Vulture Early Warning System

This pilot will test how GPS tracking technology can be used to support both vulture conservation and frontline protection efforts in Virunga National Park.

Selected vultures will be fitted with lightweight tracking devices, enabling conservation teams to monitor movement patterns and assess how this data can support operational decision-making.

The pilot is designed as a defined, time-bound project with clear evaluation criteria.

WHAT THE PROJECT INCLUDES

  • 5 GPS Tracking Devices

  • 5 Harnesses

  • 12 Months Data Transmission

  • Implementation in Field

  • Reporting & Analysis

  • Month 1

    Procurement and preparation

  • Month 2

    Deployment of tracking devices

  • Month 3 - 11

    Active monitoring and data analysis

  • Month 13

    Evaluation and reporting

  • Month 1

    Procurement and preparation
    The sponsor will be notified once the GPS tracking devices & harnesses have been purchased.

  • Month 2

    Deployment of tracking devices
    The sponsor will receive an update when the 5 vultures have been fitted with their devices.

  • Month 3 - 11

    Active monitoring and data analysis
    The sponsor will receive an update after the first three months of data collection.

  • Month 13

    Evaluation and reporting
    At the conclusion of the pilot, the sponsor will receive a comprehensive report summarising key findings, assessing the operational value of the tracking system, and outlining recommendations for future scale and deployment.

OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

Vultures respond rapidly to changes in their environment.

Unusual movement patterns such as prolonged inactivity or clustering can indicate:

  • Potential poisoning events

  • Wildlife carcasses requiring investigation

  • Emerging risks in remote areas

This pilot will assess how effectively these signals can support earlier detection and more targeted ranger deployment.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Monitoring large, remote landscapes remains a core challenge in conservation.

This pilot explores how natural behaviour can act as a real-time indicator of risk – complementing existing patrol systems and extending situational awareness across the park.

If effective, it could strengthen early detection capabilities while contributing to the protection of an endangered species.

From the air, vultures provide a continuous signal. This pilot will test how that signal can inform action on the ground.