Cyber-Poaching: Creating Controversy over GPS Conservation Methods

Environmental groups use various Global Positioning System (GPS) conservation methods to manage wildlife and their habitats. Areas around the world that were previously impenetrable to man are now able to be studied via a wide variety of GPS applications. As technology develops, so, too, do the means to improve conservation efforts.

CC Image courtesy of Dennis Jarvis via Flickr

One valuable aspect of GPS tracking is the efficiency of data collection and evaluation. This enables the tracking of large scale tasks. For example, countries can manage certain regulatory systems through GPS tracking. Border delineation, mining operations, logging management, and weather monitoring are just a few of the tasks made simpler through GPS supervision.

Researchers use GPS to monitor the environment by tracking natural events such as the spread of forest fires, earthquake activity, and wildlife migrations. As animal populations are tracked, conservationists learn many things about the animals, including their habitat, diet, and group size.

GPS Trackers Used for Endangered Wildlife Conservation

One particularly large scale task that is managed through GPS conservation methods is the tracking of endangered species. Specialists put collars on animals they wish to monitor and these collars send out regular signals indicating when the animals move, feed, and sleep. Those observing an animal’s behavior receive data that allows them to provide assistance if the animal becomes ill or trapped in a snare. When a distress signal is received, teams of rangers respond quickly with aid to help the troubled animal.

Because the typical GPS collar costs around $5,000 and lasts approximately eight months, they are used for some of the most valuable or endangered animals: tigers, rhinoceroses, and wild dogs. Some GPS collars include metal plates that can prevent choking if the animal wearing the collar is snared. These collars have saved the lives of many endangered animals.

GPS Devices Hacked by Cyber-Poachers

In some cases, GPS tracking devices have enabled conservationists to prevent or catch poachers trying to kill and harvest parts from endangered animals. Unfortunately, a number of poachers have found ways to get around the capabilities of these devices, even trying to use them to track down endangered animals through online hacking. The act of a poacher trying to hack into GPS location data has been termed “cyber-poaching”. Although no known attempts have succeeded, the fact that the possibility exists for poachers to use the Internet to gain access to information on the location of endangered animals has many people concerned. Even encrypted data may be penetrated, which puts the animals in even greater danger.

Poachers are motivated by the high prices earned through selling endangered animals, whole or in parts. Tigers are especially valuable, with individual parts selling for up to $2,000 and entire animals obtaining $50,000 on the black market. Experts estimate that the trafficking of endangered wildlife brings in between $7.8 to $10 billion per year. With such a high income at their disposal, poachers are a step ahead of the game in terms of technology. And because they can afford good equipment, poachers’ equipment easily rivals that of preserve rangers.

Petitions for the Removal of GPS Collars

The market for poached items continues to grow, and dealers in illegal products use code words on sites to prevent detection. Illegal products made from poached animals, like medicine, jewelry, and decorative pieces, may be sold very quickly through the online black market. As economies rise and countries gain greater access to the Internet, illegal animal sales will continue to increase. The demand for more and more endangered animal products will raise prices and profits for poachers, creating even more motivation for cyber-poaching.

Some conservationists are concerned that the use of GPS collars to track animals will make it easier for poachers to find and kill endangered species. A number of concerned organizations have posted online petitions requesting that GPS collars not be used to track tigers. These people hope that removing the collars will prevent the animals from becoming easy targets for cyber-savvy poachers.

Additional Tracking Measures Address Concerns

Though they recognize the threat posed by the potential for data hacking, rangers continue to believe that the benefits of GPS conservation methods outweigh the risks. Some preserves have seen increases in tiger populations thanks to GPS tracking, and rangers continue to find ways to monitor and protect these highly-prized animals. Some teams of rangers use the GPS collars to stay within 1,600 feet of endangered tigers, while others plan to use surveillance drones and wireless sensors to detect human invasion in restricted areas.

Thanks to the dedication of these preservationists and others like them, endangered species populations are increasing. The threat of ever more aggressive poachers will always exist, but the vigilance of those who want to ensure the protection of these animals continues to bring hope that endangered populations will thrive and continue to grow.

Cyber-Poaching: Creating Controversy over GPS Conservation Methods