Drones are often considered an unobtrusive method of monitoring terrestrial wildlife; however research into whether drones disturb wildlife is in its early stages. This research investigated the potential impacts of drone monitoring on a large terrestrial mammal, the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), in urban and peri-urban environments. We assessed the response of kangaroos to drone monitoring by analysing kangaroo behaviour prior to and during drone deployments using a linear modelling approach. We also explored factors that influenced kangaroo responses including drone altitude, site characteristics and kangaroo population dynamics and demographics. We showed that drones elicit a vigilance response, but that kangaroos rarely fled from the drone. However, kangaroos were most likely to flee from a drone flown at an altitude of 30 m. This study suggests that drone altitude is a key consideration for minimising disturbance of large terrestrial mammals and that drone flights at an altitude of 60–100 m above ground level will minimise behavioural impacts. It also highlights the need for more research to assess the level of intrusion and other impacts that drone surveys have on the behaviour of wildlife and the accuracy of the data produced.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Fright or Flight? Behavioural Responses of Kangaroos to Drone-Based Monitoring


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2019




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    Unknown




    Infrastructure Challenges 2012 - Fright

    Cotey, Angela / Stagl, Jeff | IuD Bahn | 2012


    Watch out for suicidal kangaroos

    British Library Online Contents | 2008



    System for monitoring drone flight information

    KIM JUNA SOO | European Patent Office | 2020

    Free access

    DRONE FLIGHT OPTIMIZATION USING DRONE-TO-DRONE PERMISSIONING

    DELANEY MARK / WARD BRETT / RESTREPO CONDE MELISSA et al. | European Patent Office | 2020

    Free access