In a context in which tourism has declined drastically in Africa, and poaching is on the rise, Samsung has decided to transform its technology into an environmental protection tool. Through the Wildlife Watch program, the brand has turned everyday devices into surveillance systems that allow you to observe wildlife live and take action against potential threats.
The initiative, launched as a pilot in 2021, reuses smartphones, smartwatches and advanced cameras to transmit images in real time from nature reserves. Anyone, from anywhere in the world, can become a “virtual ranger,” monitoring endangered species and generating alerts when suspicious behaviors are detected. This collaborative observation model has already demonstrated concrete results, contributing to the protection of highly endangered species, such as the rhino.
Faced with persistent poaching, and a lack of surveillance, Samsung expanded the program in partnership with Africam and the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, a team made up exclusively of women that uses non-violent methods to protect wildlife. More than a technological campaign, Wildlife Watch proposes a new form of digital activism!
Redaction by: Gabriela Carmona Rivera