Wildlife
Drone news in wildlife: conservation efforts, monitoring programs, technological advancements, and ethical considerations in using drones for wildlife observation.
Yosemite gets Invaded By DJI Drones: Anarchy in the Sky
Hi, fellow pilots! There’s some frustrating news coming out of Yosemite National Park, as Petapixel let us know. A wave of illegal drone flights has hit the park as the ongoing U.S. government shutdown leaves rangers short-staffed and law enforcement…
Merrimac Police Drone Locates Missing 8-Year-Old in Massachusetts Woods Within an Hour
An 8-year-old boy who walked away from his home in Merrimac, Massachusetts, was safely located within 72 minutes Thursday morning thanks to the department’s Drone Unit. Officer William David operated the drone that spotted the child in a wooded area…
Illegal Drone Flights Surge in Yosemite as Government Shutdown Cripples Ranger Enforcement
Illegal drone activity is spiking across U.S. national parks as the federal government shutdown enters its 23rd day, with tour guides in Yosemite reporting multiple daily sightings compared to their normal rate of about one drone per week. The enforcement…
After Uproar, Oregon Finally Rewrites Drone Laws — Here’s What Pilots Need to Know
Remember when Oregon’s drone ban blew up in 2022? It’s back — and this time, you can watch it unfold live. Oregon is taking another swing at establishing clear drone rules for its state parks, three years after public backlash…
YouTuber Builds $120 Military-Grade Recon Drone That Streams to Tactical Software Used by U.S. Forces
A popular tech YouTuber has reverse-engineered a $40,000 military-grade reconnaissance drone for just $120.07 using open-source hardware and off-the-shelf components. The DIY system successfully streams live FPV video directly into ATAK—the same tactical mapping software used by the U.S. military—proving…
DJI Quietly Pulls Mavic 4 Pro National Parks Video After Legality Questions
DJI has removed its Mavic 4 Pro promotional video featuring footage from U.S. National Parks and Navajo tribal lands, just days after DroneXL and others in the drone community questioned how the company legally obtained permission to fly in these…
South Africa Investigates How Civilian Laser Sensors Ended Up in Russian Attack Drones
South African authorities are investigating how laser range finders manufactured by Pretoria-based Lightware Optoelectronics ended up in Russian Garpiya-A1 suicide drones attacking Ukraine. The discovery adds a new dimension to the growing problem of Western and civilian components being weaponized…
DJI’s Mavic 4 Pro Promo Shows Drone Footage from Prohibited National Parks and Tribal Lands
DJI just posted a promotional video showcasing its new Mavic 4 Pro capturing stunning landscapes across the American West—including drone footage from multiple locations where recreational and commercial drone flights are strictly prohibited or severely restricted. The video features imagery…
DJI Mavic 4 Pro Gets Major Camera Update with In-Flight Focal Length Switching
DJI released a significant firmware update for the Mavic 4 Pro on September 25, 2025, introducing the ability to switch camera focal lengths during video recording—a feature that brings new creative flexibility to aerial cinematographers. The firmware version 01.00.0300 addresses…
DJI Unveils Mavic 3TA Enterprise Drone with Upgraded Thermal Tech
DJI has quietly launched the Mavic 3TA, an advanced thermal variant of its popular Mavic 3 Enterprise series, targeting professionals in search and rescue, infrastructure inspection, and public safety. The drone, introduced in mid-September 2025 without fanfare, features enhanced thermal…
UK Drone Wars: Hunters and Saboteurs Clash in High-Tech Aerial Conflict
The long-standing battle between fox hunters and animal rights activists in the UK has escalated to the skies, with both sides deploying sophisticated drones in an increasingly high-tech conflict. A recent report from The Telegraph confirms that hunt saboteur groups…
High School Drone Team to Dazzle with 300-Drone Light Show
While most high school teams are practicing on the football field, a new kind of team in Washington’s Peninsula School District is practicing in the night sky. The district’s new Drone Drill Team is preparing to launch its inaugural public…