Lindbergh Foundation has launched the Air Shepherd initiative, which uses drones to protect elephants and rhinos in Africa from poachers.
The drones incorporate advanced infrared surveillance systems and supercomputer-based predictive analytic technology developed by University of Maryland.
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The algorithms and aviation techniques are said to help identify where poaching is likely to occur with 93% accuracy thereby apprehending poachers.
Over the past two years, Air Shepherd’s partner’s drones have been tested on private reserves in southern Africa in more than 650 missions.
Air Shepherd intends to raise $500,000 through crowd-funding to implement the programme at Kruger National Park for one year.
The independent, non-profit organisation plans to expand the technology to seven additional African countries.
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By GlobalDataAnimal poaching has significantly increased in recent years in Africa. Between 2010 and 2013, approximately 100,000 elephants were killed by poachers.
Last week, South African National Parks (SANParks) received a new Airbus AS-350B3e helicopter for rhino anti-poaching flight operations in the Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (EKZMW) area.
SANParks said that it is evaluating various technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), to combat rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park.
Image: Mobile command unit with drone. Photo: courtesy of Air Shepherd.
