Rhino911, an anti-poaching initiative launched by BBM Inc in cooperation with Heli Africa Wildlife, has deployed a Bell 407GT equipped with advanced night vision and thermal imaging against illegal rhino horn poaching in South Africa.

Rhino911's goal is to stop the poachers long before they reach their targets, and unlike other anti-poaching schemes, it is backed up by aerial support. Crews can pick out poachers of endangered species from a distance using advanced night vision and thermal imaging technology.

“As a South African, I wanted to make a difference and help save the rhino species from extinction,” says BBM Inc president Fred Hees. “A major challenge facing counter-poaching helicopter pilots is that they are not equipped with night vision and sensing systems, so they cannot operate at night and track poachers before or during the act. Our Bell 407GT and other Bell helicopters will change this entirely; we can fly day or night to track and pinpoint intruders.”

Rhino911 has been in contact with government authorities in South Africa and will be working alongside existing groups, reserves and associations in order to deliver the most effective service.