At Now for Wildlife, we bring together years of experience from the art and technology field, where we've been working with cutting-edge technologies and solving complex problems. We recognize the critical importance of firsthand experience and dedicated time to grasp the realities we seek to tackle.
Even though we're new to wildlife conservation, we're adaptable and eager to make a difference. Through our expertise, we tackle challenges in a distinctive and unconventional manner. With the capability to prototype ideas and solutions directly in the field, we embrace a philosophy of trial and error, prioritizing hands-on experimentation over distant theoretical work.
Innovation isn't always about following the latest trends. It can also mean revisiting effective traditional methods, posing the right questions to a team, or integrating ideas from different fields to achieve the best outcomes. It's about exploring various paths and discovering creative solutions that may not always be trendy but can significantly improve progress and effectiveness in wildlife conservation.
Unique Solutions
Here are a couple of concepts that illustrate our diverse approach to discovering the most effective solutions for wildlife conservation on the ground. These concepts have emerged from extensive periods immersed in the remote landscapes of the Tien-Shan mountains, embodying our vision.
In the realm of conservation, the practical application of 3D printing technology remains largely untapped, particularly in remote landscapes where technical expertise is limited. Our pioneering work in this field has revealed the huge potential of 3D printing for addressing conservation challenges directly on the front lines.
An illustrative example of our innovative approach can be found in Baiboosun Nature Reserve, where we utilized 3D printing extensively to enhance the functionality of existing camera trap systems. By extending the battery life and optimizing performance, we've significantly bolstered the reserve's capacity for wildlife monitoring and protection. Remarkably, these modifications continue to serve the local ranger team reliably, even two years after implementation.
© Image Copyright Luciano Foglia
Conventional wildlife monitoring techniques, such as standard camera traps, often falter in remote landscapes due to logistical and data accessibility limitations. In response, we're pioneering the development of an advanced monitoring system that capitalizes on the latest CCTV surveillance and long-range communication technologies.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize wildlife monitoring in remote regions by expanding camera coverage while reducing the need for frequent physical access. By automating data collection and enabling real-time access to video footage, our system facilitates instant monitoring of wildlife activity and anti-poaching efforts, marking a significant leap forward in wildlife monitoring technology. Additionally, it heralds a new era of collaboration by allowing remote data access and fostering partnerships with experts worldwide.
© This image was generated using AI technology
Traditional communication methods often lack appeal and fail to capture the interest of the audience, overlooking the cultural and technical intricacies of local communities. Recognizing this challenge during our years of conservation work with snow leopards, we've adopted visual language as a solution.
Comics have emerged as the perfect medium, enabling us to effectively convey important messages to people of all ages in the Tien-Shan pastures, where nomadic families spend half the year high in the mountains without any means of communication like phone signals. In such settings, physical mediums hold significant power, unlike digital ones, as they can be easily accessed and revisited multiple times, especially when they're left around in the yurts. This makes comics an invaluable tool for engaging with communities who share their habitats with endangered species.
© This image was generated using AI technology
In remote landscapes, effective monitoring and anti-poaching activities pose significant challenges due to the open terrain, making traditional camera traps impractical. These traps typically require close proximity to trigger, a limitation particularly evident in vast, high altitude rocky mountainous regions with sparse vegetation like the Baiboosun Nature Reserve.
After years of grappling with this reality, we recognized the need for a new approach. The concept of deploying camera traps at a distance from the target area, coupled with a zoom lense and remote motion detection sensors, emerged as a game-changer. This innovation not only enhances anti-poaching efforts but also revolutionizes wildlife monitoring.
Previously, maintaining camera trap systems for snow leopard monitoring in the reserve demanded considerable effort and risked disturbing the natural habitat. By relocating the cameras away from wildlife paths, we not only improve footage accessibility but also minimize the impact of conservation activities on the environment.
© Image Copyright Luciano Foglia
It is crucial to make individuals understand that discarding plastic in the wilderness is unacceptable. Furthermore, we must emphasize the potential of design and engineering to transform this wasted material into practical and valuable resources for rural communities.
To achieve this, we can adopt the innovative method developed by the Austrian start-up Plasticpreneur, which involves injecting recycled plastic into fully functional and useful products. We can explore product designs that serve a functional role within the lifestyle of local communities, where the waste originates. This approach will enable them to appreciate the material’s value and develop a heightened awareness of the recyclability of waste into something useful.
The plan is to establish recycling centers in remote villages near nature reserves, starting with a pilot center, and employ students to manage the workshops. The products created will be sold either at the local DIY store or within the recycling center itself. These centers will also serve as collection points for plastic materials.
© This image was generated using AI technology
Our primary focus is deploying drones in challenging terrains to safeguard critically endangered species like the elusive snow leopard. This partnership promises to unlock new possibilities for leveraging DJI’s drone technology in the most remote and critical conservation landscapes.
Through field testing, we aim to assess the efficiency of this technology in harsh and challenging environments, uncovering novel uses that may aid our conservation mission. This project has the potential to impact a significant portion of the conservation efforts in remote landscapes, and extend its influence to become the tool of choice in monitoring endangered species, offering invaluable insights into their behavior and distribution.
Additionally, these aerial marvels can aid in habitat mapping, providing comprehensive data on the ecosystems. By leveraging their capabilities, we can enhance poaching prevention strategies, detect illicit activities, and safeguard wildlife from illegal trade.
© This image was generated using AI technology
In the modern world of wildlife conservation, there's a prevailing trend towards embracing cutting-edge technologies as the ultimate solution to conservation challenges. The advancement of state-of-the-art equipment is undeniable, often capturing the attention of researchers, organizations, donors, and the public alike. While these advancements are undoubtedly important, true innovation transcends mere gadgets and gizmos.
Over the years, we've encountered numerous instances where ambitious technological solutions fell short in real-world conservation settings. This firsthand experience has taught us the importance of striking the right balance between innovation and practicality.
Nowadays, technology has advanced significantly, surpassing the ability of local teams to repair, understand, and maintain it effectively. These critical aspects are often overlooked when equipping frontline teams with cutting-edge technology. As a result, if the technology is found to be impractical for the task at hand, if there was insufficient training provided for its use, or if the equipment is not properly maintained over time, the technology is often discarded, stored, or abandoned altogether. Drawing on our technical expertise and our dedication to promoting reusability and repairability on the ground, we consider this to be an unacceptable oversight.
Practicality Over Technology
While cutting-edge technologies can certainly play a significant role in advancing conservation efforts, they are not always the most appropriate or effective solution in every context. In many cases, simpler, more traditional approaches can be just as effective, if not more so, in achieving conservation goals.
Regardless of whether the solution entails deploying automated drones for advanced patrolling actions or relying on a man on horseback, our approach remains unchanged. Drawing from our extensive experience in navigating unique and creative solutions within the creative field, we've encountered numerous instances where lofty technological ideas overshadowed simpler, more efficient approaches in practice.
© Image Copyright Petra Muhič Šmuc. Photograph showcasing Luciano Foglia with a nomadic farmer resting in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan at high altitude.