PoacherCams

Our anti-poaching teams have improved the workflow of detecting and pre-emptively stopping offenders who illegally enter the protected forest areas by deploying PoacherCams -- automated detection systems that operate via camera traps and artificial intelligence classification of humans, animals, and vehicles (Figure 3). PoacherCams are strategically placed at entry points into protected forests adjacent to local villages and access trails. When the cameras detect a human entering the park at PoacherCam installation sites, the site manager will receive a notification on their Smartphone of the threat and location. The manager will then deploy a mobile unit (forest rangers) to survey the area or document the entry and exit activity of the offender over time and make an arrest. Our system also has a dashboard for record-keeping purposes and note taking which forestry law-enforcement can refer to later when issuing penalties and following up with their issuance with commune-level law enforcement. Through extensive patrolling efforts, we have identified numerous central access points from local villages into the protected forests and set PoacherCams to monitor them and take action where needed.

  • External funding from donors willing to improve site protection efforts in Vietnam protected and conserved areas via new technologies. It is difficult to get government buy-in for new equipment and technology with limited resources until proof of success is achieved.
  • Support by Panthera – both in providing us with cameras and technical with assistance setting them up on their server.
  • Support by Wildlife Protection Solutions with re-routing camera messages and images to their dashboard and sent to rangers as WhatsApp alerts
  • Cellular network connectivity
  • PoacherCams must be well hidden, or set high up in trees, or they will be damaged or stolen
  • Cellular network connection is required for the system to send alerts to ranger’s phones, and the weaker the cellular connection, the longer the message will take to be received. 
  • Sometimes, it is best to observe offenders entering and exiting the forest and record common times of entry/exit to then deploy a ranger to wait for them at the location, rather than deploy rangers immediately when alerts are received.
  • Some smart phones cannot communicate with the Camera Trap Wireless Client app required to set up the camera. The app should be tested before leaving to the field
  • the nPerf app may help to actively map cellular network connection strength in the field, and provide information on locations to optimize PoacherCam placement.
  • Local people are quickly habituated to ranger patrol patterns and have their own communication networks. When local people from the villages see a ranger going toward a trail where the village hunter entered the forest, they will call the hunter and tell him to take another trail so they will not be caught.
Spatial Reporting and Monitoring Tool (SMART)

The Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) is a both a software and a framework that allows forest rangers and anti-poaching patrols to collect geospatial data on their smart phones (via the SMART mobile app), which acts as an advanced handheld GPS. When traps, illegal encampments, animals, or violators are located, the patrol will make a record using the app’s customized “data model” (a customization of the application that creates specific drop-down lists, and decision trees). The SVW data model is based on Vietnamese forestry law, so when any technical gaps are identified in the data model in terms of arrest procedures, non-standard violations, or priority species listed in legislative decrees, it can directly inform and improve policy.

 

Once data has been collected by patrols on their smart phones, the patrol data (paths walked, km travelled, time spent on patrol, and data recorded) will upload automatically to SMART desktop. This is where managers can evaluate poaching hotspots to apply pressure, and also allows them to monitor the effectiveness of the patrols themselves. With each new data input, data managers are able to adapt to the situation and adjust their team and patrolling regimens accordingly.

  • Cooperation of park managers enabling SVW anti-poaching team to operate in the park
  • Rangers willing to learn new technologies and agree with directional planning from younger, newer employees that have less experience and seniority in the protected area.
  • Intensive and effective training of anti-poaching teams and willingness of members to perform intensive work in the field collecting data and, in the office, managing and reporting the data outputs.
  • Functioning SMART software and available equipment (smart phones)
  • Data managers are vital to the success of intelligence reporting and planning, and should be separate from patrols so they can focus specifically on data management tasks alone. Rangers and team members often forget to turn off their track recorder during breaks, in transit, and after they finish working. As a result, data managers must clip and clean data to maintain reporting accuracy. 
  • At the learning phase, mistakes are common in the first year of data collection and processing, and are to be expected. It is best to identify the most common errors early on and address them with all participating patrols to ensure data viability moving forward.
  • SMART Connect is a solution to centralizing data collected from multiple ranger stations or sites. However, SMART Connect servers require expert technical assistance to set up and maintain. If they are set up through a third-party service, server issues rely on the third-party service technical support, and data sovereignty laws may prevent access to this option altogether.
Anti-poaching team

Anti-poaching (AP) teams are hired and funded under Save Vietnam's Wildlife, and approved by protected area managers where they sign a joint contract between the two. They undergo approximately one month of training in Vietnamese forestry law, species identification, self-defense, field training, first aid, and using SMART. 

