Technology is being integrated into the animal kingdom in so many unique ways; now elephants are sending text messages to rangers in order to warn them that they are heading toward crops.
Park rangers in Kenya can now receive automated text messages from elephants when the animals head for crops in neighboring villages.
A mobile phone SIM card is inserted in the elephant collars that automatically send a text message if they go beyond a certain geographic boundary, or "geofence".
When this happens, the rangers use spotlights to scare the elephants back to their home at the Ol Pejeta conservatory.
This preventative technology was put into place after five elephants were shot dead due to raiding crops from the other village.
Since the project began, the elephants have been intercepted 15 times. Before, elephants raided crops almost every night, but now the animals have not been near the farms for four months.
It has been a big help to small farmers, whose sole source of daily income stems from their crops. The elephants, at the same time, are protected from being shot.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Automated Crop Protection
- Integrating technology in animal collars to send automated text messages can help prevent crop raiding incidents by elephants.
- Geofencing for Wildlife Tracking
- Using geofencing technology in elephant collars enables rangers to receive alerts when animals go beyond specified boundaries, improving wildlife conservation efforts.
- Human-wildlife Conflict Mitigation
- Implementing tech solutions like text messaging from elephants to rangers contributes to mitigating conflicts between humans and wildlife, ensuring the safety of both.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Conservation & Wildlife Management
- The integration of technology in wildlife management allows for innovative strategies to protect animals and mitigate conflicts with human activities.
- Agriculture & Farming
- The use of automated alerts from animals to prevent crop raiding presents opportunities to enhance crop protection and minimize losses.
- Telecommunications & Connectivity
- The application of mobile phone SIM cards in animal collars showcases how advancements in connectivity play a crucial role in wildlife conservation efforts.
