Cisco and CCF: A Decade of Tech-Driven Wildlife Conservation on World Rhino Day
For the past decade, Cisco has proudly collaborated with the Connected Conservation Foundation (CCF), uniting innovative technology with dedicated on-the-ground teams to create lasting impact in wildlife protection. This World Rhino Day, we take a moment to honor these remarkable creatures and reflect on our shared mission to safeguard their future and the habitats they depend on.
A Partnership Beyond Technology
From Kenya and South Africa to Uganda and Zambia, our partnership has connected 46 protected areas with the digital tools and infrastructure needed to protect rhinos, elephants, gorillas, pangolins, and many other endangered species. Through close collaboration with CCF and local organizations, Cisco has helped bring advanced technological solutions to wildlife regions across 15 countries.
But this initiative extends far beyond equipment — it’s about empowering rangers, conservationists, and local communities who dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife and ecosystems.
How Innovation Drives Conservation
With Cisco Meraki routers, servers, and LoRaWAN networks, conservation teams can track rhinos and other wildlife, monitor ranger movements, detect fence breaches, assess weather conditions, and even manage sustainable livestock grazing. This interconnected network delivers real-time insights, allowing teams to respond faster and plan smarter for long-term protection efforts.
As Sophie Maxwell, Executive Director of CCF, explains: “Real-time tracking of wildlife, patrols, and vehicles gives rangers unprecedented power to safeguard these iconic animals. Together, we’re helping create a future where protected areas are equipped to let rhinos live wild and free once again.”
Meaningful Results on the Ground
By fostering a connected ecosystem for early-warning systems and wildlife monitoring, Cisco and CCF have helped make parks safer. CCF reports that Sabi Sand Nature Reserve has been poaching-free for more than 700 days, while several other reserves have become secure enough to reintroduce rhinos.
Across regions like Mara-Serengeti, Tsavo, and Loisaba, newly released rhinos are equipped with LoRaWAN trackers that transmit live data to central monitoring hubs, enabling real-time health and behavior tracking. These insights are essential for developing stronger and more informed protection strategies.
To date, LoRaWAN connectivity has expanded to 35 locations, with five more sites added in 2024–2025 across Tsavo, Mara, Lewa, and beyond—establishing a scalable model for conservation success. In Kenya alone, Cisco’s LoRaWAN network now covers 17% of national parks, strengthening protection across vast landscapes.
Investing in People and the Future
Beyond technology, Cisco and CCF are nurturing the next generation of conservation technologists. In July 2025, they launched the Protected Area Technician Training Program through the Cisco Networking Academy—a free global initiative offering scholarships, internships, and hands-on training. The program equips local community members with the skills to maintain, expand, and innovate within conservation tech, opening new career paths while strengthening local stewardship of nature.
Hundreds of learners have already earned certifications, using their new digital skills to support environmental protection efforts.
Looking Ahead with Hope
On this World Rhino Day, we celebrate not only the resilience of rhinos but also the dedication of the people, partnerships, and technologies driving their survival. Together, we’re building a future where wildlife and communities thrive side by side, connected by purpose, innovation, and hope.
Click here to know more about CCF.
A Partnership Beyond Technology
From Kenya and South Africa to Uganda and Zambia, our partnership has connected 46 protected areas with the digital tools and infrastructure needed to protect rhinos, elephants, gorillas, pangolins, and many other endangered species. Through close collaboration with CCF and local organizations, Cisco has helped bring advanced technological solutions to wildlife regions across 15 countries.
But this initiative extends far beyond equipment — it’s about empowering rangers, conservationists, and local communities who dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife and ecosystems.
How Innovation Drives Conservation
With Cisco Meraki routers, servers, and LoRaWAN networks, conservation teams can track rhinos and other wildlife, monitor ranger movements, detect fence breaches, assess weather conditions, and even manage sustainable livestock grazing. This interconnected network delivers real-time insights, allowing teams to respond faster and plan smarter for long-term protection efforts.
As Sophie Maxwell, Executive Director of CCF, explains: “Real-time tracking of wildlife, patrols, and vehicles gives rangers unprecedented power to safeguard these iconic animals. Together, we’re helping create a future where protected areas are equipped to let rhinos live wild and free once again.”
Meaningful Results on the Ground
By fostering a connected ecosystem for early-warning systems and wildlife monitoring, Cisco and CCF have helped make parks safer. CCF reports that Sabi Sand Nature Reserve has been poaching-free for more than 700 days, while several other reserves have become secure enough to reintroduce rhinos.
Across regions like Mara-Serengeti, Tsavo, and Loisaba, newly released rhinos are equipped with LoRaWAN trackers that transmit live data to central monitoring hubs, enabling real-time health and behavior tracking. These insights are essential for developing stronger and more informed protection strategies.
To date, LoRaWAN connectivity has expanded to 35 locations, with five more sites added in 2024–2025 across Tsavo, Mara, Lewa, and beyond—establishing a scalable model for conservation success. In Kenya alone, Cisco’s LoRaWAN network now covers 17% of national parks, strengthening protection across vast landscapes.
Investing in People and the Future
Beyond technology, Cisco and CCF are nurturing the next generation of conservation technologists. In July 2025, they launched the Protected Area Technician Training Program through the Cisco Networking Academy—a free global initiative offering scholarships, internships, and hands-on training. The program equips local community members with the skills to maintain, expand, and innovate within conservation tech, opening new career paths while strengthening local stewardship of nature.
Hundreds of learners have already earned certifications, using their new digital skills to support environmental protection efforts.
Looking Ahead with Hope
On this World Rhino Day, we celebrate not only the resilience of rhinos but also the dedication of the people, partnerships, and technologies driving their survival. Together, we’re building a future where wildlife and communities thrive side by side, connected by purpose, innovation, and hope.
Click here to know more about CCF.
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