Drones equipped with thermal sensors are being deployed in one of the UK’s largest-ever surveys of Atlantic grey seal pups as a less intrusive, faster, and cheaper alternative to manual counting.
Those census operations are underway over the Farne Islands, located off England’s northern coast between Newcastle and the Scottish border. The islands are home to one of the area’s largest grey seal populations. Images taken of pups by thermal sensors aboard drones canvassing the area are giving researchers a more accurate count of reproduction rates. After hunting decreased population levels to only around 500 individuals early last century, current estimates place the number of grey seals in the UK at 120,000, representing about 40% of the global total.
The UK’s National Trust, which manages and conserves places of historical interest and natural beauty, oversees the Farne Islands, where rangers are now deploying drones with thermal sensors for the second…
