Scientist Suggests Drones Stress Wildlife
In a journal article first covered by the Washington Post, researchers from the University of Minnesota’s Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology found evidence that drone surveillance causes stress in black bears. Writing in Current Biology, postdoctoral researcher Mark Ditmer, presented evidence that black bears can be stressed by the presence of UAVs, even if they don’t outwardly show it. This blog previously discussed the use of drones to monitor shark activity near California beaches. Scientists and wildlife officials also use drones used to monitor whales and dolphins at sea, as well as African wildlife subject to poaching.
Since passage of the 1964 Wilderness Act, motor vehicles are generally prohibited in the rapidly expanding network of wilderness areas in the United States (16 U.S.C. § 1133(c)-(d)). Limited exceptions exist for wildlife research, but the law and it’s enforcing regulations are less than clear regarding drone use. For example, aircraft over-flights are allowed, but aircraft landing is prohibited except in an emergency. Exacerbating the issue is conflicting jurisdiction between land-use agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management or National Park Service with the Federal Aviation Administration. Nevertheless, as scientists conduct more research, the article tacitly suggests another area where federal, state and local officials could implement regulations.