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The Unconventional Arsenal of Conservation

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 06:46

Summary

The global effort to monitor and protect biodiversity is undergoing a profound transformation, moving beyond traditional scientific fieldwork to embrace unconventional tools and a vast network of citizen volunteers. This shift is driven by the urgent need for large-scale, high-resolution data to combat accelerating environmental crises. In urban centres, projects like the Central Park Squirrel Census demonstrate the power of public engagement, mobilising hundreds of volunteers to map the behaviour and demographics of a single species, providing a unique snapshot of urban ecology. Simultaneously, organisations like Adventure Scientists leverage the specialised skills of mountaineers, divers, and kayakers to gather critical data from the planet's most remote and inaccessible regions, from microplastics in the ocean to genetic samples in fringe habitats. On the front lines of the poaching crisis, nuclear science is being deployed through the Rhisotope Project in South Africa, which injects low-level radioactive isotopes into rhino horns to make them detectable by international customs scanners, creating a powerful deterrent to illegal trafficking. These disparate initiatives—from the whimsical to the highly technical—collectively illustrate a new, hybrid model for conservation, one that fuses advanced technology with the democratised power of human observation and dedication.

The New Cartography of Conservation

The scale of the global biodiversity crisis demands a monitoring effort that traditional scientific institutions alone cannot sustain7,9. The sheer volume of data required to track species populations, map habitat changes, and identify emerging threats across vast geographical areas necessitates a fundamental shift in methodology7,12. This new approach is characterised by the fusion of advanced, often unexpected, technology with the mobilised power of citizen science10. The result is a hybrid model of conservation that is both deeply local and globally interconnected, capable of generating data at a resolution previously unattainable9,12. This democratisation of data collection is not merely a cost-saving measure; it is a strategic imperative for effective environmental stewardship9. Citizen scientists, equipped with mobile applications, remote sensing tools, and online platforms, are now integral to the process, contributing to databases like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), where a significant portion of all species occurrence records originate from public contributions7,8,12. This collective effort allows for the long-term, large-scale monitoring necessary to understand complex ecological systems and the impacts of climate change7,12.

Mapping Urban Ecology with the Squirrel Census

In the heart of New York City, the Central Park Squirrel Census exemplifies how citizen science can be applied to understand urban ecology with meticulous detail14,16. The project is a multimedia initiative focused on the Eastern gray squirrel, *Sciurus carolinensis*, a species originally introduced to Central Park in the 1870s14,19. The primary census took place over a two-week period in October 2018, running from the 6th to the 20th of the month14. The effort mobilised 323 volunteer 'Squirrel Sighters' to systematically survey the park's 350 'countable' hectares16. Volunteers were tasked with recording detailed observations for each sighting, including the squirrel's location coordinates, age (adult or juvenile), primary fur colour (gray, black, or cinnamon), and a range of activities14,16. The recorded activities included running, chasing, climbing, eating, and foraging, alongside specific vocalisations such as 'kuks' and 'quaas'14. The census resulted in 3,023 individual squirrel sightings, with the raw data, including over 3,000 pages of tally sheets, being digitally tabulated16,19. The findings were compiled into *The Central Park Squirrel Census 2019 Report*, released in June 2019, providing a unique, data-rich snapshot of the park's most charismatic inhabitant16. A subsequent sample count was conducted in March 2020, involving 72 volunteers across 24 other New York City parks, further demonstrating the project's replicable methodology for urban wildlife monitoring20,21.

