By Greg Bartlett

Endangered species are under constant threat in the world because many of them are highly prized for their organs and body parts. One such animal is the rhinoceros. It is incredibly highly prized for its horn which is said to have aphrodisiac qualities. For this alone, these magnificent animals are routinely slaughtered and have been hunted to the very edge of extinction. Despite being a protected species, while there is a demand for the animals, trade in them is still brisk.

In an amazing clash of ancient and modern, GPS tracking devices have been used to track these beasts. GPS wireless tracking devices work by collecting data from orbiting satellites in the atmosphere and calculating their position using the co-ordinates in this transmitted data. Four such satellites must be used. If there is even a microdecimal discrepancy in the signal, then the angle subtended from the satellite to the planet below would translate into hundreds of miles. So four satellite signals are used to correct each other.

The Northern White Rhinos are now thought to be critically endangered and are on the World Wide Wildlife fund’s red list. This means that there are very, very few animals remaining outside of protected areas. Soon, they may be totally gone. This has very much to do with hunters and poachers who shoot them for their horns. For many years it was a policy to cut off the horns so that the animals would be safe, but this has its own consequences. Poaching itself is a highly dangerous and risky business. Long cold nights are spent silently tracking the animals. Also, rangers have orders to shoot poachers on sight, so if after all this, what if they encounter a hornless rhino? How do they stop themselves from tracking it again in future? The answer is simple. Kill it.

Rhinos are now caught and anaesthetized. As quickly as possible, a hole is drilled into its horn and a GPS tracking device is implanted with a huge dollop of glue. The rhino is then transported into a protected area within a secure compound. At any time of the day or night it is possible to track these ancient beasts and know exactly where they are.

GPS GSM tracking devices are aiding in the unending fight against man’s inhumanity and irrational behavior. As long as these idiotic beliefs persist, there will be poachers. And as long as there are poachers, there will be rangers to try and stop them.