An electric initiative to support wildlife conservation

Solar-powered wildlife conservation and improved anti-poaching efforts: For years, poaching has had devastating consequences for all wildlife. In some instances, it’s the primary reason why many species now face the risk of extinction. Recently, anti-poaching teams have started using dirt bikes for patrolling, as it’s considered the fastest and most agile vessel to use in the wild.

However, these bikes run on fuel, a scarce resource in the region that is expensive to transport in the remote areas. The combustion engine bikes also alert illegal poachers miles away with their noisy engines, failing to meet their core purpose: to save endangered species from extinction.

“This is a perfect example of purpose meeting sustainability”

- Stefan Ytterborn, CEO and founder, CAKE

Bikes by rangers, for rangers

In a close collaboration with rangers from the Southern African Wildlife College, CAKE’s engineers have developed the Electric Bush Bike series, allowing rangers to approach poachers silently without being detected and making way for more efficient anti-poaching patrolling in the region.

In close collaboration with the rangers, the platform will be tuned and optimized continuously, for the purpose of creating the best vehicle possible for anti-poaching.

Less costly fuel, more renewable power

With combustion engine motorcycles, buying and transporting fuel to the remote areas have proved both costly, inconvenient and very unsustainable. The fuel is shipped long-distance via petrol-driven trucks or even helicopters, driving both costs further and polluting the area.

With the new electric Kalk AP, rangers are equipped with a power kit and solar panels from leading solar power company Goal Zero, to supply the bikes with renewable power from the sun. The bikes can be charged via the power kit independently from any power outlet, enabling more freedom to ride and less pollution in the area.

”This partnership […] is extremely exciting. We are very proud to be partnering with CAKE and Goal Zero to test these electric off-road bikes given the impact that this could have on countering poaching across Africa.”

- Theresa Sowry, CEO

”The bikes we’ve used previously have all been loud, heavy and expensive to keep running in these areas. Sometimes we’ve had to transport the fuel with helicopters, which is very unsustainable and costly for us.

With the CAKE bikes, we can ride quietly and protect the wild from poaching more efficiently. Ultimately, we do believe we will be able to save more animals.”

- Mfana Xaba, Anti-poaching team leader Southern African Wildlife College