Update: Flying over meadows to detect wildlife and fawns before mowing work
By Yvonne Gerster
31. July 2024
Project number: 9.902.60004 (Meadow flights for possible fauna indentification)
Cooperation partners involved:
Update: Guidelines for UAS-supported detection of wild animals before mowing work
In the current version of the guide, you will find the following new features, among others:
- which best practices can be applied in the event of a possible drone defect
- how a second drone without a thermal imaging camera can support the operation
- as well as an international overview of how fawn rescue is supported in Germany.
Project description/methods:
Throughout Austria, up to 25,000 fawns die every year as a result of mowing work on agricultural land, especially near forests. The fawns are hidden in the tall grass by the doe for their own protection and are particularly difficult to detect or endangered during mowing work due to the combination of the spotted colouring of their fur and their natural behaviour, which causes them to duck or hide in dangerous situations.
The method of flying over meadows using drones or UAS before mowing is suitable for detecting fawns before mowing. The drones are equipped with thermal cameras, which enable the detection of living creatures even when the grass is high or despite the animals’ protective mechanism. Holding Graz, together with FH JOANNEUM, initiated the aerial photograph of meadows in the north of Graz that are managed by a farmer for growing fruit.
Together with FH JOANNEUM, Holding Graz initiated the aerial survey of meadows in the north of Graz, which are cultivated by a farmer for fruit growing. The aerial survey was carried out by FH JOANNEUM using a UAS with adequate technological equipment in accordance with the law.