In September, the second EarthRanger Congress was held in Mombasa, where conservation and wildlife professionals participated in advancing their knowledge about this cutting-edge technology. EarthRanger is a software solution that aids protected area managers, ecologists, and wildlife biologists in making informed operational decisions for wildlife conservation, which includes Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC).The Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF) facilitated the participation of the National Human-Elephant Conflict Focal Point for Ethiopia, Mr. Hailu Zerfu Kassa, and the head of the National Parks Administration at the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Adane Tsegaye Tegegn.
Group picture of all attendees
This training is part of a broader initiative to implement EarthRanger in Ethiopian protected areas with resident elephant populations. While the monitoring system will support all aspects of protected area management—covering security (anti-poaching), ecological management (monitoring wildlife and ecosystem health), and logistics (streamlining operations)—the primary focus is on addressing HEC. This focus aligns with the goals of the EPIF-led capacity-building project funded by a Darwin Initiative grant, specifically aimed at mitigating HEC in Ethiopia.
This session showcased the power of EarthRanger as an advanced conservation technology platform designed to enhance the effectiveness of protected area management. Conservation professionals from various countries and institutions came together to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and discuss best practices, fostering a collaborative environment that supports global conservation efforts. Moreover, conservation leaders gained hands-on knowledge about leveraging EarthRanger for their respective national and regional contexts.
The Key Highlights of the EarthRanger Congress
Comparing Conservation Technologies
The event opened with discussions on how EarthRanger stacks up against other conservation technologies. Participants explored the history, development, and practical applications of EarthRanger in protected areas worldwide, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of its impact on conservation.
Training Sessions: From Basics to Advanced Use
The congress offered introductory, developer, and advanced training modules, equipping participants with hands-on skills to better utilize EarthRanger in their respective national and regional contexts. These sessions highlighted the platform’s flexibility and practical integration into diverse conservation workflows.
Real-Time Monitoring and Data Visualization
Participants engaged in deep discussions about how EarthRanger collects and consolidates real-time data from sensors, mobile devices, and field reports. The tool's ability to provide a comprehensive, real-time view of activities within protected areas, including wildlife movements and potential threats, was identified as a game-changer for effective patrol planning and management. One key takeaway was EarthRanger’s capacity to provide both real-time and historical data to support the monitoring of wildlife incidents and patrol activities. This ability ensures that conservation teams can track progress and adapt strategies based on evolving situations.
Mr. Hailu Zerfu Kassa, and Adane Tsegaye Tegegn
Use Cases for EarthRanger in Conservation
Several countries presented examples of how EarthRanger supports their wildlife law enforcement, ecological monitoring, and risk reduction within protected areas. These discussions emphasized the versatility of EarthRanger and its potential to complement existing technologies for landscape and conservation management.
Key applications discussed included:
Patrol management and real-time ranger tracking.
Human-wildlife conflict monitoring to support the safeguarding of both communities and wildlife.
Threat reduction strategies using intelligence, management, and analysis tools.
Ecological data visualisation for habitat and species management.
A forward-looking session explored EarthRanger’s integration with other technologies such as Gundi and Echoscope for protected area management. These future developments will further strengthen protected area management through improved data collection and visualisation capabilities. Participants expressed enthusiasm about these integrations, recognising that they would help to streamline operations and enhance conservation efforts.
Key Takeaways for Ethiopia
The Ethiopian delegation gained valuable insights into how other countries were leveraging EarthRanger for conservation. The stark realization that emerged was that Ethiopia’s adoption of the platform was still at a nascent stage compared to its global counterparts. The congress provided a unique opportunity for the Ethiopian team to engage with international experts and explore partnerships with other conservation NGOs and institutions that would be valuable in exchanging insights during the process of implementation of EarthRanger across Ethiopia’s national parks.
The participation of Mr. Hailu Zerfu Kassa and Mr. Adane Tsegaye Tegegn marks the beginning of exciting opportunities for Ethiopia’s wildlife conservation efforts. The Ethiopian delegates left the congress with renewed motivation to implement EarthRanger in all national parks across the country. The congress underscored the simplicity and effectiveness of the platform, encouraging Ethiopian wildlife authorities to take the next steps towards adopting this cutting-edge technology. With the right tools and collaboration, EarthRanger has the potential to transform wildlife management and strengthen conservation efforts in Ethiopia. The EarthRanger Congress 2024 in Mombasa was a significant learning experience for Ethiopia’s conservation leaders, paving the way for new strategies and technologies in managing protected areas.
The EPIF is excited about supporting in this pivotal activity for Ethiopia which really could positively change how Ethiopia monitors wildlife, protects elephants, and safeguards communities against HEC. Click here to find out more about the EPI’s work in Ethiopia, or Human Elephant Conflict.
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