Redland City Council is deploying a thermal-imaging drone to enhance the management of flying-fox roosting sites across the Redlands Coast mainland.
Mayor Jos Mitchell said the technology had been a game changer for the way Council monitored roosts and captured data on the size of the population in each area.
“The drone can hover high above a roosting site and provide real-time data on the extent of flying-fox activity in the area without disturbing the colony,” the Mayor said.
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“Council officers have reported that the technology has increased the accuracy of population counts by between 25-50 per cent, which is making a big difference to our conservation outcomes.
“The technology is particularly effective in areas that are difficult to access on foot, such as those with dense foliage, or where disturbances to a roost must be avoided.”
The Mayor said council had implemented a wide range of innovative technologies and other initiatives to protect local wildlife, and the thermal-imaging drone had been a valuable addition.
“Council takes its environmental and wildlife management responsibilities very seriously and is constantly looking at new ways to enhance its practices,” she said.
“There are a number of flying-fox roosting sites on the mainland that will benefit from the use of the thermal-imaging drone, with the technology also capable of detecting a variety of other species, including koalas.
“This exciting initiative adds to the many other measures Council uses to improve wildlife conservation on Redlands Coast, such as Bluetooth tracking of koalas, digital mapping, and trialling AI identification.”
Environment Portfolio Councillor Julie Talty said the drone was also being used to monitor and protect colonies during operational works in parks and recreation areas.
“The thermal-imaging drone allows Council to survey an area prior to starting works and, if a roost is detected, determine what arrangements are required to keep the colony safe,” Cr Talty said.
“This could include adjusting the timing of the works and their proximity to the roost or ensuring a wildlife officer is on-site to monitor the colony throughout the works process.
“Council recently used the technology to monitor a large colony at Primrose Drive Wetlands in Thornlands while firebreak maintenance works were undertaken in the area.
“The roost was located about 250 metres from the firebreak, but early detection using the drone ensured the colony was protected throughout the works process.
“Flying-foxes are vitally important to the local ecosystem and we are committed to protecting them and their habitats into the future.”
For more information about wildlife management programs on Redlands Coast, visit the Council website.
