Ocean Alliance flying DJI M210 drones for aerial tagging of whales

Marine biology researchers have for several years used drones for periodical collection of data to evaluate the health of whales, but now they’ve developed a way to pilot a DJI M210 to gently and discreetly attach electronic tags to monitor the creatures for extended periods.

That effort was detailed in a recent DJI Enterprise blog piece on marine conservation group Ocean Alliance’s partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to enhance their method of flying DJI Inspire drones for gathering health data on whales, and be able to use it for the tougher task of tagging the creatures for remote observation. By using DJI M210s – and some enhanced delivery innovation – the researchers developed a faster, more efficient, less invasive, and cheaper technique for tagging the majestic sea mammals from on high.

“It’s a game-changer for whales, people, and science,” the NOAA’s David Wiley, who participated in the project,…