 

AP patrols stay with forest rangers for 15-20 days of patrolling at various ranger stations each month, and an assigned Data Manager typically processes, cleans, analyzes and reports SMART data for all patrols to the park director and SVW coordinators. At the beginning of each month, a SMART report is generated by the data manager; based on the intelligence from this report, a patrol plan will be discussed with the ranger and anti-poaching members, and then submitted to the protected area director for approval; mobile units are on standby and led by forest rangers to rapidly respond to any emergencies, locations outside of planned patrol areas, or situations accessible by road.

 

Rangers were trained to use SMART mobile through vertical knowledge transfer in the field, and by the end of 2020, 100% of the forest rangers (73 people) were all effectively using SMART, increasing patrol data coverage across the entire protected area (Figure 1).

  • Collaboration between NGO-based law enforcement assistants (the SVW anti-poaching team) and protected area managers and forest rangers
  • Willingness for forest rangers with senior status and position to take advice and adaptive direction from newly trained younger staff
  • Willingness for rangers and anti-poaching team members to adapt to new technologies and operational systems to achieve a shared goal.
  • We have learned through the patrol observations, local information, and data trends that there are primary periods of poaching activity in the park which correspond to bamboo/honey harvesting seasons and months proximal to Tet holiday (Lunar New Year), whereby locals have a high demand for wild meat as a special gift to family and friends.
  • When directly compared, joint patrols with rangers and anti-poaching team members were shown to be substantially more effective than ranger-only patrols in terms of illegal activity documented and mitigated. This is probably due to the effectiveness of SMART data collection (Figure 2).
  • Since anti-poaching members are not government employees like rangers, they do not have the power to make arrests, when necessary, therefore patrols with only anti-poaching members are only able to document but not mitigate active human threats to wildlife.
Partnerships & Collaboration

From the conception of the PREDICT project through to today’s day-to-day laboratory management, partners working effectively across sectors has been an essential building block. The PREDICT project brought conservation and health nonprofits and Malaysian federal and local government departments together to collaborate on zoonotic disease surveillance. Over the last 10 years the WHGFL has been able to expand into new surveillance, genetic, and forensic research as capacity is built through open and productive collaboration. The Sabah Wildlife Department has scaled up their involvement increasing their funding for the WHGFL each year and leading the management committee. The management committee ensures the multiple projects utilizing the small laboratory are coordinated and organized, especially as new projects come on board and the scope of work expands.

A One Health approach was employed at every step, ensuring priorities of different sectors were heard and respected. Siloed sectors were brought together to meet a shared goal of conservation through zoonotic disease screenings that promoted human and wildlife health. By highlighting the interconnection of human, animal, and environmental health, collaboration, instead of competition, was emphasized and promoted. Wildlife disease screening results provided Sabah State Health Department with actionable data to inform risk mitigation policies at the state level.

Multiple partners were involved with the renovation of an empty building to create a laboratory meeting international biosafety and biosecurity standards, and while the initial investment was from outside sources, in recent years local leadership has taken on a larger role in management. The success of the PREDICT project demonstrated the importance of the laboratory to local and global research efforts, earning a larger investment, both financial and bandwidth-wise, from local leaders. This has allowed budding partnerships to further develop and deepen over time.

Sensitization, Capacity Building and Field Survey for Data Collection and Monitoring

Lack of awareness due to poor sensitization is often the main reason for little understanding of environmental issues. Sharing proper information supported by valid scientific/practical proof will convince communities that are unfortunately less educated, economically deprived and directly forest dependent. Equip them not only with true information but also with tools such as camera trapping, and support for species identification and naming. Such an approach will develop a sense of belonging and inculcate ownership of the cause/purpose.

Realization of the need for a common cause at the local level with broader implications.

To make a connection with nature and the environment, our activities - wherever possible - are carried out in close association with nature. Seminars and other capacity building activities can be conducted in the jungle to create a real-time experience in nature and connect with its rich floral and faunal resources.

Joining Science and Communication

Scientists are often criticised for their inability to communicate research expeditions and outcomes to public audiences, both in the nations where they operate and also internationally. Nekton was founded on the principle of bringing science and story-telling together to amplify host nation scientists as leading voices and ambassadors. During the expedition, the first descents were undertaken by Seychellois scientists. Through partnership with Seychellois media, content was produced, published and broadcast within Seychelles. In partnership with Associated Press and Sky, content from the expedition was published and broadcast in 140 countries globally including 18,000 articles (in print and digital) and over 4000 video broadcast packages. These included the first live subsea documentary series, newscasts and Presidential Address by the President of Seychelles, Danny Faure.

