Researchers have called for greater regulation of drones after finding they were having a big impact on endangered species.
The team, led by PhD candidate Joshua Wilson, carried out 240 drone approaches over flocks of birds in Moreton Bay and found that 11 species were generally unaffected.
“Drones can interrupt birds as they try to rest or feed and birds avoid habitats that are regularly disturbed,” Wilson said.
“If the birds are consistently interrupted or scared away for their preferred habitats, species like the eastern curlew, which migrates thousands of kilometres to breed, may find it difficult to gain the energy they need to survive and reproduce.”
He said a drones had a commercial and recreational benefit and were even used to monitor birds in hard-to-reach locations, but the findings indicated they needed more space.
21·1 year ago- The link discusses how drone usage is causing significant disturbances to critically endangered shorebirds in Moreton Bay.
- Many shorebirds fly thousands of kilometers to reach the bay and require rest and feeding to prepare for their journey back. The drone disturbance forces them to abandon their feeding attempts, causing stress and energy loss.
- The article highlights that Moreton Bay shelters over 25,000 migratory shorebirds, which means a considerable number of birds are affected by drone activity.
- This disturbance has a domino effect, as it not only disrupts the individual birds but also affects their breeding success and the entire population in the long run.
- The article urges for regulations and responsible use of drones in wildlife areas to reduce the impact on vulnerable bird populations.