Hytera H-series Radios Aid the Fight Against Rhino Poaching in South Africa
The 572 sq km Pilanesberg National Park is located north of Rustenburg in the North West Province of South Africa. The Pilanesberg Nature Reserve is a premier wildlife conservation area, but it is suffering from a severe rhino poaching crisis. In recent years, South Africa has accounted for over 70% of global rhino losses due to poaching, with hundreds of animals killed each year for their horns.
The Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust (PWT), a non-profit organisation, is leading the fight to protect endangered species in the reserve, especially rhinos. To support this critical mission, South African telecommunications solutions provider Sentiv partnered with Pilanesberg's Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) by donating state-of-the-art Hytera devices. This radio technology upgrade enables real-time communication and location tracking, directly contributing to Pilanesberg's anti-poaching success.
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User
Pilanesberg Nature Reserve Anti-Poaching Unit (Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust)
Hytera Partner: Sentiv
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Project Time
2023 to 2024 -
Market Segment
Wildlife conservation
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Product
HM78XG DMR Mobile Radios
HM78X DMR Mobile Radio
HP68XG DMR Portable Radios
HR106X DMR Repeater
Challenge
The key challenges include:
- • Coordinating real-time responses across remote and rugged areas;
- • Ensuring rangers' safety and visibility to the command centre;
- • Avoiding patrol coverage gaps, especially in poaching hotspots;
- • Improving communication reliability to keep up with sophisticated poaching tactics.
Solutions
Sentiv donated a Hytera HR106X Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) repeater and Hytera H-series DMR devices equipped with GPS tracking to Pilanesberg's Anti-Poaching Unit. This integrated solution empowers rangers to communicate seamlessly across the reserve, with features tailored to conservation enforcement needs. The digital repeater has increased coverage across the Reserve from 60% to 98%. The rangers are still able to communicate with each other via direct mode in the remaining 2%.
Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust Anti-Poaching Unit
The Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust (PWT), a non-proft organisation, is leading the fght to protect endangered species in the reserve, especially rhinos. To support this critical mission, South African telecommunications solutions provider Sentiv partnered with Pilanesberg's Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) by donating state-of-the-art Hytera devices. This radio technology upgrade enables real-time communication and location tracking, directly contributing to Pilanesberg's anti-poaching success.
"The support from Sentiv and the Hytera devices has transformed our capabilities in the field. Real-time communication and GPS tracking have strengthened our efforts, allowing us to be more responsive and proactive in protecting our wildlife. This technology is crucial in the fight to save our rhino population."
Steve Dell, Field Ecologist, Pilanesberg Anti-Poaching Unit
Benefits
Enhanced Real-Time Communication and Coordination
With reliable, long-range communication using Hytera H Series devices, rangers are able to maintain constant contact, effectively covering the entire reserve.
GPS Tracking for Ranger and Wildlife Monitoring
GPS tracking in the radios means rangers are better protected than before as the command centre is able to monitor ranger positions in real-time, optimizing patrol routes and ensuring timely response to threats by dispatching the nearest rangers to suspicious activity locations.
Improved Ranger Safety
GPS location tracking ensures ranger visibility, mitigating risks in emergency situations and enabling help to be directed to the precise location.
Seamless Multi-Agency Collaboration
The radios' interoperability enables cross-agency communication when partnering with law enforcement, boosting the unit's impact in critical situations.
HM78XG/HM78X Mobile Radios
These versatile mobile radios are installed in ranger vehicles and provide secure, reliable communication with exceptional audio clarity, even in remote areas.
HP68XG Portable Radios
The compact and lightweight HP68XG devices are ideal for rangers on foot, ensuring easy handling during long patrols. They are built to withstand the harsh conditions of the reserve, including dust, water, and rugged terrain, making them perfect for the demanding tasks of the APU.
Loud, Clear Audio
The radios feature Hytera's latest noise cancellation technology, ensuring loud, clear voice communications, even in windy or noisy environments.
Dual Mode Operation
The radios support both analog and digital modes, ensuring smooth communication with older devices while benefiting from the advanced features of digital technology.
Enhanced Signal Coverage
The HR106X repeater boosts signal coverage across the vast terrain of Pilanesberg, ensuring continuous and reliable communication even in previously hard-to-reach areas.
Remote Monitoring
The repeater includes remote monitoring capabilities, allowing the APU's communication team to identify and address any issues promptly, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
The success of this solution at Pilanesberg demonstrates Hytera's potential in conservation and security settings. Sentiv's support exemplifies how technology can be harnessed to protect endangered wildlife, setting a benchmark for other reserves facing similar challenges in wildlife protection and poaching prevention.
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