The campaign has ended - but you can still go to www.AirShepherd.org to donate and make a difference!
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Air Shepherd will take the donations from this campaign and combine them with the donations made on www.AirShepherd.org to save the wild African elephants and rhinos. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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Extraordinary Increase in Elephant and Rhino Poaching Deaths Threatens
40,000
elephants and over 1,200 rhinos killed by poachers in a single year.
At that rate both will be extinct within 10 years. In the last half-dozen years there has been an exponential increase in the killing of elephants and rhinos by poachers, Throughout Africa, over 100,000 elephants were killed between 2010 and the end of 2012 – 40,000 in 2013 alone.
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Illegal
poaching: $70 billion dollars a year and growing. Elephants
are slaughtered for their tusks, then their ivory is carved into trinkets. China
and the U.S. lead the countries that are driving the demand for ivory tusks. A
single tusk can be worth more than US$ 75,000.
Rhino
horns are worth over $65,000 per kilo on the black market. Criminal
gangs are involved as it’s worth more than gold. The skyrocketing values of
tusks (up to US$ 150,000) and horns (as much as US$ 500,000) generate
extraordinary profits.
Is
this worth the life of a majestic animal?
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Rhino horn
powder.
It’s what the newly wealthy and fashionable in Vietnam use to spice up their
cocktail. It’s called “the drink of millionaires” and the “party drug of
choice.” Some boast that they can drink all night and not be hung over because
of rhino horn.
The problem is new, and accelerating rapidly
Vietnam’s thirst for
powdered rhino horn is a new
phenomenon. It didn’t exist 10 years ago. This isn’t based on an age-old
tradition or eastern medicine. Opportunists making outrageous claims regarding
the power of rhino horn have created a booming market based on ignorance and
greed. The rapid increase in the Chinese middle class is fueling the huge
demand for carved ivory.
Rhinos used to roam in
the jungles of Vietnam. But not one
rhino is left. They have all been slaughtered for their horns, and the
Javan Rhino is now extinct.
Elephant tusks and rhino horns flow from east African ports to Asia
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Courtesy of UNODC.org
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Illegal wildlife
trade is one of the world's most lucrative criminal activities. Well-organized
syndicates operating as transnational criminal networks often participate in
other illegal activities, including trafficking in narcotics and weapons. Some
have links with terrorist networks.
The criminals are
ruthless with hundreds of park rangers killed in the line of duty. This has left a great toll not only on
the animals but also on the lives of surrounding villagers who are corrupted by the
lure of big money.
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A
perfect pair:
Drones that See at Night & Powerful Computers
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Poachers operate under the cover of night, and until now, rangers have not had an effective way to find them before they kill. We fly drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that have infrared cameras and GPS on them and can send back thermal images of animals . . . and poachers. They’re electric, silent and invisible but provide the information operators use to rapidly vector rangers to the location of the poacher before he kills.
It works. Flying in one area where as many as 19 rhinos were killed each month, there have been no deaths – for six months. None at all.
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Others have tried and not succeeded, but our Air Shepherd approach is the only intervention that has been shown to literally stop
poaching. We have demonstrable proof that our drone program works. Quietly developed and tested in southern Africa for over two years with
US$ 2 million in investment and over 1000 hours of flying time, we can now say
one thing with confidence: where we fly, the poaching stops. Completely.
Carefully tested drone operations provides us with a huge advantage over any other approach to stopping poaching in Africa.
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A Systems Approach
That Eliminates Options
Right now, rangers
own the day: But at night, the situation changes. Almost all poaching of big
animals happens between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM. Poachers gather intelligence about
where the animals are located during the day and then, under the cover of dark,
they quickly kill, cut off horns and tusks and rapidly leave the area.
But now, we can change that.
They’ll produce
flight
plans for our drones, to tell them where to go and then ship them by email
or satellite straight to the field.
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The mobile ground control center is driven as close to the threat area as possible from where we can launch and control the drones.
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Drones are launched and flown constantly during the threat window, with batteries rapidly swapped out and aircraft relaunched to assure solid coverage.
Autopilots allow the drones to patrol a preplanned track, diverting only when anomalies are identified. Everything seen with their infrared cameras will be transmitted back to the ground control system that keeps in touch with the aircraft. A complete record of everything collected by the drone is stored for future analysis.
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When a potential
poacher is spotted, drone operators
radio the location to nearby rangers who intercept and capture the poachers.
