Thermal Drones Revolutionize Wildlife Management in Alaska’s Bear Country

Researchers tracking Sitka black-tailed deer in Alaska’s Kodiak Archipelago have discovered that thermal drones dramatically improve wildlife capture operations while enhancing safety in bear-dense environments, according to findings published in the Wildlife Society Bulletin.

Game-Changing Technology in Challenging Terrain

The dense vegetation and rugged landscape of Afognak Island presented significant challenges for Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists attempting to collar Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis). Traditional ground-based tracking methods proved largely ineffective, with deer remaining hidden in thick brush and easily spooked before darting was possible.

“After three days, we were getting very disheartened,” said Shannon Finnegan, who worked with Koniag Native Corporation during the study. The breakthrough came when the team deployed a quadcopter equipped with thermal imaging technology, transforming their operation almost immediately.

The thermal drone revealed that deer were abundant but concealed by vegetation. “There were a lot more animals near us than we realized,” Finnegan noted. This discovery enabled the team to efficiently locate and collar eight out of their initial ten deer using the aerial technology.

Enhanced Safety and Precision

Wildlife biologist William Dunker faced multiple risks during the October field operations. Darting deer in the Kodiak Archipelago carried significant dangers, including the possibility of tranquilized animals drowning in nearby waterways, falling from cliffs, or attracting the region’s notorious Kodiak bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi).

The thermal drone provided crucial situational awareness, allowing operators to:

• Selectively target specific deer demographics (adult females, pregnant females, or males)
• Guide ground personnel precisely to hidden animals
• Monitor darted deer to prevent accidents during sedation
• Conduct continuous bear surveillance during vulnerable field operations

“It just made the whole procedure more efficient,” Finnegan explained. The drone operator could provide real-time guidance via radio, alerting the field biologist when to prepare for darting even before visual confirmation from the ground.

Broader Applications for Wildlife Management

The success of thermal drones in deer management suggests promising applications across wildlife conservation. Researchers believe similar technology could improve safety during problem bear management in Alaskan towns and assist with non-lethal predator control, such as wolf hazing operations in Oregon.

The technology addresses a critical challenge in wildlife research—balancing data collection needs with human safety concerns in remote or dangerous environments. For researchers studying the Sitka black-tailed deer population, which experiences fluctuations based on climate conditions, obtaining accurate movement and foraging data is essential for developing effective management strategies.

Changing Perspectives on Drone Utilization

Despite initial skepticism about drone technology, the field results proved compelling. “We kind of fell into the drone world reluctantly on my part,” Finnegan admitted. “I thought they were a bit overrated.”

The dramatic improvement in capture efficiency changed this perspective. “We’ve had a lot more success capturing the deer faster than they had been able to do in the southeast [of Alaska],” she noted. This efficiency translates to reduced stress on wildlife and decreased field time for researchers in challenging environments.

DroneXL’s Take

This application demonstrates how drone technology continues to find unexpected utility in specialized scientific fields. The integration of thermal imaging with unmanned aerial systems offers a compelling case study in how relatively accessible technology can solve complex field research challenges while reducing risks to both humans and wildlife.

As thermal imaging technology becomes more affordable and drone platforms more sophisticated, wildlife researchers worldwide will likely adopt similar methods—potentially revolutionizing data collection for population studies, migration tracking, and conservation efforts in areas where traditional approaches fall short.

Photos courtesy of Shannon Finnegan