Africa is naturally endowed with wild animals, and for a long time, this has made the country a lucrative tourism spot and a world travel location with the Big Five animals at its center. However, the sector has not been lucrative as wildlife has been poached as a source of ingredients for artefacts, medicine, and food. 

Poaching has continued at an alarming rate, even though killing and transporting animals have been termed illegal and punishable by law. This continuation showed that natural heritages and the tourism trade were at huge risk, and for a time, the death of wildlife conservation in Africa. However, nature reserves and game parks have taken the offensive and are launching their counter-offensive in the form of high-tech drones. With the aid of scientists, researchers, and conservationists, Africa’s wildlife conservation is using drones to increase endangered species populations and thwart poachers. 

In Africa, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, also known as drones, are taking over every sector and transforming each one. Through the influx of UAVs into the African industry, African wildlife conservation has seen tremendous transformation and immense progress. One drone that has been at the front of the African wildlife conservation transformation is the thermal-equipped drone. 

This drone is equipped with thermal technology, aiding the conservation and research efforts of endangered wildlife species in Africa. With small drones flying into vast spaces and remaining unseen, Africa has utilized the thermal-equipped drone to transform its wildlife conversation strategy. While the focus is mainly on the savanna regions containing dense populations of larger animals such as lions, rhinos, and elephants, other wildlife-protected areas and national parks are also included. 

For more information, refer to the following sections:

• How are the UAVs used?

• African Countries Making Use of UAVs in Wildlife Conservation

• Impact of Drones on the Wildlife Conservation Industry in Africa