Journal article
Southern right whales show no behavioral response to low noise levels from a nearby unmanned aerial vehicle
Marine Mammal Science, Vol.36(3), pp.953-963
2020
Abstract
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly used for wildlife research and monitoring, but little information exists on their potential effect on marine mammals. We assessed the effects of a UAV on the behavior of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Australia. Focal follows of ten right whale mother‐calf pairs were conducted using a theodolite. Control data were recorded for 30 min, and then a DJI Inspire 1 Pro was flown above the whales for 10 min at 5 m altitude. Potential changes to horizontal behavior (swim speed and turning angle) and surfacing pattern (interbreath intervals) were investigated by comparing mother‐calf behavior before and during UAV approaches. Changes in respiration rate were used to quantify energetic effects. We also explored acoustic cue perceptibility of the UAV at 5, 10, and 30 m altitude, by measuring the received UAV underwater noise level on whales equipped with acoustic tags (DTAGs). The received noise levels were 86.0 ± 3.9 dB re 1 μPa, while the measured ambient noise was 80.7 ± 7.3 dB re 1 μPa in the same frequency band (100–1,500 Hz). No behavioral response to the UAV was observed. This provides support for UAVs as a noninvasive tool to study baleen whale behavior and ecophysiology.
Details
- Title
- Southern right whales show no behavioral response to low noise levels from a nearby unmanned aerial vehicle
- Authors/Creators
- F. Christiansen (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityM.L.K. Nielsen (Author/Creator) - Aarhus UniversityC. Charlton (Author/Creator) - Curtin UniversityL. Bejder (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityP.T. Madsen (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Marine Mammal Science, Vol.36(3), pp.953-963
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Identifiers
- 991005541257807891
- Copyright
- © 2020 Society for Marine Mammalogy
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; Harry Butler Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
- 3.35.796 Marine Mammal Ecology
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- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- Zoology
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- Plant & Animal Science