Leopard Seal Unmanned Aerial System Images 2013-2014 v1.0

We aerially surveyed leopard seals of known body size and mass to test the precision and accuracy of photogrammetry from a small UAS. Flights were conducted in January and February of 2013 and 2014 and 50 photogrammetric samples were obtained from 15 unrestrained seals. Photogrammetric measurements from a single, vertical image obtained using UAS provide a noninvasive approach for estimating the mass and body condition of pinnipeds that may be widely applicable.

Measurements of body size and mass are fundamental to pinniped population management and research. Manual measurements tend to be accurate but are invasive and logistically challenging to obtain. Ground-based photogrammetric techniques are less invasive, but inherent limitations make them impractical for many field applications. The recent proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in wildlife monitoring has provided a promising new platform for the photogrammetry of free-ranging pinnipeds. Leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) are an apex predator in coastal Antarctica whose body condition could be a valuable indicator of ecosystem health.

The archived images set includes image metadata plus a description of the photo measurement protocol that was used by participants in this study.

Krause, D.J., J.T.Hinke, W.L.Perryman, M.E.Goebel and D.J.LeRoi. (in press.) An accurate and adaptable photogrammetric approach for estimating the mass and body condition of pinnipeds using an unmanned aerial system. PlosOne https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187465

Photographic imagery: https://doi.org/10.7289/V5BG2M7C

Available online at https://doi.org/10.7289/V5BG2M7C

https://doi.org/10.7289/V5BG2M7C

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Data collected using recognized protocols.