“Some of the spikes in the heart rate of the bears were far beyond what we expected”, Mark Ditmer, a post-doctoral researcher in the university’s Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, explained in a press release. The study, carried out in Minnesota, found that repeated UAV flights overhead left black bears in an agitated state, something which had been missed as the animals froze when the drones were nearby.
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Through a series of observations, researchers found that when there is a presence of drone hovering in the air, the bear’s heart rate increases at 123 beats per minute. The group didn’t notice any out of the ordinary behavioral change, but they did observe physiological responses. Today, there are literally millions of drones dotting the skies, and there will be tens of millions of UAVs buzzing around, including many with commercial applications, by 2020.
The group recorded information on the bears’ developments and held up until the creatures slept before assessing heart rate information.
Ditmer have said that if they didn’t have the biologgers’ data, then they would have believed and stuck to the conclusion that the bears only rarely responds to these UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles).
The stress response is helpful for animals in real-life situations when there is an emergency.
The bears’ feelings of alarm did not always translate into a behavioural response, however.
The findings of this study are something to keep in mind as we move toward drone-assisted research on animals like endangered Hawaiian monk seals, ospreys, and other types of wildlife. Out of 18 flights, the drone’s presence only appeared to influence bear behavior twice.
Flying drones is not thoroughly regulated in many countries, but studies such as this one show why it is important to consider how wildlife will react to new technologies in their habitats. The most extreme case involved that aforementioned mother bear with two cubs – her heart rate increased 400 percent.
Now, another group of researchers finds that despite the calm demeanor bears may display in the presence of airborne robots, drones make bear heart rates soar, a major sign of stress. Ditmer noted, for example, it’s even possible the bears could become used to drones over time and eventually be less stressed. Despite such stressful heart conditions, the bears in the study did not attempt to run away. Ditmer’s team says that their results reinforce the NPS ban on drones in parks.
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To be clear, Ditmer says, his team’s study is not meant to advocate against the use of UAVs, which have high potential for both conservation and research applications.
