Google Gives $5M To Build Drones That Hunt Poachers

Google has provided the World Wildlife Fund with $5 million to fund a big data system and aerial drones to help catch gangs illegally hunting endangered species.As part of Google’s new Global Impact Awards, which provides funding for non-profit technology innovations, the search engine giant has provided a grant of $5 million to the World Wildlife Fund for aerial drones to help catch poachers who are hunting endangered species such as tigers, elephants and rhinos.

The goal of the Google grant is to allow the WWF to create an integrated smart system that includes aerial drones, DNA tracking and communications with law enforcement it easier to quickly identify and intercept criminal gangs that are in the process of hunting endangered animals.Increased demand for parts of endangered species, coupled with the low risks for poachers, have created a black market trade in poaching that may be worth as much as $10 billion, according to the WWF.

“We face an unprecedented poaching crisis,” said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts in a statement. “The killings are way up. We need solutions that are as sophisticated as the threats we face. This pushes the envelope in the fight against wildlife crime.”

Other projects funded by Google’s award include sensors to ensure that clean water pipes are properly maintained, providing education opportunities for low-income students, and a grant to the Geena Davis Institute to take on gender bias in media.