Beneath the Canopy: Exploring the Potential of sUAS Technology for Wildlife Protection in Costa Rica

A Reconnaissance of Reality

For decades, Kashmir World Foundation (KwF) has led the development of surveillance technologies to protect endangered species around the globe. At the heart of our integrated systems—supported by ground rovers and fixed observation points—are our aerial robotics: sUAS (Small Unmanned Aerial Systems) equipped with high-performance aircraft platforms, advanced sensors, and real-time AI-driven analytics tailored for wildlife protection.

Yet, the rainforest has long stood beyond our reach. Dense canopies in places like Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula have defied conventional aerial surveillance, creating a blind spot for poaching and illegal activity. Reports from field biologists and rangers, however, hinted at a breakthrough. Certain sentinel species—birds and mammals—appeared to vocalize in response to human intrusion, potentially warning others of poachers. To investigate, we needed to understand their language—to translate the bioacoustics of the rainforest into actionable intelligence.

A New Approach to Surveillance

In March 2025, the Kashmir World Foundation—under the visionary leadership of Executive Director Princess Aliyah Pandolfi—launched the Rainforest DeepData Expedition at Tamandua Biological Station in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. The mission aimed to collect critical data to advance a next-generation surveillance and engagement system to protect endangered species from poaching and environmental crimes.

What we discovered in the Osa Peninsula challenged traditional perceptions. While the region is often lauded as one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, we found it scarred by decades of agricultural exploitation. Reforestation efforts were often superficial, focusing on optics rather than restoring biodiversity. Logging, mining, and narcotics trafficking went largely unchallenged, with poachers using heat and light sources that were easily detectable from above—using our sUAS systems.

Integrating Technology for Conservation

Our team, consisting of a diverse group of researchers and engineers, worked to integrate bioacoustics, AI, mesh communication networks, and SUAS technology into a cohesive sensing system. While interns and field researchers recorded species vocalizations, I focused on gathering data on the forest’s structure, human behavior, and the ecological dynamics of the region.

The challenge was clear: reforested areas were biologically hollow, with few species like peccaries, tapirs, and jaguars. These prey species populations were insufficient to support healthy predator populations, further exacerbating the region’s biodiversity crisis. Yet, despite the grim reality, field biologists often reported falsely optimistic trends, masking the urgency of the situation.

sUAS Systems: A Game-Changer in Poaching Prevention

Traditional wisdom had often downplayed the potential of aerial surveillance in dense rainforests, but our findings proved otherwise. Poachers, miners, and traffickers often remain in the forest for extended periods, using fires and lights at night. These heat and light signatures are easily detectable by SUAS systems, making drones an essential tool for monitoring and protecting the rainforest from illegal activities.

Equipped with thermal and visible spectrum sensors, our drones can patrol above the canopy, relay real-time geolocations of illicit activities, and integrate seamlessly with mesh networks and AI-driven sensor fusion. This capability repositions SUAS systems from “low-priority” to “mission-critical” in the fight against poaching.

The Role of Bioacoustics and AI in Monitoring Wildlife

Our exploration into bioacoustics revealed the complexity of the rainforest as a signal environment. While BirdNET has shown promise in identifying avian species, the next step is to expand these capabilities to detect and decode the vocalizations of mammals—especially sentinel species warning of poaching activity.

To achieve this, our roadmap includes:
● Directional microphone arrays to isolate sound sources in 3D space.
● AI models to interpret the semantic content of bioacoustic signals.
● RF propagation testing for sub-canopy mesh communications.
● Edge processing for real-time AI inference and action.

Meet the Diverse Team Behind the Rainforest DeepData Expedition

The Rainforest DeepData Expedition was a collaborative effort, bringing together a diverse and talented team of individuals with different backgrounds and expertise. This multidisciplinary team was united by a shared commitment to conservation and innovation, each contributing their unique skills to the mission. The team set out to gather crucial data to design a surveillance and engagement system aimed at protecting endangered species from poaching.

● Princess Aliyah Pandolfi (Executive Director, Kashmir World Foundation)
Role: Visionary leader behind the BioAcoustics Research Initiative. She conceptualized and led the mission to Tamandua Biological Station, aligning interdisciplinary efforts across AI, field science, and education to advance KwF’s conservation goals.
● Rebeca Quiros (Tropical Biologist, Owner of Tamandua Biological Station) Role: Provided critical local logistics and field access, driven by her deep commitment to protecting the rainforest.
● Dr. Ron Pandolfi (Chief Technology Officer, Kashmir World Foundation) Role: Led the design of surveillance systems, mentoring the team in AI, natural language processing, and sensor integration.
● Daan Eeltink (Director of AI Operations, Field Researcher, DeepData Capture Trainer) Role: Student at Leiden University, Netherlands. Configured and deployed audio and camera sensors, trained the team on the DeepData Capture app, and led field data collection.
● Rayan Kabaha (AI/ML Team Lead) Role: Master’s graduate in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania. Directed AI-driven audio classification and managed the technical data pipeline.
● Griffin Burke (AI Engineer, Field Researcher) Role: Computer Science student at the University of Illinois. Supported data collection, sensor setup, and analysis of bird calls and environmental patterns.
● Sarah Hunt (Director of International Relations, Kashmir World Foundation) Role: Contributed to field integration research, GIS analysis, and logistics coordination for motor transport operations.
● Kashmir Pandolfi (Filming & Documentation) Role: 9th-grade student at Virginia Connections Academy. Captured documentary footage and assisted with the identification of avian species.
● Doug Auld (Artist, Composer, Creative Contributor) Role: Participated to gain creative insight and inspiration for composing the original score for KwF’s upcoming documentary.
● Arthur Preston (Citizen Scientist, Data Collection) Role: Supported field data collection and audio simulation exercises to enrich the AI training dataset.

This diverse team—comprising students, researchers, engineers, conservationists, artists, and passionate local experts—worked together across age groups and academic backgrounds, showcasing how innovation in conservation can flourish through collaboration across generations and disciplines. Special thanks to Rebeca Quiros for her unwavering commitment to preserving the Osa Peninsula’s rainforest and for providing the logistics and local expertise that made the expedition possible.

Conservation Through Truth and Technology

Our work in the Osa Peninsula highlighted an essential truth: conservation efforts must be based on reality, not illusion. Reforestation efforts should not be measured by foliage density alone, but by ecological function—fruit yield, biodiversity, and canopy structure. Technology, likewise, must be grounded in real-world constraints and opportunities to effectively combat poaching and environmental degradation.

KwF’s expedition provided more than data—it redefined our mission: not just to build a sensor network, but to build a truthful one, capable of revealing the forest’s true state and empowering us to protect it. The next phase will include the deployment of sensor-embedded sUAS systems, AI-driven real-time analysis, and mesh networking—all integrated to protect Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula from poaching and preserve its invaluable biodiversity.

Join Us in Protecting the Osa Peninsula

Photo: Tamandua Biological Station is nestled between a winding river and the lush expanse of
primary forest.

The Osa Peninsula is a vital ecosystem at the crossroads of conservation and technology. We need continued support to deploy these groundbreaking tools that blend AI, bioacoustics, and sUAS systems to protect this irreplaceable region. Together, we can turn data into action and preserve biodiversity for generations to come.

Get Involved: www.kashmirworldfoundation.org