Drones Reveal Over 41,000 Rare Giant South American River Turtles in Amazon

Drones Reveal Over 41,000 Rare Giant South American River Turtles in Amazon
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Researchers from the University of Florida have developed an innovative drone-based method to accurately count wildlife populations, leading to the discovery of more than 41,000 Giant South American River Turtles along the Guaporé River in the Amazon, SciTech Daily reported. This marks the largest known nesting site for this threatened species.

The team combined high-resolution aerial images captured by drones with advanced statistical models to correct errors common in traditional wildlife surveys, such as double counting and missed individuals. Over 12 days, drones flew multiple times daily, photographing turtles marked with white paint to track movement and behavior.

Previous ground counts estimated about 16,000 turtles, while uncorrected drone image analyses suggested nearly 79,000. The new model-adjusted estimate of 41,000 provides a more reliable population figure crucial for conservation efforts.

The Giant South American River Turtle faces threats from poaching for meat and eggs. The turtles gather socially each year on sandbanks between Brazil and Bolivia to nest. This improved counting method offers a less invasive and more precise way to monitor not only turtles but potentially other species as well.

The research, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, aims to expand monitoring to other regions in South America, supporting targeted conservation strategies to protect this vulnerable species.