Marwell Wildlife is taking to the skies with drones to boost its efforts to protect endangered species. Located near Winchester, this Hampshire zoo has partnered with the University of Southampton since 2021 to develop cutting-edge technology aimed at monitoring wildlife without disturbing their natural habits.
The collaboration focuses on utilizing uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to efficiently identify and assess endangered animals. By implementing advanced tools like thermal imaging and artificial intelligence, the project anticipates the ability to distinguish individual animals from aerial views. For example, each zebra possesses unique stripe patterns—akin to human fingerprints—that can be used to identify them from above.
Professor Philip Riordan, the director of conservation at Marwell Wildlife, emphasized the transformative potential of existing technologies for wildlife conservation, stating, "The potential applications of existing technologies for wildlife conservation are huge and largely untapped." His hope is for their project to encourage innovation and facilitate conservation efforts worldwide.
During several testing phases, including two trials conducted at Marwell Zoo itself, drones demonstrated remarkable capabilities. One of the standout instances involved capturing detailed images from 120 meters high, allowing observers to see the veins on a zebra's ear—a level of detail previously unattainable. The shadows cast by animals will also aid conservationists; for example, though scimitar-horned oryx may appear similar from above, their shadow outlines can reveal distinguishing features like horns.
The focus of the drones will soon shift to fieldwork, with deployments planned for 2025 across diverse environments. Initial efforts will be directed at monitoring snow leopards and various ungulate species situated at Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan, as well as Grevy's zebra populations alongside Kenyan wildlife authorities.
Crucially, the project underlines the importance of developing affordable and accessible UAV platforms for conservationists globally, with Marwell Wildlife pointing out the need for technology to adapt to meet diverse conservation demands. Innovations from the upcoming trials will set the groundwork for effective wildlife monitoring strategies.
Next year marks the first deployment of UAVs outside the UK, with plans for them to operate directly with established organizations such as the Grevy's Zebra Trust and Kenya Wildlife Service, bringing hope and excitement for future wildlife preservation initiatives.
The ultimate vision is clear: establish non-invasive, cost-effective solutions for the conservation of endangered species across the globe. Through these high-tech tools, Marwell Wildlife aspires to make significant strides toward wildlife protection, allowing humans to safeguard animal well-being with minimal disruption.
