WildTiger develops strategies and tools to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and combat poaching on the ground. A key approach is our use of LeopardEye where live systems can capture activity of both humans and wildlife. We live in a world now where technology is fundamental to improving coexistence. Communication systems and artificial intelligence are evolving at rapid speed allowing innovations and improvements for conservation technology. Below are two examples of LeopardEye at work:
In the image above a leopard is photographed by a remote camera with the information sent in real time. This meant an alert could be sent to locals that the big cat was in the area where a woman had been killed by a leopard a few days earlier. This type of Early Warning System (EWS) is evolving as technology improves.
The tiger in the image above had taken the life of a buffalo herder and was to be removed from the area which was close to human settlements. By using real time alerts through LeopardEye we were able to assist the rescue team (NTNC Bardiya National Park Nepal) and prevent further conflict.
We use a variety of systems so as to adapt to any given situation.
The use of advanced technology to understand and act on data in real time aligns with our strategy to mitigate human – wildlife conflict across 3 species involved in human fatalities, tiger, leopard and elephant.
The three element strategy consists of:
1) Increasing understanding of species behaviour both across the species as a whole and more specifically the individual wild animals involved in a conflict scenario. This information is used for education purposes for the communities in affected areas.
2) Using real time alert systems through LeopardEye systems combined with instant communication systems including SMS to relay information to control rooms, wildlife monitors and communities.
3) Improving inter-stakeholder communications so as to protect communities thus increasing tolerance for potentially problematic wild animals.
As part of LeopardEye we’re developing non-invasive systems to help coexistence. Watch the short video below as an example.
We’ll update on progress integrating cellular, satellite and LoRa devices into LeopardEye as well as acoustic devices and drones to help mitigate human – wildlife conflict. Reports on this and other LeopardEye live site use in different areas will be notified late 2023/early 2024 at our Twitter account @WildTigerNews and published here at LeopardEye. CMS (Constant Monitoring Systems) and EWS (Early Warning Systems) are the key elements currently being implemented and evolving.
WildTiger works with a number of partners in the use of LeopardEye in human – wildlife conflict and anti – poaching scenarios on the ground.
A collaboration with Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS) is evolving particularly in the area of developing conflict deterrence systems. In the image below Sushila and Manju install a real-time data transmitting camera supplied by WPS for some work (EWS for leopard and elephant proximity) in the buffer zone of Bardiya National Park in western Nepal. Bardiya is an example of a protected area and buffer zone region facing many coexistence challenges, WildTiger is working in collaboration with different partners in the area to mitigate conflict including Ujayalo Nepal and the Community Based Anti-Poaching Unit. Another evolving project is in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) which you can read about at the Sacred Valley Concept and which we have exciting developments to be announced regarding the use of LeopardEye to protect and coexist with leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard as well as Himalayan black bear and other species. Watch this space for updates.
We’d also like to thanks Katie Adamson Conservation Fund and ProsChoice Australia for their continued support for LeopardEye.
The use of LeopardEye in countering poaching contains strategies which are not made public so as not to compromise action ensuring effective ue. This falls under the strategic plan #AntiSnare within the scope of Countering Illegal Wildlife Trade.
To help our work please make contact at the address below or to give immediate support please go HERE.
To inquire about the use of LeopardEye for human-wildlife conflict mitigation or anti-poaching please email projects@wildtiger.org