Wildlife & Game Monitoring
Drones for Wildlife and Game Management
Wildlife conservation and game management present unique challenges, including poaching, habitat degradation, and the need for precise population monitoring. Traditional methods often require significant manpower, time, and financial resources while still posing risks to both researchers and animals. As conservation efforts evolve, technology is playing an increasingly vital role in improving monitoring and protection strategies.
Nextech’s drones for wildlife monitoring provide an efficient, non-invasive solution for tracking animal populations, surveying ecosystems, and ensuring the safety of protected areas. These advanced UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) offer high-resolution imaging, real-time data transmission, and extended flight times, making them invaluable tools for conservationists, researchers, and game reserve managers.
PROTECTION AGAINST POACHING
WILDLIFE HEALTH MONITORING
LOW NOISE IMPACT DOESN’T DISRUPT ANIMALS
The Importance of Drones in Wildlife and Game Management
Drones provide a non-intrusive and effective method for wildlife monitoring. With UAV wildlife monitoring, researchers can observe and track animals without disrupting their natural behaviors. Rhino poaching numbers have escalated in recent years as the demand for rhino horn in China and Vietnam continues, and various methods have been tried in a bid to combat poaching. Hidden cameras, GPS tracking, satellite imagery, predictive analysis, and hidden cameras have all been used by gamekeepers, but the method that consistently has the best results is the use of drones. The ability to capture real-time data enhances decision-making in conservation efforts. Drones for wildlife conservation offer safer and more accurate surveillance, reducing the risks associated with manual tracking and aerial surveys.
Key Features of Nextech Drones for Wildlife and Game Applications
High-Resolution and Thermal Imaging – Drones equipped with advanced imaging sensors can track animal populations, detect poachers, and monitor nocturnal wildlife.
Silent Operation – Unlike helicopters or manned aircraft, drones have a low noise footprint, minimizing disturbance to wildlife.
Real-Time Data Transmission – Instant aerial insights allow conservationists and game reserve managers to respond to threats or changes promptly.
Long Flight Time & Extended Range – Drones can cover large conservation areas, reducing the need for manual patrols.
Durability for Harsh Environments – Nextech’s drones are designed for rugged terrains and extreme weather conditions, ensuring reliability in the field.
Applications in Wildlife and Game Management
Anti-Poaching Patrols
Drones for wildlife management are vital in anti-poaching efforts. They provide real-time surveillance over vast reserves, enabling authorities to detect illegal activities and respond quickly.
Wildlife Monitoring
Using UAV for wildlife monitoring allows conservationists to track migration patterns, estimate population sizes, and analyze habitat changes without interfering with the ecosystem.
Habitat Mapping
Drones assist in assessing vegetation health, monitoring deforestation, and mapping landscapes, offering useful data for habitat preservation.
Research and Data Collection
Scientists and researchers benefit from drone wildlife monitoring by obtaining precise aerial imagery and environmental data, aiding in long-term conservation projects.
Emergency Response
Drones for livestock management and wildlife conservation can also assist in search and rescue missions, locating injured animals or missing persons in vast, difficult-to-navigate terrains.
Non-invasive wildlife monitoring
AI & drones
Traditionally collaring was the major technique for monitoring wildlife. But tranquilizing the wildlife and fitting a radio-enhanced collar around their neck has been found to be very invasive, some cases (eg., rhinos) interfering with their breeding cycle, which directly contradicts the intention of wildlife conservation.
This technique has been very common to track animals and their day-to-day, season-to-season habits, but suffers from disruptions in the population from this seemingly minor human intervention.
It was found that indigenous trackers were able to establish information about the species, weight, and sex from animal tracks without ever laying eyes on the animals.
As is the case with many AI (Artificial Intelligence) applications where ML (Machine Learning) is applied to ‘learn’ how humans would perform certain operations, some innovative companies have developed a FIT (footprint identification technique) and software that can use these trackers’ techniques programming it into an AI application that would non-invasively tracking any animal population (or even humans).
The evolution of the technique is now being expedited by building an AI-enhanced drone to track footprints and generate information about the animals using drones.
This use case is being further extended by using it to track humans to help park rangers stop animal poaching and illicit trafficking of rhino horns and elephant tusks.
In Namibia, rhinos are monitored; in Portugal, researchers are watching Eurasian otters. In Nepal, tigers are being tracked, while researchers in China are no longer combing through panda feces to track them and Texas researchers are tracking mountain lions with this same FIT technique.
It is common knowledge that AI is dependent on large amounts of data and the FIT data pool is constantly being expanded by involving the public to submit footprint images.
Atlas-T is engineered for covert operations and subtle reconnaissance. Its signature feature emphasizes low visibility and a discreet acoustic signature, making this drone perfect for anti-poaching missions, as well as animal monitoring without disrupting and alarming the animal.
Benefits of Using Nextech Drones in Wildlife and Game
Non-Intrusive Monitoring – UAV wildlife monitoring minimizes human intervention, reducing stress on animals.
Increased Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness – Drones provide faster and more economical alternatives to traditional ground and aerial surveys.
Enhanced Data Accuracy – High-quality imaging and analytics improve conservation strategies.
Improved Safety for Rangers and Researchers – Reducing the need for on-foot patrols in dangerous areas ensures human safety.
Why Choose Nextech Drones
Nextech’s drones for wildlife conservation integrate state-of-the-art technology with practical applications, providing reliable and efficient solutions for conservationists and game reserve managers. With a commitment to wildlife protection and sustainable game management, Nextech supports global efforts in preserving ecosystems and ensuring the well-being of animal populations.
Learn more about Nextech’s innovative UAV solutions:
Invest in technology that enhances conservation efforts while ensuring the safety and well-being of wildlife and those dedicated to protecting them.
