Advancing animal behaviour research using drone technology

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 222, P. 123147 - 123147

Published: March 18, 2025

Language: Английский

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Automated and repeated aerial observations of GPS‐collared animals using UAVs and open‐source electronics

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Telemetry has enabled ecologists to link animal movement trajectories and environmental features at a fine spatiotemporal resolution; however, the effects of social interactions on individual choice within large mobile groups remain largely unknown. Estimating effect interaction in wild remains challenging because existing long‐term tracking tools such as GPS collars focus movements single cannot observe behavior other individuals group. The progression socially informed models requires measuring simultaneous many once, well instantaneous cues which may be responding. availability low‐flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) low‐cost open‐source electronics presents promising opportunity collect fine‐scale data order advance our understanding collective behavior. Here, we present system that enables repeated localization observation collared its near neighbors using nadir video footage collected from commercial UAV. We make use combined with UAV's in‐built functionality allows it follow stream locations create an automated can specific without user control. demonstrate systems' performance by studying group herd Exmoor ponies ( Equus ferus caballus ), proof concept, examine position focal (collared animal) relation center frame. also information about individual's nearest neighbors. tool is effective consistently keeping close frame, offering new dimension remote telemetry tools. For instance, same different physiological states, seasons, demographic potentially opens avenues ecology research. By making design, software, firmware freely available, aim encourage continuous improvements research facilitate replicable approaches across species ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Undertaking wildlife surveys with unmanned aerial vehicles in rugged mountains with dense vegetation: A tentative model using Sichuan Snub-nosed monkeys in China

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 48, P. e02685 - e02685

Published: Oct. 18, 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have broad applications. However, their use for wildlife surveys in rugged mountains with dense vegetation is uncommon. Therefore, developing appropriately designed methods, selecting suitable facilities, establishing effective monitoring processes, and managing databases that align a region's distinctive geographic landscapes, environments, ecology, habitats are essential. This study focuses on the Giant Panda National Park China's densely vegetated Qinling Mountains to carry out using UAVs assess Sichuan snub-nosed monkey population size (Rhinopithecus roxellana) over an area of 30,000 ha. The results indicate eight distinct groups were identified, totaling 648-755 individuals. Thus, this offers proof-of-principle surveying remote mountainous regions complex landscapes demonstrates how can be used animal conservation. Furthermore, highlights broader potential application other regions, where demographic information urgently needed establish database-driven conservation strategies.

Language: Английский

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Case study of detection and monitoring of wildlife by UAVs equipped with RGB camera and TIR camera

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 95(10), P. 1461 - 1469

Published: Sept. 21, 2023

Purpose Observation of the animal world is an important component nature surveys. It provides a number different information concerning aspects such as population sizes, migration directions, feeding sites and many other data. The paper below presents results from flights unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aimed at detecting animals in their natural environment. Design/methodology/approach drone used research was equipped with RGB thermal infrared (TIR) cameras. Both cameras, which were mounted on UAV, to take pictures showing concentration (deer). overview carried out villages Podlaskie Voivodeship: Szerokie Laki, Bialousy Sloja. Research made A deer photographed during Durango platform, imaging camera Canon camera, for flights. taken create orthomaps. multicopter, GoPro film flight locations. control station also used, consisting laptop MissionPlanner software. Findings Analysis collected images has indicated that environmental, organisational technical factors influence quality information. Sophisticated observation precision ensured by use high-resolution TIR proper platform cameras UAV provided advanced positioning systems, makes it possible high-quality orthomaps area. When observing animals, time day (temperature contrast), year season (leaf ascent) or parameters important. Originality/value introduces conclusions flights, pointing useful using UAVs.

Language: Английский

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Precision pest control using purpose-built uncrewed aerial system (UAS) technology and a novel bait pod system

Drone Systems and Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12, P. 1 - 13

