ZALA T-16 UAVs helped the Kirov police identify seven poachers during the spawning season
Officers from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Kirov Region Directorate used ZALA T-16 unmanned aerial vehicles as part of preventive measures to detect the illegal harvesting of aquatic biological resources during the 2026 spawning season. As a result of monitoring water bodies, seven incidents of illegal fishing were identified. The ZALA systems not only enabled the detection of offenders but also allowed their actions to be fully documented, and the locations where nets were stored and set to be identified. Footage published from the UAVs shows nets containing the catch being lowered and hauled in from boats. The powerful zoom enabled the fishermen’s actions and the make of their vehicle to be clearly seen, as well as tracking their route from the water to the shore and their attempt to conceal their catch.
A key feature is moving object tracking: the camera autonomously kept the boat in frame even during sharp manoeuvres. All data was transmitted to headquarters, which made it possible to coordinate ground teams.
The ZALA T-16 is a reliable tool for round-the-clock monitoring in hard-to-reach areas. Equipped with optical and thermal imaging systems, it operates in all weather conditions, has a flight time of over 4 hours, and its artificial intelligence helps to patrol large bodies of water with minimal manpower. Such technologies enhance the effectiveness of anti-poaching efforts and the protection of biological resources.
Russian 
English