The Worldwide Fund for Nature in Zambia has launched drones surveillance in Zambia’s national parks to curb poaching.
The Drones for Conservation Project was launched on Friday by with a demonstration on the use of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Drones.
The event took place at the Lusaka National Park and was graced by Minister of Tourism and Arts Charles Banda among other dignitaries from Government, the diplomatic community, private sector and the media.
SWUAT Technologies Ltd., the consultants for the project wowed the audience with live demonstrations on the practical applications of drones in wildlife management including but not limited to surveillance, vegetation mapping and wildlife surveys.
The second stage of the project will involve deployment of the UAV units across five national parks for an initial period during which the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and its partners will receive mentorship support from SWUAT Technologies Ltd.
Tourism and Arts minister Charles Banda said the drones would increase surveillance and curb poaching in national parks.
Mr Banda said during the launch of the programme in Lusaka that the government is concerned with the levels of poaching.
“The use of unmanned aerial vehicles -UAVs technology will help provide surveillance in places where the wildlife staff cannot go to and will help to preserve wild life,” Mr. Banda added.
Results of a three-year aerial survey of Africa’s elephants published in 2016 revealed a dramatic 30 per cent decline in savannah species populations, largely due to poaching.
Zambia has 20 national parks and 34 game management areas.
About time…i have been saying this for the past 6 years… in East Africa they have been using them for the past 5 years!!
Its the same for sniffer dogs ..our friends at JKIA in Kenya use them but us we are years behind ..
They use sniff dogs at KKIA. The question is, what happens after things are found?
Drones are good but are becoming a danger to planes; one will be lucky to find any video on lusaka national park; majority of poachers are used by people in government;
How can drones of this size be a danger in a game park when they are operated 50 meters from the ground.
I bought one from China mall. Fully charged but can barely fly. Keeps crashing. Bananigonga
TIME LONG OVERDUE
Though u acquired these drones they are not fit for this purpose its just a sheer waste of resources, suveillance on national parks will not reduce poaching reason is that poachers require face to face confrontation not just getting them photos as evidence , their is a real time protocal on AUV its comes with heavy cost even though u pay for real time infor. it requires officers on ground to mobilize and drive to the scene , by the time they go their poachers wud be done with their mission.
Surely a step in the positive direction…
Drones are now commonly used , world over, by the Military, Police, immigration Depts, the Intelligence, National Game Parks, Rich People and Criminal Gangs or Cartels.
Unarmed Drones are doing very well along porous Boarders, in monitoring illegal crossings and smuggling.
Armed Drones are achieving better results, for Military Purposes and Operations.
Best results can and are being obtained through use of Satellite Technology (GPS) together with Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) Devices. This system can, day or night time pinpoint, Track and follow a person or vehicle through forests, mountains, Caves, rivers, or underground bunkers. The EMR emits painful, torturous and Deadly Radiation, which can maim, paralyze, cause Cancer, Impotence, Impotence, incurable ailments, Insanity , and…
@col SG Musonda its a pity you retired with all that knowledge i wish u get some consultancy to advise on DRONES
Deploy drones for security reasons too, too many rituals. Use such technology to capture the culprits
This is commendable, definitely a giant step in the right direction. More uses will emerge with time. Well done. Let’s protect our Natural Resources with jealousy.
Giant step forward.