Drones have significantly transformed wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts. They provide a powerful means to track and protect endangered species, making data collection more accessible and efficient. Researchers and conservationists rely on drones to gather crucial information on wildlife populations and identify threats to their survival using high-resolution imagery and videos. By addressing challenges like climate change, habitat loss, poaching, and pollution, drones help collect accurate data and develop effective protection strategies for wildlife. This article explores the use of drones in wildlife monitoring and conservation, highlighting their importance in ensuring a brighter future for endangered species.
Challenges of Traditional Wildlife Monitoring
Among the challenges associated with traditional wildlife monitoring methods are limited accessibility, high costs, lengthy processes, disruption to wildlife, limited coverage and resolution, subjectivity and bias, and the lack of long-term monitoring. These limitations can hinder data collection, decision-making, and the development of effective conservation strategies. In order to obtain comprehensive and accurate information about wildlife populations and their habitats, it is crucial to overcome these challenges.
It is possible to overcome the limitations of traditional wildlife monitoring and conservation methods with drones. Among these are improved accessibility, cost-effectiveness, broader coverage, higher-resolution images, real-time data collection, and reduced wildlife disturbance. In addition to revolutionizing data collection, drones provide unique insight into remote and inaccessible habitats that can be used to improve monitoring and conservation.
Drones in Wildlife Monitoring and Conservation: Case Studies from Across the Globe
Kenya
The Kenya Wildlife Service published a study in the journal Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation in 2018 that used drones equipped with thermal cameras to monitor the movements of African elephants at night in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The study found that the elephants were more active at night than they were during the day. The elephants were also found to be more likely to travel long distances at night. The study also found that the elephants were more likely to be in areas that were close to human settlements at night.
The data collected by the drones will help KWS to better understand the elephants’ movements and to identify potential threats to the elephants. This information will be used to develop conservation measures to protect the elephants.
U.S.A
Conservationists in Hawaii use drones to survey threatened Hawaiian petrel populations and develop strategies to protect them. According to the study, petrel populations on all four islands are declining. The researchers believe that the decline is due to a combination of factors, including habitat loss, introduced predators, and climate change.
Drones will help researchers understand petrel populations better and come up with protection strategies, they hope. In addition to surveying populations more often, drones can collect data on petrel movements and behavior. By identifying threats to the petrels and developing strategies to mitigate them, researchers will have more information to use.
Australia
In Australia, there are a number of cases of drones with specialised cameras that map and monitor coral reefs. These studies all discuss the benefits of using drones to map and monitor coral reefs. A variety of reef metrics can be measured using drones, including coral cover, fish abundance, and water quality. As the reef health changes over time, this data can be used to identify areas at risk.
In one study, the authors conclude that drones have the potential to revolutionize coral reef monitoring. It is their argument that drones are more efficient and effective than traditional methods at collecting data, and they can be used to monitor reefs in areas that are difficult to reach.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, drones have collected aerial footage of critically endangered dolphins, providing valuable data on their behaviours and migration patterns. This information has helped conservationists better understand their needs and develop protection measures.
The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Auckland. Using drones, the team flew over Hector’s dolphin habitat at the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The footage collected by the drones showed the dolphins swimming, feeding, and socializing. The footage also showed the dolphins interacting with boats, which is a major threat to their survival.
The data collected by the drones will help scientists to better understand how Hector’s dolphins use their habitat and how they interact with boats. This information will be used to develop conservation measures to protect this endangered species.
Costa Rica
A study in Costa Rica utilised drones with high-tech cameras to monitor sea turtle nesting sites. Drones provided detailed information on nests, eggs, and hatchlings, which was essential to developing effective strategies to protect sea turtles. They were also able to nesting sites at night, when sea turtles are most active.
Indonesia
Finally, drones were employed in Indonesia to monitor the population of orangutans. As a result of tracking orangutans’ movements and behaviors, researchers can gain insight into the habitat requirements of these animals and implement conservation measures accordingly. As a result of the drones, the researchers were able to collect data on orangutan behavior and movement that would not have been possible or possible using traditional methods. The drones were able to track orangutans as they moved through the forest, and they were also able to observe orangutans interacting with each other and with the natural environment around them, as they moved through the forest.
