discussion / Community Base  / 31 July 2024

Looking to understand SMART 

Hi all, i am looking for your help in understanding how SMART is used in combating poaching and enhance law effectiveness within conservation areas and management zones. Thank you.




This additional WILDLABS thread could be helpful for you! I had tagged some folks involved in SMART to that post as well. Reaching out to them via email or LinkedIn would be another good option as well to get answers to your questions from the source. There is also a ton of information on their website and in their annual reports, so I would read up on that and see if you have more specific questions that you could reach out to them with. 

Agripina Cletus
@Agripina  | Miss
Frankfurt Zoological Society
As a wildlife conservationist, I am deeply committed to nature conservation, community empowerment, and wildlife research in Tanzania. I've actively engaged in community-based projects, passionately advocating for integrating local communities into conservation.

Hello Loveness!!

SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) is a comprehensive system used by conservation organizations and protected area managers to combat poaching and enhance law enforcement effectiveness. Here’s how SMART contributes to these efforts:

1. Data Collection and Management

Patrol Data: Rangers and patrol teams collect data using handheld devices, smartphones, or GPS units. This data includes:

  • Locations of patrols
  • Sightings of wildlife
  • Evidence of illegal activities (e.g., snares, poached animals)
  • Encounters with poachers

Centralized Database: All collected data is uploaded to a centralized database, allowing for systematic storage, retrieval, and analysis.

2. Monitoring and Analysis

Spatial Analysis: SMART uses GIS to analyze spatial data. This helps in identifying:

  • Poaching hotspots
  • Trends and patterns in illegal activities
  • Areas requiring increased patrol efforts

Performance Metrics: The tool provides various performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate patrol effectiveness and coverage.

3. Real-time Reporting

Alerts and Notifications: SMART can be configured to send real-time alerts to managers and enforcement teams when illegal activities are detected, enabling rapid response.

Dashboard and Reports: Users can generate reports and visual dashboards summarizing patrol efforts, findings, and enforcement actions. These are crucial for informing management decisions and strategy adjustments.

4. Resource Allocation

Optimal Deployment: By identifying high-risk areas and times, SMART helps in the optimal allocation of patrol teams and resources. This ensures that efforts are focused where they are most needed.

Efficient Planning: The tool assists in planning patrol routes and schedules, maximizing coverage and reducing redundancy that is why it is known by training honest Rangers.

5. Community Engagement and Collaboration

Local Involvement: SMART can incorporate data from community scouts and informants, enhancing local engagement and support for conservation efforts.

NB: I will share with you some of training materials which will help you to get started with SMART course.