Animal Locating & Tracking

On large farms and game reserves, finding missing livestock or monitoring the location of elusive wildlife can be a daunting task. Cattle may wander across wide paddocks, game animals can hide in dense brush, and injured animals may be difficult to spot until it is too late. Traditional search methods involve walking or driving through each camp, which is slow, labour intensive and sometimes unsafe. Drones equipped with high‑resolution visual and thermal sensors change the equation. They allow managers to quickly locate animals across expansive properties without disturbing them and to monitor herds from above.

How drones locate animals

• High‑resolution aerial survey: Both the M4T and M3M can be flown in pre‑planned grid patterns to survey large areas quickly. Their cameras look down from above, making it much easier to spot animals that would be hidden from ground level. The M4T’s telephoto camera can zoom in for identification once an animal is spotted and supports Ai identification to precisely locate game and livestock. Our drones are equipped with a GPS can cover large areas quickly and identify and count animals from above with its built in Ai detection software. Automated flight paths ensure consistent coverage and accurate counts.

• Thermal detection: The M4T’s radiometric thermal sensor detects heat signatures, making it invaluable at dawn, dusk, or night, when many animals are more active. Thermal imaging can find cattle or wildlife in brush or tall grass and is especially useful for locating lost calves, injured animals or predators that might threaten livestock. In wildlife conservation contexts, thermal drones are used to monitor animal movements and detect poachers without disturbing the animals.

• Smart tracking: The M4T includes DJI’s SmartTrack feature, which locks onto and tracks moving subjects. Once a particular animal is detected, the drone automatically adjusts its flight path and camera zoom to keep the subject centred, enabling the operator to observe and follow it across the landscape. With its Rapid deployment the drone can be in the air quickly after an alert Applications & benefits:

• Finding missing livestock: When cattle break through a fence or stray into bushy areas, drones can search the surrounding property quickly and locate them in minutes rather than hours. Thermal imaging helps find animals in shadows or under trees, and the zoom lens confirms identity without spooking them.

• Monitoring game: On game farms, drones provide an excellent way to keep track of high‑value animals such as antelope, buffalo, or rhino. Manned observation towers or patrols cover limited ground; drones can survey many hectares in a single flight. Researchers use similar technology to count wildlife from UAV images and to track animals’ movements and health over time. Thermal imaging is particularly useful at night to detect poachers or predators approaching herds.

• Health checks & early intervention: By flying drones regularly, managers can monitor animal distribution and behaviour. Drones with thermal cameras have been used to detect animals with elevated body temperature, indicating potential illness Early detection enables prompt treatment and reduces losses.

• Reduced stress & disturbance: Drones operate at heights and distances that minimise disturbance to animals. They are quieter and less intrusive than ATVs or helicopters, which can scatter herds or stress wildlife. The ability to fly slowly and hover means animals can be observed calmly, and the operator can adjust altitude if animals show signs of alarm.

• Safety & labour savings: Operators no longer need to traverse rough or dangerous terrain to find animals. Instead, they can launch the drone from the farmyard or the back of a bakkie (pick‑up truck). Thermal searches are particularly valuable in darkness or poor weather when ground searches are risky.

By combining high‑resolution visual imaging, thermal detection, and smart tracking, our Animal Locating & Tracking service helps landowners respond quickly when animals wander or become injured. It reduces labour, improves animal welfare, and provides peace of mind that herds are accounted for, day and night.