Wildlife and drones

As a Conservation Ecologist Dr Debbie Saunders has been studying and protecting critically endangered Swift Parrots for many years within their wintering habitats. However, like many other small animals that move, their movements have largely remained a mystery given the immense challenges of tracking tiny, very high frequency (VHF) radio-tags over broad landscapes. Frustrated by the limitations of manual radio-tracking Debbie has now developed a highly mobile and flexible radio-tracking system that can be attached to a drone platform to track multiple animals simultaneously and search large areas efficiently. She will share insights on the capabilities of this unique technology, as well as examples of how it has been applied by governments, NGOs, environmental consultants and zoos to track a range of different species across a diverse array of landscapes.

Meet the Speaker: Debbie Saunders

Debbie is a Conservation Ecologist at the Australian National University and the Founding Director of Wildlife Drones. Her extensive conservation research experience focuses on improving our understanding and management of threatened migratory birds and the complex ecosystems they depend on. She recently succeeded in translating her long-term research into a $1 million habitat restoration project in NSW as well as an innovative start-up business called Wildlife Drones developing the world’s most advanced drone radio-tracking system. This technology is now being used by governments, NGOs, environmental consultants and captive breeding zoos across Australia and Internationally to track wildlife in remote and rugged landscapes. Debbie believes that drones are a highly valuable and flexible tool that provide unprecedented opportunities for new insights into the world’s most complex and fascinating natural ecosystems.

Date:   
Tuesday 4 August 2020

Time:
1:00pm - 2:00pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time)

Location:
Webinar

Cost:
$10 - EIANZ Members, $20 Non-members