MRI Whale Unit Research: Drones Revolutionise Whale Conservation
The MRI whale unit research partnership between the Endangered Wildlife Trust and University of Pretoria is transforming how we study Southern Right Whales. Using cutting-edge drone technology, researchers can now assess whale body conditions and behaviour patterns in a cost-effective, non-invasive manner – critical for understanding climate change impacts on marine ecosystems.
Drone Technology Breakthroughs
The EWT’s licensed drone operations (SACAA-approved since 2020) are enabling groundbreaking conservation work:
- Power line safety:Â Attaching bird flight diverters
- Wildlife monitoring: Thermal imaging for nocturnal animal counts
- Marine research: Photogrammetry of whale populations
Southern Right Whale Research
The unit employs specialised drones to:
- Capture high-resolution aerial images
- Measure body condition indices (BCI)
- Track individual whales over time
- Compare populations across South Africa, Australia and Argentina
“Drone technology has revolutionised our research,” says Dr Els Vermeulen, MRI Whale Unit Research Manager. “We can now track body condition variations annually and observe behaviours invisible from boats.”
Climate Change Connections
The research highlights worrying trends:
- Krill populations (whales’ main food) affected by ocean warming
- Declining body conditions may indicate ecosystem stress
- Long-term data crucial for conservation planning
How to Get Involved
- Attend the Drone Users Conference (29 Nov-1 Dec 2021)
- Support the Adopt a Whale programme
- Learn about EWT’s conservation technology work
Contact Lourens Leeuwner ([email protected]) for drone operation enquiries