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After the mission is complete, data including animal
sightings, weather conditions, poacher engagements, etc. are sent back to the
analytical team to be integrated into the main database for the area.
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Drone Aircraft
Air Shepherd is drone agnostic - we want the best aircraft
that we can find for the job at hand. Drone design is advancing very quickly so
we are constantly evaluating different platforms and we have designed our
approach to be adaptable to the most capable emerging technology. Currently,
based on testing in various environments, our partners in South Africa fly custom
designed UAV’s that include fixed wing
and multi-rotor airframes of varying capability.
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Airborne Sensors
Our airplanes carry powerful control systems and sensors that give them extraordinary capabilities that are ideal for the anti-poaching mission.
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Every drone has a solid-state inertial system that maintains its flying attitude, regardless of winds, etc. Each has an internal GPS receiver that tells the aircraft where it is (and where the cameras are looking) at all times. At least two zooming camera systems are carried on gyro-stabilized gimbals, which keep the cameras pointing at the same location, regardless of bumpy air or heading changes. One camera is designed for visible light and is operated during the daytime; the other is an infrared sensing device that provides thermal imaging during hours of darkness.
On-board datalink communications keep the aircraft in touch with the Ground Control System, sending navigation, piloting and camera operation instructions up to the aircraft and downlinking positional and live video streams from the camera systems. The communications links are encrypted for security.
Aerial Command Center
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Only technologically sophisticated capabilities
can provide the mobility and discrimination to effectively determine
what is really going on in the African bush at night. The mobile command
center is a support vehicle which includes:
- Remote controlled aircraft and avionics
- A variety of mounted cameras to accommodate day
and night (infrared) surveillance
- Accessories such as antennae, batteries and
trackers
- Radio and communication systems
- Support services such as Geographical Information
Systems (GIS) mapping, database capacity and recording software
- Monitoring equipment and software
- Spare parts and maintenance tools
- Support services for the crew such as tents,
beds, rations, etc.
Predictive Analysis
The task integrates several factors including: the poachers’ known
past behaviors, terrain information (elevation data, trafficability data), and
the movement patterns of the animals. The platform develops a coordinated
theory that has been successful in all tests and live applications.
Highly Trained Operators
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The field crew includes at least a pilot and a systems operator, both of whom are highly trained in these specialized operations. The pilot is responsible for all of the physical aspects of the drone – launching, recovering, navigation, maintenance, etc. The systems operator monitors the streaming video, analyzing what is happening in the area where the aircraft is flying, communicating with rangers, recording data feeds, etc.
Operating these aircraft effectively requires four months of training before individual crew members can be sent into the field on their own.
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Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife
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The Province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is home to multiple rhino reserves, under the management of Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (Ezemvelo). Combined, these reserves are the custodians of approximately 2,500 rhinos. The region possesses the rhino population with the farthest reaching genetic pool. In order to ensure the viability of future populations, the protection of rhino from this region is of critical importance and will impact on all future population growth efforts. which are extremely vulnerable to poaching syndicates.
From an operational perspective, Ezemvelo is the ideal environment in which to utilize new technologies such as UAVs to enhance anti-poaching efforts, as rhino and other wildlife populations are contained within multiple small and manageable conservation areas.
Ezemvelo, in association with Peace Parks Foundation, has for the past couple of years deployed drones on a trial basis to test the capability of an assortment of UAV technologies as instruments to support anti-poaching operations in varying environmental and operational conditions. So far the project has had positive impact, and the presence of UAVs in the reserves has been instrumental in disrupting illegal activities in general.
Air Shepherd has committed to join Ezemvelo and Peace Parks Foundation and combine years of experience and skills in a collaborative effort to maximize the use of drone technology at the frontlines of the poaching war.
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A History of UAVs in
EKZNW
In 2012, with the onset of the rapid
increase in wildlife crime and specifically rhino poaching, EKZNW entered into
an agreement with a service provider to undertake a pilot rhino security aerial
surveillance and monitoring project using UAVs. The main objective was to
reduce rhino poaching attempts and provide effective protection of the
Hluhluwe, iMfolozi Park (HiP) rhino population.
This project continued for a period of two years, and the mortality statistics from start to termination of the project clearly showed a significant decrease in poaching mortalities: a 65% reduction in rhino poaching compared to the previous year. Since that time UAV tactics have been upgraded resulting in no poaching
deaths in any area where drones were flying in the last six months.
