14 DAY TRIAL // The news just broke that the rangers working to protect national parks in South Africa are to receive some much needed help from a military aircraft made available to them by the Paramount Group.
According to DefenceWeb, this aircraft packs state-of-the-art surveillance technologies, including thermal imaging, and can therefore be used to locate poachers both faster and easier.
“Advanced visual reconnaissance and surveillance will provide game reserve rangers with robust intelligence in their tireless mission to confront poachers,” explained Ivor Ichikowitz, the executive director of the Paramount Group.
Furthermore, “We will equip the Seeker Seabird with a FLIR [forward-looking infrared] Ball infrared detector. This thermal imaging technology will deliver more enhanced and powerful observation capability to the Kruger National Park’s rangers, making it very difficult for poachers to hide.”
Given the fact that South Africa's rhino population has witnessed a considerable decline over the past few years, primarily as a result of illegal hunting activities, it comes as good news that efforts are being made to deal with this problem.