The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is advocating for technology-based conservation.
Professor Erustus Kanga, director general of KWS, made the call during the official opening of the Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum in Nairobi.
Prof. Kanga emphasised that wildlife crime has evolved technologically, with criminal networks operating across borders via advanced communication systems and coordinated logistics. To resist this threat, conservation activities must match or exceed that level of technological competence.
According to KWS, science and technology must guide both policy and field operations.
It said: “Modern conservation relies on real-time data, precision monitoring, and intelligent systems that enhance situational awareness. Through drones, remote sensing tools, GIS, thermal imaging, and data analytics platforms, KWS is transforming how wildlife and protected areas are monitored.
“These technologies enable continuous surveillance, early detection of ecosystem stress, and rapid response to illegal activities, particularly in remote and harsh terrains.”
At the same time, according to KWS, climate change is accelerating habitat transitions, exacerbating drought patterns, and placing ecosystems under unprecedented stress, necessitating the use of advanced monitoring systems, predictive analytics, and digital mapping for adaptive management and ecosystem resilience.
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