Attenuation of Responses of Waterbirds to Repeat Drone Surveys Involving a Sequence of Altitudes and Drone Types: A Case Study

Drones, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(8), P. 497 - 497

Published: July 28, 2023

Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS, or ‘drones’ hereafter) have potential for surveying waterbird species and habitats, but there is a risk that the disturbance from drones could compromise count accuracy bird welfare. We examined response of 16 to repeated up-and-back overhead drone flights (n = 50 flights) at multiple flight heights (80, 60, 40 20 m) using three common platforms (DJI Matrice 300, DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced Phantom 4). A ground observer scored species’ responses flights, which ranged no (no change initial behavior), vigilance (head turning tracking), movement within site (swimming, diving, into on water) substantial resulting in departure pond (fleeing). total 280 encounters with were observed. The most across all was (70.7%), followed by (27.5%), whereas more intense comparatively rare (1.8%). higher intensity during earlier before moderating substantially later flights. Thus, our case study provides first unambiguous evidence attenuation drones.

Language: Английский

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Sociability strongly affects the behavioural responses of wild guanacos to drones

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Oct. 22, 2021

Abstract Drones are being increasingly used in research and recreation but without an adequate assessment of their potential impacts on wildlife. Particularly, the effect sociability behavioural responses to drone-associated disturbance remains largely unknown. Using ungulate with complex social behaviour, we (1) assessed how aggregation offspring presence, along flight plan characteristics, influence probability reaction distance wild guanacos ( Lama guanicoe ) drone's approach, (2) estimated thresholds heights that minimise disturbance. Sociability significantly affected responses. Large groups showed higher greater distances than smaller solitary individuals, regardless presence offspring. This suggests detection abilities large groups, cannot rule out other features inherent each unit (e.g., territoriality) might be working simultaneously. Low increased reaction, although drone speed was less clear. Reaction ranged from 154 m (solitary individuals) 344 (mixed groups), revealing responsiveness this guanaco population is most dramatic reported so far for a species.

Language: Английский

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Mitigation and management plans should consider all anthropogenic disturbances to fauna

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 26, P. e01500 - e01500

Published: Feb. 21, 2021

The direct impacts of anthropogenic habitat loss on fauna have attracted considerable global research focus. However, it is not only these overt human activities that are contributing to the biodiversity crisis. Other disturbances, such as artificial light, anthropogenically generated noise, dust, vibrations, and physical visual disturbances (e.g., foreign objects Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - UAVs) may be subtle or indirect, yet capable creating significant fauna. These previously been termed 'enigmatic impacts', suggesting they difficult quantify address. While there has little focus towards mitigation remediation in conservation restoration planning, a growing body literature demonstrates can disruptive damaging animal populations at multiple spatial temporal scales. Here, we present review empirical evidence for (excluding loss) result from activities, developments, industries, which deleterious natural ecology species communities. Although vibrations focus, created by clearly causing disruptions adverse Understanding how impact critical returning functional biodiverse communities landscapes environments impacted degraded activities.

Language: Английский

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The behavioral responses of a nocturnal burrowing marsupial (Lasiorhinus latifrons) to drone flight

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(17), P. 12173 - 12181

Published: Aug. 1, 2021

Abstract The use of drones in wildlife research and management is increasing. Recent evidence has demonstrated the impact on animal behavior, but response nocturnal animals to drone flight remains unknown. Utilizing a lightweight commercial drone, behavioral southern hairy‐nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) flights was observed at Kooloola Station, Swan Reach, South Australia. All flown over during both day night responded behaviorally presence drones. differed based time day. most common night‐time behavior elicited by retreat, compared stationary alertness for daytime flights. increased as altitude decreased. marked difference between indicates that this implications studies using altered due therefore, shrewd study design important (i.e., acclimation period flight). Considering sensory adaptations target species how may its when flying essential.

Language: Английский

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Eye in the sky: observing wild dingo hunting behaviour using drones

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 50(3), P. 212 - 223

Published: Dec. 16, 2022

Context The behaviours used by mammalian predators to track, kill, and consume prey are some of the most dynamic interspecific interactions in nature. However, they often challenging follow through landscape observe directly without disturbing animals being watched. Aims We describe wild dingoes while hunting macropods Namadgi National Park, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Methods Footage was initially captured wildlife cinematographers on behalf documentary programs made available for viewing after production. Hunting events were filmed from an altitude >50 m using a ‘long lens’ fitted either drone or helicopter. Results recorded suite that would have been extremely ground via traditional methods. This includes first video records published scientific literature hunt kill macropod prey, as well rare observations mother pup dynamics. did not any signs disturbance result filming predator prey. Conclusions varied repertoire predatory displayed is similar documented wolves asserts them behaviourally complex top landscape. In addition, we highlight use drones valuable approach observing behaviours. They offer minimally invasive relatively inexpensive accessible alternative helicopters. project also case study exemplifying value collaborations between filmmakers researchers enable sharing archival footage animal behaviour. Implications Future studies behaviour should consider employing (at safe distance accordance with best practices guidelines) additional tool collect types data be other

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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A preliminary study of the physiological and behavioral response of beef cattle to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 241, P. 105355 - 105355

Published: May 21, 2021

Language: Английский

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Individual Animal and Herd Identification Using Custom YOLO v3 and v4 with Images Taken from a UAV Camera at Different Altitudes

2021 IEEE 6th International Conference on Signal and Image Processing (ICSIP), Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 33 - 39

Published: Oct. 22, 2021

In this study, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) captures images of wild animals at different altitudes in order to compare the individual and herd identification capabilities custom YOLO v3 v4 models. Previous studies showed that UAVs can disturb certain altitude, such it is necessary maintain altitude does not them. However, as UAV increases, captured lose features critical classification. We investigate accuracy v4, especially from acceptable minimum higher. studied eight classes African animals, namely, giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis), white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum), wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus), zebras (Equus quagga). As increased, some image are lost resulting a model detection low 68.86%. The customised has 51.70 FPS outperforming by increased speed 13.7%.

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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Feral Horses and Bison at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota, United States) Exhibit Shifts in Behaviors during Drone Flights

Drones, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 6(6), P. 136 - 136

Published: May 25, 2022

Drone use has been rapidly increasing in protected areas North America, and potential impacts on terrestrial megafauna have largely unstudied. We evaluated behavioral responses to drones two charismatic species, feral horse (Equus caballus) bison (Bison bison), at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota, United States) 2018. Using a Trimble UX5 fixed-wing drone, we performed flights 120 m above ground level (AGL), one for each recorded video footage of their behaviors prior to, during, after the flight. Video was analyzed periods 10 s intervals, occurrence behavior modeled relation phase (prior, after). Both species displayed presence drone. Horses increased feeding (p-value < 0.05), traveling vigilance 0.05) behaviors, decreased resting grooming 0.05). Bison Neither escape behaviors. Flying AGL, drone might perceived as low risk, which could possibly explain absence both species. While did not test physiological responses, our observations suggest that altitude tested elicit observed surveys or traditional low-level aerial surveys. Our results provide new insights guidelines about conservation areas, such horses with levels disturbance, further recommend development situ centered place-based knowledge, besides existing standardized guidelines.

Language: Английский

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