Drones to keep an eye on tigers, rhinos in Chitwan
For the first time in the country, two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) fitted with cameras and Global Positioning System have been launched to help monitor the movement of tigers and one-horned rhinoceroses. Concerned about the rise in the poaching of these endangered species in the Chitwan National Park(CNP), conservationists came up with the plan to use the remote-controlled aircraft that will captured images and videos even from the difficult terrain. The modern technology will be instrumental in monitoring flagship species and curbing illegal wildlife trade in the country, said Anil Manandhar, the country representative of WWF Nepal. On June 20, WWF Nepal with support from WWF's Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS) conducted the first test flight of the UAVs in the presence of Forest Minister Yadu Bansa Jha. The aircraft, also called 'conservation drones' are two metres in width and flies at a maximum elevation of 200 meters. It can cover a distance of up to 25km within a duration of 45 minutes. A latest census estimates there are 155 tigers and 534 rhinos in the country.
