Rhinos, Tigers May Be Protected by Heartbeat Tracking Device

Rhinos, tigers and elephants could be saved from poachers by a collar that monitors their heart beats, combined with a global-tracking device and a video camera.

“The heart rate monitor triggers the alarm the instant a poaching event occurs, pinpointing the location within a few meters,” Paul O’Donoghue, chief scientific adviser for British conservation company Protect, who designed the device, said in a statement. “Rangers can be on the scene via helicopter or truck within minutes.” Poachers won’t have time to harvest parts of the animals or make a successful escape if the device is used, he said.