Smart Parks

Overview & Synopsis

Smart Parks is a technology‑driven conservation solution that uses solar‑powered Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) infrastructure combined with other communication networks to enable real‑time monitoring across entire protected areas. The system supports the tracking of wildlife, vehicles, rangers, visitors, and equipment, even in locations without reliable cellular coverage. By deploying a network of sensors and connected devices, Smart Parks provides park management with continuous situational awareness and actionable intelligence that can be integrated with web‑based platforms such as EarthRanger. Since its launch in 2018, Smart Parks has been implemented in wildlife reserves across more than 19 countries and has contributed to significant reductions in poaching in long‑term deployment sites. The technology supports anti‑poaching operations through intrusion detection, wildlife and vehicle tracking, and real‑time monitoring of critical infrastructure such as electric fences. In addition, Smart Parks helps prevent human‑wildlife conflict by providing near real‑time location data on high‑risk species and enabling rapid responses to fence failures or animal movements toward communities. Through open, scalable, and interoperable technology, Smart Parks strengthens conservation management, improves safety, and supports coexistence between people and wildlife across diverse landscapes.