Working in collaboration with the CAO, SANParks and the
University of the Witwatersrand, the CSIR's Earth observations
research groups have achieved several milestones, changing the
way large areas like the KNP and surrounding areas can be
managed. According to Prof Greg Asner, professor at the
Department for Global Ecology at Stanford University and in
charge of the CAO, their relationship with South Africa is quite
unique: "It is one of the only places in the world where we work
directly with local scientists on issues of management
conservation. Working in South Africa with the Kruger National
Park and the CSIR gives us the chance to have real impact," he
said during an interview at the time of the CAO's third mission
to the country in April 2012. This sentiment is echoed by
SANParks' research manager for GIS and remote sensing, Dr Izak
Smit: "We do not have the infrastructure, technology or
expertise to deal with a project of this magnitude. Yet, working
with external partners, we can leverage the experti