Drone with advanced radio-telemetry system tracks wildlife in Australia

The unparalleled flexibility that comes with drones being able to carry a multitude of sensors, high-resolution cameras, and survey-grade mapping payloads has seen them being used for monitoring sensitive ecological areas and endangered species in several parts of the world. But a rather interesting case is now emerging from Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) where the conservation organization has teamed up with Wildlife Drones to deploy a drone specially equipped with an advanced radio-telemetry system to track and monitor vulnerable wildlife species.

Earlier this year, western quolls — a carnivorous marsupial similar in size to a small domestic cat — were reintroduced to Mt. Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary in Western Australia. The species that once existed across nearly 70% of Australia in all states and territories now occupies only about 5% of its former range.

Prior to their release on the northern edge of the 131,800-hectare sanctuary, 16 of…