The Art of Tracking may well be the origin of science. After hundreds of thousands of years, traditional tracking skills may soon be lost. Yet tracking can be developed into a new science with far-reaching implications for indigenous communities, citizen science and nature conservation.
Perhaps one of the most important factors in nature conservation is a general ecological awareness of wildlife amongst the general public. Even keen nature lovers are often unaware of the wealth of animal life around them, simply because most animals are rarely seen.
Tracking involves all aspects of the scientific imagination and reasoning. Teaching young people to actively engage in tracking may be one of the most effective ways for them to acquire an understanding and love for science. It stimulates the imagination, involving storytelling that will help to captivate young minds. Physical exercise in nature also helps with the growth of the developing brain. In the age of social media and AI, tracking may be the ideal activity to ensure the psychological health of young people.
Creating employment opportunities for trackers provides economic benefits to indigenous communities. The employment of trackers will also help to retain traditional skills which may otherwise be lost in the near future. This will create a sense of cultural ownership of conservation, which may well be one of the most important contributions traditional tracking can make.
Apart from knowledge based on direct observations of animals, trackers gain a detailed understanding of animal behaviour through the interpretation of tracks and signs. In this way much information can be obtained that would otherwise remain unknown, especially on the behaviour of rare or nocturnal animals that are not often seen.
Combining traditional tracking with modern technology, such as camera traps, radio tracking and remote sensing, may enable the researcher to accomplish much more than either method could accomplish on its own.
The employment of trackers in research would require the highest level of expertise in spoor interpretation. There is in principle no limit to the level of sophistication to which a tracker can develop his or her expertise. The CyberTracker software will enhance the value of trackers and develop the art of tracking into a new science with many practical applications in nature conservation and wildlife management
Video: CNN Rolex Call to Earth – Indigenous Trackers are Teaching Scientists about Wildlife
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