
© Sebastian Kennerknecht
Wild cats and their prey need well-trained to effectively protect them from poachers and other threats. Developed by a consortium of NGOs, SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) is an accessible computer-based platform used to measure, evaluate and improve the effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement patrols.
A key component of Panthera’s conservation strategy is law enforcement. In order to be effective, these law enforcement patrols need to be coordinated and monitored.

© sebastian kennerknecht
First, critical data is collected by anti-poaching teams and researchers in the field using a ruggedized mobile device with the SMART mobile app installed. This data includes:
- The location of patrol efforts
- Patrol outcomes (such as number of arrests, snares removed, guns confiscated)
- Illegal activities (such as poaching, logging, setting snares)
- Signs, behaviors and locations of key wildlife populations

© sebastian kennerknecht
This information is uploaded to SMART, which rapidly analyses the data and produces maps, graphs and automated reports. At Panthera’s sites, SMART answers questions like:
- What is the patrol coverage of law enforcement teams?
- Have there been any changes in the frequency, distribution or type of poaching over time?
- What is the relative performance of different ranger teams?
- Where have key species been sighted?
- Have there been any changes in the frequency or distribution of key species?
- Have the threats to key species changed over time?
- Are wildlife populations increasing or decreasing in relation to law enforcement efforts?
Along with a number of SMART consortium members and other NGOs, Panthera uses SMART data to shape law enforcement and conservation efforts in critical landscapes across Africa and Asia.