Sociability strongly affects the behavioural responses of wild guanacos to drones.

ABSTRACT: Drones are being increasingly used in research and recreation but without an adequate assessment of their potential impacts on wildlife. Particularly, the effect of sociability on behavioural responses to drone-associated disturbance remains largely unknown. Using an ungulate with complex social behaviour, we (1) assessed how social aggregation and offspring presence, along with flight plan characteristics, influence the probability of behavioural reaction and the flight distance of wild guanacos (Lama guanicoe) to the drone's approach, and (2) estimated reaction thresholds and flight heights that minimise disturbance. Sociability significantly affected behavioural responses. Large groups showed higher reaction probability and greater flight distances than smaller groups and solitary indiv

SUBMITTER: Schroeder NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8536753 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature