Marine mammals, often regarded as the sentinels of the sea, provide crucial insights into the health of ocean ecosystems. When dolphins and whales exhibit signs of stress or illness, it often indicates underlying issues within the marine environment. However, assessing the health of these creatures is notoriously challenging due to their aquatic lifestyle and vast migratory patterns.
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Thermal Biology, researchers have demonstrated a promising solution: drone-mounted thermal cameras. These devices can remotely monitor dolphins’ vital signs, such as skin temperature and breathing patterns, offering a non-invasive method to assess their health.
Innovative Approach to Wildlife Monitoring
Traditionally, scientists have relied on hands-on techniques to evaluate the health of marine mammals. This often involves capturing the animals to attach tagging devices or take direct measurements. While effective, these methods are invasive, costly, and can disrupt the animals’ natural behaviors and physiology, introducing stress that complicates data interpretation.
The introduction of drones equipped with thermal cameras represents a significant advancement. These cameras detect heat emitted from surfaces, allowing researchers to measure temperature patterns remotely. When mounted on drones, they can capture this data from above, enabling dolphins to remain undisturbed in their natural habitat.
Testing the Efficacy of Thermal Drones
The study involved 14 adult common bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Beach, Sea World on the Gold Coast, Australia. Researchers tested the drones under various conditions to simulate real-world monitoring scenarios. By comparing drone-collected data with close-range reference measurements, the study assessed the accuracy and reliability of this innovative approach.
Measurements collected at lower altitudes, particularly about ten meters directly above the dolphin, consistently produced the most accurate results.
The findings revealed that flight height and camera angle significantly influenced measurement accuracy. Lower altitudes yielded results closely matching reference data, while higher altitudes showed a slight decline in precision. Nevertheless, temperature estimates remained within approximately 1°C of the reference measurements, demonstrating the method’s potential.
Implications for Conservation Efforts
The ability to accurately measure dolphins’ surface temperature and breathing rate using thermal drones marks a practical advancement in wildlife monitoring. Previously, such measurements required researchers to be in close proximity to the animals, often necessitating capture or physical handling. This limitation restricted the frequency and scope of data collection.
Thermal drones offer a means to routinely gather vital health information without disturbing the dolphins. This capability enhances researchers’ ability to detect physiological changes and investigate how dolphin health fluctuates over time in response to environmental conditions.
As coastal ecosystems face growing pressure, tools such as thermal drones that allow researchers to monitor wildlife efficiently, repeatedly, and non-invasively will become increasingly important.
Expanding the Conservation Toolbox
While the study focused on dolphins under human care, the same approach could be applied to free-ranging dolphins and other marine mammals. This method is particularly valuable for species where close-range monitoring of vital signs is challenging.
As marine environments face increasing threats, the development of non-invasive monitoring tools is crucial. Thermal drones represent a practical addition to the conservation toolbox, aiding in the understanding and protection of dolphins and other marine life in a rapidly changing ocean.
The researchers acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Andrew Colefax and the Sea World, Gold Coast team for their support and in-kind contributions.
Courtesy of The Conversation. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style, and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).
