Tracking – Real Time Monitoring
STE uses GPS-tracking equipment to understand elephant lives, decisions and needs. STE founder Iain Douglas-Hamilton was the first to track elephants using radio collars and STE remains at the forefront of tracking technology.
The technology provides near-instantaneous observation of the GPS location of an animal within seconds of it being recorded by an animal’s tracking collar. Data are transmitted via satellite or the local cell phone network. Behind the scenes, a set of sophisticated software algorithms monitor incoming elephant movement datastreams and summarize complex information.
One algorithm looks specifically for elephants that become unnaturally immobile – a warning that can indicate that an elephant is in trouble. Poaching of elephants for ivory has emerged once again as a serious threat to the species. The real-time monitoring system is being applied to identify poaching events. When one occurs and is properly identified by the system, alerts are issued via SMS and e-mail to wildlife management and enforcement allowing rapid response.
“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,” says George Wittemyer. “This system is allowing us to change the risks associated with poaching, ultimately enhancing the deterrents to such illegal activities.”
Over the longer term, tracking data helps build knowledge of elephant ranging behaviour. In an increasingly crowded Africa, this information is key to preserving habitat and the corridors that link areas used by both elephants and and other wildlife.
“Understanding an elephant’s ranging behaviour is fundamental in developing successful conservation strategies,” says Festus Ihwagi, conservation biologist and STE’s lead GIS analyst.
STE Tracking App
Save the Elephants (STE) has been GPS tracking elephants and other animals in Africa since 1995. The STE Tracking App, powered by Vulcan Inc., is defined to help iOS users to visualize and track elephants and other wildlife.
Elegant visualization helps researchers, conservationists and wildlife managers to investigate behavior, plan wildlife areas and corridors and guide law enforcement.
More Projects Under Research
Donate
The fate of elephants is in the balance. The record price of ivory has attracted organised crime, rebel militias and even terrorist groups, fuelling a surge of poaching across the continent. Without the outstanding support and generosity of our donors, STE would not be able to continue securing a future for the elephants. We urgently need your support, while there is still time. You can be of vital assistance by donating to either our core funds or to any of our projects.
Spread the Word
The fate of elephants is in the balance. The record price of ivory has attracted organised crime, rebel militias and even terrorist groups, fuelling a surge of poaching across the continent. Without the outstanding support and generosity of our donors, STE would not be able to continue securing a future for the elephants. We urgently need your support, while there is still time. You can be of vital assistance by donating to either our core funds or to any of our projects.
How You Can Help
Over the last years our world-leading conservation efforts have been possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of loyal supporters. To join them you can donate in a number of ways:
Elephants are fast disappearing from the wild. Without urgent, international action they could be gone within a generation. The Elephant Crisis Fund provides rapid, catalytic support for the most effective projects designed to stop the killing, thwart traffickers and end the demand for ivory. 100% of all donations reach the field.
Save the Elephants is funded almost entirely by private donations. It is only through the generous support of donors that we are able to continue our important elephant conservation work. We rely entirely on funds, grants and donations from around the world, so thank you for helping us to secure a future for these fascinating creatures.
Our unique brand of conservation education encourages students to become ambassadors of their rich environment. We also give opportunities to friends around the world to help educate young minds and improve the infrastructure of their schools. Sponsor a child & help build a future for wildlife.
The post Tracking – Real Time Monitoring appeared first on Save the Elephants.
