Using AI to Save Rhinos: South African Innovators Fight Poaching with Technology

• South Africa’s devastating rhino poaching crisis shows no signs of slowing down; More than 9,400 rhinos senselessly killed from 2006 to 2022
• Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Priaash Ramadeen said he and a group of SA innovators have created artificial intelligence software to effectively combat poaching.
• Ramadeen emphasized that cooperation with local authorities and conservationists is essential to produce sustainable solutions against unions.
• The group of local gurus hopes to take their AI technology internationally and expand their anti-poaching efforts to wildlife worldwide

In a world where the endangered rhino is constantly struggling to survive, a group of South African innovators have developed artificial intelligence software to combat the relentless poaching crisis gripping the country.

South Africa It is a hotspot for rhino poaching. Accordingly save the rhinoAccording to statistics, almost 500 rhinos were brutally killed in 2023; This means an increase of 51% compared to the previous year. South Africa’s rhino population accounts for approximately 80% of the world’s rhinos. Illegal trade in rhino horns, used in traditional medicine, due to international demand, further fuels the tragic trade.

Meet the innovators using artificial intelligence to eliminate rhino poaching

Enter Priaash Ramadeen, co-founder and CEO of The Awareness Company. Ramadeen believes artificial intelligence (AI) could be the key to turning the tide against poaching.

In an exclusive interview with News in briefRamadeen shared his views on their innovative software, HYDRA, which is already making progress in the fight to protect wildlife.

Priaash and his co-founders, a group of engineers and computer scientists, initially collaborated on research and development for more than a decade, working in sectors such as defence, security and protection. Their “aha” moment came when they witnessed the transformative power of data in protecting wildlife, especially rhinos.

The team’s extensive experience across a variety of industries, from security to disaster management, highlighted a consistent need for situational awareness and ultimately led to the establishment of The Awareness Company in April 2018.

“Like all good stories,” Ramadeen said, theirs began with rhinos:

“We saw the value of data firsthand when we created the technology to help the amazing people trying to save the rhino.”

The Awareness Company is on a mission to make data accessible and actionable for businesses by emphasizing sustainability. The idea for HYDRA emerged from the urgent need to overcome critical data challenges in the conservation sector.

“More than a million organizations are trying to solve sustainability challenges, but many struggle with data management, leading to a lack of situational awareness,” Ramadeen explained.

SA-born AI software revolutionizes fight against poaching

Situational awareness in the context of artificial intelligence involves systems that monitor, analyze, and respond to real-world data. That’s exactly what HYDRA does.

HYDRA uses artificial intelligence to comb through data from drones, cameras, sensors and mobile applications, providing a comprehensive overview of wildlife activity across large landscapes.

“By matching data to specific locations within a security network, HYDRA can identify high-risk areas and recommend targeted patrols or resource allocations.

“This allows conservation teams to anticipate threats and respond more effectively, approaching rhino conservation with the same sensitivity as high-value asset security,” Ramadeen added.

Collaboration essential to stop union poaching

However, despite the promising possibilities of this AI, the deployment of HYDRA in wildlife reserves is not without its challenges.

Ramadan told News in brief inconsistent data, infrastructure limitations, and budget constraints often hinder the full integration of AI solutions. Many conservation areas operate on tight budgets and rely on donor funds for long-term investments in technology.

“Cooperation is essential to effectively combat poaching,” Ramadeen emphasized.

“The Awareness Company is creating a united front against poaching organizations by partnering with local authorities, conservationists and technology providers.”

Community collaboration crucial to end poaching

Rhino populations have declined significantly, especially in major strongholds. Kruger National Park in South Africa. According to Save the Rhino International, rhinos have had no time to recover from the brutal poaching of rhinos over the past decade.

“Involvement of local communities is vital.

“By leveraging their knowledge and providing alternative income opportunities, we can reduce the temptation of poaching.

“This collaborative approach promotes sustainable conservation by blending advanced technology with local expertise to outsmart evolving poaching tactics,” Priaash emphasized.

HYDRA creators plan to expand software that will protect wildlife worldwide

As The Awareness Company looks ahead, Ramadeen envisions a future in which HYDRA’s capabilities will extend beyond rhino conservation to protect a broader range of creatures. endangered species and ecosystems globally.

“Our goal is to make HYDRA a versatile tool that can adapt to a variety of conservation challenges, whether it is combating illegal fishing, monitoring deforestation, or protecting other high-value species such as elephants and big cats.

Just as HYDRA redefined rhino conservation, we aim to apply the same level of precision and data-driven intelligence to conservation efforts around the world,” concluded Ramadeen.

Prison sentence for 2 people who poached rhinos

News in brief Relatedly, two men who were arrested in OR Tambo six years ago with 27 rhino horns destined for sale in Vietnam were reportedly arrested. sentenced to 15 years in prison. The boiled horns, valued at around Rs 2.9 million, were destined for the black market.

Many South Africans feel the sentence is too lenient and believe these men should face a longer prison sentence for their role in rhino poaching.

Source: News in Brief