Proactive Wildlife Monitoring: Leveraging LoRa Technology to Prevent Human-Bear Conflicts in Romania

Wildlife monitoring has become increasingly vital in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts, especially in large regions in Romania or Eastern Europe, where bear populations frequently interact with human settlements mainly due to uncontrolled deforestation. Traditional methods often rely on reactive measures, intervening only after incidents occur. This paper proposes the concept of a proactive solution by using LoRa (Long Range) technology to create an efficient network with extremely low energy consumption to track bear movements in real time and realize an active monitoring area. The proposed system uses LoRa beacons attached to animals, providing long-distance and energy-efficient data transmission even in the difficult mountainous terrain of Romania, especially in the absence of GSM signal coverage. By analyzing signal parameters such as Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), we optimize the placement of a base station (gateway) to ensure maximum coverage and data reliability. In addition, a dynamic mapping system visualizes bear movements, allowing real-time monitoring and identification of potential human-wildlife conflict areas. The whole system also uses some notions and concepts specific to the Internet of Things and Machine Learning technologies, especially in the context of Industry 5.0. In addition to mapping, the system integrates a proximity alert mechanism that triggers preventive measures when bears approach human settlements. Unlike reactive strategies, this approach allows authorities to anticipate and mitigate risks, protecting both human lives and wildlife. The study highlights the importance of transitioning from traditional reactive models to proactive systems that prioritize prevention.