Thermal drones can track dolphin health without touching them

A study using 14 bottlenose dolphins found drone-mounted thermal cameras can measure surface temperature and breathing rate accurately at low flight heights.

Researchers tested drone-mounted thermal cameras as a non-invasive way to monitor dolphin vital signs. Marine mammals are often used as sentinels of ocean health, but their aquatic habits make repeated close-range checks difficult. The study, published in the Journal of Thermal Biology, used controlled tests with dolphins under human care to evaluate accuracy and practicality. The research aimed to measure skin temperature and breathing patterns without handling the animals. Key findings: - The study used 14 adult common bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Beach, Sea World on the Gold Coast, Australia. - Drone-derived body surface temperatures closely matched hand-held thermal reference measurements when the drone flew about ten metres directly above the dolphins. - Measurement accuracy declined with greater flight height, though temperature estimates stayed within approximately 1°C of reference values. - Camera angle affected results, with thermal readings most accurate when the camera was positioned directly overhead. - Breathing rates were estimated from thermal footage by detecting brief, localised heat increases at the blowhole. Summary: The results indicate drone-mounted thermal cameras can provide reliable, non-contact measurements of dolphin surface temperature and breathing rate under controlled conditions. The authors note the approach could be applied to free-ranging dolphins and other marine mammals, and further field testing in wild populations was identified as a next step.