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Addo Elephant National Park has introduced new intelligent collars that use “Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms” to monitor the behavior of its rhino population and protect it against rhino poaching.
SANParks spokesperson JP Louw confirmed the tracking collar aids in swift tracking and response to any poaching activities by sending instant alerts with the rhinos’ GPS locations. The technology also enables the monitoring of various behaviors such as fighting, mating, and birthing, further assisting in the conservation of these threatened animals and habitat conservation for this Big Five park’s 180,000-hectare range.
To date, 31 collars have been donated by conservation stakeholders, including Stop Rhino Poaching and Animal Survival International, Dancing for Rhinos, and Rouxcell Technology.
Rhino Poaching Rises in South Africa
Rhino poaching in South Africa increased by 10.3% in 2023. Some 406 rhinos were killed on state land in 2023, with a further 93 killed on private land. South Africa is home to almost half of Africa’s critically endangered black rhinos and the world’s largest population of near-threatened white rhinos.
Addo Elephant National Park, situated near Gqeberha in South Africa, is the country’s third-largest national park. The park’s black rhino population is mainly descendants of about 22 original individuals, distributed across three separately fenced sections: Main Camp, Darlington, and Nyathi.
Addo is also world-renowned for spectacular elephant viewing, with over 600 elephants adding to its Big Five Safari appeal.
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Author: Selene Brophy - 30 April 2024