GPS helps protect endangered wildlife

[MikeB]

In Namibia hi-tech is now being used in the battle between Park Rangers and Poachers, but it is also able to act as a warning system for farmers.

Livestock farmers have always been vulnerable to predation of their animals. This is mainly from the populations of large cats. In the past the main option for the shepherds has been to shoot the predators, but GPS is changing this.

In a project featuring a cheetah called Joris, named after a 7 year old who sponsors the cat, GPS collars are being fitted to big cats to track them. This allows the conservationists to alert farmers when the predators move towards the livestock and allow the farmer to manage their stock in a way that prevents confrontation with and eventual killing of the cats.

At the same time the age old struggle between poachers and park rangers and conservationists has taken a new turn with the introduction of new technology. We are used to cameras and other means of tracking us, but this is becoming a new experience to the non-human residents of Namibia. In an effort to combat the poachers park rangers are utilising drones with GPS and infra-red sensors to monitor Rhinos during the night.

Read the full article on NBCNews.com

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Mike Barrett

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