The rising tide of conservation technology: empowering the fight against poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest
IntroductionMarket-driven poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest are significant drivers of population decline for numerous plant and animal species, including high-profile species like Asian and African elephants, wild cats, sharks and rays, and pangolins. This publication reviews the emerging...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1527976/full |
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| author | Antony John Lynam Drew T. Cronin Serge A. Wich Jordan Steward Andrew Howe Namrata Kolla Michael Markovina Omar Torrico Vanesa Reyes Kong Sophalrachana Xia Stevens Eric Schmidt Henrik Cox |
| author_facet | Antony John Lynam Drew T. Cronin Serge A. Wich Jordan Steward Andrew Howe Namrata Kolla Michael Markovina Omar Torrico Vanesa Reyes Kong Sophalrachana Xia Stevens Eric Schmidt Henrik Cox |
| author_sort | Antony John Lynam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionMarket-driven poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest are significant drivers of population decline for numerous plant and animal species, including high-profile species like Asian and African elephants, wild cats, sharks and rays, and pangolins. This publication reviews the emerging role of conservation technology in combating this trade.Technologies and applicationsWe showcase how innovative technological tools are revolutionizing the detection and disruption of illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade, with a focus on those available to frontline staff working to prevent poaching and trafficking from source sites. We consider a diverse array of deployed technologies ranging from open-source software platforms, AI, and mobile apps to cutting-edge hardware, including camera traps, acoustic sensors, and remote sensing tools.Case studiesTo demonstrate the complex threats posed by IUWT to wildlife and the consequent need for tailored solutions, we present two case studies, one terrestrial and one marine, showcasing the importance of appropriate suites of technology tools for conservation implementation.DiscussionTechnology has potential to empower rangers, park staff, wildlife and fisheries inspectors, customs officials, police, and conservation practitioners with unprecedented capabilities to monitor threatened wildlife, detect illegal activities, gather evidence, and support law enforcement interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cdb56272f5424c8581ffca7b5bc13ae4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2296-701X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-cdb56272f5424c8581ffca7b5bc13ae42025-08-20T01:57:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2025-05-011310.3389/fevo.2025.15279761527976The rising tide of conservation technology: empowering the fight against poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvestAntony John Lynam0Drew T. Cronin1Serge A. Wich2Jordan Steward3Andrew Howe4Namrata Kolla5Michael Markovina6Omar Torrico7Vanesa Reyes8Kong Sophalrachana9Xia Stevens10Eric Schmidt11Henrik Cox12EarthRanger Program, Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Seattle, WA, United StatesInternational Conservation, North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC, United StatesBiological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United KingdomEarthRanger Program, Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Seattle, WA, United StatesSkylight Program, Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Seattle, WA, United StatesSkylight Program, Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Seattle, WA, United StatesParcs de Noé, Paris, FranceWildlife Conservation Society - Global Conservation Technology Program, La Paz, BoliviaWildlife Conservation Society - Argentina Program, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaWildlife Conservation Society - Cambodia Program, Phnom Penh, CambodiaPanthera, New York, NY, United States0Wildlife Protection Solutions, Golden, CO, United States1Conservation X Labs, Washington, DC, United StatesIntroductionMarket-driven poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest are significant drivers of population decline for numerous plant and animal species, including high-profile species like Asian and African elephants, wild cats, sharks and rays, and pangolins. This publication reviews the emerging role of conservation technology in combating this trade.Technologies and applicationsWe showcase how innovative technological tools are revolutionizing the detection and disruption of illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade, with a focus on those available to frontline staff working to prevent poaching and trafficking from source sites. We consider a diverse array of deployed technologies ranging from open-source software platforms, AI, and mobile apps to cutting-edge hardware, including camera traps, acoustic sensors, and remote sensing tools.Case studiesTo demonstrate the complex threats posed by IUWT to wildlife and the consequent need for tailored solutions, we present two case studies, one terrestrial and one marine, showcasing the importance of appropriate suites of technology tools for conservation implementation.DiscussionTechnology has potential to empower rangers, park staff, wildlife and fisheries inspectors, customs officials, police, and conservation practitioners with unprecedented capabilities to monitor threatened wildlife, detect illegal activities, gather evidence, and support law enforcement interventions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1527976/fullconservation technologypoachingartificial intelligenceopen-source softwarecamera-trapsremote sensing |
| spellingShingle | Antony John Lynam Drew T. Cronin Serge A. Wich Jordan Steward Andrew Howe Namrata Kolla Michael Markovina Omar Torrico Vanesa Reyes Kong Sophalrachana Xia Stevens Eric Schmidt Henrik Cox The rising tide of conservation technology: empowering the fight against poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution conservation technology poaching artificial intelligence open-source software camera-traps remote sensing |
| title | The rising tide of conservation technology: empowering the fight against poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest |
| title_full | The rising tide of conservation technology: empowering the fight against poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest |
| title_fullStr | The rising tide of conservation technology: empowering the fight against poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest |
| title_full_unstemmed | The rising tide of conservation technology: empowering the fight against poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest |
| title_short | The rising tide of conservation technology: empowering the fight against poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest |
| title_sort | rising tide of conservation technology empowering the fight against poaching and unsustainable wildlife harvest |
| topic | conservation technology poaching artificial intelligence open-source software camera-traps remote sensing |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1527976/full |
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