Anti-
Poaching
Wildlife
Monitoring
Traditional
Trackers
Our goals can be organised as following:
1. Wildlife Monitoring
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To set up an online platform named 'eTrack' where people from around the world will be able to upload pictures of tracks and their relevant information. Track sampling will follow a simple protocol so that pictures will be automatically converted into digital 3D models using computer vision and photogrammetry.
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To develop identification algorithms at the species, age, sex and/or individual level using the information extracted from tracks.
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To apply the identification algorithms in the non-invasive monitoring of wild populations.
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To use the identification algorithms for a better understanding of the human-wildlife conflict.
2. Traditional Trackers
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To locate the remaining indigenous trackers and train future generations in the art of tracking.
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To empower indigenous trackers and get them involved in nature conservation.
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To preserve indigenous knowledge, and facilitate the synergy between art of tracking and science.
3. Anti-Poaching
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To use the recording technique on human tracks in support of the on-going fight against poaching.
Our current projects are:
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The development of the online platform 'eTrack'.
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The sampling of tracks from African wild dogs, domestic dogs and spotted hyenas to develop an algorithm that will enable the objective identification of the species.
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The sampling of tracks from different cheetahs to investigate the possibility of identifying individuals.
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The preparation of tracking assessments, in collaboration with CyberTracker, for San and Shangaan trackers in South Africa.