Thermal drones transform wildlife rescue operations

Mysuru: Thermal drones have emerged as a game-changing technology in wildlife protection, making it easier to track and rescue wild animals deep inside forests.

Prabhugouda IB, DCF (wildlife), said, “Searching through hundreds of acres of forest land on foot is an immense challenge, but thermal drones have transformed the way rescue operations are carried out. Equipped with heat-sensing technology, the drones can detect the body temperature of animals from a distance of nearly 5km-6km, helping forest teams pinpoint their exact location with remarkable speed and accuracy.”

“Once an animal is identified, rescue teams can immediately move to the spot, safely capture the animal if required, and release it back into the wild after treatment. The technology has significantly reduced the time taken to track animals that stray into human settlements,” he said.

“In earlier days, when tigers or elephants ventured out of forests, it could take days to trace them, because the animals would constantly move and avoid human presence. With modern technology, we are now able to identify their movement and locate them within a day. The drones have proven especially effective during night operations, when forests are quieter and human disturbance is minimal,” he said.

The thermal imaging system allows officials to monitor animal movement even in complete darkness, making rescue missions faster and more efficient, added Prabhu.

Despite the challenges, officials stress that tracking is the backbone of wildlife conservation and rescue efforts. Thermal drones have already played a crucial role in several successful rescue missions involving elephants and tigers, including the recent tiger capture operation in the Mysuru region. Forest authorities now consider the technology one of the most effective modern tools for wildlife conservation and conflict management.

Recently, a tiger was tracked in Gundlupet using thermal drone technology. A few months earlier, another tiger along with four cubs was spotted near Gurupura village in Hunsur. In MM Hills, forest officials also traced the movement of a leopard with the assistance of thermal drones. Besides tracking big cats, the technology has played a key role in several elephant management operations. Thermal drones fitted with speakers and satellite systems are being used not only to monitor elephant movement, but also to safely drive herds away from human habitation and agricultural areas.