Threatened rhinos get a leg up via technology

Cisco and Dimension Data plan to expand their Connected Conservation tech solution to protect elephants and rhinos in other reserves in Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya. The reserve is protected by 72km of electric fencing and thermal cameras to spot int
The horn of the rhino is made of keratin and is used in traditional medicine because it is believed to cure a variety of ailments. This practice fuels poaching, a lucrative trade, with a single horn worth several years’ salary. ST PHOTO: LINETTE LAI
Cisco and Dimension Data plan to expand their Connected Conservation tech solution to protect elephants and rhinos in other reserves in Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya. The reserve is protected by 72km of electric fencing and thermal cameras to spot int
Cisco and Dimension Data plan to expand their Connected Conservation tech solution to protect elephants and rhinos in other reserves in Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya.ST PHOTO: LINETTE LAI
Cisco and Dimension Data plan to expand their Connected Conservation tech solution to protect elephants and rhinos in other reserves in Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya. The reserve is protected by 72km of electric fencing and thermal cameras to spot int
The reserve’s CCTV footage is monitored round the clock from this central control room (above), while a wireless network allows rangers to communicate with each other despite the remote location.PHOTO: DIMENSION DATA
Cisco and Dimension Data plan to expand their Connected Conservation tech solution to protect elephants and rhinos in other reserves in Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya. The reserve is protected by 72km of electric fencing and thermal cameras to spot int
The reserve’s CCTV footage is monitored round the clock from this central control room, while a wireless network allows rangers to communicate with each other despite the remote location (above).PHOTO: DIMENSION DATA
Cisco and Dimension Data plan to expand their Connected Conservation tech solution to protect elephants and rhinos in other reserves in Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya. The reserve is protected by 72km of electric fencing and thermal cameras to spot int
The reserve is protected by 72km of electric fencing and thermal cameras to spot intruders (above), while sniffer dogs are trained to alert their handlers if they detect gunmetal in visiting vehicles.PHOTO: DIMENSION DATA
Cisco and Dimension Data plan to expand their Connected Conservation tech solution to protect elephants and rhinos in other reserves in Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya. The reserve is protected by 72km of electric fencing and thermal cameras to spot int
The reserve is protected by 72km of electric fencing and thermal cameras to spot intruders, while sniffer dogs are trained to alert their handlers if they detect gunmetal in visiting vehicles (above).PHOTO: DIMENSION DATA
Published
Jun 21, 2018, 5:00 am SGT

Sensors, scanners and wireless networks part of game reserve's arsenal to deter poachers

Linette Lai In Mpumalanga (South Africa)

In a South African game reserve, technology is saving the lives of one of the planet's most threatened animals: the rhinoceros.

Five years ago, one rhino there was killed for its horn almost every week. But the deaths have stopped entirely since the start of last year, after the reserve began using high-tech means to keep poachers out.

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Saving animals the high-tech way
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 21, 2018, with the headline 'Threatened rhinos get a leg up via technology'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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