Poachers invade national parks and game reserves for Elephant ivory, Bush meat, Timber, Hides and skins, Grass and honey. The growing cases of poaching not only alerted responsible authorities, but deprived Malawi’s tourism sector of its gems. In an effort to rid the warm heart of Africa of poaching, Africa parks introduced EarthRanger; a technological product that enhances management and protection of wildlife and their habitat.

The technology was invented by Vulcan Inc, an American company founded by late technologist and philanthropist, the co-founder of Microsoft, Paul Gardner Allen. According to Bruce Jones, Africa representative for Vulcan Inc, the EarthRanger technology is able to Integrates various locations and tracks remote sensors within a protected area, provide real time data visualization for policy and enforcement measures support park managers in threat identification provides better intelligence and enhances decision making.

Introduction of EarthRanger technology at Liwonde National Park has seen a dramatic improvement in security of endangered species. Lawrence Munro Field Operations Manager for African Parks said in 2018, 26 animals including lions, cheetahs and elephants were fitted with tracking chips or collars. This has led to 24/7 surveillance of animals and poachers have been kept at bay.

“The (poaching) situation was very bad before African Parks took over management of Liwonde National Park. Even in the earliest years of our management poaching was one of the chief causes for worry. Then about 300-400 snares were being removed from the park every month. Since 2015 about 36,200 wire snares traps have been removed by park rangers, and for the past 20 months not one high value species has been poached,” said Craig Reid, One of the Managers for African Parks particularly in-charge for Liwonde National Park in Malawi confirmed.