GPS Trackers For Rhinos
South Africa, home to some of the world’s most pristine landscapes and magnificent wildlife, offers a unique glimpse of nature’s beauty. From elephant families roaming in search of water to lions freely prowling the prairies, it’s a wildlife spectacle like no other. Can you picture majestic rhinos flaunting their mighty horns? However, a dark cloud hovers over this paradise. Why? Poachers and hunters flock to Africa’s diverse regions in pursuit of their dangerous game. Armed with high-powered rifles, their sole intent is to kill, desiring ivory tusks, horns, or other trophies. The resulting massacre has been catastrophic for certain species native to South Africa and its surroundings. Ready for a change? The North West Park Board has taken a stand, implementing GPS tracking as an innovative solution to end this senseless violence against South Africa’s majestic wildlife
Rhinos are hunted and killed for their horns by poachers for a variety of reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is that rhino horn has long been viewed as an essential ingredient in many traditional Chinese medicines. With China overtaking Japan as the world’s second-largest economy, more money has been going to the Asian country, resulting in an increase in spending by the Chinese people. Unfortunately, the improved financial conditions in China have resulted in an increase in the demand for items such as rhino horn, which has been medically proven to have zero medicinal strength. The fight against poachers is an ongoing and seemingly never-ending problem, especially now that demand has increased for rhino horns.
Some animal conservationists believe nearly 250 rhinos were killed in South Africa this year alone by poachers looking to obtain rhino horns.
Benefits Of Tracking Rhinos With GPS
You’ve likely heard of tracking solutions for vehicles or personal items, but did you know that similar technology is helping protect rhinos? Rhinos, particularly those in South Africa, face immense threats due to poaching and habitat destruction. Enter GPS tracking for poaching prevention.
- Robust Tracking System. Using GPS trackers, anti-poaching units can keep real-time tabs on rhinos, helping protect the species from threats. These tracking devices, sometimes designed as custom collars, provide constant location tracking data.
- Poaching Prevention. The positioning system alerts the anti-poaching units when a rhino’s movements are unusual, which could suggest a poaching attempt. This swift alert system reduces the amount of time between a potential poaching event and a response.
- Fleet Management and Asset Tracking. With the help of GPS tracking solutions, farm managers can use the same technology employed in fleet tracking for effective asset tracking. Each rhino, a valuable asset, can be monitored just like vehicles in a fleet.
- Long-Lasting Battery Life. Battery-powered GPS tracking devices ensure a longer device battery life. This increases the duration of protection for each animal, offering a greater chance for poaching prevention.
- Temperature Tolerance and Durability. The custom collars are designed with a high-temperature tolerance to withstand harsh African conditions. Moreover, they include a 3-axis accelerometer to handle the rough movements of rhinos.
Remember, as highlighted by Adele Peters from Fast Company, the goal is to leverage technology like GPS tracking devices and asset tracking devices for the conservation of wildlife. This innovation goes beyond traditional uses, such as fleet management. TG Tracking’s unique approach shows us that technology can indeed contribute significantly to safeguarding the world’s rhino population.
Related Content: GPS Tracker For Wildlife
GPS Tracking: Protecting Rhinos Through Satellite Monitoring
What the North West Park Board is now doing to help protect rhinos living in the Mafikeng Game Reserve is hooking the animals up with GPS trackers. How the GPS monitoring plan is being conducted is relatively simple. First, rhinos are safely captured from the wild. Then the scientists will drill a very small hole into the horn of the rhino, placing a tracking system inside the horn that will transmit location-based information. The procedure is quick and causes no harm or pain to the rhino. Once the GPS device is placed in the horn of the rhino, scientists and other researchers can then monitor the rhino’s movements, looking for abnormal activity that suggests that the rhino is being targeted by poachers. Abnormal activity includes things such as sleeping for over 6 hours per day or extended durations of running.
Currently, GPS tracking devices have been placed in the horns of 5 different rhinos living in South Africa.
Hopefully, through the use of GPS monitoring equipment, more poachers will be caught and arrested for the killing of rhinos. The problem is ongoing, but with the dedication and drive of researchers and scientists maybe the problem will one day fade away.
FAQs
How Does GPS Tracking Help In Conserving Black Rhinos?
GPS technology helps in tracking the movement patterns of black rhinos, which helps conservationists to identify the areas where the animals are most active. This information can be used to establish protected areas and corridors, which are crucial for the survival of the species. By monitoring the rhinos’ movements, researchers can also identify potential threats, such as poaching, and take action to prevent them.
Source: “Tracking rhinos with GPS to help stop poaching” – BBC News
How Accurate Are GPS Tracking Devices For Black Rhinos?
GPS technology is very accurate and can provide real-time data on the location of black rhinos. This helps conservationists to monitor the animals’ movements and behavior, which is crucial for their protection. GPS tracking can also be used to establish the rhinos’ home ranges and preferred habitats, which can inform conservation efforts.
Can GPS Tracking Help In Preventing The Extinction Of Black Rhinos?
Yes, GPS technology is a valuable tool in the fight against the extinction of black rhinos. By tracking the animals’ movements and behavior, conservationists can identify areas that are critical for their survival and take action to protect them. This can include establishing protected areas, increasing patrols to prevent poaching, and implementing other conservation measures.
Source: “GPS tracking helps protect endangered black rhinos” – Mongabay
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