This is amazing!
Vanderbilt computer engineering faculty and Colorado State University have recently developed a system that could help save endangered African elephants from the constant threat of poaching. The two have come up with a system called WIPER, that uses ballistic shockwave sensors embedded in tracking collars that will detect when poachers are shooting at elephants, and better give chance for catching poachers before it's too late.
Obviously, there's improvement to be had, due to the sensors not engaging until after a bullet is fired, but this is still a massive step forward and will help authorities catch poachers in the act and stop them from killing dozens of elephants at a time.
The African elephant is the largest animal walking the Earth. Their herds wander through 37 countries in Africa. They are easily recognized by their trunk that is used for communication and handling objects. And their large ears allow them to radiate excess heat. Upper incisor teeth develop into tusks in African elephants and grow throughout their lifetime. There are two subspecies of African elephants—the Savanna (or bush) elephant and the Forest elephant. Savanna elephants are larger than forest elephants, and their tusks curve outwards. In addition to being smaller, forest elephants are darker and their tusks are straighter and point downward. There are also differences in the size and shape of the skull and skeleton between the two subspecies.
Forest elephants, a distinct subspecies of African elephants, are uniquely adapted to the forest habitat of the Congo Basin, but are in sharp decline due to poaching for the international ivory trade. It is estimated that probably one quarter to one third of the total African elephant population is made up of forest elephants.
Hopefully this technology can continue to grow and develop, giving way to less and less threat from poaching and in turn, saving the roughly 415,000 that remain in the wild.. A staggeringly small number.
Stay steemy my friends!