Drone-based application of whale tags: A "tap-and-go" approach for scientific animal-borne investigations

Daniel M Vogt ^1,2, Stefano Pagani ², Zahrek Gonzalez-Peltier ²

⁰Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America.

Plos One +

|

August 13, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Researchers developed a novel drone system for attaching animal-borne tags to whales. This method offers faster, less invasive whale tagging, improving data collection for marine mammal research.

Area Of Science

Marine Biology
Animal Tagging Technology
Robotics in Ecology

Background

Animal-borne tags are crucial for collecting high-resolution data on whale behavior and physiology.
Current tag deployment methods are logistically challenging and require significant operator skill, often involving close boat approaches.

Purpose Of The Study

To develop and evaluate an alternative method for deploying animal-borne suction-based tags using adapted First Person View (FPV) racing drones.
To assess the feasibility, efficiency, and invasiveness of drone-based tag deployment compared to traditional methods.

Main Methods

Adapted FPV racing drones, designed for marine environments, were equipped with a custom release interface for tag application.
The drone-based tag deployment system was tested on sperm whales off Dominica.

Main Results

The drone-based method achieved an average deployment time of 1 minute and 15 seconds.
A deployment success rate of over 55% was recorded.
The technique proved to be less invasive, eliminating the need for close boat approaches.

Conclusions

Drone-based tag deployment offers a faster, more efficient, and less invasive alternative to traditional methods for marine mammal research.
This technology provides a framework for future automated solutions for precise tag application on marine animals.