Conservation professionals from 11 African countries are participating in practical training at the Lapalala Wilderness nature reserve in South Africa. The course, run by the Connected Conservation Foundation (CCF), focuses on integrating technology such as thermal drones and software to enhance wildlife protection and address challenges like poaching and human-wildlife conflict.
During a demonstration, instructor Jacques Viljoen used a thermal drone to locate a cheetah and its cubs in less than 10 minutes, sending its location to field rangers. Duncan Kanyakera, a participant from Kenya, noted how drones could quickly locate elephants near villages, potentially deterring them with noise or guiding rangers more accurately.
The CCF's online Protected Area Technicians (PAT) training programme, launched in July 2025, is described as a global first. In its initial year, 680 people completed at least one module, with the top 16 invited to the practical component at Lapalala. The CCF states that parks utilising tech solutions are safer, more biodiverse, and have improved community relationships.
Carien Soldatos, who oversees the PAT training, highlighted the need for trained technicians to use, repair, and maintain technology in conservation efforts. Participants like Effort Zivengwa from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and Mabel Nokhuthula Piki, a university lecturer, plan to apply their new knowledge to integrate existing sensors and improve internet and power systems in their respective regions.