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Controlling invasive species is imperative due to their significant roles in spreading diseases, preying on threatened species, and diminishing biodiversity. Crewed aircraft are proficient at dispersing toxic bait across vast expanses combat small pest mammals such as possums rats. However, utility diminishes significantly small, remote areas typified by rugged terrain impracticality prohibitive costs. Similarly, while ground control operations effective compact, easily reachable locations, they encounter formidable obstacles like costly labour expenses, safety hazards, the peril of worker injuries navigating treacherous landscapes. An innovative approach address these limitations use uncrewed aerial systems that unhampered deploy precise locations. Our team engineered a purpose-built system designed specifically for deploying using pods. Two field trials were conducted New Zealand validate our systems’ efficacy, assessing deployment precision accuracy against predefined targets. While initial trial yielded mixed results, improvements observed subsequent trial, featuring enhancements pod design. The median achieved was 1.91 m from target ( n = 63), with no statistically difference between open forested p 0.76). This advanced permits placement pods any location, facilitating within complex landscapes, challenging terrain, dense vegetation. With its smart functionality adaptability, this can be utilised various autopilot ensure maximum efficiency delivering operations. Therefore, tool possesses tremendous potential managing mammalian particularly specialised environments reserves, gullies, islands, complementing existing strategies expedite restoration ecosystems safeguard

Language: Английский

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Wildlife monitoring with drones: A survey of end users

Wildlife Society Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 48(3)

Published: June 24, 2024

Abstract Rapid advancements in technology often yield research inquiry into novel applications and drone (i.e., unoccupied aircraft systems or UAS) wildlife management are no exception. We questioned the time lag between drone‐related end‐user assessments. implemented an online, cross‐sectional survey of professionals to better understand current use benefits concerns, complemented by a review contemporary peer‐reviewed gray literature. found little disparity scientific experiences similar trends among concerns published literature results). Exploring new computer vision) refining original evaluating animal behavior responses during monitoring) were strong pilots relatively minimal experience (1–5 years). Advancements changes legislation will continue offer challenges.

Language: Английский

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Monitoring GPS‐collared moose by ground versus drone approaches: efficiency and disturbance effects

Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 5, 2024

Efficient wildlife management requires precise monitoring methods, for example to estimate population density, reproductive success, and survival. Here, we compared the efficiency of drone (equipped with a RGB camera) ground approaches detect observe GPS‐collared female moose Alces alces their calves. We also quantified how (n = 42) 41) affected behavior space use 24 individuals). The average time used was 17 min 97 approaches, detection probability being higher (95% adult 88% calves) (78% females 82% calves). Drone success increased at lower altitudes (50–70 m). Adult left site in 35% (with > 40% those becoming disturbed once hovered < 50 m above ground) 56% approaches. failed find short‐term effects (3 h after approaches) on use, but moved fourfold greater distances larger areas (compared before had started). Similarly, longer‐term (24 did not differ between days without known disturbance, comparatively during In conclusion, could show that were highly efficient calves boreal forest, faster less disturbing than making them useful tool monitor study wildlife.

Language: Английский

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Koalas showed limited behavioural response and no physiological response to drones

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 264, P. 105963 - 105963

Published: May 18, 2023

Drones have become a popular conservation tool especially when monitoring cryptic species or inhabiting locations difficult to access. We developed non-invasive methodology measure heart rate in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) using Fitbit and investigated the behavioural (vigilance behaviour) physiological (heart breathing rate) responses of captive drones. showed for first time that values can be accurately obtained with Fitbit. Koalas responded drone flight conducted 15 m above their heads short-term increase vigilance, but no change rate. Our results suggest drones may not long-term detrimental effects on koalas' fitness energy demands adds growing literature investigating animals' help develop best practices monitoring.

Language: Английский

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A low-cost UAV survey can unravel Baird's Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) trail network dynamics in a neotropical highland forest

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 82, P. 102764 - 102764

Published: Aug. 10, 2024

UAV technology has transformed spatial data collection and high-spatial resolution analysis of diverse environments around the world. Its role within geosciences, ecology, engineering, other sciences been increasing withing last decade. In ecological geomorphological aspects, it offers a powerful tool for studying landforms, surface processes, vegetation, animal behavior globally. Our study employs high-resolution surveys to analyze Tapirus bairdii trail networks their connection landscape in Costa Rican highland paramo-forest national park. Using DJI Phantom 4 V.2 UAV, we conducted photogrammetric flight over 3.19 ha, producing datasets with 2.99 cm/pixel. These facilitated geostatistical trails, revealing complexity hotspots near lagoons. We investigated lagoon characteristics, finding that finer sediments spatially correspond higher activity. This suggests sediment types lagoons influence navigation, impacting network composition. findings highlight technology's advancing research protected areas, providing insights into ecosystems. Overall, date this is first survey these tropical environments.

Language: Английский

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ADD-YOLO: An algorithm for detecting animals in outdoor environments based on unmanned aerial imagery

Measurement, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 242, P. 116019 - 116019

Published: Oct. 30, 2024

Language: Английский

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