Dominica – Researchers have successfully used specially adapted drones to monitor and tag sperm whales using a “tap-and-go” approach, reducing the need for boats and minimizing disturbance to the animals.

The drones follow whales at sea, carrying suction-based scientific tags that record vital information such as bioacoustics, heart rate, dive depth, and body orientation. Upon reaching the whale, the drone briefly contacts the animal’s back to deploy the tag before quickly retreating.

This method drastically reduces the time and complexity of traditional tagging, which requires boats to approach whales closely with long poles. “The tap-and-go technique allows us to gather high-resolution data while avoiding stress to the whales,” researchers said.

Equipped with waterproofing and protective features, the drones operate safely even in rough marine conditions. Each deployment takes approximately one minute and fifteen seconds, with a success rate exceeding 55%. Once attached, the tags transmit data for hours or days and are later recovered for analysis.

This approach offers a safer, faster, and more efficient way to collect critical behavioral and physiological data from deep-diving species like sperm whales, paving the way for more advanced, automated tagging systems in the future.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download