Counting Koalas
Proof of Concept
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Department commissioned Uaviation to trial thermal sensing to count Koalas in their natural habitat.
We used downward-facing thermal cameras to map transects of Australian native bush. The images were analysed for thermal flares that matched koalas.
This was an interesting process to perfect as a koala has a core temperature that is lower than other mammals.
The results concluded that a purpose-built drone fitted with a radiometric (LWIR) camera could identify 50% more koalas than traditional counting methods. Further, using a drone proved faster, safer and more economic than ground-based observers.
PROJECT DETAILS
- Date : 15 August, 2016
- Tags : ENVIRONMENTAL