Drones Reveal Dramatic Decline in Humpback Whale Population Through Revolutionary Aerial Study

is revolutionizing marine mammal research, with a groundbreaking five-year study using unmanned aerial vehicles to track dramatic changes in humpback whale populations across Hawaiian and Alaskan waters. The comprehensive research, published in The Journal of Physiology, demonstrates how drone-based photogrammetry is transforming our understanding of these marine giants.

The research team deployed specialized drones to capture over 2,400 measurements from more than 1,600 individual whales between 2018 and 2022, creating an unprecedented dataset that would have been impossible using traditional boat-based observation methods. This innovative approach to marine research showcases how drone technology is enabling scientists to gather precise measurements and track individual whales across vast distances.

“The ability to track and measure the same whales over 3,000 miles and roughly 200 days is truly remarkable,” notes Martin van Aswegen, lead author of the study.

The drone-based methodology allowed researchers to document concerning trends in whale body condition and reproduction rates with unprecedented precision.

The aerial surveillance revealed that nursing mothers lose approximately 214 pounds of blubber daily while in Hawaiian breeding grounds, representing a 17% decrease in body volume over six months. This level of detailed measurement would be virtually impossible without the persistent aerial perspective provided by drones.

Perhaps most concerning were the findings regarding population decline. The drone study documented an 80% reduction in birthrates off between 2015 and 2016, while witnessed what researchers termed a “total reproductive failure” in 2018. These findings coincided with an extended marine heatwave that disrupted North Pacific food webs.

The research team has compiled what may be the world’s most comprehensive drone-based whale monitoring database, with 11,000 measurements from 8,500 individual whales. This extensive dataset demonstrates how drone inspection capabilities are transforming environmental research and conservation efforts.

The success of this long-term study highlights the growing importance of drones for good applications in marine science. By enabling persistent, non-invasive monitoring of marine mammals, drone technology is providing researchers with crucial data needed to understand and address environmental challenges facing whale populations.

The researchers are now expanding their drone-based monitoring program to better predict how large baleen whales might respond to various threats, including climate change, vessel collisions, and entanglement in fishing gear, reports The Seattle Times. This ongoing work demonstrates how drone technology continues to evolve as an essential tool for environmental research and conservation efforts.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.


Entdecken Sie mehr von DroneXL.co

Melde dich für ein Abonnement an, um die neuesten Beiträge per E-Mail zu erhalten.

VERSCHAFFEN SIE SICH GEHÖR

Die vorgeschlagene Gesetzgebung bedroht die Möglichkeit, Drohnen zum Vergnügen, zur Arbeit und zur Sicherheit zu nutzen. Die Allianz der Drohnen-Befürworter Schließen Sie sich uns an und fordern Sie Ihre gewählten Vertreter auf, Ihr Recht auf Fliegen zu schützen.

Allianz der Drohnen-Befürworter
JETZT AKTIV WERDEN
Folgen Sie uns auf Google News!

Erhalten Sie Ihr Part 107-Zertifikat

Pass the Part 107 test and take to the skies with the Pilot-Institut. Wir haben Tausenden von Menschen geholfen, Flugzeug- und kommerzielle Drohnenpiloten zu werden. Unsere Kurse werden von Branchenexperten entwickelt, damit Sie die FAA-Prüfungen bestehen und Ihre Träume verwirklichen können.

Pilotinstitut dronexl

Copyright © DroneXL.co 2025. All rights reserved. The content, images, and intellectual property on this website are protected by copyright law. Reproduction or distribution of any material without prior written permission from DroneXL.co is strictly prohibited. For permissions and inquiries, please Kontaktieren Sie uns first. DroneXL.co is a proud partner of the Allianz der Drohnen-Befürworter. Be sure to check out DroneXL's sister site, EVXL.co, for all the latest news on electric vehicles.

FTC: DroneXL.co ist ein Amazon Associate und verwendet Affiliate Links, die Einkommen aus qualifizierten Käufen generieren können. Wir verkaufen, teilen, vermieten oder spammen Ihre E-Mail nicht.

Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co und EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drohnen-Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

Artikel: 4619

Eine Antwort hinterlassen

Diese Seite verwendet Akismet, um Spam zu reduzieren. Erfahre, wie deine Kommentardaten verarbeitet werden..

de_DEGerman