The spy camera has been dubbed “rapid,” or short for Real-time Anti-Poaching Intelligence Device, and the device is embedded in the rhino’s horn. The procedure involved doesn’t cause the animal any pain.
The device is the invention of Paul O’Donoghue, a British scientist, and animal conservation nonprofit Protect. RAPID is designed to protect rhinos from poachers and eventually could be used to protect other species, such as elephants, tigers and others, that are often hunted.
RAPID is the combination of a GPS satellite collar and a video camera. Teams will be able to remotely keep an eye on the rhinos and, if danger strikes, be able to take charge and step in to take action. For example, if a rhino is attacked by a poacher, an alarm will be triggered. This will leave poachers little time to escape, as park rangers will be able to make their way to the scene within a matter of minutes. The camera will capture the entire incident, and it will provide evidence of what took place.
Rhinos are hunted for their horns, and if they continue to be hunted, then they could end up being extinct within the next 10 years. Over the last few years, rhino poaching in Africa has grown into a big businesses, and in South Africa it has reached record levels.
