Monday, 9 April 2018 / published in Rhinos

Night-vision drones loaded with Nasa’s galaxy-tracking technology may help Trap Poachers

By PRESS ASSOCIATION and HARRY PETTIT FOR MAILONLINE 
PUBLISHED: 13:20 EDT, 3 April 2018 | UPDATED: 06:45 EDT, 4 April 2018 Adapted from this article

System combines drones, thermal imaging, and AI to monitor animals at night
In an early field trial in South Africa, it was used to detect elusive riverine rabbits
The heat-sensitive drones could make it easier to track animals such as rhinos
They could also help law enforcement agencies spot illegal poachers hunting under cover of darkness

Technology used by Nasa for studying faint stars and galaxies could be used to trap poachers in a rare collaboration between astronomers and ecologists.

The system combines flying drones, infra-red thermal imaging, and artificial intelligence to monitor animals at night when most poaching occurs.

In an early field trial in South Africa, it was used to detect elusive riverine rabbits, one of the most endangered mammals in the world.

Researchers hope in future the heat-sensitive drones will make it easier to track animals such as rhinos and spot poachers hunting them under cover of darkness.

Project scientist Dr Claire Burke, from Liverpool John Moores University, said: ‘With thermal infrared cameras, we can easily see animals as a result of their body heat, day or night, and even when they are camouflaged in their natural environment.