Protecting Pangolins in Gabon with the help of an ultra rugged Android Smartphone

Did you know February 15th 2025 was World Pangolin Day! RUGGED MOBILE Systems want to applaud & promote the fantastic and essential work carried out by Stuart and the team at Chester Zoo, and all conservationists across the world. We at RUGGED MOBILE Systems Ltd are proud to support Chester Zoo, and are in awe of the work carried out using rugged Android devices recommended by our team.

The Challenge:

Africa is home to some of the most unique and diverse species of animals in the world. However, many of these animals are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. It is important to protect these animals in order to maintain the balance of the ecosystem and preserve the biodiversity of the region. Conservation efforts and educating people about the importance of these animals and the impact of their actions on the environment, will hopefully reduce activities that harm these animals.

Stuart Nixon is the Regional Field Programme Manager at Chester Zoo. Since 2018 Chester Zoo has also worked alongside the Fernan Vaz Gorilla Project and local communities to carry out camera trap surveys and monitoring of critically endangered western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees , forest elephants and other large mammals in the coastal rainforests of Gabon.
- The surveys have revealed that these forests support important populations of many highly threatened species in spite of increasing pressure from logging and petroleumextraction operations. Chester Zoo and its partners are now working with communities to develop grass roots conservation initiatives to protect the regions precious biodiversity, local livelihoods. and the forests which support them.
During 2022 and 2023, Stuart and his colleagues Paul, Sam, Rose and Ocaya were involved in the Uganda Giant Pangolin Project at the Murchison Falls National Park. Pangolins are the most threatened mammals in the world, poached for the burgeoning illegal global trade in pangolin scales, used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Since 2018 Chester Zoo has been working with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to assess the status, monitor and protect the endangered and little-known Giant Pangolin throughout Uganda's protected area network The project is the first conservation project focussed on this little known but highly trafficked species.

Chester Zoo required a robust Android device to run the survey software for these projects. RUGGED MOBILE Systems were on hand to provide rugged Android devices for software testing and trials.

Objectives:

To select a robust, dust proof Android Smartphone with sunlight readable display
RUGGED MOBILE Systems (RMS) assisted Chester Zoo in selecting a Smartphone robust enough to withstand a high shock/vibration environment, exposure to wet & dusty conditions. The Handheld X6 offered an ultra rugged handheld device with large 6" sunlight readable, super hardened Corning® Gorilla® Glass display. The Handheld X6 is ideal for use out in dirty, dusty and wet enviornments with ingress protection rating IP67 for full dust protection and protection from immersion in water. The Handheld X6 also meets a range of MIL-STD-810G test standards for operating in extreme temperatures, handling drops, vibrations, humidity and altitude.

To find an Android device with GPS to run their applications to facilitate surveys in the field
RMS helped Chester Zoo select and test an Android device with adequate GPS, processing power, RAM and storage for their application. The Nautiz X6 offered GPS, a Qualcomm® Snapdragon 626 MSM8953 Pro (2.2 GHz) processor, with 4GB RAM and 64GB Storage.

To provide long enough battery life for surveyors and a user replaceable battery
The robust, field replacable 8,000 mAh battery in teh Nautiz X6 provides power to undertake long surveys.

Solution:

The Handheld Nautiz X6 ultra-rugged Phablet/Smartphone

- Offering: 6" Capacitive sunlight readable, touch display, Oualcomm® Snapdragon 626 MSM8953 Pro (2.2 GHz) processorr, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC Storage, GPS (GNSS receiver) & 4G LTE, Bluetooth, WiFi, running Android 9 (at time of purchase) with AER
- With user replaceable high capacity batteries to cover surveys
- Manufactured rugged, with MIL-STD810G certification, 1.5m drop resistance, ingress protection rating IP67 for full dust & immersion in water, operating temp -20°C to +55°C

Use of a Handstrap & Active Stylus Pen

- The Nautiz X6 were supplied with handstraps and active stylus pens to facilitate ease of carrying and data entry.

Outcome:

- The Handheld X6, with protective handstrap and active stylus pen solution met Chester Zoo's requirement for a fully-rugged Android device with GPS functionality that can withstand use in forested/remote locations with harsh climate and tough terrain.
- With 4G LTE these devices can be used as mobile phones by surveyors.
- RUGGED MOBILE Systems and Handheld (now MilDef) are here to support Chester Zoo ongoing with the maintenance/support of these Smartphone devices.
- Feedback from Chester Zoo has been that the use of technology, like the software being used on the Handheld X6, helps protect pangolins in Gabon and is a critical step towards ensuring the survival of these endangered animals. It is hoped that these measures will help to reduce the number of pangolins being poached, and ultimately lead to an increase in their population.
- RUGGED MOBILE Systems have also donated an ex-demo Cedar CP3 rugged Smartphone to Chester Zoo as an additional device for use on these projects and will continue to support their projects with ex-demo units when they become available.