Revolutionary Thermal Drone Unveils Camouflaged Seals on an Irish Island

On the island of Calf of Man, gray seals can now be observed thanks to a revolutionary new thermal drone.

New drone used to spot seals on Irish island

On the island of Calf of Man, located in the Irish Sea, an innovative thermal drone was used for the first time to observe gray seals, known to be well camouflaged by rocks. This drone, as its name suggests, allows you to identify all things that emit heat, as is the case for animals.

Manx Wildlife Trust Marine Manager Lara Howe said this new thermal imaging drone, acquired through financial support from various local groups and organisations, “facilitates the identification of seals and the collection of additional data”. The use of this gadget was beneficial as a total of 98 seal pups were recorded and monitored over the course of the 10-week survey, the highest number since recordings began in 2009.

Gray seals, a complex species to study

Calf of Man gray seals have always been difficult to observe due to the fact that they are very sensitive to human presence which can disturb them and modify their activities and behavior. This is the case, for example, during breeding seasons when seals can abandon their pups.

Their skin is also an element that justifies the complexity of studying them. Their gray and speckled coloring allows them to blend into the rocks of the island to avoid being spotted by humans. An asset for this species threatened by involuntary catches and poaching.

Technology at the service of animal studies

The use of the thermal drone is not the first time that a technological tool has been used for studies and research. For example, there is the “camera trap”, a device that allows you to take photographs of living beings without the need for human presence. This allows you to be as discreet as possible so that the animal observed does not escape when the photo is taken.

There is also the use of robotics. “Slothbot”, a robot inspired by the sloth, was designed in the United States to study and monitor animals, plants and the environment in which it finds itself by moving slowly from tree to tree. All these technological innovations are essential for researchers, who believe that to have better results, human activity must be limited as much as possible in the habitats studied.

Source: BBC