In this Peace Parks TV episode, we meet Phumlani Mbanjwa, Peace Parks Foundation’s ICT Support Technician for Mozambique. He not only has a wealth of knowledge about communications technology, but also a head for heights! Zinave National Park has a vital system in place to keep track of assets – people, vehicles and animals – in the landscape, from which the LoRa long-range radio network can pick up a real-time signal. Whether it be for monitoring animals and poaching incursions or tracking park staff, Phumlani’s role in ensuring that the system is fully functional is key. The hair-raising challenge of scaling lofty towers is an integral part of the job.
Long Range for Greater Advantage
Due to their size and remoteness, protected areas pose a vast challenge when it comes to conveying crucial information about wildlife and people. Across Zinave’s 4,800 km² expanse, connectivity is seriously compromised. LoRa networks can solve this problem, enabling teams to take a high-tech approach to conservation.
The advantages of LoRa lie in its capacity to transmit data over significant distances, with reduced interference and minimal infrastructure. This type of technology has been used in military and space communication for decades due to its reach and ability to overcome interference, but LoRa is the first low-cost application viable in the realm of conservation.
Implementing LoRa is no small feat. One of the more exciting aspects of Phumlani’s new role is to install the antennae at the top of communications towers to upgrade connectivity across Zinave. This involves a 30-metre climb, which is not for the faint-hearted or the inexperienced. “Peace Parks has provided training for the job,” he says. “I have a Working at Heights Certificate, and I’m qualified to do this. I think the highest I’ve ever climbed is about 40 metres!”
Safeguarding Staff and Wildlife
Understanding the whereabouts of teams is extremely important for safe and effective management. In the instance of a ranger on foot being chased and injured by an elephant, knowing the location of the incident is critical to be able to respond quickly. Insight into park coverage during patrols also helps ensure that areas aren’t left without boots on the ground.
Wildlife protection and monitoring is equally important; the LoRa network connects to sensors and collars fitted to animals. “There’s also technology that is being introduced via these sensors whereby you can record if a rhino is lying down for a normal amount of time,” Phumlani adds. “Then you can send a team to check if that rhino is still there, and alive. From an anti-poaching perspective, that’s why it’s so vital that we make sure the towers are working 100%.”
Functionality in Zinave has its challenges; territorial crows nesting in the towers make for a tricky climb and can compromise signals, as can the density of vegetation. Overcoming these issues requires ongoing maintenance of the LoRa infrastructure but, overall, the advantages are significant. The network’s reach and reliability enable the scaling of coverage, and conservation operations, with only a limited number of staff. “You can work smarter with fewer people,” explains Phumlani. “So you are able to have a person sitting at the centre monitoring all of this data, instead of having many people doing numerous jobs.”
The Zinave and Limpopo national park communication systems are currently being upgraded. This will also support the operationalisation of EarthRanger, conservation software which integrates information collected from the field into a centralised system. Teams can then interpret the data and respond to it appropriately and effectively. Implementation is thanks to a partnership between Mozambique’s National Administration For Conservation Areas (ANAC), Peace Parks Foundation, and Conservation International through funding from Earth Ranger (Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence) and the Global Environment Facility.
Visit peaceparks.org for more on Zinave National Park, its conservation initiatives and courageous staff!