The decrease in poaching is greatly attributed to the presence of drones in the park, combined with other strategic law enforcement and monitoring projects and operations.
Many countries are calling for help
The poaching problem is widespread, and the word is getting out about
our success. Already seven countries across Africa have approached our team
asking for help to develop anti-poaching programs.
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Most countries need multiple Air Shepherd teams to
fully cover all of the opportunities that are being presented to us. As a result, we will
require 45-50 teams, which is our mid-range goal: to rapidly proliferate our
capability across Africa and dramatically reduce big-time poaching.
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The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation
Air Shepherd is a project of The Lindbergh Foundation which was founded in 1977 by friends of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh (including Neil Armstrong, Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, Sir Edmund Hillary and others), to continue the Lindberghs’ legacy of supporting efforts that balance the use of technology with the interests of our environment. The foundation is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt nonprofit organization (not a family foundation) that has supported innovative research for over 35 years and now focuses its resources on aviation-related initiatives that benefit the natural world.
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Peace Parks Foundation
Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) was founded by Nelson Mandela, Dr Anton Rupert and Prince Bernard of the Netherlands in 1997 to facilitate the establishment of transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) in southern Africa. Today, the overall objective of PPF is to facilitate and co-ordinate the establishment and development of TFCAs that have the potential of safe-guarding the integrity of biological diversity, whilst at the same time contributing to the development of shared economic benefits and poverty alleviation.
The Foundation has a number of focus areas, including the development of the region’s TFCAs, community development projects in and around those areas, training wildlife managers at the Southern African Wildlife College, training in hospitality and in tracking skills at the SA College for Tourism, facilitating research and experimental work on animal diseases at the Hans Hoheisen Wildlife Research Station, and combatting wildlife crime. Given the trans-national nature of wildlife crime, the region’s peace parks are playing a crucial role in combatting it as countries jointly counter the onslaught across national borders and work towards harmonizing policies and legislation.
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UAV and Drone Solutions
UDS is an industry leading, South African based developer and integrator of unmanned aerial vehicle systems and all supporting sub systems for complete unmanned airborne solutions.
UDS was established in 2012 to take advantage of technological developments in the world of unmanned airborne systems. UDS develops and integrates custom solutions for various facets of industry and civilian use. It uses best in class components to build industry and task specific airborne solutions including:
- Search and Rescue
- Disaster Relief: Damage Assessment
- Fire Detection and Damage Assessment
- Customs and Border Protection Surveillance
- Natural Resource and Wildlife Management
- Aerial Photography
- Photogrammetry & Stockpile Management
- Anti-Poaching
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US $500,000
We will fund the daily operation of an existing drone team in South Africa for a full year: (3 aircraft, mobile ground control station vehicle, ground control technologies, two operators).
Stretch Goals
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Timeline
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We’ve developed a proven way to stop poaching. In one location in Southern Africa where up to 19 rhinos were being killed a month, none died during the six months that we flew there. The poaching stopped.
At the present rate of killing, all elephants and rhinos will be dead within ten years, but you can help us assure that that doesn’t happen. You can literally help save these magnificent animals from extinction. Someday you will be able to tell your grandchildren, “Elephants and rhinos are still here because I helped to fund the program that saved their lives.”
We have the technology, we have the people, we have the experience, we know it works. Now, we just need your support.
You can help us two ways:
1. Donate here today. Help us fund this big, challenging initiative.
2. Tell your friends about this opportunity. Send our link to your Facebook, Twitter and other social media friends. Please spread the word.
Only by working together can we protect the rhino and elephants.
Thank you for making a difference!
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Join us and claim your reward
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Hand crafted, Fair Trade dinner napkins. Each set is beautifully unique and contains 4 matching napkins. Perfect for a Hostess Gift. ** Not available to ship outside of the U.S.**
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A gorgeous yet practical bag, large enough to hold everything you need for the farmers market, a picnic, a day at the beach or even use it as a gym bag! Beautifully hand-crafted, African Fair Trade. Get one for yourself and one for a friend. ** Not available to ship outside of the U.S.**
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Beautiful, postcard-size vinyl magnets feature a color image of Sherri Lewis’ original wooden artwork portraying Getjie, a baby rhino orphaned by poachers in Spring 2014 in South Africa and later rescued by Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Sherri has graciously donated 50 of these magnets to support our campaign! Take a look below to see a photo and check out Sherri's art for elephants and rhinos at sundogmurals.com
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Add your signature to one of our drones. Your signature, along with others, will be collected and and graphically placed on the vinyl wrap of one of our drones. Your signature spells support for the endangered elephants and rhinos.
