Drones to make waves in research with a new way to figure out why southern right whales are disappearing

Source: MRI Whale Unit.

• SA Scientists are now using drones to help study the changing body conditions and behaviour patterns of southern right whales.  
• The technology is not only helping to reveal new perspectives, but is also more cost-effective and non-evasive.
• Up to 2009 you could expect to see about 400 to 450 females with calves and around 300 to 400 unaccompanied adults. After that the numbers became erratic and started declining dramatically.
• Food shortages mean southern right whales are getting thinner, have less energy to calve, and are changing their foraging habits – all worrying signs of changing climates. 
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South African scientists have taken to using drones to tackle the critical questions surrounding South Africa’s disappearing southern right whale population.

A partnership between the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), that has a licence to operate drones for conservation, and the University of…