Elephant Conservation Improved by GPS Technology

Here at the Rocky Mountain Tracking blog, we’ve shared many stories over the years about ways GPS technology is used by wildlife biologists and researchers. We’ve published stories about bear tracking, rhino tracking, eagle tracking, cat tracking and many others. Over the last couple of years, we’ve noticed a shift from GPS tracking being used mostly for wildlife research, to seeing the technology used in real-time conservation efforts.

CC Image courtesy of SarahDepper on Flickr

In a way, just about all wildlife tracking is done with the welfare of the animal being tracked in mind. One could argue that all wildlife GPS tracking is part of a conservation effort. What is new is how the technology is being used to combat the massive poaching problem threatening endangered species around the world. Combining GPS with other technologies, such as drones or satellite imaging, has enabled teams of conservationists to better capture and even prevent poachers from killing wildlife for profit.

A study using GPS and other advanced satellite technologies to monitor African elephants was recently published in the Ecological Applications journal by researchers from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Colorado State University, U.S.; and Save the Elephants, Kenya. “GPS, GSM and satellite phone technologies are rapidly becoming the pen and paper of animal field biologists,” explained Jake Wall, lead author of the study. “The GPS trail of an animal, combined with data from satellite imagery and other remote sensors, can give us a detailed picture of where the animal is, what it is doing and what it might be experiencing.”

Unfortunately, the black market for ivory and animal pelts is booming. The million-dollar industry attracts a lot of poachers willing to risk their lives at a chance to sell ivory. Not too long ago, we published a story about elephant poachers in Kenya being watched for by drones and GPS tracking technology. The elephants were monitored in an established animal sanctuary, but this known protected area was creating an easy target for poachers who would sneak in, kill an elephant and collects its ivory tusks. The drones would follow the elephant herds and patrol the boundaries of the sanctuary. If a poacher is spotted, authorities are immediately alerted.

“Applying technology in novel ways gives managers an edge over poachers, which is increasingly critical to the protection of elephants and many endangered species in the face of increasing sophistication in poaching networks,” said George Wittemyer from Colorado State University’s Warner College of Natural Resources. “This system is allowing us to change the risks associated with poaching, ultimately enhancing the deterrents to such illegal activities.”

This new system is similar to the one we reported involving drones. However, instead of little drones with cameras flying around the habitats, this new system uses satellite imaging from space. This imaging technology is so precise and powerful, it can actually see an elephant on earth from space. The imaging system receives the GPS location of the elephants from their collars, and researchers can record the movement and observe the behavior of elephants in the wild.

Sophisticated software algorithms monitor the GPS data from the elephants and can detect if an elephant becomes unnaturally immobile, a warning sign that the animal has been injured or killed. When this happens, the imaging software can help determine the cause of the immobility. Once it is verified that the elephant is in danger, SMS and email alerts are sent to wildlife management and enforcement to help facilitate a quick response.

The Environmental Systems Research Institute in California donated Geographical Information System (GIS) software for the research and conservation system. The software runes from the Amazon EC2 Cloud, which also powers Netflix, and allows the researchers to see real-time movements of the wildlife through Google Earth.

“Tracking of elephants has helped lift the veil on the secrets of elephant lives over the last few decades. This novel integration of smartphone technology has allowed movement data to leap from the realm of applied research into a vital conservation tool that is used daily by anti-poaching forces,” added Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Founder of Save the Elephants.

GPS tracking technology has been a huge help for animal conservationists. Not only do these advanced systems help deter and punish poachers from senselessly harming and killing vital wildlife, it also helps wildlife management assist sick or injured animals right away. Typically, it’s not so important to help a sick animal in the wild. It’s part of the natural cycle of life, and dying animals provide sustenance for other animals to thrive. However, when other forces, such as loss of habitat and/or poaching, threatens to wipe out an entire species, it’s important to help as many of that species survive and reproduce as possible.

Elephant Conservation Improved by GPS Technology