respond to a particular issue, Earth Range can help identify the team best suited to help.
Furthermore, Earth Range facilitates the sharing of critical data between Tsavo Trust and government bodies like the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). This collaboration is vital for successful conservation efforts as it enables a comprehensive understanding of wildlife populations and their habitats. By integrating data from various sources, including ranger patrols and aerial surveillance, Earth Range enhances the accuracy and efficiency of anti-poaching initiatives.
Empowering communities through technology
The Kamungi community lives in close contact with Tsavo’s wildlife, and Tsavo Trust, with funding from BIOPAMA, has been helping to foster an independent conservancy in the area through a number of ways. One of these is the implementation of a bulk SMS system which informs all community members of upcoming board meetings. This ensures community members’ involvement in the decision-making process.
Human-wildlife conflict, as the borders between the wild and human worlds become more populated, is one of the most pressing conservation issues globally. We recognise that addressing human-wildlife conflict requires engaging and empowering those directly impacted. By facilitating direct communication through technology, Tsavo Trust enables community voices to shape conservation strategies, fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife.
The other side of the cobalt coin
The positive impact of digital innovation on global conservation efforts is undeniable; however, the digital revolution comes with a dark side. Essential rare metals like cobalt, lithium, and copper, vital for the development of digital technologies, are predominantly sourced from the tropical forests of Africa, notably the Congo Basin.
Unfortunately, these regions are also home to critically endangered African forest elephants and various other rare species, such as gorillas. The pursuit of these metals leads to extensive deforestation as vast areas are cleared for mines, access roads, and human habitation.
In order to ensure the digital revolution is always working in harmony with animal conservation, we need to produce technologies sustainably, which means protecting crucial habitats where the African forest elephant roams.
The digital revolution is inevitable and although it seems like it is a movement detached from wildlife conservation, the two are linked. If the sourcing of precious metals is done sustainably then wildlife can thrive in a technologically advanced world. Technological advancements, such as smart collars, are helping to streamline conservation efforts, allowing for remote monitoring of important animals, as well as facilitating the sharing of data between key stakeholders. Technology is also helping to empower communities living in close proximity to wildlife, reducing the occurrences of human-wildlife conflict.
If you would like to support Tsavo Trust’s efforts in implementing conservation technologies as well as providing technological assistance to local communities, then consider donating to our cause. For more information, follow this link.