Vodacom, Celcom join fight against rhino poaching, arming rangers with tech

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The smart phones have been enabled with real-time tracking of rangers out in the veld, which is crucial in protecting their safety and security. The application also allows rangers to enter information such as poaching incidents, poacher sightings, carcass locations or logging a patrol.

Addo Elephant National Park conservation manager John Adendorff says: “In the Addo scenario, ranger teams need the ability to detect events, follow forces in the field, collaborate between one another and receive rapid feedback. The Cmore enabled cell phones will be issued per two-man patrol and will be switched on automatically to monitor the rangers’ positions, who are able to plot any incidents they come across in the field on the system. If needed, additional forces can be deployed immediately, effectively and precisely through GPS coordinates.”

The application was developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and is an innovative technology tool that is based on modern web and mobile technology. In essence, Cmore is a comprehensive portal which allows for in-depth search and visualisation of all Cmore-related devices such as tracking, incidents, positions of interest and resources. This technology not only reduces risk to the rangers, it also ensures more proactive engagement and the utilisation of resources in a cost-effective manner.