SmartPlanes drones supporting WWF in their efforts to stop poaching

WWF in Tanzania has started using small UAVs in the fight against the poaching of elephants and rhinos. Contributions from WWF Sweden has made it possible to train rangers in Selous to fly nature conservation drones in their fight to combat the poaching of elephants. Selous has been hard hit by poachers bringing the number of elephants down from 70,000 to 13,000 between 2005 and 2013. The number of rhinos has also been reduced significantly, and there are only between 40 and 50 remaining.

With ten new SmartPlanes drones, equipped with the latest technology, the rangers gain an information advantage over poachers. The planes can be used to scout large areas and to monitor difficult terrain, and provide rangers with detailed information about where poachers are. It makes it safer for park guards to study the terrain at a safe distance to see what is hiding.

WWF is delighted that Tanzania takes poaching seriously and are investing in this advanced technology. But there is still need to train more park rangers to fly the conservation drones and give them the right equipment. http://www.wwf.se/header/english/1129079-wwf-in-sweden

The drone is the new SmartPlanes Freya, released Q3 2015. Information regarding the system and contact information can be found through SmartPlanes website http://smartplanes.se/