Lindbergh Foundation’s Air Shepherd Gets New Partner
The Lindbergh Foundation’s Air Shepherd program, developed to protect elephants and rhinos from poaching by using drones, has announced its partnership with drone manufacturer DJI.
The operations are a collaborated effort with African Parks, the non-profit conservation organization that is jointly operating the drone project on the ground in Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve; two of three parks it manages in partnership with Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW).
Along with Phantom 4 drones, the Air Shepherd team is using the standard Phantom camera for day flights and a thermal camera at night to address the following poaching issues:
- Meat poaching – monitor for poachers who kill and dismember an animal and remove it from the park.
- Human elephant conflict (HEC) – prevent elephants from breaking down fences surrounding villages in order to protect them from being shot and/or killed by villagers.
- Elephant herding – elephants are herded back to the park after breaking through fences
- Fence patrol – detect broken or breached fences
- Illegal fishing – identify fish poachers who travel by boat and by foot
The Lindbergh Foundation’s Air Shepherd program is proving to be highly effective with drone teams flying in South Africa, Malawi and Zimbabwe. UAV and Drone Solutions, Lindbergh Foundation’s principal partner, operates Air Shepherd drones at night when poachers are active—making it one of the most successful operations to combat poaching.
“We are thrilled to have the support from DJI,” said Otto Werdmuller Von Elgg, head of drone operations for Air Shepherd. “The drones they manufacture allow us to target varying issues involving animal poaching and human elephant conflict. Their ease-of-use and high quality make them best in class.”
Anyone wanting to help fund Air Shepherd’s effort should visit the current Indiegogo campaign at https://www.indiegogo.com/at/as16 which is now “In Demand.”
About Lindbergh Foundation’s Air Shepherd ProgramDeveloped by the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation, the Air Shepherd program is using drones to protect rhinos and elephants in Africa. Using sophisticated three-aircraft operating teams that work with rangers on the ground, drones are flown over high probable poaching areas, allowing rangers to intercept suspects before a poaching incident can take place. A 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation, the Lindbergh Foundation has dedicated 39 years to sustaining the Lindbergh legacy—using technology to help balance the effects of human development on the environment. For more information and to donate, please visit About African ParksAfrican Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage ten parks in seven countries: Chad, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia – covering an expansive six million hectares.Source: Press Release
