A thermal drone is a “rule changer” for Manx seal research, the trust says

The number of puppies has been steadily increasing since the beginning of the record in 2019

Lara Howe/MWT A white seal pup with wet fur and large black eyes stares at the camera, its body in the water of a rock pit, with gray rocks nearby. — The number of puppies has been steadily increasing since the beginning of the record in 2019

New drone technology has been a game-changer for teams collecting seal data on the Human calf this year, conservationists say.

A total of 98 seal pups were recorded and observed during the 10-week study, the most since records began in 2009.

Manx Wildlife Trust marine officer Lara Howe said the seals were “very well camouflaged on the rocks” but were “very easy to spot” with a thermal imager.

The surveys were important because they gave the trust an indication of the “overall health of the ecosystem” as the animals “help keep it in balance”, she said.

Findings gathered using drone footage contribute to understanding seal population dynamics and habitat conservation efforts in the region, the trust said.

The researchers used equipment to count the seals through their heat signatures

Manx Wildlife Trust. A purple and orange shot of a human calf taken by a thermodrone. In the middle is a cluster of seals that appear as glowing orange dots. — The researchers used equipment to count the seals through their heat signatures

Dr Howe said the new thermal imaging drone, bought with funding from various local groups and organisations, meant seals were easier to identify and more data could be collected.

This allowed the researchers to identify and count the seals by their heat signatures from “an inconspicuous distance, even in low visibility conditions,” she continued.

This ensured the seals were not disturbed, leading to “more accurate behavioral observations and population counts”, including studying their most vulnerable positions, such as feeding pups with their pups, the marine officer said.

“We hope to use it for island-wide seal research in the future,” she added.

Thermal images were taken along with regular footage during the project

MWT Split screen pink and orange thermal image of a seal and her pup and photos of two seals on rocks. This gives insight into what a drone can see and what the naked eye can see. — Thermal images were taken along with regular footage during the project

The trust said gray seals are very sensitive to human presence, especially during critical periods such as pupping season, and disturbance can cause seals to abandon their pups, disrupt breeding and change behaviour.

Efforts aimed at mitigating anthropogenic impacts on seal habitats were “crucial” for the continued preservation of the population on the human body, it added.