Louis Liebenberg developed the CyberTracker software with Justin Steventon and Karel Benadie to record animal movements efficiently using GPS-enabled devices. Through his non-profit organization CyberTracker Conservation, he continues research and development on the software to promote environmental monitoring worldwide. Over 35,000 people have downloaded CyberTracker, which has provided significant benefits to wildlife conservation efforts through its use by organizations in 15 African countries.

1. Case Study 5-The CyberTracker & The
Protection of Computer Programs
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
CE308-INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
SUBMITTED BY: LIBOR, JUBILYN G.
OSORIO, EVAN JAMES F.
PARCUTELA, EMMANUEL E.
SUBMITTED TO: DR. TOMAS GANIRON, JR.

2. Background
⚫ A new innovation called CyberTracker,
provides a high method of tracking
animals in the field.
⚫ It protects some of the most endangered
animals in the animal kingdom.
⚫ This technology is being used in major
parks such as the Karoo National Reserve
in South Africa.

3. ⚫ Kalahari Desert is the oldest inhabitants of
Southern Africa.
⚫ It has been the home of the Bushmen for
more than 20,000 years.
⚫ They considered to be the best trackers in
the world.
⚫ They can easily identify species of an
animal.
⚫

4. ⚫ Louis Liebenberg, a South African
anthropologist, has highly skilled in
tracking and lived with Bushmen to
further master his skills.
⚫ In 1996, he teamed up with Justin
Steventon and Karel Benadie, they
developed the CyberTracker.
⚫ They used CyberTracker to record the
movements and behavior of a highly
endangered species.

5. ⚫ CyberTracker a software that takes
animal tracking to the cyber-age.
⚫ It can be used on third party GPS-
enabled devices such as smart phones
and handheld computers for
recording observations of animal
movements quickly and easily.
⚫ It is very efficient in monitoring
wildlife, animal behavior and lifestyle
changes.

6. ⚫ Using the CyberTracker, they collected data on
Lowland Gorillas showed the extent of mortality rate
due to the Ebola virus.
⚫ Liebenberg established an organization called the
CyberTracker Conservation (Conservation), as a non-
profit entity to disseminate the benefits of the
CyberTracker technology.

7. Research and Development
⚫ Liebenberg and his organization put emphasis
on continuing research and development of the
CyberTracker software.
⚫ The CyberTracker Conservation believes that a
too wide R&D may prove inefficient and
therefore its activities focus on a limited
number of pilot projects.

8. ⚫ The CyberTracker Conservation depends on the funds from other organizations. Like European
Commission.
⚫ The CyberTracker Monitoring Program, it was funded by the European Commission.
⚫ ¼ of the funding was spent in the R&D, while the rest was for implementing the program in about 60
projects in 15 African countries.

9. ⚫ Liebenberg’s initiative to develop the CyberTracker
technology and the vision of his non-profit
Conservation is to promote the development of a
worldwide network for environmental monitoring.
⚫ CyberTracker is therefore available through
downloadable software that can be used in a handheld
device, such as smartphones or a PDA.

10. ⚫ CyberTracker is registered as a trademark with
the United States Patents and Trademarks
Office (USPTO).
⚫ The trademark registration facilitates the
product’s promotion and ensure its authencity.

11. Business Results
⚫ In 2010, more than 35,000 users have downloaded the
software. The CyberTracker Conservation’s site
receives more than 5,000 visitors per month from
around the world.
⚫ The impacts of CyberTracker on wildlife conservation
have been significant.
⚫ In Kruger National Park in South Africa, they uses 125
CyberTracker units.

12. ⚫ Using the CyberTracker, an Ebola virus outbreak in 2003 and its impact on antelopes and Lowland
Gorillas were identified through the use of it.
⚫ It also contributes to educational and scientific research activities.
⚫ The Bushman communities benefit from this technology in several ways. It created employment
opportunities for them.

13. ⚫ CyberTracker’s contribution in environmental monitoring and wildlife conserving was
recognized when Liebenberg was honored with the prestigious Rolex Award for Enterprise in
1998.
⚫ Rolex offers this award to individuals in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the
betterment of mankind.
⚫ From Kalahari Desert, Liebenberg’s CyberTracker has spread all over the world in wildlife
conservations.