Challenges For Future Drone Use in Conservation
It is important to note that drones have numerous advantages for monitoring and conserving wildlife, but they also present challenges as well. If drones are flown too closely or make excessive noise, they may frighten wildlife, which may result in changes in behavior or even harm them. In addition, some organizations may be unable to afford to operate and maintain drones because of the cost and technical expertise required. Additionally, drone regulations vary by location, and permits may be required, as well as the risk of equipment failure or crashes that could threaten the safety of wildlife and humans.
These challenges are being addressed by advances in drone technology. Using thermal drone cameras, data can be collected without the use of bright lights that would disturb nocturnal animals. Quieter drones with lower noise levels have been developed in response to these challenges. Machine learning algorithms and drone software are automating image analysis, reducing the need for expertise and time. It is also possible to prevent drones from flying in restricted areas or too close to animals using virtual fencing and GPS technology. The use of drones for wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts presents a number of challenges that can be addressed with these innovative solutions and advancements in drone technology.
Organisations Leveraging Drones for Wildlife Monitoring and Conservation
Air Shepherd
Air Shepherd is a non-profit organization that uses drones to track and stop poachers in Africa. The organization was founded in 2014 by brothers Jared and Brent Lentfer. Air Shepherd has flown over 100,000 miles and has helped to stop over 100 poaching attempts.
Using drones equipped with high-tech cameras, Air Shepherd is able to identify poachers from a distance and can track them using thermal cameras that can see heat signatures and can track poachers hiding within the bush.
In some cases, Air Shepherd‘s drones are equipped with loudspeakers that can be used to warn poachers to leave the area. In case they do not leave the area, Air Shepherd‘s drones can be used to track them and to call in the authorities.
Additionally, Air Shepherd offers training and assistance to law enforcement agencies and conservation organizations in Africa in addition to using drones to track and stop poachers. The Air Shepherd organization also works to promote awareness of the poaching crisis and to educate the public regarding the importance of conservation.
Visit their website here
Ethical and Responsible Drone Use
It is crucial for drones to be used ethically and responsibly in wildlife monitoring. Privacy concerns, as well as the potential for them to disturb or harm animals, must be carefully addressed. Obtaining the necessary permits or permissions before flying drones in specific areas is crucial to complying with the regulations and guidelines set forth by local authorities. The flight restrictions and safety protocols that must be followed must be respected, and the privacy of individuals and their property must also be respected.
The use of drones should be minimized by keeping them at a safe distance and minimizing the amount of noise they make. Pilots need to be properly educated and trained on how to use drones responsibly, so that they understand the potential effects on wildlife and their habitats and take steps to minimise these disruptions. We can maximize the benefits of drones while mitigating potential risks by integrating them responsibly into conservation efforts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, drones have proven to be invaluable tools for wildlife monitoring and conservation. Their efficiency in data gathering, conducting surveys, detecting poaching activities, and mapping habitats has greatly benefited organizations and researchers in their preservation efforts. That is the straightforward summary.
The alternative perspective is that the ‘drone’ element is not as revolutionary as it might seem. In most, if not all the cases, the drone simply served as a vehicle to mount a sensor onto. Now that is not necessarily a bad thing, however it is akin to mounting it atop any vehicle, or a horse–drawn carriage. You see… the technology of the vehicle is irrelevant to the story. The advancements are really in sensor technology and the creative ways people utilise it.
That said, I do believe there will be true innovation where the drone itself is part of the solution, but that will take a lot of time. Mainly because investment in developing this sector is minimal as the outcomes aren’t necessarily profitable. Secondly, because the researchers and conservationists using this technology already have dedicated roles to fulfill and therefore cannot allocate time to building out engineering solutions. I have no doubt we will get there though, as we are seeing huge investment moving into the environmental space. Wildlife have a critical part to play in regenerative efforts across the globe and in turn, drone technology too.
