Koala drones lead new enviro era
Thermal drones flying in the night sky to detect creatures hiding amongst the tree canopy is no longer just something seen at the movies.
Drones are now leading the way in a new era of conservation, as modern technology is used in the City of Logan to assist with conservation efforts.
Several of the region’s most significant wildlife species were the focus of a thermal drone survey taken over 4 nights at one of the city’s largest reserves in Greenbank.
The nightly drone flights during May detected koalas, greater gliders, and captured images of other native wildlife in the area to support Logan City Council’s conservation efforts.
Other creatures included sugar and squirrel gliders, feathertail gliders, birds, and brushtail and ringtail possums.
The wildlife sightings were recorded on a 212-hectare property within Spring Mountain Forest Park South, in the Flinders Karawatha Corridor, and surrounds.
Jason Young, CEO with Ripper Corporation, which provided the drones, says the flight technology helps create a deeper understanding of wildlife movements.
Drone survey team members at Greenbank were from Ripper Corporation and Logan City Council’s Health, Climate and Conservation Branch.
‘Our drones are equipped with thermal sensors that allow them to penetrate the tree canopy and pick up images of the koalas, gliders and other wildlife via their body heat,’ Jason says.
‘They cover large areas quickly, are great in rough terrain and provide a more comprehensive view of koala populations than traditional methods.
‘By using this technology and our specialised detection methodology, we can supplement information gathered on the ground by ecologists and provide a more detailed picture of the wildlife that call the Greenbank area home.’
The purpose of the Council survey is to establish a baseline of the current distribution of native animals to inform future management actions for the species detected. For more information on koalas go to: lccqld.com/koala
PHOTO AT TOP: Drone survey team members at Greenbank were from Ripper Corporation and Logan City Council’s Health, Climate and Conservation Branch.
