Protecting Rhinos Through Innovation and Collaboration in Pilanesberg National Park
Pilanesberg National Park has become a sanctuary for rhinos, recognized as the park’s most safeguarded inhabitants due to extensive conservation measures. Spanning 55,000 hectares, the park houses both Southern White and Black Rhino species, facing significant threats from poaching.
The unlawful killing of rhinos persists due to the misconception that their horns possess medicinal properties. In response to the critical endangerment of rhino populations, Netstar and Toyota SA collaborated with the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust. Their joint efforts aim to eliminate rhino poaching by providing rangers with enhanced technology for tracking and security.
A pivotal strategy employed by the park to combat poaching involves the complete dehorning of its rhino population. This approach has yielded remarkable success, as there have been no reported poaching incidents in the three years since 2020.
According to veterinarian Gerhardus Scheepers, the dehorning procedure is minimally invasive, ensuring no harm to the animals. He emphasized that the removal of horns does not impact the rhino’s herd structure, with the dominant bull retaining its leadership role.
In 2019, Toyota and Netstar became part of the connected car project, deploying cutting-edge devices to anti-poaching vehicles. Netstar’s tracking has covered over 80,000 kilometers, primarily within the park’s borders, providing valuable data to the anti-poaching unit.
Grant Fraser, Netstar’s group managing director, highlighted the company’s commitment to advancing technology. The telematics and technology utilized by Netstar map information, enabling a comprehensive view of traveled routes. Fraser expressed pride in contributing advanced vehicle tracking technology and data insights to protect rhinos from the severe threat of poaching.
