Drones use thermal imaging to monitor dolphin health
Flinders University validated drone-based infrared thermography, using over 40,000 images and 14 dolphins, to non-invasively measure surface temperature and respiration rates as indicators of dolphin health.
Key facts
- Study used >40,000 thermal images to validate drone infrared thermography for dolphins.
- Optimal measurement achieved at 10–15 m directly overhead; detected blowhole and body heat and counted respirations.
- Validation trials involved 14 bottlenose dolphins at Sea World; results published in Journal of Thermal Biology (2026).
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Researchers at Flinders University have validated the use of drone-mounted infrared cameras to measure dolphin surface temperature and respiration non-invasively. In controlled trials with 14 bottlenose dolphins under human care, the team gathered more than 40,000 thermal images and compared airborne measurements with close-range reference readings. They found that flights conducted 10–15 metres directly above animals produced the most reliable data, enabling detection of heat around blowholes, dorsal fins and body surfaces and accurate counting of breaths when dolphins surfaced.
The study, published in the Journal of Thermal Biology, argues drone-based thermography can provide biologically meaningful indicators of physiological state while avoiding capture or restraint. Authors say the method could support long-term health monitoring in both managed care and wild populations, but emphasise the need for further validation across species, sea states, lighting and weather conditions. Operational protocols, disturbance mitigation and regulatory oversight will be essential for responsible adoption.
For European marine researchers and conservation agencies, the approach offers a promising, scalable tool for surveillance and policy-relevant health assessment—if standardisation and ethical safeguards are established.
Source: Spacewar (SPX)
