Hexacopter Drone Used For The First Time To Monitor Killer Whales

by | Sep 24, 2014 | Science | 0 comments

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln8AX7n4ftA&w=560&h=315]

The Vancouver Aquarium has been at the forefront of marine conservation since 1956. Having been an aquarist there myself for seven years, I have remained a strong advocate and fan of the great work they do. Most recently, the Vancouver Aquarium worked with American researchers to use a Hexacopter drone, also known as an unmanned aircraft, to monitor whale pods for the first time. Scientists were able to gain a new perspective of the whales from the drone view, allowing them to view the whales at angles not available through boat view or typical underwater cameras. Specifically, the scientists will be able to study the pregnancy of the whales in detail. Normally, a scientist studying a whale from a boat would be unable to track the whales when they dive in the water. Along with offering a different viewpoint to study the whales from, the use of the drones does not impact the whales personal space and is less invasive than traditional manned boats or dives. Scientists plan to continue using the drones for research. MORE

  • Francis Yupangco

    Francis is a marine biologist with an MBA and over 20 years of professional aquarium experience. Francis is the former Aquatic Development Manager at Hagen USA., makers of Fluval brand aquarium products. He co-stars on Nat Geo WILD's reality TV series Fish Tank Kings where he is the resident "Fish Geek" and was Director of Marketing at Living Color Aquariums. He is an avid explorer having visited over 45 countries and lived in 7. At 17, he was among the youngest aquarists ever hired by the Vancouver Aquarium, where he worked for 7 years. His aquatic biology experience ranges from larval fish rearing to the design, construction and operational management of renowned public aquariums around the world. Francis is currently head of marketing at the world's largest vertically integrated fish farming company.

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