Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, [email protected]
MIDLANDS Black Rhino Conservancy (MBRC) is accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the monitoring of wildlife to curb poaching cases that are threatening the animal population within the conservancy.
The move follows the death of a one-year-old black rhino which was killed by wire snares set up by poachers. An official from the conservancy, Mr Brilliant Chibura, said poaching was now a threat to the black rhino population as well as other wildlife species.
“We tried to locate the rhino for three days only to find the mother rhino that seemed irritated and in a rage. We then discovered the young rhino trapped by wire snares and already dead,” he said.
“They did not take anything from the rhino but sadly we lost it. Had we used a tracking device, we could have saved its life.
“We’re, therefore, embracing AI through using satellite monitoring devices for real-time monitoring. Already, we have planted cameras in the bush that are helpful in monitoring the movement of people and we have made numerous timeous interventions.
“But for rhino monitoring, we have to implant monitoring devices on the animal itself so that we monitor its movement,” said Mr Chibura.
Last year the conservancy lost another rhino to drowning and had it been monitored, it could have been rescued on time.
“We have seen a rise in human-wildlife conflicts due to uncoordinated settlements. Farmers have put fences and boundaries around their farms, which makes it difficult for wildlife to roam freely. In as much as erecting fences is encouraged, it has become a challenge for wildlife,” said Mr Chibura.
He said elephants have corridors and it’s now difficult for them to follow those corridors, which happens once every year.
“Farmers have erected fences along the corridor making it difficult for the elephants to follow traditional routes. Recently, two elephants were injured after they encroached into a maize field,” said Mr Chibura.
He said a black rhinos require about 500 hectares but the movement was restricted by human settlements hence the need to speed up the use of AI to effectively monitor and track them.
AI expert, Mr Zvinodaishe Revesai, said the fight to conserve wildlife has taken a significant leap forward with the integration of AI.
“AI is proving to be a game-changer by offering researchers and conservationists a robust toolkit for tackling various challenges,” he said.
“It comes with enhanced monitoring, meaning AI-powered drones and camera traps can continuously monitor vast areas, providing real-time data on animal populations and habitat changes. This allows for quicker detection of threats and more focused conservation interventions.”
Mr Revesai said as AI technology continues to evolve, its role in conservation is poised to become even more impactful and transform conservation approaches.
“By leveraging its capabilities, we can gain a deeper understanding of the threats faced by wildlife and implement more effective strategies to protect our planet’s precious biodiversity,” he said.
The development has received the backing of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, with spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo, saying AI is revolutionising wildlife conservation by providing innovative solutions to protect and preserve the planet’s precious species.
“AI is a game-changer in wildlife conservation, enhancing efficiency, accuracy and impact. By leveraging these technologies, we can better protect our planet’s precious wildlife and ecosystems,” he said.
“AI-driven systems analyse data to identify high-risk areas, enabling targeted patrols and more effective anti-poaching strategies.”
MBRC is located between Kwekwe and Mvuma and is home to a rare species of black rhinos and other wildlife among them elephants, sable, leopard, eland, kudu, giraffe, crocodile, painted African dog, African rock python and waterbuck.
The animal population in the conservancy continues to be threatened by poaching.
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