Drones Hunt Down Poachers in South Africa

Megan Elliott

Thursday, June 09, 2016 at 11:24 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Air Shepherd, an initiative of the Lindbergh Foundation, uses advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with infrared cameras to combat poaching in Africa.
These UAVs operate covertly at night, transmitting live footage to ground teams who then direct park rangers to intervene and arrest poachers.
The presence of Air Shepherd's drones creates a significant deterrent effect, virtually stopping poaching activity in areas where they are deployed as word spreads among poachers.
This program effectively utilizes aviation technology to protect endangered wildlife, continuing the Lindbergh Foundation's legacy of balancing technology with environmental preservation, with plans for expansion across the continent.

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In the midst of Africa’s poaching crisis, a dedicated group of aviators may have uncovered a solution to ending this illegal practice. Air Shepherd, an initiative of the Lindbergh Foundation, is flying advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in high-risk areas in South Africa — and soon, other countries on the continent.