In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has been revolutionising various aspects of our lives with its ability to connect devices to other devices and add connectivity to use cases to make them more efficient. Wildlife conservation is one key area where this technology is being used. With Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs), organizations can now deploy more reliable IoT connectivity solutions tailored specifically toward helping protect vulnerable animal species and monitor their habitats.
Why Wildlife protection is needed
As demand for exotic animal products escalates, these practices significantly contribute to the decline of species populations. According to Harvard biologist E. O. Wilson, around 30,000 animals are driven to yearly extinction. Climate change further aggravates the problem, causing shifts in natural habitats and heavily impacting the ecosystem. It also creates potential habitat overlap, where different species compete for limited resources.
How IoT is making a difference
The role of IoT in wildlife conservation is becoming increasingly vital as it strives to protect endangered species and their habitats. IoT offers an innovative, comprehensive solution that tracks animal movements, monitors their health, and safeguards their environments.
Thanks to IoT, monitoring protected zones continuously without human presence is possible. These devices can alert rangers to suspicious activities, allowing immediate intervention before harm is done. Conservationists can gather essential information on animal habitats, behavior, and migrations by deploying an interconnected network of sensors, cameras, drones, and tracking devices in real-time. This enhanced understanding enables them to make informed decisions to protect endangered species.
IoT devices must resist severe temperatures and maintain connectivity and data accuracy over long distances. Multi-network SIMs are critical in maintaining a strong connection in the distances that animal habitats frequently cover, as they will seamlessly connect to the strongest possible network, allowing companies to have one simple solution that can be used worldwide.
Different ways IoT connectivity is used
Animal Monitoring: Tracking a group of animals’ movements and GPS locations.
Health Monitoring: Monitor animals’ health and vital signs to ensure their well-being and proper care.
Poaching Detection: Identifying potential poaching activities and aiding law enforcement to protect wildlife.
Remote Surveillance: Remote cameras and IoT-enabled drones capture images and videos of wildlife in their natural habitats without disturbance, providing valuable insights into animal behavior, population dynamics, and interactions.
Climate Monitoring: IoT sensors help monitor the effects of climate change on wildlife by tracking temperature variations, migration patterns, and changes in breeding and feeding habits.
Understanding LPWAN Technology and Its Impact on Wildlife Conservation
Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, such as LTE-M and NB-IoT, are revolutionising wildlife monitoring by offering efficient, long-range communication capabilities. These technologies are particularly well-suited for wildlife conservation efforts due to their low power consumption and extensive coverage, even in remote and challenging environments.
LPWAN is designed for low power consumption. It uses low radio frequency bands to send and receive data, which translates to longer battery life for devices used in wildlife monitoring. With battery life extending up to 10 years, conservationists can deploy sensors and tracking devices without frequent maintenance or battery replacements. This longevity is especially beneficial in remote locations where accessing the devices can be challenging and costly.
As IoT continues to open up different wildlife conservation opportunities, here at Ritesim, we want to work closely with customers to provide bespoke connectivity solutions tailored to your needs.
