Fighting crime

Park rangers, NGOs and activists are all turning to drones in the fight against wildlife crime. Across southern Africa, the hope is that drones will find – and potentially deter – elephant and rhino poachers. Unlike anti-poaching helicopters, drones can fly at night, when gangs usually operate. But despite much media fanfare, and substantial donations from blue-chip companies such as Google, the anti-poaching ‘drone wars’ have failed to convince everyone. Save the Rhino is among the conservation organisations that say the jury is still out.