A local environment agency is taking conservation efforts to new heights, after implementing the use of drones to assess and monitor the local flamingo population.
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is using the unmanned aerial vehicles to capture bird’s eye view footage of Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in order to gather vital information from difficult-to-reach areas, verifying species numbers and collecting information on breeding birds.
“Drones are the future of conservation and conservation is impossible without adequate field data,” said Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD’s executive director of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity.
“Think of drones as airborne robots, able to access the difficult-to-reach areas, while minding environmental sensitivities through the minimisation of human presence.”
The move marks the agency’s continuous efforts to utilise the latest technology and should help improve efficiency in data collection.
“EAD has a wide-range of mapping and tracking technologies used in the field, and the use of drones to monitor flamingo numbers is yet another addition to a repertoire of technological tools we are using to better understand and protect biodiversity in Abu Dhabi,” added Al Dhaheri.
“The drones will help us verify wildlife numbers, providing quality information and a more comprehensive understanding of the species being studied.”
The Greater Flamingo is found across coastal lagoons and mudflats year-round. Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is home to the species’ first successful breading ground in the Arabian Peninsula.
Coastal mudflats are internationally recognised as important habitats for a variety of water bird species including flamingos. As a declared Ramsar site, Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is vital in helping environmentalists understand the movement and migration patterns of flamingos.
To watch “A View From Above: Conservation Drones in Action at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve”, visit http://ow.ly/wYbpP