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Get a camera-equipped starter drone so you can experience what we do in the field. Learn to fly your drone and take pictures and videos of
yourself, your friends and your pets. Use this to spread the word about
how Air Shepherd uses drones to save Elephants and Rhinos from poachers.
** Not available to ship outside of the U.S.**
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Mama elephants have tusks too, they're not just on the males. Baby
elephants depend on their mothers milk for a couple of years. So if the mother is killed, the baby usually dies. Donate generously to help prevent any more young elephants from dying or becoming orphans and we'll send you a cuddly stuffed mommy and baby elephant as a reminder of those you
are helping to save.
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Sponsor a Drone with your name, photo or company logo. You can even put the name of a loved one on the Drone. Your drone may be the one that saves an elephant or helps capture a poacher!
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Spend the most thrilling afternoon of your life flying aerobatic maneuvers with world renowned stunt pilot Sean Tucker. Tucker is a member of the Aviation Hall of Fame, an elite group of aviators and astronauts that includes General Jimmy Doolittle, General “Chuck” Yeager, and John Glenn. More than half of Tucker's maneuvers have never been duplicated by another aerobatic pilot - and you can be in the cockpit with him! Just imagine what a cool story flying upside down in a roll would make? The next time you saw Tucker on TV, or at an airshow, you could tell your buddies, "Yeah. . . I know exactly what it's like to experience positive G's, with the ground above me and the sky below!" And because it's just you and Tucker in the plane, he'll make your ride as smooth as you like, or go all out, to give you the most unbelievable and memorable experience ever. You'll tell this story over and over, and remember this day for the rest of your life!
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Frequently Asked Questions
• Is anyone else successfully flying drones in anti-poaching missions? No. We are the only organization on the continent that we are aware of that has a significant, sustained, successful drone-based anti-poaching program. We have been quietly operating and evaluating with over 600 missions, so know this works. Other groups have tested drones in short trials, but have not been successful.
• Do your drones have guns or missiles on them? No. These are small drones with sophisticated cameras. They are designed for surveillance and protection, not destruction.
• How big are your drones? They are fixed-wing aircraft that look like large airplanes, but have wingspans of approximately 2 meters or 6 feet.
• Who supplies your drones?Currently, a South African based UAV company, has custom designed and manufactured the UAV’s used in pilot programs for the last two years. But we are testing many different types of drones to determine which ones will work best in the different situations and terrain where we will fly in the future.
• Is this stuff complicated? Yes. It takes four months to properly train crew members who are deploy in the field. Significant time and dedication is required to learn to operate and maintain the aircraft, interpret what is being sent back from the aircraft, and master the mission requirements.
• Where do your people come from? We are committed to hiring and training local people.
• How long do the drones fly? The aircraft average about two hours per battery. When the battery is low, they are brought back, a new battery is plugged in, and they are re-launched. The batteries are recharged in the mobile control vehicle.
• How long will it take to put a new team in the field once the funding is available? It takes approximately two months to hire crew, acquire aircraft and vehicles, and begin the training process.
• Do you need permission from local authorities to fly drones? Yes. Through our local partnerships, we have relationships with all of the appropriate government and provincial agencies in the areas where we fly and have procured all required approvals.
• Can these drones do anything other than chase poachers? Yes. Depending on the camera suite on the aircraft, it can be used in many other significant ways: wildlife management, surveys, checking the integrity of fences, crop and water conditions, search and rescue. They have many powerful uses that are beneficial to the parks we protect.
• Can poachers shoot down the drones? No. The aircraft have electric motors that allow them to be both silent and invisible – especially at night. Even if a poacher did see a drone, it is far enough away and moving so fast that it is essentially impossible to hit with a rifle.
• Do the drones have a deterrent effect? Absolutely. We make sure that local communities are aware that we are flying and what the drones can see and do. This contributes to a significant deterrence effect.
• Can the drones be jammed or hacked? All of the communications to and from the drones are encrypted, so it’s virtually impossible for poachers to take control of an aircraft or hack its video.
You may contact us or mail donations to:
The Lindbergh Foundation
PO Box 861
Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
www.lindberghfoundation.org
T: 1-304-258-6855
