Kenya has introduced a new line of defense in the fight against black rhino poaching. Artificial Intelligence-enabled thermal cameras, the technology, supported by the U.S. State Department, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, has been deployed in sanctuaries across the country.
According to Geoffrey Chege, Black Rhino Programme Officer at WWF-Kenya, the Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras use advanced analytics to detect and alert rangers of any human, vehicle, or wildlife intrusion.
“The artificial intelligence-enabled FLIR cameras have inbuilt analytics that send out automated alerts every time they detect an intrusion from humans, vehicles or wildlife. This is one of the ways of equipping rangers with modern technology so that they are able to protect rhinos,” Chege said.
FLIR cameras saving black rhino
The initiative aims to improve protection efforts for the critically endangered black rhino, whose numbers have more than doubled since the 1980s.
Notably, the country now boasts over 1,000 black rhinos, up from approximately 400 four decades ago.
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The innovative technology is part of a broader strategy to support rangers in their challenging task of safeguarding these animals.
“The idea is to minimize intrusion, including poachers,” said Mohamed Awer, Chief Executive Officer of WWF-Kenya.
He added that the strategy is to use innovative technology to complement the rangers’ efforts.
Strategic Deployment
The cameras have been deployed at Solio Game Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
According to Kevin Carr-Hartley, Manager of Solio Game Reserve, Solio Game Reserve has the highest density of black rhinos in East Africa and has contributed founder populations to over 90% of all rhino sites in Kenya.
“Rangers are the most important people, they are on the frontline and we have to give them the technology that potential poachers might have. We have to be better and keep improving technology like the FLIR cameras,” Carr-Hartley said, emphasizing the need for technological advancements in conservation efforts.
The FLIR cameras are not just about protecting rhinos—they also enhance ranger safety by providing real-time information on the location of intruders, reducing the time it takes to respond to alerts.
World Rhino Day
Kenya has seen a significant decline in rhino poaching, even reaching zero incidents in 2020.
“I am aware that over the last six years, we have not lost a single rhino in this sanctuary. That speaks volumes,” said Dr. Erustus Kanga, Director General of KWS, applauding the achievements of Solio Game Reserve.
As the world celebrates Rhino Day on September 22, Kenya can take pride in its conservation efforts and the role technology has played in them.
“It is great that technology is always giving us new solutions, a new potential answer to all problems, and AI is one of those. All of our thermal cameras have AI and can tell you when a human is in the picture or an animal. And then it will send an alert to the rangers,” said Colby Loucks, Vice President of Wildlife Conservation at WWF-US.
“The rangers know immediately, if there is something that needs to be checked on the camera, and it is all based on AI,” Colby Loucks added.
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During the World Rhino Day, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Rebecaa Miano highlighted Kenya’s commitment to the conservation of Rhinos.
“Today, we proudly stand with the global community to celebrate World Rhino Day under the theme ‘Keep the Five Alive.’ Kenya’s rhino populations, particularly within community-led initiatives like Sera Conservancy, are a testament to the success of conservation partnerships,” Miano said at the event at Sereolipi Primary School, Samburu County.
Kenya’s Vision on Black Rhino
With these advancements, Kenya is on track to achieve its vision of having 2,000 black rhinos by 2037, a goal set out in the country’s previous five-year action plans that have stabilized and grown the rhino population.
The new recovery plan aims to build on this success, ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic species.
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