Protecting Wildlife in Greece’s Aoos Gorge
Greece
Overview
In January 2021, Rainforest Connection (RFCx), wildlife researchers from the Forest Research Institute (FRI), and Huawei Greece teamed up to deploy the TECH4ALL Guardian project to provide real-time, 24/7 monitoring of the chamois habitat using acoustic technology.
In Greece’s spectacular Aoos Gorge and surrounding mountains, Nature Guardians - acoustics sensors networked to cloud AI - have been deployed to detect the gunshots of poachers and hunters who target local wildlife, including the endangered Balkan chamois, wolves, and bears.
Partners
Forest Research Institute of Thessaloniki
Balkan Chamois Society
HUAWEI Greece
Objectives
Even if poachers aren't caught immediately, the data collected can still provide vital evidence, increasing the chance of identifying perpetrators and securing a successful court prosecution.
The grid will also provide rich information on the Aoos gorge soundscape, which can be used for educational purposes at the park's information centers.
Implementation
In mid-June, Rainforest Connection and the local partner checked the five sensors that had thus far been deployed, replacing solar panels damaged by strong wind and checking sensors for problems caused by humidity. Additionally, a software update was installed to boost the remote reboot capabilities of the sensors in the event of a power failure.
Also in June, forest rangers received training in using the acoustics equipment, with another session planned for September. Then a few weeks later in July, Lawrence Whittaker, Lead Field Installation Specialist for Rainforest Connection, went out in the field to install an additional Guardian.
The acoustic data is transmitted continuously over a GSM network, supported by Wind Hellas SIM cards and its data transfer solution.
In the first few months, the project has focused on training the algorithms to detect gunshots and chainsaws and determining the optimal power source for the Guardians.
The next steps will be fitting the acoustic grids with extra solar panels to ensure they can continue working uninterrupted and providing additional training for forest rangers.
Impact
Since deployment in April, more than five gunshots have been recorded and word is out in the local community: it's no longer open season on endangered wildlife. Instead, poachers risk arrest.
As of mid-April 2021, 1,250 hours of acoustic scanning had detected five gunshots. While no arrests were made, news of the new "acoustic shield" for the chamois has reached local communities.
"As well as protecting the chamois in the unique beauty of Aoos gorge, the project's cutting-edge technology can help us learn more about local conditions, like climate, geomorphology, and vegetation, and share information with local authorities."
Dr. Christos Astaras, Researcher and Scientific Coordinator, Forest Research Institute (ELGO-DIMITRA)
