Tierra del Fuego, located at the southern end of Patagonia, is a unique and biodiverse region. It is home to a variety of plant and animal species that have adapted to the harsh sub-Antarctic climate.
Karukinka Park, a private conservation area of 300,000 hectares located in Tierra del Fuego, is critical from an environmental standpoint - this region’s sub-Antarctic forests and peatlands are essential ecosystems capable of absorbing large amounts of atmospheric carbon, making it an important ally in the fight against global warming. These lands are also home to many endemic and threatened species, including the endangered Magellanic woodpecker, a bird that is only found in this part of the world.
Caretakers of these lands, the Wildlife Conservation Society Chile (WCSC) has been at the forefront of conservation efforts in these lands for more than 17 years, working to protect key species and ecosystems in the country.
However, Conservation efforts in Tierra del Fuego are challenging due to the region's extreme weather conditions, which include heavy rain, high winds, and snow.
In order to enhance their environmental monitoring efforts in the southern part of Chile, Tierra del Fuego, WCSC recently purchased a M30T drone. The region’s extreme weather was a major factor in their choice to go with a M30T because they needed a drone that could withstand the elements. The M30T’s IP55 rating and resilience to freezing temperatures, not to mention its 640x512 thermal sensor made it a logical choice.
The use of drones has been instrumental in scaling and elevating of WCSC’s conservation efforts in the region. The M30T has enabled the WCSC team to directly monitor species such as guanacos, foxes, elephant seals, and black-browed albatrosses. The drone has also been used to protect the park and its surrounding areas from threats such as fire and invasive species, as well as document environmental changes and invasive species.
Here are some of the ways that the WCSC team deploys their drone for conservation work:
Conservationists around the world are turning to drones to help elevate their work.
Drones are capable of capturing high-resolution images and videos, providing valuable insights into species behavior and ecosystem dynamics. They can cover large areas in a short amount of time, making them highly efficient in data collection. Moreover, they enable researchers to access areas that are difficult to reach, such as cliffs or remote islands, which are often home to rare and endangered species.
The Wildlife Conservation Society Chile is making great strides in environmental conservation efforts, especially in the southern part of Chile. The use of drones in conservation efforts has opened up new opportunities for researchers and conservationists, and it's likely that their use will continue to increase in the coming years. The WCSC has set a great example, and we hope that other conservation organizations will follow suit in the use of drones in their conservation efforts.
All photos for this article were provided by DroneStore Chile, DJI Enterprise Authorized Dealer.