Zoohackathon to Find Tech Solutions to Combat Wildlife Trafficking
Rural Area in India. Photo: Rakesh Raman / RMN News Service
The U.S. Department of State has announced Zoohackathon 2021. It is a global competition that brings together university students and coders to develop innovative technology solutions to combat wildlife trafficking and associated challenges.
Wildlife trafficking is a global problem and one of the most lucrative forms of transnational organized crime. It threatens national security, economic prosperity, and the rule of law, pushes species to the brink of extinction, and spreads disease. The United States says it supports the use of technology in our collective efforts to stop these crimes.
This year, the Department of State will co-host nine virtual and in-person Zoohackathon events across the world in October and November. Each event will take place over two-and-a-half days and feature discussions about local challenges, presentations from wildlife and technology experts, networking opportunities, and insights from partners and mentors.
Participants will compete for a variety of local prizes, and a panel of expert judges will evaluate the winning solution from each event to choose the winner of the 2021 global prize.
Single Country Events:
- Bolivia
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- The Republic of the Congo
- Gabon
- Saudi Arabia
- Uganda
- Vietnam
Regional Events:
- Central Asia
- Central America and the Dominican Republic
