• South Africa’s devastating rhino poaching crisis shows no signs of slowing, with more than 9,400 rhinos senselessly killed between 2006 and 2022.
• Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Priaash Ramadeen said he and a group of South African innovators have created AI software to effectively combat poaching.
• Ramadeen stressed that collaboration with local authorities and environmental advocates is essential to creating lasting solutions against unions.
• The group of local gurus hopes to internationalize its AI technology, extending its anti-poaching efforts to wildlife around the world.

In a world where the endangered rhino is constantly fighting for survival, a group of South African innovators have created artificial intelligence software to combat the country’s relentless poaching crisis.

South Africa is a hot spot for rhino poaching. According to Save the rhinoAccording to statistics from , nearly 500 rhinos were mercilessly killed in 2023, an increase of 51 from the previous year. South Africa’s rhino population represents almost 80% of the world’s rhino population. The illegal trade in rhino horns, fueled by international demand where they are used in traditional medicine, only further fuels this tragic trade.

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Meet the innovators using AI to combat rhino poaching

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

In an exclusive interview with In brief NewsRamadeen shared his views on his innovative software, HYDRA, which is already making progress in the battle for wildlife conservation.

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

The team’s extensive experience in various sectors, ranging from security to disaster management, highlighted a constant need for situational awareness, which ultimately led to the creation of The Awareness Company in April 2018.

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

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

The Awareness Company’s mission is to make data accessible and actionable for businesses, with a focus on sustainability. The idea for HYDRA was born from the urgent need to address critical data challenges within the conservation sector.

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

AI software born in South Africa revolutionizes the fight against poaching

In the context of AI, situational awareness involves systems that monitor, analyze and respond to real-world data. And that’s exactly what HYDRA does.

HYDRA leverages AI to scour data from drones, cameras, sensors and mobile apps, providing comprehensive insight into wildlife activity across vast landscapes.

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

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“This allows conservation teams to anticipate and respond to threats more effectively, treating rhino protection with the same precision as the security of high-value assets,” added Ramadeen.

Collaboration is key to ending poaching syndicates

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

Ramadeen said In brief News that 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 funding for long-term technology investments.

“To effectively combat poaching, collaboration is essential,” emphasized Ramadeen.

“By partnering with local authorities, conservationists and technology providers, The Awareness Company is creating a united front against poaching syndicates. »

Community collaboration is crucial to ending poaching

Rhino populations have declined significantly, particularly in key strongholds like the Kruger National Park in South Africa. According to Save the Rhino International, they have not had time to recover from the relentless poaching of rhinos over the past decade.

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“The involvement of local communities is vital.

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

“This collaborative approach promotes sustainable conservation, combining cutting-edge technology and local expertise to thwart evolving poaching tactics,” Priaash emphasized.

HYDRA creators plan to expand their software to protect wildlife around the world

As The Awareness Company looks to the future, Ramadeen envisions a future in which HYDRA’s capabilities extend beyond rhino conservation to protect a broader range of species. endangered species and ecosystems on a global scale.

“Our goal is to make HYDRA a versatile tool capable of adapting to diverse conservation challenges, whether combating illegal fishing, monitoring deforestation or protecting other high-value species like elephants and big cats.

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

2 men convicted of rhino poaching

In brief News Similarly, two men arrested six years ago in OR Tambo with 27 rhino horns intended for sale in Vietnam have been arrested. sentenced to 15 years in prison. The poached horns, valued at around R2.9 million, were destined for the black market.

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Many South Africans believe the sentence is too lenient and believe the men should have received a longer prison term for their role in rhino poaching.

Source: In Brief News