Australian Rural & Regional News asked some further questions of Ninox Robotics, answered below by Daniel Vogelnest, Technical Director at Ninox Robotics.
Ninox Robotics, Media Release, 12 June 2024
Australian drone operator Ninox Robotics has boosted its capability for capturing aerial intelligence to be used for conservation efforts with the acquisition of the Sierra-Olympia Vayu HD longwave infrared (LWIR) camera. Ninox Robotics will put this high resolution compact camera to the test for the first time this month in the second phase of its koala spotting program to assist the NSW Government’s plans to double the koala population by 2050.
Ninox Robotics’ new camera will be integrated into its Skyfront Perimeter 8+ long range drone platform and used to detect koalas’ unique thermal signature over eight weeks near Woodenbong in the far north east region of New South Wales. Ninox Robotics will collect thermal imagery of koalas as well as other animals using different flight methods and camera configurations to determine the most effective way of identifying and quantifying koalas. This will provide a blueprint for improving the state’s ability to accurately survey larger portions of the koala population and measure how they adjust over time.
Marcus Ehrlich, Managing Director at Ninox Robotics, said: “Due to their tendency to be camouflaged in trees in their natural habitat, koalas can be notoriously difficult to count, particularly using manual methods. Using endurance drones equipped with high-resolution thermal cameras and operating beyond visual line of sight – even in previously inaccessible areas – we can provide accurate and cost-efficient assessments of koala populations and assist the NSW Government’s ambitious program to double the state’s number of koalas.”
Ninox Robotics is undertaking the koala surveys with its new camera in the second phase of its response to the Koala Count Challenge, for which it was awarded a grant by the NSW Government through the Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) Program. Given the decline in the koala population, that was exacerbated by the 2019-20 bushfires, Environment and Heritage within the NSW Government was seeking methods for accurately measuring the changes in population over time in order to inform conservation efforts. The methodology developed during these deployments can then be utilised to aid with modelling of the locations and distributions of koalas state-wide.
Following on from this project, Ninox Robotics aims to scale up operations by utilising the same thermal cameras on larger fixed-wing drones. This will allow the company to drastically increase the feasibility and cost-efficiency of surveying koala populations across much larger areas. Ninox Robotics will offer these services directly to relevant government agencies and conservation organisations.
As part of this current project, the company will need to detect and classify other species to confidently identify koalas. These non-target species may include animals that are endangered or of interest to other projects, giving the data captured additional value. Following on from its application for surveying koala populations, Ninox Robotics plans to use its new camera for further conservation work for other threatened species like the greater glider.
Questions from Australian Rural & Regional News
ARR.News referred to broad scale acoustic monitoring of koalas for 7 years over 224 forested sites in NSW which found that koala populations there are not in decline (https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11351) and asked Ninox Robotics:
ARR.News: Will the drone monitoring be conducted in association with Bradley Law and the team that conducted the acoustic monitoring?
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: Ninox Robotics is working in conjunction with DPE. We understand they are utilising acoustic monitoring alongside drone surveys and other survey methods for population modelling. The aim of the project is to directly compare the new methodology we are using with DPE’s established survey methodology.
ARR.News: What are the strengths and weaknesses of drone monitoring compared to acoustic monitoring?
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: Drone surveys offer high-resolution, detailed data and can cover large, inaccessible areas quickly, providing immediate insights into koala populations and behaviours. Traditional drone surveys can potentially disrupt koalas with the noise and spotlights used, however we are aiming to prove a non-invasive approach using only thermal imagery and fixed-wing drones flying higher (which will also cover much larger areas more cost-effectively).
Acoustic monitoring is cost-effective for continuous, long-term data collection. It excels in dense or hard-to-reach habitats but is limited to capturing vocalisations, susceptible to environmental noise, and necessitates specialised analysis. This technology is primarily limited to detecting male vocalisations and deriving exact locations / differentiating individuals can be difficult.
ARR.News: Does the Woodenbong site overlap with areas that were the subject of the acoustic monitoring?
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: We believe it is likely but do not have confirmation of this. We are comparing directly to established drone survey methodology and are not using other sources in order to minimise any potential bias to our approach.
ARR.News: What are the other areas exactly where drone monitoring is planned?
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: At this stage Woodenbong is the only site that has been selected, but we have the option to conduct surveys at other locations if required. We will assess the initial deployments to Woodenbong before drawing any conclusions.
ARR.News: Is the drone monitoring planned for all areas where koalas may live? ie state and public forests and also private property (rural and residential).
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: The areas we are operating in for this survey are limited to regions selected in collaboration with DPE. When commercialised we would aim to operate in all areas where koalas live with the relevant regulatory approvals and landholder engagement.
ARR.News: How can one be certain that a drone count will not count the same koalas more than once?
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: Koalas are less likely than many other species to move between laps or survey regions across multiple nights. We aim to identify double-counted animals when reviewing the footage and assessing the locations of each detection.
ARR.News: Would the drone count identify mothers with young?
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: We are assessing this possibility, but it is unlikely to be reliably detectable.
ARR.News: Would the drones also provide information about the health of koalas in a particular area, eg if they have chlamydia?
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: No, this still requires the capture and veterinary assessment of individual koalas as far as we are aware.
ARR.News: How is the drone survey carried out? Eg with multiple drones patrolling constantly?
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: For this proof of concept, only a single multirotor drone is being utilised at a time. When commercialised it is certainly possible to operate multiple drones at once – however it is unlikely that constant patrol would be required. It is more likely that a periodic survey would be performed (e.g. yearly) across large proportions of the state.
ARR.News: What steps are taken to ensure that koalas and other wildlife (and indeed all life and property) are not disturbed or injured by the drones?
Daniel Vogelnest, Ninox Robotics: We have acquired approval from animal ethics committees, airspace safety authorities, and various other organisations to undertake these surveys.
Drone operators follow strict guidelines and regulations, such as maintaining a safe distance from animals and tree canopy in general and flying at altitudes that minimise noise and visual disturbance. Pre-survey assessments are conducted to identify and mitigate potential risks. Operators are trained and certified to handle drones responsibly and are required to obtain necessary permits and adhere to ethical wildlife observation practices, ensuring minimal impact on the environment and its inhabitants.