The Expeditionary Data Collectors

While the Squirrel Census focuses on the accessible urban environment, other organisations are dedicated to extracting data from the planet's most remote and challenging terrains11,15. Adventure Scientists, a nonprofit organisation based in Bozeman, Montana, has built a model around leveraging the specialised skills of the outdoor adventure community11,15. The organisation recruits, trains, and manages individuals proficient in activities such as mountaineering, diving, and whitewater kayaking to collect research-grade data for scientific partners11,13. This approach is specifically designed to address conservation challenges where a lack of physical access to data has historically limited the ability to find solutions11,17. The volunteers follow rigorous protocols to ensure the collected data is of high quality and trustworthy13. The scope of their projects is vast, ranging from collecting the largest global dataset on microplastics to gathering scat samples from over 100 countries to aid in the search for genes responsible for antibiotic resistance18. In another project, volunteers cored Western Red Cedars at the fringes of their habitat to collect genetic samples, which could prove vital for mitigating the effects of climate change on the species18. The organisation's success lies in its ability to connect the passion and expertise of outdoor enthusiasts with the critical, often inaccessible, data needs of the scientific community18.

Nuclear Science on the Front Line of Poaching

Perhaps the most radical application of technology in conservation is the Rhisotope Project in South Africa, which employs nuclear science to combat the devastating illegal trade in rhino horn2,5. South Africa is home to approximately 90 per cent of the world's rhino population, a species facing extinction due to poaching, with over 9,600 rhinos killed between 2010 and 20192,5. The Rhisotope Project, led by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) in Johannesburg, involves injecting low-level radioactive isotopes into the horns of rhinos3,5. The core objective is to make the horns easily detectable by the more than 10,000 radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at international borders, ports, and airports worldwide to screen for unauthorised nuclear materials2,3,4. This strategy aims to disrupt the trafficking network by making the transportation of the horn incredibly difficult and increasing the likelihood of identifying and arresting smugglers2,5. The project was formally launched in 2025 after six years of intensive research and testing, with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)3,5. A pilot phase involved embedding low levels of radioactive material into the horns of 20 rhinos in the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere5. Extensive safety trials, including blood tests and veterinary inspections, confirmed that the process is completely safe for the animals, with no cellular damage detected4,5. The initial phase in May 2021 saw trace amounts of stable isotopes introduced into the horns of two rhinos, named Igor and Denver, at the Buffalo Kloof Private Game Reserve2. Researchers demonstrated that even a single horn could trigger radiation detectors inside a full 40-foot shipping container, confirming the system's detection capability3,4. The technique is considered a less disruptive alternative to dehorning and is intended to be offered to state and private rhino owners globally2,3.

Conclusion

The future of biodiversity conservation is being forged in a space where the traditional boundaries of scientific research are dissolving, replaced by a pragmatic and inventive approach to data collection and protection7,10. The success of the Rhisotope Project, the Central Park Squirrel Census, and Adventure Scientists demonstrates that effective conservation relies on a diverse arsenal of tools, from nuclear physics to mobile phone applications, and a willingness to engage non-traditional partners4,16,18. By leveraging existing global security infrastructure to deter poachers, transforming outdoor enthusiasts into field researchers, and turning urban park visitors into data collectors, these initiatives are generating the high-quality, large-scale data necessary to inform policy and drive tangible conservation outcomes2,11,14. This convergence of technology and citizen involvement is not just about gathering more data; it is about fostering a deeper, more widespread connection to the natural world, ensuring that the responsibility for planetary stewardship is shared by a global community9,10.

References

  1. Isotope-based project aims to curb rhino poaching - World Nuclear News

    Supports details on the Rhisotope Project's goal (deterring poaching, making horns detectable), the initial phase (Igor and Denver, May 2021), and the high rate of rhino poaching in South Africa.

  2. How a new project plans to curb rhino poaching through radioactive isotope injections

    Provides information on the formal launch of the Rhisotope Project in 2025 after six years of research, the role of the IAEA, the use of low doses of radioisotopes for detection by radiation portal monitors (RPMs), and the testing with 3D-printed horns.

  3. South Africa's “Rhisotope Project” Turns Rhino Horns Radioactive to Foil Poachers - The Happy Broadcast

    Confirms the use of low-level radioactive isotopes to make horns detectable by radiation scanners, the extensive safety trials, the pilot phase involving 20 rhinos, and the effectiveness of detecting a single horn.

