New satellite technology Enhances Elephant Conservation Efforts in Namibia
Namibia is leveraging cutting-edge satellite imagery from Airbus’ Pleiades Neo satellites to better understand and mitigate human-elephant conflict. This innovative approach combines GPS tracking data with high-resolution satellite images to analyse elephant movement patterns, particularly in relation to villages and farms.
The “Earth Ranger” system, which tracks elephant movements, generates real-time alerts when elephants approach human settlements. These alerts are shared with local communities, substantially reducing incidents involving humans since its implementation. Researchers are now integrating satellite data to gain deeper insights into why and when elephants venture into these areas. by collecting data during both drought and rainy seasons, they aim to understand how elephant behavior shifts throughout the year.
“The elephants will choose a place even within a risky environment where they feel the safest and where there is vegetation and water,” explained Winter, a researcher involved in the project. “When there is enough water and food, that for them outmatches the risk of dying from shooting, which surprised us. They are willing to risk the consequences.”
Elephants, known for their strong memories, recall past negative encounters with humans. they often approach villages under the cover of darkness and retreat at the slightest sign of human presence, moving with remarkable stealth.
The ultimate goal of this research is to develop new strategies that foster peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants. “we are trying to protect the natural water points and place troughs and dams strategically so that the elephants don’t need to go through the villages at night,” Winter stated.Satellite imagery plays a crucial role in identifying areas with high elephant activity, or “hotspots.” This facts allows researchers to engage in constructive negotiations with farmers. “The big aim is to identify corridors and find ways to protect that habitat for the elephants,” Winter added. “We had one farmer who saw the data and realized that one corner of his farm was almost owned by the elephants, and he allowed us to have that corner in exchange for protecting the rest of his farm.With compromises like that, we can reduce the conflict and give the elephants a safe spot to be.”
