Wildlife Drones

The Problem

Understanding animal movements is critical for the conservation of threatened species. However, our knowledge of animal movements globally is significantly biased towards larger animals that can carry large satellite and GPS tags. For the remaining 70% of wildlife that are too small to carry such tags, we know very little about their movements, and are largely dependent on tracking their movements manually using very high frequency (VHF) radio tags. Given these VHF radio tags are low-cost, long-lasting, and lightweight, they are used in over 100 countries to track small animals. However, the current process for collecting radio-tracking data is a laborious and time-consuming process. In order to maximise the chances of detecting a tag, conservation researchers and land managers often go to extreme lengths to gain height in order to get within line of sight of the tags emitting the radio-signals. This is challenging within most environments given both landscape features and vegetation can deflect or reduce the strength of the signal. In rugged and remote landscapes such techniques are difficult and dangerous; therefore movements of many species within these landscapes remain largely unknown or understudied. Consequently, the most effective conservation management strategies for many species remain largely unknown. This poses significant conservation challenges, especially in our rapidly changing world where adaptive management is essential for the survival of many species.

Our Proposal

Wildlife Drones aims to revolutionize the animal radio-tracking industry by dramatically improving the quality and quantity of radio-tracking data that can be collected. Our project involves the development of an innovative tool with unprecedented capacity to radio-track animals from the air. It can track up to a hundred animals simultaneously from a drone instead of manually tracking one at a time from on the ground. This data can then be used to better understand both threatened and invasive species, providing a sound basis for improved conservation management. Our innovative radio-tracking system can be attached to an off-the-shelf drone and relays radio-signal information to a user-friendly base station laptop. When launched, the drone creates an immediate highpoint which maximizes our system’s ability to detect radio-signals from tagged animals. As the drone flies around the study site, radio-signal data is sent back to a base-station where it is analyzed and displayed in real time. This includes mapping the estimated locations of each tagged animal on high-resolution satellite maps. Given our system works offline it can be used in the most remote and inaccessible corners of the globe. By using our system, conservation managers and researchers can complete more than an entire day’s work within a few hours. More importantly, our system is efficient, cost-effective, and provides field workers with safe access to rugged and remote areas.

We Assume that...

1. We can use our system within a diversity of natural environments

2. Conservation researchers and land managers are willing to embrace new technology

3. Our solution will provide value given the huge time and effort saved

4. Conservation researchers and land managers are willing to learn how to fly drones

5. There is a need to collect higher quality and quantity radio-tracking data than is currently possible

6. By tracking from the air with a drone we can overcome many of the limitations when tracking manually from the ground

7. Our solution will change the way people radio-track for the better

8. Our system will be an affordable and accessible tool

Constraints to Overcome

There are currently three major constraints when manually radio-tracking. Firstly, there is the issue of gaining enough height to detect radio tag signals. Secondly, there is the issue of being able to collect enough data to provide meaningful results, given how time consuming, and labour intensive radio-tracking is. Thirdly, a major issue occurs whenever an animal's signal is lost, requiring extensive time and effort to search large landscapes. We’ve directly resolved these barriers with our radio-tracking drone system that creates an immediate highpoint when launched. The system can rapidly search large, rugged and remote areas, as well as process, analyse and map data on up to 100 animals in real time. This eliminates the need for users to climb to higher ground or use expensive aircraft when radio-tracking, and reduces the risk of losing track of tagged animals which is one of the biggest challenges faced by people manually radio-tracking.

Current Work

Currently, our team is actively working towards improving our system’s capabilities in preparation for delivering to our early adopter customers later this year. Our primary tasks include improving the communication between our radio-receiver payload and drone, and enhancing our antenna to improve radio-signal detection distances. We are also working on refining our signal processing code to optimize its ability to determine radio-tag locations. We plan to test our system’s ability to track various types of tags for a range of different species and within a range of different environmental conditions and landscapes. On top of this, we are exploring the integration of third party sensors with our system. Furthermore, we are also focusing on improving the user experience by developing resources such as a user manual and instructional videos.

Current Needs

Over the next 6 months, we anticipate that our project will require additional team members with unique skills to achieve our ultimate goal of delivering a fully-functional system to our customers. Future team members include hiring a technical integration and delivery manager to oversee the integration of our radio-receiver and drone technology, an industrial designer to miniaturize and design the housing for our radio-receiver, salespeople for acquiring new customers and a market researcher to explore our system’s viability in the agricultural and livestock industry. Our project will also need to undergo manufacturing compliance testing to ensure it meets international regulations. Furthermore, our team will need to commence the manufacturing process and prepare to scale up the production of our system. As international interest grows, we are also looking to build an international drone pilot partner network that our customers can use to assist on projects.