ARTICLES
Stimulus Material for depth studies, courtesy of Macquarie University (continued)
Monitoring whale health by using drones to collect their blow
Macquarie University (Biological Sciences) researchers have led the design and construction of a new system to
sample whale microbiota—the combination of natural bacterial colonies that live in an organism—by flying over
and collecting exhaled vapours from their blowholes.
The system can be fitted to a custom-built, waterproof drone to monitor the health of whales in a non-invasive
manner.
“In conjunction with drone experts, we have developed a low-cost system which incorporates a sterile petri dish
with a remotely operated and novel ‘flip lid’,” says lead researcher Vanessa Pirotta.
“This can be attached to a drone along with a GoPro camera to sample whale blow with minimal disturbance to
the whales.
“This system allows us to collect samples safely and reliably, by minimising external contamination such as air and
seawater from outside the blowhole.”
Find out more
Syllabus links: Biology Module 4 – Ecosystem dynamics Inquiry question: What effect can one species have on
the other species in a community?
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SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 3