News -
Silva Partner with Cake on the "Electric Bush Bike Anti-Poaching" Project
The CAKE anti-poaching system, including the specifically engineered Kalk AP off-road bikes and “mobile solar panels-in the field charging power stations”, together with Silva Exceed headlamps, are now on duty in Africa.
CAKE, the Swedish electric motorbike manufacturer, have partnered with Silva and successfully delivered the first batch of electric anti-poaching bush bikes with portable light to Africa. The quiet and high performance Kalk AP motorbikes were delivered to rangers under the research and development department of the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC). They are now using the bikes and the headlamps in their quest to increase the efficiency, to combat poaching.
Background
Poaching has had devastating consequences for wildlife in Africa and is one of the primary reasons that some species face the risk of extinction. Anti-poaching teams have used gas-powered dirt bikes for patrolling because they are considered the fastest and most agile vehicles in the bush. However, these bikes are loud and alert poachers from miles away with the sound of their engines. The next big issue is that fuel is being brought to the field by helicopters or trucks which pollute and impact the environment.
Cake Kalk AP
First results
In the beginning of December we received reports from the SAWC, that the bikes and headlamps have been part of the first successful anti-poaching acts. The quiet bikes have been adapted, and especially been tested during the night shifts. Thanks to the Silva Exceed headlamps, the rangers have enough light to go fast in the terrain, but the light can also be switched off when needed.
A new form of poaching has appeared where the bikes have proven themselves as a useful tool. Poachers have started to blind the animals with a flashlight and rehearse dogs to chase the animals down. The hunted animal becomes an easy target for poachers to kill. A handful of poaching attempts have been stopped during the fall where the exposed creatures in these operations have been different species of antelopes, especially Suni, but also Red Duiker & Blue Duiker antelopes.
About CAKE
CAKE is a Swedish company with a clear mission to inspire towards a zero-emission society, by combining excitement and responsibility in its development of light, quiet, and clean high-performance electric off-road motorcycles. Its first model, the Kalk, debuted at Denver’s OR and Munich’s ISPO shows in January 2018 and has received numerous accolades, including the 2019 and 2020 Red Dot Design Award, IF Design Award, Automotive Brand Contest Award, and “Best in Show” designation by several outdoor industry publications. In 2019, CAKE launched the Kalk&, a street-legal motorcycle as well as Ösa+ and Ösa flex, a utility platform with an integrated power station and off-road capabilities, which extended their award-winning streak. Kalk INK debuted in March 2020, with the street legal Kalk INK& entering the line in April 2020. CAKE expanded into the race scene in November 2020, launching the Kalk OR Race and Kalk INK Race. In September 2021, CAKE released a convenient and light city moped, the Makka, expanding the user matrix further.
