Drones have opened whole new worlds of scientific investigation power; some would say that they are allowing a paradigm shift, even a revolution. Remote sensing, as done by drones, is important because whales are already under stress. In trying to learn more about them, we don’t want to cause more harm. Yet to implement effective conservation measures, we need more and better data. Drones are helping to solve this catch-22.
One frustrated marine scientist, Iain Kerr, was trying to collect a tissue sample from a sperm whale using a big needle on a long pole that could pluck out a pencil-sized specimen. Each time he readied his equipment to take the sample, the whale blew, covering him with stinky mucous, then it would dive and disappear for about 45 minutes. He described it like standing in a cold shower and ripping up hundred-dollar bills.
It inspired him to develop the Snotbot, a drone used to sample droplets from a whale’s blow, which can be used to extract DNA, look at hormones, and sample the bacteria that are expelled with every breath. Unlike the big needle tissue sampler, it is non-invasive and stress-free for the whale, while also keeping the scientist out of harm’s way. A few passes through the blow can yield plenty of data.