Thursday, 2 August 2018 / published in Rhinos

Spy cameras fitted to endangered rhinos to stop them being butchered by poachers

The British system, which also uses a satellite tracking collar and heart-rate monitor, pin-points attacks so rangers can reach stricken animals by helicopter.

Rhino fitted with “horn cam”, as rhinos wearing satellite tracking collars with spy cameras
implanted into their horns could help turn the tables on poachers, experts believe.

Endangered rhinos are being fitted with spy cameras in their horns to stop poachers butchering them.

The British system, which also uses a satellite tracking collar and heart-rate monitor, pin-points attacks so rangers can reach stricken animals by helicopter.

Poachers will have no time to escape and video footage will help prosecutors to trap them in court. The system, due to be trialled soon in South Africa, is being adapted for elephants and tigers too. Chester University’s Dr Paul O’Donoghue, who developed the RAPID (Real-time Anti Poaching Intelligence Device), said: “A rhino is butchered every six hours in Africa.

Spy camera: Dr Paul O’Donoghue with a sedated rhino, as rhinos wearing satellite tracking collars
with cameras implanted into their horns could help turn the tables on poachers .