Once hailed as a “super climate pro” by none other than himself, Elon Musk now aligns with Donald Trump, who is not particularly known for prioritising environmental or climate issues. Concern over the climate crisis is seemingly no longer one of Musk’s priorities. However, changes of heart and shifts in perspective can happen at any time. Whether Musk returns to his earlier environmental stance or not is entirely his decision. In the meantime, we are here to highlight how his technologies can still be harnessed to conserve endangered species and protect forests around the world.
Can Elon Musk’s technologies help protect our planet’s rarest animals
1. Starlink (by SpaceX) – Satellite internet
How it helps: Provides high-speed internet in remote areas where most endangered species live.
Applications:
- Real-time tracking of animals like elephants, snow leopards, and rhinos using GPS collars connected via Starlink.
- Remote monitoring of poaching hotspots in places like African savannas or Amazon rainforests.
- Connecting conservationists in isolated field stations to global research hubs
2. Tesla Energy – Solar + battery solutions (powerwall, solar roof)
How it helps: Offers off-grid power solutions, essential for remote conservation outposts and field labs.
Applications:
- Powering camera traps and research stations in reserves like Kaziranga (for rhinos) or Sundarbans (for tigers).
- Recharging drones used for aerial surveillance of protected areas.
3. Neuralink (brain-computer interface) – Experimental use
How it Might help (Future Potential): Though still in early human trials, similar neural technologies can be developed for wildlife.
Applications:
- Could help understand neural patterns and stress behaviours in captive or rehabilitated primates like orangutans or gorillas.
- Might enable non-invasive brain monitoring for endangered dolphins, elephants, etc., in the long term.
4. The Boring Company – Tunneling for human-wildlife conflict reduction
How it helps: Could be used to create safe animal corridors beneath roads and railways, especially in areas with high mortality due to vehicle collisions.Applications:
- Wildlife underpasses for leopards and tigers in India’s Western Ghats or Terai Arc.
- Safe crossings for bears or wolves in North America or Europe.
5. xAI – AI for monitoring
How it helps: AI can analyze patterns in wildlife movement, climate data, and poaching activity.
Applications:
- Identifying poaching risks using predictive models for tiger conservation.
- Analyzing drone footage or camera trap images to track animal populations like snow leopards in the Himalayas.
6. SpaceX Rockets (indirect role)
How it helps: Satellite launches can support Earth-observing missions.
Applications:
- Satellites launched via Falcon 9 could support deforestation tracking in the Amazon (habitat for endangered parrots and jaguars).
- Monitoring glacial melt in polar habitats (for species like polar bears and penguins).
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