Spotting wildlife from the skies isn’t just for thrillseekers. In today’s day and age, scientists and researchers are hiring aerial charter companies to assist with vital helicopter wildlife surveys that support their conservation efforts and help them better understand and protect the natural world. 

Helicopters offer a unique vantage point that ground-based methods simply can’t match, whether they’re enabling the tracking of herds across vast plains or the monitoring of endangered species in remote habitats. 

Read on to explore how aerial wildlife surveys are shaping conservation efforts and why this high-flying approach is crucial for preserving our planet’s incredible biodiversity.

What Are Helicopter Wildlife Surveys?

Helicopter wildlife surveys are a noninvasive way to collect scientific data about wildlife populations in specific areas, such as resident and migratory birds, game animals, and fish. This data functions as a map of sorts, helping to point scientists, researchers, and conservationists in the right direction as they monitor and manage habitats and plan conservation strategies.

How do aerial surveys work, exactly? Skilled helicopter charter companies partner with park services, research groups, wildlife associations, or private clients to conduct wildlife surveys from the skies, using specialized technology such as high-resolution video systems, infrared imaging, and LiDAR technology to capture reliable data. This data provides accurate insights into animal populations, migration patterns, and habitat health to identify where resources are needed most. 

For example, if a survey reveals a decline in a species in a certain area, conservationists can prioritize implementing habitat restoration or anti-poaching measures there. This analysis also shapes long-term policies, like establishing protected areas or wildlife corridors.

Helicopter wildlife surveys require careful planning from start to finish. Biologists identify their target wildlife populations and research objectives, working alongside their hired helicopter pilots and crew to determine the:

• Project scope
• Locations
• Timeline
• Budgetary restrictions
• Ideal aircraft
• Technology needed
• Observation and safety procedures
• Wildlife protocol
  

Experienced aerial survey teams enable biologists and surveyors to concentrate on their jobs so they can collect accurate ecological data quickly and harmlessly. When performing an aerial survey of a herd or wildlife population, helicopters typically maintain a ground speed of 40 to 50 miles per hour at a low altitude, moving upward to follow elevation contours in steep terrain and uneven landscapes.

How Aerial Wildlife Surveys Support Conservation

Helicopter wildlife surveys assist scientists and conservationists with conservation management efforts by helping them:

• Assess the Health and Distribution of Animal Populations: Aerial surveys provide scientists with reliable data on animal populations and how their numbers change over time, including any concerning trends in population declines.
  
  
• Monitor Habitat Changes: Tracking wildlife from above enables researchers to identify shifts in habitats due to factors like deforestation, climate change, or human activity.
  
  
• Evaluate the Effectiveness of Wildlife Management Strategies: Data collected from surveys helps determine if conservation measures – like protected areas or wildlife corridors – are achieving their intended goals.
  
  
• Inform Conservation Planning and Policy Decisions: The insights gained from these surveys play a critical role in shaping policies, prioritizing funding, and directing conservation efforts to where they are needed most.
  
  
• Support Sustainable Game Species Management: Wildlife surveys ensure that harvest levels are sustainable in regions where hunting is permitted to keep species populations balanced and ecosystems healthy.
  
  
• Track Species Recovery Efforts: Surveys can measure the success of recovery initiatives, like reintroducing endangered species or restoring habitats, as well as provide tangible evidence of progress.
  
  
• Provide a Comprehensive View of Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity: Helicopter surveys give researchers a big-picture view of the health, diversity, and interconnectedness of ecosystems to complement traditional ground-based studies.

Advantages of Helicopter Wildlife Surveys vs. Ground-Based Methods

Helicopters offer a unique bird’s-eye view of animal populations and ecosystems that ground-based methods simply can’t touch, boosting speed and precision and providing access to even the most remote locations.

‍Here are a few key advantages of helicopter-assisted aerial wildlife surveys:

• Enhanced Speed and Efficiency: Helicopters can cover vast areas in a fraction of the time required for ground-based surveys. This efficiency means cutting down on time, resources, and costs while leading to faster decision making for species protection.
  
  
• Access to Remote Areas: Helicopters are capable of accessing rugged, dense, and largely inaccessible terrain (such as mountains, forests, and wetlands) to provide comprehensive data on wildlife populations in challenging environments.
  
  
• Increased Accuracy: Helicopters are capable of hovering and capturing high-resolution images and data that might be missed from the ground. Their unique aerial perspective and ability to fly at low speeds and varying altitudes enables researchers to observe animal populations more accurately, which is crucial for monitoring elusive or well-camouflaged species. In one study comparing thermal infrared (TIR) technology to helicopter surveys, helicopter observers counted 26 more bison than TIR observers.
  
  
• Versatility in Survey Applications: The adaptability of helicopters allows for customized surveys tailored to specific research needs. Whether a project includes tracking migration patterns, assessing habitat health, or monitoring conservation program effectiveness, an experienced helicopter charter company can provide the support required.
  
  
• Reduced Wildlife Disturbances: By operating at higher altitudes, helicopters reduce noise and visual impact on wildlife, minimizing stress and behavioral changes. This ensures that the data collected accurately reflects natural behaviors and conditions.
  
  
• Real-Time Data Collection: Helicopters can be equipped with specialized technology that allows for immediate data collection and analysis. This instant data enables quicker decision making and enhances the effectiveness of conservation efforts.

Technological Advancements and Their Impact

Modern technology continues to transform the way scientists conduct helicopter wildlife surveys, making them more accurate and insightful than ever before. Tools like LiDAR (light detection and ranging) are capable of providing three-dimensional information about landscapes not previously accessible with other applications. These accurate measurements of structural features can be used to improve wildlife habitat models. 

Meanwhile, high-resolution cameras are capable of capturing crystal-clear images from the air – even of hard-to-spot species – while thermal imaging helps detect animals that might otherwise blend into their surroundings. Together, these tools ensure that every survey provides conservationists with useful information so they can gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystems they aim to protect.

Finally, improvements in technology are helping to reduce the environmental impact of helicopter wildlife surveys. Advanced imaging systems and GPS capabilities mean fewer flights are needed to gather comprehensive data, thereby reducing fuel usage and disturbances to wildlife. State-of-the-art helicopters can also fly higher and run quieter than before, minimizing stress on the animals being studied and helping to preserve their natural behavior.

Looking ahead, the integration of AI and machine learning is set to take helicopter wildlife surveys to the next level. These emerging technologies have the potential to analyze large volumes of data quickly in order to automatically identify species, count populations, and detect subtle changes in habitats. As survey tools continue to evolve, helicopter wildlife surveys will become an even more powerful ally in the fight to conserve wildlife and their habitats.

Putting Helicopter Survey Services to Work

Helicopter wildlife surveys combine skilled pilots and researchers, advanced technology, and unparalleled precision to collect vital data and inform conservationists so they can implement smart policies and safeguard the natural world for generations to come. 

As technology continues to evolve, aerial surveys will only become more powerful, helping us better understand and care for the planet we share. If you’re a researcher, policymaker, or conservationist looking to secure a brighter future for our ecosystems, don’t hesitate to reach out to Helicopter Express today. 

Our Atlanta-based helicopter team is dedicated to doing the jobs that require the most technical skill and exacting precision, whether you’re conducting aerial surveys in the southwest or elsewhere in the United States. Learn how our skilled pilots and versatile fleet can help you on your next survey.