Drones Revolutionize Marine Mammal Research
▼ Summary
– The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 led whale scientist Iain Kerr to study its effects on sperm whales by collecting tissue samples, but traditional methods were ineffective.
– Kerr was inspired to develop a new sampling method after being covered in whale snot, realizing it could provide valuable biological data like DNA, sex, pregnancy status, and microbiome composition.
– This idea evolved into the SnotBot, a drone equipped with petri dishes that collects whale snot by flying over the animal as it exhales through its blowhole.
– SnotBot drones are now used globally to gather mucus from various whale species, including sperm whales, blue whales, and dolphins, revolutionizing data collection.
– Drones have advanced significantly in affordability and usability over the past 10-15 years, becoming essential tools in many aspects of marine mammal research.
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 marked a catastrophic event in the Gulf of Mexico, prompting scientists to urgently assess its impact on marine life. Whale researcher Iain Kerr journeyed to the area to study sperm whales, attempting to gather tiny tissue samples using specialized darts. His efforts proved frustratingly difficult. Every time his boat neared a whale coming up for air, the creature would disappear underwater before he could get close enough. Kerr described the experience as feeling like a futile game of Whac-A-Mole.
One evening, as daylight faded, a whale dove directly in front of him and drenched him in whale exhalations, commonly referred to as snot. While unpleasant, that moment sparked a breakthrough idea for Kerr, who works with the conservation organization Ocean Alliance. He wondered if flying a device over the whale could capture the same biological material without disturbing the animal. Whale exhalations contain a wealth of scientific data, including DNA sequences, gender, pregnancy status, and microbiome composition.
After extensive experimentation, Kerr’s concept evolved into the SnotBot, a drone equipped with six petri dishes that hovers above a whale as it surfaces and exhales through its blowhole. The device captures the expelled mucus, offering a non-invasive method for collecting vital biological samples. These drones are now used globally to gather exhalate from various species, including blue whales and dolphins. Kerr emphasizes that drone technology has profoundly transformed his research capabilities.
Collecting whale exhalate represents just one application of drones in marine mammal science. Over the past ten to fifteen years, advancements in drone technology have made these tools more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly. Researchers across the field are integrating drones into nearly every facet of marine mammal studies, according to Joshua Stewart, an ecologist at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute. From population counts to behavioral observation, drones provide unprecedented perspectives without intruding on natural behaviors, opening new frontiers in conservation and biological research.
(Source: Ars Technica)