Counting African elephants using satellites

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Counting elephants - 15th February 2021

Scientists are using satellite technology to help count elephants in Africa. The satellite moves round the Earth. It photographs elephants in their woodland homes. The photos are taken from 600 kilometres up in space.

On a sunny day, the satellite can take photos of 5,000 square kilometres of forest. But the elephants aren’t always easy to see.

The scientists couldn’t count the elephants easily, so they made a computer programme to help. They taught the computer to find the elephants. It can count the elephants quickly.

Scientists first tested the technology on images from South Africa’s Addo National Elephant Park. Its forests are home for many elephants.

Environmentalists are very excited about this technology. It will help them to look after elephants. Now, they can use the pictures to find elephant populations. They can also see elephants move across different countries. This will increase their ability to take care of these animals.