  • Flexibility in planning daily activities
  • Mutual understanding of science and media needs and activities
  • Narratives owned by the host nation country
  • Partnerships with host nation and international media partners.
  • Pre-familiarisation of science and communication team is imperative to ensure an easy workflow
  • Science and Communication plans need to be co-produced together to identify and then create content that reflects these ambitions.
Ownership of Samples and Data

Historically, expeditions and science research have had a reputation of taking a top-down approach including through the practice of ‘parachute science’. This includes the desire to collect numerous and diverse samples and data that is then stored outside the reach of host-nation countries. This is often especially true for research in countries that are under-resourced and can be influenced by, and / or directed by, scientists from other nations that can have more resources. As part of the co-production philosophy, we wanted to ensure that the host-nation, Seychelles, had complete authority over the data and samples collected. Together with the Government of Seychelles, we co-drafted an array of agreements that ensured that both the samples and the data was fully owned by Seychelles.

  • Mutual understanding of needs for sample storage outside of Seychelles, recognizing that Seychelles currently lacks the facilities to store biological samples.
  • Mutual understanding that all data that was worked on belongs to Seychelles and requires Seychelles permission to be made openly available and accessible.
  • Resources to ensure samples can be moved to partner institutions with the agreement of the Government of Seychelles.
  • Drafting and agreeing on text is a long process and requires months and sometimes years to finalise.
  • Partner with institutions that share the philosophy and spirit of co-production.
Open and frequent line of communication

Open dialogues with our main partner, the Government of Seychelles during every stage of the project ensured that changes and amendments could be easily made with their input. For example, field locations where easily amended as a result of bad weather, ensuring no time was wasted while at sea. Furthermore, a clear expectation of sample collection and updates during the expedition meant that Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) inspections could be made on arrival back into port, expediting the export permits, and thereby helping to facilitate the Government to fulfil their regulatory requirements.

  • A clear line of communication established from the onset.
  • Clear guidelines established regarding changes to cruise and research plans.
  • Setting expectations so that changes in the program could happen depending on circumstances
  • Flexibility and a clear line of communication is imperative in any project. This ensures that all parties are being engaged, their views included and that changes to the research program can be facilitated as necessary.
  • Communications are key to ensuring that no misunderstandings occur and when clarity and adaptation is required, there is a clearly agreed path for conflict resolution.
  • A tailored approach to communications is essential and required to align different partners’ expectations, objectives and commitments.
Co-production and building trust

It is not straight-forward to build trust. It can take time, skill, and resources, particularly finance and personnel. Nekton ensured that early engagement with the Government of Seychelles and Seychellois stakeholders began a year prior to the actual start of the Seychelles-Nekton field expedition. This allowed ample time to start building connections and relationships with the stakeholders and partners based in Seychelles. The Government of Seychelles gathered other locally based partners and stakeholders to build and frame a joint agenda of needs that would inform the research during the Seychelles-Nekton Expedition which took place in 2019. Co-production of the expedition included organising workshops to identify research locations, defining the pertinent research questions along with determining the stakeholders’ interest in leading specific projects.

  • Trust
  • Mutual respect
  • Flexibility in timelines
  • Time
  • Resources
  • Relationships are not easily created or maintained
  • Ample resources need to be allocated to effective and fruitful engagement
Biodiversity Impact Assessment Tool (BiA)

To enable automatic and instant biodiversity impact assessment enquiry, the BiA tool has been developed to facilitate enquiry services for land planners and other interested parties via Azure platform. The BiA tool works by overlaying the enquiry site or region (or existing construction projects) with multiple geographic layers including species distribution and protected area range to investigate if the site or region is within certain distance (e.g., 3 km, 5 km) from and may cause impact on endangered species habitat and/or protected areas. The assessment reports illustrate ecological and environmental risks of construction projects for decision-makers and could hopefully promotes them to take biodiversity into consideration.

 

A brief timeline of the BiA tool:

  • Apr-Jun 2020: team formation, requirement communication, system development plan
  • Jul-Sept 2020: tool development
  • Oct 2020: trial test, application and dissemination
  • (in preparation) Apr-Sept 2022: system upgrade
  • Years of data collection accumulation and constant thinking of data application approaches.
  • Theoretical & technical basis accumulated from long-term research and conservation practice.
  • Promotion of the BiA tool to its potential users, like governments, investors, and enterprise.
  • Keeping track of tool operation and user feedback to devise further upgrade of the tool.
  • Data application is the foremost step in the whole data workflow, where the data turns into valuable information for stakeholders. Effective data application reports should bear the audience in mind (e.g., being concise and focused).   
  • The complete of development and releasing is not the last step for a tool. Finding potential users and persuading them to use the tool is also very important. A tool has to be used to provide the most value.