Daily Image
09-09-2014
To Save the Rhinos
| Submitter: | Jan Noordam |
| Description: | Last week, a multi-disciplinary group from various Dutch institutes met with South African counterparts to discuss what the Netherlands might contribute to saving the rhinos. The workshop was hosted by the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) in Hoedspruit, on the edge of the Kruger Park. The Dutch delegation was led by Dr Louis Verdegaal, a Director of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The past six years have seen an alarming increase in the poaching of Rhinos for their horns, which are highly valued in some East Asian countries for their (imaginary) medicinal and magical powers. The only real solution would be the elimination of this market, which is easier said than done. In the meantime, the poachers have to be resisted as much as possible. First of all, the reporting of incidents by rangers can be greatly improved by means of technology like smartphone apps that instantly report images and position information back to base. In addition, it should be possible to make the "smart fence" around the park even smarter, to give timely and accurate warnings of poacher incursions. And finally, the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) can help with the judicial prosecution of poachers. ASTRON and the South African SKA project are involved because of their expertise in image processing, e.g. for reconnaissance from above. We might also play a role in combining large amounts of surveillance data, and their compact presentation to the enforcers in the field. The image shows the tagging of a rhino that has been drugged by means of a dart fired from a helicopter, and the implantation of a tracing chip in its precious horn. When seeing and touching these mighty beasts, it is impossible not to feel distressed about their plight. |
| Copyright: | Madroon Community Consultants (MCC) |
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