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The hunter becomes the data inputter

Although many staff at the Karoo National Reserve are illiterate, they are well versed in ancient tracking methods which have been perfected by hunters over the centuries.

The trackers can extract a wealth of information about an animal from the tracks it leaves on the ground - data that is of great use in monitoring the movements and breeding patterns of animals within the vast reserve.

Environmentalist Louis Liebenberg has developed a system which allows the trackers to input the details of their discoveries in the field using a palm-top computer.

As the trackers cannot read and write they simply make a mark against the appropriate symbol for each type of track they have found.

The data, when collected together, creates an electronic map of track sightings that is invaluable to conservation workers.

Preserving skills

Mr Liebenberg says his system is a good marriage of ancient and modern methods.

"You need some way of inputting data and a paper-based system simply isn't possible so you need the combined skills of the expert tracker together with the technology which makes it possible for them to collect the data," he said.

He believes the project is not only helping to conserve the animals of the Karoo, but is also helping to keep traditional skills alive now that hunting has been curbed.

"At the very time that the bow and arrow is dying out the field computer could take its place and revitalise tracking and in a sense develop it into a new science."

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Endangered Wildlife Trust
South African Wildlife - Tourism

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