Feasibility of thermal imaging using unmanned aerial vehicles to detect Bornean orangutans

Aini Hasanah Abdul Mutalib, . and Nadine Ruppert, . and Salniza Akmar Kamaruszaman, . and Fadhirul Fitri Jamsari, . and Nik Fadzly Nik Rosely, . Feasibility of thermal imaging using unmanned aerial vehicles to detect Bornean orangutans. pp. 182-194. ISSN 1823-8556

Conventional ground monitoring of protected areas are commonly being conducted by foot or using light aircrafts. Time financial ability energy and safety are some of the main concerns during monitoring large landscapes. Monitoring of orangutans during night-time was arduous using conventional observation method. This study described the detection success of a thermal device (FLIR Vue 9Hz) attached to a Dji Phantom Pro 3 UAV to locate orang-utans at their sleeping sites in Semenggoh Nature Reserve (SNR) and Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center (SORC) in East Malaysia. Using the thermal device we had captured images of orangutans in six separate locations and all the nests were then verified by ground-trothing. The white-hot mode of the FLIR VUE was feasible to detect orangutans in the forest canopy and in open areas. Open areas give the most accurate and clear thermal visual. Whereby the thermal visuals from the inner forest is limited to the density covered by the tree canopies. Results of this study demonstrated the feasibility of the method for locating mammals under large canopy. However there are several challenges that could be overcome and the future potentials of the method in relation to the rapid advancement of the drone and thermal imaging technology.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://jssm.umt.edu.my/wp-content/uploads/sites/51...

Abstract

Conventional ground monitoring of protected areas are commonly being conducted by foot or using light aircrafts. Time financial ability energy and safety are some of the main concerns during monitoring large landscapes. Monitoring of orangutans during night-time was arduous using conventional observation method. This study described the detection success of a thermal device (FLIR Vue 9Hz) attached to a Dji Phantom Pro 3 UAV to locate orang-utans at their sleeping sites in Semenggoh Nature Reserve (SNR) and Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center (SORC) in East Malaysia. Using the thermal device we had captured images of orangutans in six separate locations and all the nests were then verified by ground-trothing. The white-hot mode of the FLIR VUE was feasible to detect orangutans in the forest canopy and in open areas. Open areas give the most accurate and clear thermal visual. Whereby the thermal visuals from the inner forest is limited to the density covered by the tree canopies. Results of this study demonstrated the feasibility of the method for locating mammals under large canopy. However there are several challenges that could be overcome and the future potentials of the method in relation to the rapid advancement of the drone and thermal imaging technology.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Primates
AGROVOC Term:	Endangered species
AGROVOC Term:	Wildlife conservation
AGROVOC Term:	Monitoring
AGROVOC Term:	Imagery
AGROVOC Term:	Drones
AGROVOC Term:	Aerial photography
AGROVOC Term:	Forest canopy
AGROVOC Term:	Tropical rain forests
AGROVOC Term:	Habitats
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:54
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8698

Actions (login required)

View Item