How Modern Innovation is Shaping the Future of Conservation

October 31, 2024

Drone with screen showing zebras being monitored

We often hear that the natural world inspires modern technology. So, it seems fitting that Marwell Wildlife is using high tech tools to protect endangered species.

Since 2021, we have been working with the University of Southampton to explore the groundbreaking potential of using drones ‘uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs)’, to monitor and identify animals in the wild.

Seeing wildlife from new heights

The project is developing technology that incorporates thermal imaging, high-definition cameras, and artificial intelligence (AI). This will help the teams with animal identification and in time, hopefully even be able to differentiate between individual coat patterns.

Every zebra, for instance, has a unique stripe pattern and much like a human fingerprint or barcode that can be used to identify an individual.

From snow leopards in Kazakhstan to Grevy’s zebra in Kenya, it is hoped the drones will make the job of monitoring animals in the wild, assessing body condition and learning about their migration patterns easier.

Professor Philip Riordan, Director of Conservation at Marwell Wildlife, said: “The potential applications of existing technologies for wildlife conservation are already huge and largely untapped.

“This project will use what is available and, with our partners, drive further innovations that can help conservationist around the world.”

Marwell Wildlife/University of Southampton
Marwell Wildlife/University of Southampton

Trials at the zoo

The drones have undergone several trials, including two over the zoo at Marwell as the technology has progressed.

During the most recent trial, the drones were able to capture images with enough detail to clearly see the veins in the ear of a zebra from 120m high!

Even animals’ shadows can give conservationists information about the animals they’re looking at, for instance, scimitar-horned oryx all look alike from above, but the shadows of males clearly show their horns.

Zoom features allow our team to check body condition by, for example, checking whether an animal’s pelvis and ribs are particularly visible, an indicator that they might not have access to sufficient resources.

Up until now, our work with drones has been on a UK trial basis, but the team, comprising of Marwell Wildlife conservationists and University of Southampton professors, hope to roll the technology out in the field very soon in 2025.

Drone on Marwell Hall Drive
Marwell Wildlife/University of Southampton
View of rhino in field from drone
Marwell Wildlife/University of Southampton

The next steps

In particular, drones will help teams monitor snow leopard and ungulate species, including livestock, at Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan.

The landscape these animals inhabit is often remote an inaccessible so drones have a huge advantage over their human operators, being able to take to the skies and view the landscape from above.

Through a joint PhD project utilising machine learning and artificial intelligence, the team are developing technology to identify individual animals and monitor them in a far more cost-effective way than was previously possible.

Next year UAVs will be deployed in Kazakhstan and Kenya where we’re working with the Grevy’s Zebra Trust and Kenya Wildlife Service.

The ultimate goal of the project is to develop an adaptable UAV platform that can be made widely accessible to conservationists around the world.

The trials in Kazakhstan and Kenya will provide case studies and help the project team ensure the technology is able to deliver against the projects needs.

In time though, drones could be used to monitor wild populations of endangered animals all around the world in a non-invasive, cost effective and mutually beneficial way.

How you can get involved

Our projects rely on the vital support of people like you. By donating here, you’ll be directly contributing towards helping us protect species and bring balance to the natural world. You can also make an impact by sharing this unique story on your social media channels.