Optex Redscan RLS-2020 detectors help protect elephants in Kenya

Endangered, These animals are under constant threat from poachers., the changing geography of the region and the proliferation of agricultural farms.

Developed by Optex and marketed by ProdexTec in Spain and Portugal, the Redscan RLS-2020 laser detector integrates LiDAR technology (light and distance detection – light detection and ranging) to offer high reliability and versatility, tanto en interior como exterior (with Degree certification 3), to cover a distance of 20x20m or 30m radius with 95° opening (extended range mode).

Redscan RLS-2020 is prepared to be installed in high security perimeters regardless of the obstacles in the field of view or the size of the target, since it can be configured to omit or delimit any area of ​​the detection field.

With these versatile and reliable features, este detector, which won the Innovation Award in 2017, has been the system chosen by those responsible for the Mount Kenya National Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Although a large number of wild animals live in this park, Its most important population is elephants, estimated at about 2.500 ejemplares. A pesar de ello, are under constant threat from poachers. Besides, The changing geography of the region and the proliferation of agricultural farms have led to an increase in human-elephant conflicts, as these cause damage to the fences and properties surrounding these farms when they try to re-enter the park.

To help both the elephant population and protect the area, the company Instarect Limited has designed an access control system for elephants using Redscan RLS-2020 sensors, that have been installed at the access doors to the reserve, together with PTZ video surveillance cameras.

The elephants are detected when they approach and that is when the gate, solar powered, opens automatically so they can enter the park. How the size of the detected object can be customized within the settings, RLS-2020 is configured to detect only elephants. Humans and smaller animals are ignored and the park gates remain closed.

When elephants activate the sensor for a door to open, Authorized rangers are notified immediately via SMS and can view the footage captured by CCTV cameras on their phone and check that all elephants have safely re-entered the park..

The forest guards then send an SMS to close the gate. In turn, Thanks to the sensor they can also detect the presence of poachers lurking in the area.

As Ebrahim Nyali explains, security solutions designer at Instarect Limited, “the new system works well. Elephants are very intelligent and have quickly adapted to these new doors. “They have learned to wait for them to open before entering again”.