Getting A Bird’s Eye View: How Drones Are Transforming Wildlife Conservation
Drones have become one of the most effective tools for wildlife conservation, offering hope for the survival of endangered species around the globe. From counting penguins to protecting rhinos, the possibilities are endless—and vital.
In the ever-evolving fight to protect endangered wildlife, a new kind of hero has taken to the skies: drones. These flying machines, once seen only as toys or military tools, are now revolutionizing how we study, track, and safeguard vulnerable species. Whether they’re collecting mucus samples from whales or tracking elusive monkeys in the dense forests of Brazil, drones have become a powerful ally in the global effort to preserve biodiversity. As human threats to wildlife grow, so too does the need for innovative solutions, and drones are at the forefront of this technological evolution.
SnotBot: Collecting Whales’ DNA From the Sky
One of the most extraordinary examples of drone technology is SnotBot, a device that has redefined how scientists study whales. Marine biologist Andy Rogan, part of the Ocean Alliance, has spent years researching these majestic creatures, but the introduction of SnotBot has changed the game. During a recent expedition near the Azores, Rogan and his team deployed the drone to collect valuable DNA from the blow of a sei whale—a rare species that Rogan had never seen in person. As the whale expelled a cloud of misty snot into the air, SnotBot flew through the plume, collecting mucus in a petri dish.
This mucus, also known as whale blow, contains DNA that allows scientists to learn about the health and genetic makeup of whale populations. In the past, gathering such information required invasive techniques or dangerous boat maneuvers, but drones like SnotBot have made it a seamless and non-intrusive process. “Drones have allowed us to get a clearer understanding of how whales swim, how they behave, and how many travel in a group,” says Rogan. It’s not just about DNA—SnotBot is also equipped with a camera, giving researchers a bird’s-eye view of whale behavior that would otherwise be impossible to observe.
Global Conservation: From Monkeys to Penguins
Beyond whale research, drones are playing a critical role in conservation efforts across the globe. In Brazil, ecologist Fabiano Melo uses a drone nicknamed “Dronequi” to track the critically endangered Northern muriqui monkey. These peaceful, flower-eating monkeys live high in the canopy of Brazil’s tropical forests, making them notoriously difficult to study. However, Dronequi’s thermal camera detects the monkeys’ body heat, allowing Melo’s team to locate them even in dense foliage. In 2020, the drone helped discover a previously unknown group of 15 muriquis, a discovery that Melo describes as a career-defining moment. “When we find a new group, I go crazy. I scream a lot. I have tears in my eyes,” he says, as each new discovery brings hope for the survival of the species.
Meanwhile, in the Falkland Islands, drones are being used to monitor colonies of black-browed albatrosses and southern rockhopper penguins. In the past, conservationists could only afford to manually count these bird populations once every five to ten years due to the high cost and time involved. Now, drones and artificial intelligence (AI) models developed by researchers like Madeline Hayes are providing more frequent and accurate counts. By training an AI to recognize these birds from drone images, Hayes has made it possible to monitor populations remotely, with results that are 90 percent as accurate as human counts. This technology is especially crucial for species like the southern rockhopper penguin, whose populations are vulnerable due to climate change and overfishing.
Fighting Poachers with AI and Drones
Drones aren’t just helping scientists observe animals—they’re also a key tool in the fight against poaching. In East Africa, researchers are combining drones with AI to protect endangered species like rhinos and elephants. Drones equipped with cameras fly over wildlife reserves, scanning for signs of illegal poaching activity. The AI system, known as Conservation AI, analyzes the footage and flags potential threats, such as people or vehicles, allowing rangers to intervene before poachers strike.
Though the AI is still in development, it has already shown promising results. In a study where students pretended to be poachers, the AI identified individuals that human rangers missed. While there’s still work to be done to reduce false positives—such as misidentifying shadows as threats—researchers believe that drones equipped with AI will soon become a critical part of wildlife protection.
However, Serge Wich, one of the founders of Conservation AI, warns that technology alone can’t end poaching. “The real solution is to make it impossible to sell endangered-animal parts,” he says, adding that offering alternative livelihoods to poachers is just as important. Even the most advanced technology must be supported by strong policies and economic solutions to truly protect endangered species.
Overcoming Barriers in Conservation Technology
While drones have the potential to revolutionize wildlife conservation, there are still significant barriers to their widespread use. Many endangered species live in remote areas with limited or no internet access, making it difficult to upload and analyze drone footage in real time. Additionally, conservation organizations in low-income regions often lack the funding to invest in drones and the related technology.
Still, conservationists like Rogan and Wich are optimistic about the future. They believe that as drone technology becomes more affordable and accessible, it will enable more scientists and activists around the world to contribute to wildlife conservation. Rogan’s team recently published a paper outlining how to use drones for whale research, with the hope that others will adopt similar methods.
As Serge Wich puts it, “Tech needs to be accessible for everyone.” The future of conservation depends on ensuring that these life-saving technologies are available to protect animals everywhere, regardless of geography or economic constraints. Drones have opened a new frontier in the fight to preserve wildlife, and with continued innovation and collaboration, we may yet turn the tide in the struggle against extinction.