Post by Owen on Aug 26, 2020 20:59:39 GMT
1 ~~~ Drone technology reveals surprising sea lion colonies off the Great Australian Bight ~~~
www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-26/sea-lion-colony-drone-discovery-delights-researchers/12595362
New technology being used off the Great Australian Bight is enabling researchers to access a remote sea lion colonies at the base of 90-metre cliffs for the first time.
The Bight is one of the last strongholds of the Australian sea lion, with 80 per cent of its population found in South Australian waters.
Bunda Cliffs sits 19 kilometres east of the West Australian border and traditionally researches have only peered off steep cliffs using binoculars to undertake population surveys.
National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia marine coordinator Dirk Holman said drones and photogrammetry software had enabled his team to detect about 300 per cent more seal lion pups and adults, compared to earlier clifftop surveys.
www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-26/sea-lion-colony-drone-discovery-delights-researchers/12595362