Drones fitted with thermal-imaging cameras measure orangutan numbers

The application of technology used to study the luminosity of stars has come about via a collaboration between Liverpool John Moores University, WWF and HUTAN, an orangutan conservation organisation.

Orangutans build a sleeping nest in trees and their numbers are usually estimated by counting these nests from the ground, which is costly and time consuming due to the large areas that need to be surveyed.

Drones can cover large areas of difficult ground quickly and monitor endangered wildlife from above. The addition of thermal-imaging cameras means that animals that are otherwise difficult to find can be found at anytime of the day because of their heat signatures.

According to the British Ecological Society, the field team conducted 28 flights at two sites over six days and spotted 41 orangutans from the air, all of which were confirmed by ground observers.

"All orangutan species are critically endangered and monitoring their numbers is crucial for their conservation", said Professor Serge Wich, Liverpool John Moores University's expert in primate behavioural ecology.