Save the Rhino Trust Namibia

Bicornews April 2017

Rhino Monitoring in Kunene is getting SMARTer

Jeff Muntifering

Text by Dr. Jeff Muntifering, Conservation Biologist, Minnesota Zoo (USA) & Science Adviser,
Save the Rhino Trust (Namibia)

As poaching rates across Africa remain at dangerously high levels, new approaches
and tools are needed to curb the crisis. Recent advances in technology, particularly
high-tech surveillance and monitoring equipment, present a unique suite of
opportunities to improve rhino protection.

Over the past 35 years, Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) have pioneered and polished a
simple yet effective rhino monitoring method that integrates local knowledge (i.e. foot
tracking) with more advanced monitoring tools such as global positioning systems
(GPS), ultra-zoom digital cameras and state-of-the-art mapping software. And the
results have been more than promising with the number of verified rhino sightings and
associated data increasing by nearly 500% over the past 5 years. Ironically, we are
now faced with a new challenge that involves finding solutions that enables managers to
process and feedback this massive influx of information in a manner that helps improve
rhino protection.

Fortunately, a suitable candidate exists. A few years ago, an innovative team of

scientists and computer programmers from around the world created the Spatial
Monitoring And Reporting Tool otherwise known as SMART Conservation software.
The program is geared towards wildlife monitoring and law enforcement activities and
provides managers with a fully customisable, simple but powerful interface that makes
summarising and displaying any patrol information quick and easy. The programme
links with a more well known application known as Cybertracker which can be
downloaded on ruggedized mobile devices to also simplify data collection in the field.

SRT began pilot testing the SMART software in 2016 and most recently, with support
from North Carolina Zoo and Minnesota Zoo, acquired a number of new PDA devices to
field test. We hope to have a fully functional SMART system up and running over the
next couple months and firmly believe this cutting-edge system will revolutionise the
way we see and utilise our hard-won rhino information.

Save the Rhino Trust Namibia

PO Box 2159
Swakopmund
Namibia
www.savetherhinotrust.org