Innovations in modern technology have transcended boundaries, consistently crafting solutions for a wide range of issues and challenges that individuals or communities face. One such technological marvel that serves a unique purpose is the development of mobile applications designed to avoid elephant stampedes in specific regions across the globe where human-elephant conflict is predominant.
One such development originated in Kenya, where an escalating human-elephant conflict has been observed over recent years. The geo-spatial monitoring application, named ‘Elephant Aware’, was devised by the conservation group Save The Elephants and local telecommunications provider, Safaricom. This app uses real-time tracking to monitor the movement and behavior of elephants, alerting local communities if a herd is approaching.
The ‘Elephant Aware’ app functions by utilizing well-structured Global Positioning System (GPS) interfaces, and radio collars that are strapped around an elephant’s neck. These collars transmit detailed positioning data, revealing the individual elephant’s precise location at regular intervals to a central server providing comprehensive, real-time monitoring of elephant movements.
Understanding the benefits of the ‘Elephant Aware’ app undoubtedly highlights its potential for risk alleviation in affected communities. Predominantly, it does not only help humans to circumvent potential encounters and possible destruction of properties, but it also protects the lives of elephants by reducing the risk of retaliation and illegal poaching activities, especially in scenarios where humans are provoked or properties have been ruined.
In addition, it promotes an environment of co-existence and harmony between human beings and elephants, by providing proactive alerts of potential conflict situations. It changes people’s paradigm of elephants from threats into shared inhabitants of the ecosystem that must be respected and protected.
Moreover, this app also aids scientific research. It’s a powerful tool for understanding elephant behavior, migratory patterns, and habitats since the recorded GPS data can provide valuable insights about elephants’ daily routines, preferred routes, and feeding times. This accumulated data can help researchers devise strategies to mitigate the increasing human-elephant conflict, develop more suitable conservation strategies and assist local efforts in managing these majestic beasts.
Despite some inherent limitations, such as the need for substantial funding to install GPS collars on elephants, coverage limitations in remote areas and need for smartphones amongst local communities, the ‘Elephant Aware’ app has proven to be an effective tool in the quest to reduce human-elephant conflict substantially.
With continuous innovations and enhancements, apps like ‘Elephant Aware’ shows us that modern technology holds the commanding potential to