Poaching it is increasing around the world. They kill rhinos to sell their horns, sharks for their fins, elephants because their tusks are used in Chinese medicine, tigers and other animals for fun. Any help to stop this scourge is good. Technology can help save species from extinction.
The mafias organize and finance themselves, while the governments of some of the countries where this illegal hunting takes place do not have the resources to stop the criminals. In particular, they lack trained guards and money. So perhaps it is time to turn to your imagination and electronics devices.
Drones
There is more and more talk about these devices, which are small pilotless airplanes that are operated by remote control. They have cameras and other types of sensors. They are becoming cheaper to build and easier to use and offer greater possibilities for conservationists and rangers. They are already used to protect some species in danger from extinction in Kenya, in Nepal and elsewhere. Even to follow whales across the ocean.
Gps
Geolocation systems Together with the technology provided by Google and collars placed on the necks (or devices in other parts of the body) of animals, they can save many lives. Google Earth provides a wealth of information for scientists and conservationists. It can also be a real-time poaching surveillance tool. The Save the Elephants organization uses this Google technology, along with GPS collars, to track the movements of herds of elephants. You can tell if an animal has stopped moving, which may mean that it has been the victim of illegal hunting.
Fences with alarm
The Service by Protection The Kenyan Wildlife Service is going to start using this high technology in certain game reserves to try to keep poachers away from endangered species. If hunters approach the fences, an alarm will sound, warning both the Forest ranger as well as the animals themselves. It is a technology that can be used for areas that are not too large. In Kenya, they expect these fences to prevent up to 90% of poaching in fenced areas.
Hidden cameras
They are called TrailGuards, tiny cameras that hide in places like tree trunks, bushes, or crevices in trails. They are activated by the movement of large animals, but also if human beings approach: the furtive hunter it would be registered in the photograph. Through an internet connection, images are sent instantly. The downside is that it is a technology quite expensive. On the other hand, the discovered poacher may flee.
DNA tracking
It is a way of dissuading poachersIf they cannot sell their merchandise, it is not worth risking to kill the animal. It is being tested with some species. For example, with sharks, when they are confiscated. Scientists use the DNA to track where it was hunted and to notify local authorities. It is effective for the species that inhabit specific places. Also used with confiscated rhinos and horns.
Trap with emergency alerts
In this case, it is about fighting against the fixed traps that the hunters place. Ties or hooks to catch lions, cheetahs, leopards and other mammals. It is a slow and painful way of dying, until the poachers They arrive to check the traps. It is a collar similar to the one used for GPS location. This collar, if it falls into a trap, alerts the team to release it back to its natural habitat.
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