Drones to inventory injuries in right whales

A researcher specializing in the survival of North Atlantic right whales is using drones and thermal imaging to act as guardian angels for this endangered species.

In 2017, Gina Lonati attended a conference in Halifax where the survival of North Atlantic right whales was the hot topic.

It was a terrible year for this marine mammal. In total, 17 of them died and no births were recorded.

Touched by their precarious situation, Gina Lonati decided to enroll in a doctorate at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) to study them.

His research work has enabled him to develop innovative technology for collecting data by remote sensing. This method allows researchers to collect data without bothering the right whales.

Drones make it possible to track whales remotely and capture thermal images when they come to the surface.

This type of technology was used in land environments but not really in marine environments since thermal images do not allow us to see the heat under the surface of the watersays Gina Lonati.

Tracking North Atlantic right whales is particularly difficult since they spend long periods underwater.

We had to be a little patient and creative, but we finally managed to find a way to take their temperature through their blowhole when they come to the surface to breatheexplained Gina Lonati.

To carry out this procedure, the drones must fly five to seven meters above the mammal.

It really offers a unique perspective.comments Gina Lonati. Since remote detection is not intrusive, we can see the whales being themselves, being mothers, being happy.

The researcher also uses underwater sensors to collect data on plankton. It is the food of choice for right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

She notes that the majority of plankton are found near the seabed, which increases the risk of their mouths becoming entangled in fishing lines there.

This is important information for managers and also for the configuration of fishing gearsays Gina Lonati.

86% of right whales have already been entangled

Gina Lonati suggests that 86% of these mammals have become entangled in fishing gear at least once during their lives.

It estimates that 372 right whales are still alive today.

It’s truly amazing to see this animal struggling and fighting for its life.saddens the researcher. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon situation for North Atlantic right whales.

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The first time Gina Lonati saw a right whale, its tail bore scars from entanglement from fishing gear.

This first meeting left its mark on her. I cried. Then I calmed down and went back to my researchshe said.

Since then, his research has allowed him to note the presence of a large number of more serious scars on other whales.

Another notable moment was her encounter with Hercules, a whale crossbreed in 2021. This animal was severely entangled in ropes, she said.

He was struggling and bleeding from his tail.remembers Gina Lonati. Hercules has not been seen since 2021 and is believed to be dead.

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Gina Lonati says she finds motivation to continue her work through her research, which aims to find better ways to protect this species.

I would like to find out if thermal imaging of right whales could allow us to know, when whales have been struck by ships, whether the inflammation would cause a localized increase in heat in a certain part of their bodyshe said.

By collecting more data, researchers will one day be able to use the tools developed by Gina Lonati to easily determine when a right whale is injured or sick in order to intervene more quickly.

According to the report of Mia Urquhartof CBC