A drone program deployed by the Lindberg Foundation's Air Shepherd will help protect elephants and rhinos from poachers/Air Shepherd

While drones can be nuisances in national park settings, they also can serve a role in research, as at Cape Cod National Seashore, or in the fight against poachers in parks such as South Africa's Kruger National Park.

Earlier this year it was announced that the National Park Service had given the U.S. Geological Survey permission to use drone flights to help map landscapes along Cape Cod National Seashore.

Now the Lindbergh Foundation’s Air Shepherd program is being deployed to protect elephants and rhinos from poaching. The initiative is being sponsored by South African Airways.

The Charles A. & Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation—along with South African partners Peace Parks Foundation; Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife and UAV & Drone Solutions—unveiled its Air Shepherd operations to the world in mid-February. Drones were flown during the day for press photos and video with representatives from all partner organizations present to answer questions. Others were also allowed to witness actual field operations at night with rangers nearby.

Air Shepherd drone teams go through months of extensive training and are deployed into areas known for illegal poaching activities. Using intelligence from many sources, infrared-capable drones fly silently at night when poachers operate. Once poachers are spotted on screens in the operation vehicles, rangers are sent to the area to intercept them. The Air Shepherd drones offer more protection to rangers who, while patrolling at night, are exposed to a high level of danger from armed poachers and wild animals.

After extensive testing, it has been shown that when Air Shepherd drones are flying, poaching stops. Air Shepherd teams are a highly effective tool that works in conjunction with other methods and capabilities to combat poaching. Many more teams are needed to address the wide-spread problem and Air Shepherd is therefore actively discussing expansion with officials in five other countries.

“We are thrilled that our drone teams are fully operational,” said John Petersen, chairman of the board of the Lindbergh Foundation. “The poaching of wildlife has hit record highs and we have come to a critical juncture where action must be taken. Fortunately, many other African countries recognize this and have reached out to the Lindbergh Foundation with interest in implementing Air Shepherd pilot programs.”

Golden Globe-winning actress Maura Tierney is lending her support to the Air Shepherd drone program/Air Shepherd