Systems Approach

Dateline: 15 April 2011 - Libreville, Gabon

While in Libreville I went to see Mike Fay of Megatransect fame to talk about whether an automatic gunshot detection and communication system would help with anti-poaching efforts. He is working for the Gabonese government as chief logistician for the National Parks. Mike is an incredibly committed conservationist who has sometimes managed to get things done in a big way, to the benefit of people the world over who want to see the world's natural gems preserved. In fact, the 13 national parks in Gabon were created by the former president in large part because of the 'Megatransect'.

This was the first time I had met Mike, and perhaps my timing could have been better in terms of receptivity to any idea short of practically closing down the country! Mike was fired up - on a mission - pissed off. It was Mike (of course) who flew over Wonga-Wongué a few weeks ago and found elephant carcasses strewn across the savannah (see previous entry). Then earlier in the week he was in a meeting with the president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was genuinely incensed about the poaching – a great sign since this was not a public meeting and so probably not a show. The government already has been providing significant funding, especially in logistics support, for anti-poaching efforts and now might see a role for the military.

As for real-time gunshot detection, sure, Mike could use something like that, but not for $7000 each unit. Where would he get money for something like that?

“It’s such a rip-off! No competition. Look at elephant satellite collars – they were $15k when first used, now they are $3k.”

Yes, but the first to use a new technology always pay a premium. Would we have $3k collars today if Ian Douglas-Hamilton had not stumped for $15k ones a decade ago? What about the cost of the plane Mike is flying around Gabon? That was purchased by someone and shipped to Gabon for anti-poaching, and it didn't cost a few thousand dollars.

Basically Mike does not see any value in anything anyone else is doing to tackle the poaching problem. NGOs contribute nothing. He feels the incremental, some would say more sustainable, approach is just not fast enough. For example, ELP provided data proving that road barriers in one concession were porous (including one manned by National Parks ecoguards – their guys).

“This is useless! We already know they don't work. We need to throw out logging companies in critical areas and tell the others that if a poacher is caught in their concession, they are out.”

I’m sure he is right that such all or none methods would make a difference - but they are not the law now and what are the chances they ever will be? At least our 'in your face' data has started a cascade of pressure to do something more effective. The government makes big money through the logging concessions and mineral extraction leases so it seems improbable that they would kick them all out. And at least some of these companies, including one that ELP works with, are at least trying to do the right thing (if perhaps not hard enough) and there are many others that don't care a bit about how they rape the environment.

Anyway, an interesting “discussion”. However, interest was a bit more positive when I mentioned that I didn’t really care if he was interested or not – I was not trying to sell him a product, only willing to help make a system happen if they wanted it. “I’m an elephant guy, trying to figure out where they are, when they are there, and how they use the landscape. We do what we can, a step at a time.” His response was “send me some documents about the system, links to information, and yes, a short layout of budget would be useful”.

- Peter, in Africa

n.b. tomorrow I finally leave for the forest and elephant voices. I won't have access to the internet for awhile, but will post again with stories from Loango when I do.