Photo: Tommy Hall/Island Conservation. Retrieved from islandconservation.org
Drones have proven to be a faster, cheaper, safer, and more efficient method for removing invasive species compared to traditional methods, like helicopters or ground crews. The ENV10 drone, in particular, has enabled us to operate effectively across various scales and conditions, completing over 1,200 flights.
Using drones, we’ve successfully conducted drone-powered eradications on 12 islands in four different countries. Three of these projects, Seymour Norte Island in the Galapagos archipelago, Ngerkeklau Island, Palau, and Kamaka Island, French Polynesia have been declared successful, with the others awaiting their post-year evaluation. We’re continuously refining our drone-powered eradication techniques, building on lessons learned from our projects. We’re focusing on advancing heavy-lift drone baiting technology, developing cutting edge drone and AI based animal detection tools, and diversifying the drone service provider marketplace with current investments with Syos Aerospace, Envico Technologies, and Parallel Flight Technologies.
One of our most successful drone-powered restoration campaigns took place in Uvea in Wallis and Futuna. We conducted over 500 individual drone flights, delivering conservation bait across nine islands. These projects showcased the reliability, efficiency, and logistical capabilities of our drone operations.