  4. Rhisotope project goes live: scientific innovation offers new weapon against rhino poaching

    Details the Rhisotope Project's operational status, the six years of research, the collaboration with Wits University and the IAEA, the pilot phase with 20 rhinos in the Waterberg Biosphere, and the confirmation of safety using biological dosimetry.

  5. Radioactive Rhinoceros Horns May Deter Poaching | Texas A&M University Engineering

    Supports the project's aim to make rhino horns less appealing to consumers and easier to detect at ports of entry, and the origin of the idea from Professor James Larkin.

  6. How to Use Citizen Science to Protect Biodiversity - GVI

    Provides context on the role of citizen science in biodiversity research, the use of mobile apps (eBird, iNaturalist), remote sensing, GIS, and the need for large-scale monitoring due to the vastness of the natural world.

  7. Role of digital technology in freshwater biodiversity monitoring through citizen science during COVID‐19 pandemic - PubMed Central

    Supports the use of digital technology and online platforms like iNaturalist and GBIF for data sharing and the cooperation between citizens and scientists.

  8. Citizen science and biodiversity monitoring: Engaging communities for conservation. | Allied Academies

    Explains that citizen science is a powerful tool for biodiversity monitoring, enabling communities to participate, and that it provides extensive data that would be challenging for scientists to gather alone.

  9. How Does Technology Improve Biodiversity Monitoring? - Sustainability Directory

    Supports the idea of technology fostering a collaborative approach to conservation and bridging the gap between scientists and the public.

  10. Adventure Scientists - One World 365

    Provides details on Adventure Scientists as a nonprofit based in Bozeman, MT, that mobilises outdoor adventurers (mountaineering, diving, kayaking) to collect difficult-to-obtain data for conservation issues where data is the limiting factor.

  11. Emerging technologies in citizen science and potential for insect monitoring | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B - Journals

    Supports the role of technology in citizen science, the contribution of citizen scientists to GBIF (65% of data in 2020), and the ability of citizen science to support large-scale, long-term monitoring.

  12. Our Services - Adventure Scientists

    Confirms Adventure Scientists is a nonprofit that designs and manages large-scale data collection projects and ensures high-quality data through careful protocols.

  13. Central Park Wildlife: A Data Story | by Niza - Medium

    Provides details on the Central Park Squirrel Census, including the species (Eastern gray squirrel), the 2018 census dates (October 6th-20th), the number of volunteers (about 300), the number of sightings (approx. 3000), and the types of data collected (age, fur colour, activities, vocalisations).

  14. Adventurers Scientists | Bozeman, MT - Cause IQ

    Confirms Adventure Scientists is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Bozeman, MT, and its mission to gather difficult-to-obtain data for environmental and human health challenges.

  15. User Guide _ Central Park Squirrel Census Data Collection.docx

    Details the Central Park Squirrel Census as a multimedia science, design, and storytelling project, the number of volunteers (323), the number of hectares (350), the total counting sessions (700), and the release of the 2019 report.

  16. Adventure Scientists Current Projects

    Supports the focus of Adventure Scientists on environmental challenges where data is the limiting factor.

  17. How You Can Hike, Bike, Ski and Dive for Science - YouTube

    Provides examples of Adventure Scientists' projects: collecting the largest microplastics dataset, gathering scat samples in over 100 countries to study antibiotic resistance genes, and coring Western Red Cedars for climate change-related genetics.

  18. 2018 Central Park Squirrel Census - Dataset - Catalog - Data.gov

    Confirms the Central Park Squirrel Census focuses on the Eastern gray squirrel (*Sciurus carolinensis*) and the 3,023 sightings data collected, including location, age, and activities.

  19. The Squirrel Census (Porfolio Project) | by Valentina Colls Gutierrez | Medium

    Mentions the March 2020 sample count in 24 New York City parks with 72 volunteers and 433 sightings.

  20. data - THE SQUIRREL CENSUS

    Confirms the Central Park Squirrel Census is a multimedia science, design, and storytelling project and the details of the March 2020 multi-park count.