Marwell Wildlife is preparing to deploy drones to monitor endangered species in remote areas.

The animal conservation organisation has been working with the University of Southampton since 2021 to explore the use of drones, or uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), for this purpose.

The first international deployments are set for next year, with plans to use the technology in Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan, and in Kenya, where the Grevy's Zebra Trust and Kenya Wildlife Service will be collaborating.

The drones will assist in monitoring snow leopards and ungulate species, including various livestock, in these hard-to-reach habitats.

The project aims to develop a technology that can identify individual animals from the sky using thermal imaging, high-definition cameras, and artificial intelligence.

This means that, over time, the drones may be able to recognise specific animals by their unique coat patterns, similar to how human fingerprints or barcodes work.

Marwell's drones have already been tested in the UK, including trials over the zoo, with promising results.

In a recent trial, the drones captured images from 120m high that detailed the veins in a zebra's ear.

The technology also allows for monitoring an animal's health by observing its body condition from above.

Professor Philip Riordan, director of conservation at Marwell Wildlife, said: "The potential applications of existing technologies for wildlife conservation are already huge and largely untapped.

"This project will use what is available and, with our partners, drive further innovations that can help conservationist around the world."

The aim of this joint PhD project is to create a cost-effective way to monitor individual animals using machine learning and artificial intelligence.

The ultimate goal is to develop an adaptable UAV platform that can be widely used by conservationists around the world.

The upcoming trials in Kazakhstan and Kenya will serve as case studies to ensure the technology meets the project's needs.

If successful, this will enable drones to monitor wild populations of endangered animals globally in a non-invasive and cost-effective manner.

For more information about Marwell Wildlife's conservation efforts, visit marwell.org.uk