Adedotun Omotola
A tech start-up in Calabar has deployed a fleet of AI-driven robots in Cross River National Park to monitor endangered species and detect illegal hunting activities. The robots move silently through dense forests, equipped with motion sensors, night-vision cameras, and real-time alert systems.
During a live demonstration, park rangers observed the robots identifying unusual movements and sending instant notifications to their control center. Ifeanyi Okonkwo, founder of the start-up, explained that the robots are solar-powered and can recharge themselves while patrolling.
“Our goal is to help rangers prevent poaching before it happens, not just record it after the fact"
Community members attending the demonstration praised the innovation, noting its potential to protect biodiversity while creating opportunities for local youths to get involved in tech-driven conservation.
State environmental officials are now considering integrating the AI robots into broader national park surveillance programs. International NGOs have also expressed interest in funding the expansion of the project to other protected areas in Nigeria.
The initiative is being hailed as one of the most advanced uses of robotics for wildlife protection in Africa, and it has already inspired similar ideas among Nigerian tech incubators.
Written by: Adedotun Omotola | 23D/7HLS/223
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