Events Calendar

CS Colloquium: Dr. Andrew Lemieux: The WILD LEO Project: Using Technology and Training to Increase the Effectiveness of Anti-Poaching Teams in Uganda

Speaker: Dr. Andrew Lemieux, WILD LEO Project

Talk Title: The WILD LEO Project: Using Technology and Training to Increase the Effectiveness of Anti-Poaching Teams in Uganda

Series: CS Colloquium

Abstract: The WILD LEO Project is an attempt to provide anti-poaching teams with the technology and training necessary to undertake advanced intelligence gathering and analysis. The Wildlife Intelligence and Leadership Development (WILD) training protocols were specifically developed for Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) in Queen Elizabeth Protected Area, Uganda. The WILD LEO team consists of foot patrol rangers, crime analysts, prosecutors and commanders.

Using digital cameras with integrated GPS units, the foot patrol rangers are creating a spatially referenced, photographic database of poaching activity. The crime analysts use these photos to prepare patrol coverage maps and maps of illegal activity to help commanders make informed deployment decisions. The geo-referenced photos are also used by the prosecution team as courtroom evidence to prove poachers were operating inside the protected area.

By design, The WILD LEO Project utilizes low-cost technology and open source software to ensure sustainability in law enforcement operations with limited budgets. This presentation will discuss the project’s implementation, initial findings, potential for expansion, and the utility of WILD LEO for interdisciplinary research.


Biography: Originally trained as a biochemist who studied diabetes, lung injury and space biology at the University of Arizona (BS 2005, MS 2006), Andrew switched disciplines after graduation to pursue his research interests in criminology. He completed his graduate studies at the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice (MA 2008, PhD 2011) where he studied a variety of topics including wildlife crime, visitor crime and time-based risk assessments of violence.

Poaching prevention is Andrew's main area of expertise and comprises the majority of his research agenda. He currently directs the WILD LEO Project in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks in Uganda. This is an on-going collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Conservation Foundation that uses technology and training to increase ranger efficiency with advanced intelligence gathering and analysis techniques. The goals of the project are to (a) give commanders better information for deployment decision making, (b) increase poacher apprehension and (c) increase poacher conviction rates.


Host: Teamcore Group

Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 156

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Assistant to CS chair