Over the last few years much work has been done to better resource and train the anti-poaching units in South Africa’s reserves, but still, the number of rhino poaching incidents continues to escalate. It is with this in mind that Wildlands initiated PROJECT RHINO.
A range of workshops and scientific studies have shown that the current trend in rhino poaching needs to be addressed in a holistic fashion; improved monitoring, incident response, communication and security all need to be considered. Of paramount importance is an effective monitoring system that will allow reserve mangers to know exactly where the rhinos are at all times, and, more importantly, will alarm them when rhinos are in potential danger, thus curbing response time of anti-poaching units and ensuring effective policing of reserves.
Rhino monitoring has posed a number of problems for scientists. Rhinos cannot wear standard game collars as their necks and heads are the same width and so collars fall off. The latest collars make use of GPS technology, allowing real-time monitoring of animals. GPS collars have proved extremely valuable in elephant conservation. However, a GPS collar can only work if the collar allows for a large battery to be fitted on it at the same time. Since collars cannot be fitted onto rhinos, scientists have to date relied on telemetry equipment. Tracking chips are fitted into rhino horns. The signal these chips sent off are picked up by telemetry equipment carried by rhino monitors walking in the field. Due to the short distance signal that telemetry equipment allows a monitor is always needed to track the rhino and it is mainly used as a supplement to traditional ground-monitoring of rhinos. In addition, rhinos are usually only monitored during daylight as a monitor would be placing his life at risk following a rhino into deep thickets at night. Unfortunately, most poaching incidences take place at night when monitors are not around, thus nullifying the potential of monitoring in the battle against rhino poaching.
Recent advances in technology have produced a GPS unit that can be fitted into a rhino’s horn, thus allowing for real-time monitoring of rhino. The units are linked to a localised solar-powered GSM system that integrates with Global Positioning Satellites producing accurate information on the location of rhinos at all times. In addition, the information produced is sent to a 24 hour security control room that alarms monitors should a rhino be in a dangerous location in the reserve, deviate from its normal movement patterns or if a vibration is detected on its horn signifying that a poacher was trying to remove it. To date, GPS units and their batteries have been too large to be fitted into rhino horns, but the new technology, that combines GSM with GPS allows for localised GPS tracking. This is an incredibly valuable tool in combating poaching and preventing future losses.
Our Vision
Through PROJECT RHINO we aim to put every single rhino in South Africa under constant GPS surveillance. We have started the project in Somkhanda Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where the loss of two white rhino in the space of seven days towards the end of 2010 called for drastic action. The system is proving incredibly valuable and, since its activation in the reserve we have not experienced any other poaching incidences. The short-term plan is to expand the system to other reserves in KwaZulu-Natal and later beyond the province to North-West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo where poaching continues unabated.
How the installation process works

1. Rhino’s are located with the aid of a helicopter and guided into an open area to which the game vehicle can acquire easy access. The vet darts the rhino from the air and follows the animal until it drops to make sure that the animal causes no injury to itself.
2. The rhino is then blindfolded and ear plugs are inserted so as not to cause the animal any discomfort or stress. A drill is used to make a sizeable hole in the horn into which the GPS device can be inserted, which takes around ten minutes.
3. A non-toxic epoxy resin is poured into the cavity and
4. the GPS unit is inserted.
5. The vet then wraps the horn with tape to keep the transmitter in place until the resin sets before he injects the animal with an antidote to reverse the affects of the tranquiliser.
6. The rhino is closely monitored by the vet while it wakes to ensure that the animal is unharmed and ready to go off on its own again.

Once installation is complete, the movement sensor embedded in the GPS unit records and establishes a rhino’s movement patterns. If its movements are substantially different or if it walks into a high-risk area e.g. if it is close to a fence, it will set off an alarm and alert the response team. If someone attempts to take a chainsaw to the horn, it will cause a vibration which also sets off an alarm, just as it does if an animal is still for too long. The aim here is to improve response time. If someone does manage to remove a horn, the GPS will still be inside and there is a target to follow.
Only well managed reserves with functioning security systems and well-resourced anti-poaching units will be considered as this is vital as a means of proactively protecting the rhinos.