Incredible detail in drone shot a 'game-changer' for iconic Aussie species

Studying animals in some of the world's most remote and isolated regions is a tricky task. But it's now been made a whole lot easier.

Seals on Phillip Island in a drone shot.
Scientists say by using drones to study animals like these Australian fur seals on Gabo Island, they can uncover incredible insights that were previously very difficult to obtain. Source: Monash University

Studying how wild animals live when they think they're not being watched is one of the key ways scientists can preserve them, especially those listed as vulnerable or endangered.

But accessing these creatures — many of which inhabit some of the most remote corners of the planet, both on land and in the sea — isn't easy.

It can be costly, dangerous and often some species are just out of reach. While drone use has been relatively mainstream for some time now, by using them to study wildlife, we stand to "revolutionise the way scientists gather data" on them.

Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Adam Yaney-Keller, a Monash University PhD candidate, said the use of drones in this field has been steadily increasing, and in fact Australia has become a leader in the space.

Thermal images of Australian fur seals at Phillip Island.
Thermal imagery can help us protect marine species like seals, by detecting the heat loss they endure as a result of becoming entangled in netting. Source: Monash University

In collaboration with Monash University and Phillip Island Nature Parks, Yaney-Keller led a study reviewing 136 research papers on the use of drones in wildlife studies. He said what's surfaced is that they're undoubtably "game changers" when it comes to such research. And in particular, marine mammals.

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"It means you can measure everything from body size and health conditions, to vital signs like heart rate and temperature, even into the makeup of microbiome and genetics, all from a drone," he told Yahoo.

"They have really been a game-changer for our ability to study the internal workings of these largest animals on the planet. You can't exactly keep those animals in a tank. But by using drones, we can now take a blue whale's heart rate really easily."

The technology is particularly useful for studying marine life, where direct human observation is often impractical. "When it comes to Australian fur seals for example, what we found is that by using thermal imagery we can better detect entanglements and fishing gear and other plastics. We can also monitor for diseases," Yaney-Keller.

"We can just really sort of scale up our ability to observe and understand animal ecosystem health, on a rapid and large scale."

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Unlike traditional methods, such as direct observation or capture, drones can monitor animals from a distance without causing stress or altering their movements. This is especially valuable for species that are shy, easily startled, or live in remote or dangerous environments.

"It's allowed us to fly over the animal, and actually obtain these measurements just from the imagery themselves, so you don't have to capture and constrain, so that means it's a lot safer for the animal," Yaney-Keller said.

"It also means that we cannot disturb them as much, and still pull these really amazing metrics."

An aerial and thermal drone shot of seals at Phillip Island.
The technology can measure everything from body size and health conditions, to vital signs like heart rate and temperature. Source: Monash University

Drones also provide a unique aerial perspective, allowing researchers to track animals across large areas, observe group dynamics, and assess habitat conditions more effectively.

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They are able to access hard-to-reach locations, such as dense forests, cliffs, or ice-covered regions, where traditional fieldwork would be challenging or even hazardous.

By reducing the need for close human interaction, drones help ensure that data collected reflects the animals' true behaviours in the wild.

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