Project overview
The initiative deploys ScannerEdge technology across South Luangwa, one of Zambia’s most biodiverse and vulnerable wildlife regions. Through multiple field missions, the team has established an extensive sensor network supported by a dedicated LoRaWAN backbone for dependable long-distance communication.
Why LoRaWAN
Most of South Luangwa has no cellular coverage and no infrastructure to speak of. To get sensor data from the bush to the rangers, we built a private LoRaWAN network across the deployment area. LoRaWAN is a long-range, low-power radio standard: a single gateway can pick up signals from devices several kilometres away, on minimal battery, without any cellular coverage. The gateway then forwards alerts to the ranger team via satellite or available backhaul.
That backbone is what makes the rest of the system possible — sensors deep in the bush stay quietly online for months, and rangers get alerts within seconds of a detection.
Technology & capabilities
ScannerEdge sensors detect radio-frequency signals from mobile phones, satellite phones, walkie-talkies, WiFi devices and Bluetooth beacons — equipment commonly employed by poaching operations. Features include:
- Detection radius around ±1 km
- Solar-powered autonomous operation
- Real-time alert system
- Long-range, low-power communication
Impact & results
The system has already detected multiple illegal incursions, enabling rapid responses from ranger units. Several arrests have been made directly following alerts generated by the network.
The approach combines RF monitoring with modern communication technology, creating a scalable blueprint for technology-driven wildlife protection across Africa.
