Conservationists are using AI to safeguard rhinos after nearly 500 were killed last year “for their horns”.
Rhino populations have been decimated due to the unfounded belief that their horns can cure everything from fever to cancers.
The horns are also prized as status symbols or ornaments.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Lion leaves huge dent in safari truck during fight with rival
South Africa is home to most of the world’s rhinos.
But there are concerns for their survival after the government said 499 had been hunted last year.
That’s 51 more than in 2022.
The German-based NGO Wild at Life is hoping to reverse the trend.
The conservationists are using AI-powered collars to track the rhinos’ movement within their habitat via smartphones.
They hope they can be alerted to any poaching threats by detecting abnormal movements.
Other measures they are taking include trimming the rhinos’ horns down to decrease their attractiveness to poachers.
And they hope the blood and plasma samples they’ve taken can be used to support orphaned rhinos or save injured ones.
There are five rhino species.
White rhinos are near threatened.
Indian rhinos are vulnerable.
And black, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos are critically endangered.
Wild at Life Chief Conservation Officer Asli Han Gedik said: “In our unwavering commitment to the conservation of rhinoceros populations, Wild at Life e.V. is constantly exploring innovative approaches to rescue and protect these magnificent creatures.”
READ MORE: Farmer fight to death with wild puma using bare hands…and wins
