Message from the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission for World Wildlife Day
Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation
In this modern age, technology is very much an essential part of our daily lives.
Technological advancements in recent years have meant that wildlife conservation can also benefit from digital innovation and technological applications. Technology is useful in raising awareness, conducting research, generating income, managing trade and monitoring animals. Technological applications that have been useful in wildlife conservation include:
• Drones and camera traps which allow for real time monitoring of wildlife in a particular area
• Microchips which track the movements of animals
• Use of GIS to create maps detailing harvest zones, wildlife hotspots, human-wildlife conflict mapping, etc.
• Software to analyse data garnered from research
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) – this can be used to assess the species richness of an area by scanning samples of water or soil for traces of animal DNA.
GWCMC staff setting up camera trap to monitor wildlife
At the GWCMC, we have implemented technologies in various ways to assist us in carrying out our mandate. This includes:
• Managing the wildlife trade – software is utilised to monitor and track exports of wild animals
• Research – camera traps, GIS
• Monitoring – microchips have been inserted into animals
To celebrate World Wildlife Day this year, the GWCMC, in collaboration with the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) will be hosting a Wildlife Fair at the Zoological Park today, Sunday, March 3 from 13:00 h. Attractions include – interacting with live species of wildlife, captivating games, face painting and numerous opportunities to win fabulous prizes, all while learning about the importance of wildlife and how technology has contributed to the conservation of Guyana’s wildlife. We look forward to seeing you there!
Every year on March 3, World Wildlife Day is celebrated. This date marks the signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). As the designated CITES Management Authority for Guyana, part of the GWCMC’s functions is to oversee all international wildlife trade and execute activities to observe World Wildlife Day.
