AirNav Systems Partners with Ingwe Research Program for Pioneering Road Ecology and Leopard Conservation Project
We proudly announce our project with the Ingwe Research Program, a citizen science initiative dedicated to leopard conservation. This mission addresses the critical issue of wildlife-vehicle collisions, particularly those involving leopards, by integrating advanced technology with conservation efforts to protect endangered species and promote environmental sustainability.
The Ingwe Research Program, a South African Non-Profit Company formerly under the On Track Foundation, is committed to igniting a passion for conservation. Its mission is to empower individuals in South Africa to become stewards of African wildlife and their ecosystems, with the leopard as its flagship species. The program strives to protect and preserve biodiversity for future generations through empirical research and community involvement.
Photo Source: Ingwe Research Program
Photo Source: Ingwe Research Program
“Our mission as a company goes beyond flight tracking—we aim to use our technological expertise to support meaningful causes. By partnering with Ingwe Research Program, we are leveraging our advanced data processing and artificial intelligence to help save leopards and other wildlife while promoting environmental sustainability.” - Andre Brandao, CEO of AirNav Systems.
Andre Brandao, CEO of AirNav Systems and Ingwe Research Program Team
The Challenge: Wildlife on the Roads
In 2024 alone, seven leopards, along with numerous African wild dogs, birds, snakes, and other species, lost their lives in vehicle collisions. These incidents threaten biodiversity and pose risks to human safety. Addressing this issue requires innovative solutions that consider wildlife behavior and human infrastructure.
The Partnership: Technology Meets Conservation
By collaborating with the Ingwe Research Program—a citizen science initiative with a robust database of leopard encounters—AirNav aims to adapt its data processing and artificial intelligence capabilities to monitor leopard movements and identify collision hotspots.
“The loss of this flagship species on our roads was a wake-up call,” says Marine Servonnat, Director of Ingwe Research Program. “We realized that we needed to take action to understand and address this critical issue before more lives are lost. This partnership with AirNav Systems signifies a pivotal moment for Ingwe.”
Project Phases: From Data Collection to Mitigation
The project is structured into two main phases:
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Baseline Survey:
- Identify wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots.
- Assess the effectiveness of existing culverts as wildlife underpasses.
- Locate key wildlife crossing points.
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Mitigation Implementation:
- Utilize collected data to implement targeted solutions, such as enhanced crossing points and improved underpasses.
- Collaborate with local stakeholders to reduce collisions and protect endangered species.
AirNav's role will be pivotal in processing and analyzing environmental and collision data, providing AI-driven insights to inform effective mitigation strategies.
Community Engagement: A Collective Effort
The success of this initiative hinges on community involvement. The Ingwe Research Program encourages local communities in Hoedspruit to actively participate by reporting wildlife sightings and assisting with data collection. This collaborative approach ensures that conservation efforts are informed by local knowledge and supported by those directly affected.
A Vision for the Future
This partnership exemplifies how industry and non-profit organizations can unite to address environmental challenges. By integrating AirNav's technological expertise with Ingwe's conservation experience, the project aspires to create a safer coexistence between humans and wildlife, ensuring the preservation of leopards and other endangered species for future generations.
For more information, please contact:
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Marine Servonnat
Executive Director, Ingwe Research Program
[email protected] -
Caio Barros
Communications and Marketing Manager, AirNav Systems
[email protected]
