The Art of Tracking

The Art of Tracking may well be the origin of science. After hundreds of thousands of years, traditional tracking skills may soon be lost.

Environmental Education

Tracking can develop a general ecological awareness amongst the general public. 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.

The Employment of Trackers in Nature Conservation

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 has cultural significance in that communities will be able to make a unique contribution to conservation.

The Development of Tracking Skills for the Future

Tracking should be recognised as a specialised profession. As long as trackers are held in low esteem in the eyes of the younger generation, young people will have no incentive to qualify themselves as trackers.

Research and Monitoring

Trackers gain a detailed understanding of animal behaviour through the interpretation of tracks and signs. 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 CyberTracker software enhance the value of trackers and develop the art of tracking into a new science with many practical applications.

Ecotourism

In the growing ecotourism industry trackers play a key role in tracking down animals for game viewing and on wilderness trails. On game viewing drives, trackers greatly enhance the efficiency of finding animals in the time available. On wilderness walks and trails trackers open up a whole new experience to tourists.

Anti-Poaching

To deal with conventional poaching it is essential for conservation agencies to have good relations with neighboring communities. Combing tracker dogs with expert human trackers has proved to be the most efficient way to intercept and arrest poachers. Using tracker dogs also lowers the levels of aggression when anti-poaching units encounter and apprehend poachers, which may have far-reaching benefits to developing good relations with local communities living near protected areas.

The Art of Tracking