Kenya Wildlife Service Aviation Technology Project

• NCJ Number: 250228
• Date Published: 2016
• Length: 3 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description

Annotation

This article reports on the features and benefits of evaluating a project that involves the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) using aerial patrols for counter-poaching and conservation efforts that will protect and manage wildlife.

Abstract

In 2015, the U.S. Justice Department's National Institute of Justice (NIJ) partnered with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism in a research project that involves the KWS in a trial of low-cost aviation technologies for piloted law enforcement aerial surveillance applicable to challenging overseas and domestic law enforcement missions. In this project, aviation experts and researchers from Elizabeth City State University will identify and assess cost-effective aviation technology to support the project. It is anticipated that the evaluation of this project will inform small, rural, and tribal law enforcement agencies in the United States regarding the effectiveness of low-cost aviation technologies in improving and supporting their law enforcement efforts. NIJ staff and the evaluation team conducted site visits to the KWS Air Wing in Nairobi and field visits to several Kenya national parks that are receiving aerial support. This was done to collect information for a KWS Air Wing needs assessment. Results of this assessment, along with input from the KWS Air Wing, will inform the technology acquisition. Acquired technology will then be evaluated in the field, focusing on implementation and effectiveness. The findings will be applied for the benefit of any rural or tribal law enforcement agency that wants to implement low-cost aviation technology. Online access is provided to the Kenya image gallery, the UAS/Aviation topic page, and an aviation video play list on YouTube.