A drone, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, is an aircraft that functions without a human pilot on board.
Instead, it is operated remotely by a human operator, or autonomously by onboard computers and sensors. Drones exist in various sizes and configurations, ranging from small consumer versions to big, complex systems used for military or industrial applications. The recreational use of drones for things like photography has become more popular, but drones have also become a popular tool within conservation strategies where they can assist with things like ecological planning, habitat or species monitoring and even anti-poaching efforts.
These are some of the advantages of using drones in conservation areas:
- Because of their cameras and thermal imaging capabilities, drones can assist field rangers in detecting poaching activity and providing real-time monitoring of protected regions. This aerial surveillance can cover vast and difficult terrain that is otherwise challenging to patrol, increasing the effectiveness of anti-poaching measures.
- Drones give vital information about damaged areas during natural catastrophes, facilitating quick assessment and response. They aid in assessing habitat damage and more effectively organizing recovery activities.
- Drones are an efficient way to cover huge distances quickly and obtain high-quality photographs and videos which can be used to gather important information about wildlife numbers, habitat conditions and environmental changes. This can also assist with fire protection or fire monitoring.
- Drones can assist with the tracking and monitoring of specific species, animals or even humans within conservation areas, for example: tracking a snared or injured animal for treatment, trailing a darted animal in a dense area, or following illegal human activity from the air, all to maximise success and efficiency, as well as to guide ground teams in safely.
- In terms of safety, drones can severely diminish the risk factors within the scope of field operations, particularly in terms of anti-poaching and dangerous animal encounters. This might be in terms of simply detecting dangerous game in the vicinity of a field operation in advance, or even to minimise the chances of “surprise” attacks or ambushes set for field rangers - ideally alerting the teams on the ground well in advance, and allowing the teams the opportunity to change tactics, stay safe and be guided in safely and effectively.
- Drones can be used in versatile ways and have many uses simultaneously, more so than ground teams. A drone can simultaneously monitor for illegal human activity while also monitoring field and ecological conditions, for example, and can be diverted incredibly quickly to a new task/objective as soon as necessary. This lessens the reaction time to any event or incident, as a drone is not restricted in the same ways a ground team is.
- In terms of safety and search-and-rescue operations, drones can be used to both locate and track people easily, and then be used to guide ground teams in safely or even relay messages in emergency situations, which could include life-saving first aid instructions, important logistical or safety information, or even deliver emergency supplies much faster than a ground team could react or reach the area.
When used safely, ethically and responsibly, drones could provide a modern, efficient and fast way to add positively to conservation efforts. They could also potentially make the difference between life and death, whether human or animal.
As much as drones may be useful, there are, however, some disadvantages of using drones in conservation areas. These are some of them:
- Registered drones that are used by staff can be intercepted and/or hacked and used to track endangered animals to report back to poaching syndicates. This is one of the reasons the use of drones is limited within the UPNR. It is one of our mitigation tools for protecting our species of high conservation concern.
- Drones can be used for illicit purposes like poaching (which is applicable in the UPNR). In order to prevent unforeseen negative effects, it is imperative to ensure drones are operated responsibly and ethically, with the correct approvals and licencing.
- Drones can cause stress to wildlife, especially to species that are easily startled. When drones are flying close by, birds and other animals may change their behaviour or abandon their nests, which could have an adverse effect on their ability to survive and procreate.
- Drones can infringe on the privacy of people and may detract from their experience.
- Uncontrolled use of drones can create a safety risk for manned aircraft operating in the area.
- Outside of the general safety and security risks, drones and the appropriate licencing are costly to obtain, and as such may be difficult to acquire within the field of conservation.
There are many more advantages and disadvantages when it comes to drone use within conservation, and there are varying opinions on whether it is safe to use drones in the field for the above-mentioned reasons. That being said, there is undoubtedly value in considering them for conservation efforts and particularly for safety in the field - it is now a matter of opening the discussion and finding ways to move forward safely and ethically with the use of drones.
It is important to note that to operate a drone, the pilot must be South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) approved, with a valid remote pilot licence, and must have approval to fly in that particular area. All regulations and restrictions must be adhered to when operating a drone, and additional approval is required to operate a drone in any conservation/protected area. The regulations regarding the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems falls under Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2009.
Overall, we feel that drones can represent a valuable asset in conservation efforts, offering innovative solutions for monitoring, protection, and restoration. However, their use must be carefully managed to mitigate potential negative effects on wildlife, privacy, and ethical considerations. Please feel free to let us know what you think about the use of drones within conservation, we’d love to hear your opinion!
by Lesedi Leope and Nonkululeko Makobong, Conservation Interns for 2024. Image courtesy of Dile Seitz.