UAS imagery reveals new survey opportunities for counting hippos.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius L. is a vulnerable species that requires efficient methods to monitor its populations for conservation purposes. Rapid evolution of civil drones provides new opportunities but survey protocols still need development. This study aims to determine the optimal flight parameters for accurate population estimates. A second objective is to evaluate the effects of three environmental factors: wind speed, sun reflection and cloud cover.

Method

We estimated the population of two main hippo schools (Dungu and Wilibadi II) located in Garamba National Park in Democratic republic of Congo. Eight observers reviewed 252 photos taken over the Dungu school, representing a total of 2016 experimental units. A detection rate and a leve

SUBMITTER: Linchant J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6235304 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature