Across vast Africa, vultures have long served as natural cleansers, keeping ecosystems clean and disease-free. But now they are becoming unlikely allies in the fight against wildlife poaching. In an unprecedented collaboration, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and Satelliot are equipping hundreds of endangered bird species with 5G IoT sensors to remotely monitor and protect them.
Harnessing the power of 5G for conservation
Sateliot, a leading provider of 5G satellite coverage, has partnered with EWT to provide seamless connectivity to IoT devices at no additional cost. This landmark agreement will enable EWT to expand its reach into areas where biodiversity is under threat and connectivity has traditionally been difficult.
“We are extremely grateful for Satelliot’s support,” said Alison Janicke, EWT’s Director of Business Development. “This partnership will allow us to direct more resources to important conservation efforts.”
Gianluca Redolfi, chief commercial officer at Satelliot, believes satellite connectivity has the potential to revolutionize NGOs’ contributions to conservation. She said: “By providing NGOs with access to free satellite capacity at specific times and locations, we can enhance data transmission and expand the impact of conservation efforts on the ground.”
Eye in the Sky: Detecting rapid poisoning events
EWT’s innovative ‘Eye in the Sky’ project uses GPS tracking technology and the natural behavior of vultures to detect rapid poisoning events, a major threat to vulture populations from illegal trade.
Sensors alert the EWT when a vulture lands or exhibits unusual behavior. Conservation teams can respond quickly, prevent further loss of life, and collect vital data on poaching activities.
“By harnessing the power of 5G, we can process and analyze this data in real time,” explains Janicke. “This is a game-changer for our ability to protect birds that prey on these important carrion species.”
A new era in wildlife monitoring
As the 5G Satellite IoT continues to expand, so will its potential applications in conservation. The collaboration between EWT and Satelliot serves as a powerful example of how this technology can be leveraged to protect biodiversity and combat wildlife crime even in the most remote parts of the planet.
5G connectivity will enable NGOs like EWT to deploy IoT devices more widely, collect more accurate data, and respond faster to threats. As a result, the future of wildlife monitoring looks brighter and more connected than ever before.
As the sun sets over the African savannah, vultures take flight and their 5G IoT sensors silently transmit data to EWT. In this dance between technology and nature, a new chapter in conservation is being written. It holds hope for the survival of some of the world’s most endangered species.
