[ECO]Why Scientists Are Turning to Drones to Track Tree Kangaroos

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Tree kangaroos drone research has helped scientists detect Bennett’s tree kangaroos in dense rainforests using heat-sensitive drones.

Spotting a tree kangaroo in the wild is extremely difficult. These elusive marsupials live high in dense rainforest canopies, making traditional survey methods unreliable. But thanks to tree kangaroo drone research, scientists have found a new way to detect them—by using heat-sensing drones to scan the treetops.

In November 2024, Emmeline Norris, a Ph.D. student at James Cook University, discovered a game-changing method. She was flying thermal drones over the Daintree Rainforest Observatory in Cape Tribulation, originally searching for spectacled flying foxes. Within 20 minutes, her drone picked up heat signatures from two

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. By the next morning, four more appeared on her screen.

“It kind of blew my mind because I’d never seen them before in the wild,” Norris said.

Her tree kangaroo drone research detected six individuals over 17 hectares (42 acres), all without disturbing them. The findings suggest that drones could revolutionize how

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and study these rare animals.

Tree kangaroos are incredibly difficult to monitor. Researchers have typically relied on two methods: spotlighting, which requires a kangaroo to look directly at a flashlight beam, and handheld thermal cameras, which only work if the animal is low in the trees. Both techniques have serious limitations, making population estimates challenging.

Bennett’s tree kangaroo, one of only two tree kangaroo species in Australia, is especially tricky to study. Unlike its relative,

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, which lives in fragmented forests with road access, Bennett’s prefers undisturbed rainforest. This makes ground surveys nearly impossible. Tree kangaroo drone research offers a solution by allowing scientists to scan the canopy from above.

Thermal drones use heat-sensitive cameras to detect warm-blooded animals from above. In Norris’s study, the drones flew over the 40-meter (130-foot) canopy, pinpointing tree kangaroos without needing direct visibility. This method could provide more accurate population data and identify key habitats.

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According to John Kanowski, chief science officer at the *********** Wildlife Conservancy, the density of tree kangaroos found in Norris’s study is comparable to estimates of Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo. However, previous estimates may have been too low due to unreliable ground surveys. Future tree kangaroo drone research could refine these numbers and improve

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.

One major hurdle in using drones for widespread surveys is launch height. In Norris’s study, she launched the drones from a 47-meter (154-foot) research crane—the only one of its kind in the *********** rainforest. Without this height advantage, detecting animals deep in the canopy could be difficult.

To solve this, researchers are exploring alternative launch sites like mountaintops and tall buildings. Advancements in drone technology, such as longer battery life and stronger sensors, could also help overcome this limitation.

Tree kangaroo drone research has the potential to revolutionize conservation efforts. More accurate population data can help scientists protect critical habitats and advocate for stronger environmental policies. The success of this method could also lead to broader applications, including monitoring other hard-to-find species like gliders, possums, and nocturnal birds.

Understanding tree kangaroo populations is vital, especially as habitat destruction and climate change threaten their survival. By improving survey methods, researchers can develop better conservation plans to ensure these unique animals thrive for generations.

While this study focused on Bennett’s tree kangaroo, similar research could be conducted on Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo. Since past population estimates relied on spotlighting, using drones could reveal more accurate numbers. Expanding tree kangaroo drone research across different regions could also help scientists understand their movements, breeding habits, and habitat preferences.

Additionally, tree kangaroo drone research could assist in tracking population changes over time. As conservationists work to protect these animals, having a reliable, non-invasive monitoring tool could make all the difference.

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