The Spanish aircraft spot intruders and monitor fences meant to keep poachers away from African wildlife.

This Spanish surveillance system has been put in place for the first time in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal in order to protect African rhinos, which are severely threatened by poaching. The system was developed by CSIC, the Spanish National Research Council (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas).

The Spanish aircraft have a wingspan of less than two meters and are equipped with high resolution cameras, with which they can locate intruders and monitor the fences that are meant to keep poachers out of private hunting areas.

This is an example of how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be a useful tool to monitor sensitive areas, and especially those that are difficult to access. Thanks to their small size the drones can be deployed quickly. Powered by electricity, they are not harmful to local fauna and are also less likely to be detected by poachers. Researchers point out that they’re economical and easy to use.

South Africa has 83% of the world’s rhino population and experiences the highest levels of poaching. In 2013 around 1,000 of these animals were victims of illegal hunters.