the project is called air shepherd, drones with infrared cameras patrol the air and send back images in real time to a mobile command center where a team monitors them. look closely. those white dots, that's me and the rangers on patrol. but if a poacher is spotted, the drone team can tell the rangers where to intercept. south africa is home to over 80% of the world's rhino population. but they're facing extinction in coveted horns. the high demand comes from asia where the horns are believed to have medicinal powers. this man says he's heard from friends that it can cure diseases. he mixes up the horn and puts it in a drink. >> there is no scientific proof that rhino horn has any medicinal benefits. but people firmly believe that rhino horn does have the attributes that it's said to have. you know, it's the same as telling a christian jesus christ doesn't exist. >> reporter: rhino poaching has reached unprecedented levels in south africa. ten years ago, 25 were poached. the number last year, 1175. i met with a former poacher who asked us not to show his face. through a translator he

the project is called "air shepherd." drones with infared cameras patrol from he air, and send back images to a mobile command center. if a poacher is spotted, then the rangers take the field. south africa is home to over 80- percent of the world's rhino population. but they're facing extinction in the wild because of their highly coveted horns. it's world spay day! to celebrate, the animal foundation offered more than 500-free spay or neuter appointments. if you weren't able to get in today, don't worry. if you're interested, we've got all the details on our website. he's known as the "most interesting man in the world".... the man you see seen in the dos equis ads. still ahead-- he's now going after his talent agency. find out what they're fighting over next. you're watching 13 action news, where you ask, and we investigate. we all know "the mohe's the face of dos equis. but now, he might be the most "deadbeat man" in the world...that's according to his talent agency. they've entered a bitter legal battle. abc's nick wat

this is command central for air shepherd. a pilot project where ft are being deployed to help park rangers in their fight. >> nighttime operations has always been very, very difficult for thesed besides meeting one the poachers you might be tracking, the danger to the animals. >> we'll just guys carry on. we'll just keep you in the frame. >> tonight's mission is about to begin and tensions are high. with ruthless poexers dark, and the reason news of a lion. don't let the laughter fool you. my nerves are kicking don't know what's on the other side of the bush. the drone infraredup heat signatures of animals and humans. and sends images back real-time to the commandhite dots are us on patrol. the experienced rangers keep several feet between them so if one of them is don't all go down at once. >> how many does it help? give you a sense of ease to some degree hovering above you now? >> i think it is quite fortunate >> no signs ofis patrol. but in this vast territory, the drones and patrols can only . in the few days we're here,

the project is called air shepherd. drones with infrared cameras patrol from the air and send back images in real time to a mobile command center where a team, in close contact, monitors them. look closely...those white dots. that's me and the rangers on patrol. but if a poacher is spotted, the drone team can tell the rangers where to go to intercept. south africa is home to rhino population. but they're facing extinction in the wild because of their highly coveted horns. cities footage from asia the high demand comes from asia where the horns are believed to have medicinal powers? nats man mixing up the horn this man says he heard from friends that it can cure diseases... he mixes up the horn and puts it in a drink? julian radeneyer j: there is no scientific proof that rhino horn has any medicinal benefits. but people firmly believe that rhino horn does have the attributes it's said to have. it's the same as telling a christian jesus christ doesn't exist. rhino poaching has reached unprecedented levels in south africa.

the project is called air shepherd. drones with infrared cameras patrol from the air and send back images in real time to a mobile command center where a team, in close contact, monitors them. cities footage from asia the where the horns are believed to have medicinal powers? nats man mixing up the horn this man says he heard from friends that it can cure diseases... he mixes up the horn and puts benefits. but people firmly believe that rhino horn does have the attributes it's said to have. (gfx) rhino poaching has reached unprecedented levels (source: endangered wildlife trust) 01:04:39 tj: some would say enock mfanafuthi xulu, park ranger: we are trying?yeah its animals should apple help the f-b-i unlock an i-phone belonging to one of the san bernardino terrorists? many people are weighing in this midday by protesting across the country. a group called fight for the future says they'll be protesting in support of apple's decision to not hack the i-phone. protesters will be at apple headquarters in san francisco...l-a a

the project is called air an shepherd, drones with infrared recameras patrol the air and send back messagesaltime a team manors them. look closely. those white dots that's me and the rangers on patrol. but if a poacher is spotted, the team can tell the rangers where to intercept. south africa is home to over 80% of the world's rhino population. but they're facing exextinction in the wild because of their highly coveted horns. high demand comes from asia where the horns are believed to have medicinal powers. this man says he's heard from friends that it can cure diseases. he mixes up the horn and puts it in a drink. >> there is no scientific proof that ryan know horn has any benefits. but people firmly believe that ryan know horn does have the attributes it's said to have. you know, it's the same as telling a christian jesus christ doesn't exist. >>> rhino poaching has reached unprecedented levels in south africa. ten years ago, 25 were poached. the number last year, i met with a former poacher who asked us not to show his face. through a translator he says he's killed at least 50 rhinos to

the project is called air shepherd. drones with infrared cameras patrol the air and send back images in realtime to a mobile command center where a team monitors them. >> reporter: look closely. those white dots, that's me and the rangers on patrol. but if a poacher is spotted the drone team can tell the rangers where to intercept. south africa is home to over 80% of the world's rhino population, but they're facing extinction in the wild because of their highly coveted horns. the high demand comes from asia where the horns are believed to have medicinal power. this man says he's heard from diseases. he mixes up the horn and puts it in a drink. >> there is no scientific proof that rhino horn has any medicinal benefits but people firmly believe it does have the have. you know, it's the same as telling a christian jesus christ doesn't exist. >> reporter: rhino poaching has reached unprecedented levels in south africa. poached. the number last year, 1,175. asked us not to show his face. through a translator he said he's kill

the project is called air shepherd. drones with infrared cameras patrol the air and send back time to a mobile command center where a team monitors them. >> someone stopped there. >> reporter: look closely. those white dots, that's me and but if a poacher isone team can tell the rangers where to intercept. south africa is home to over 80% of the world's rhino population, but they're facing extinctionause of their highly coveted horns. the high demand comes from asia where the horns are believed to have medicinal power. he's heard from friends that it can cure diseases. he mixes up the horn and puts it in a drink. >> there is no scientific proof that rhino horn has anyits but people have the attributes that it's said to have. you know, it's the same as telling a christian jesus christ doesn't exist. south africa. ten years ago 25 rhinos were poached. the number last year, 1,175. i met with a former poacher who to show his face. through a translator he said and did it to support his family. did you ever feel badre doing fo