Utah Wildlife Enforcement Officers Set Up Drone Team

In the past, I’ve written a number of articles explaining how drones have allowed clean electric aviation to evolve in ways that are simply not possible with manned aircraft. Since batteries cannot currently store enough energy to move large aircraft except for short flights, electric aircraft carrying many passengers or cargo over long distances is something we only think about in the future.

In various situations, drones replace manned aircraft. Aerial photography, surveying and even public security missions see drones doing the job of an aircraft without the cost, noise and emissions.

New missions save both animals and human lives

But at the same time, drones are also helping to develop new missions that save lives and help the public. The low cost and low maintenance of electric aviation makes it possible to get your hands on the power of flying without spending hundreds or thousands calling in an airplane or helicopter from the nearest airport or helipad. The high cost of doing that has left aviation unable to help people except in the most appalling life-threatening conditions, while a cheaper drone makes it work financially.

From 2020, hundreds of people were rescued by public security officers and volunteers flying drones. DJI has created an online map and counter that shows how many lives have been saved by small drone operators. According to the company, drones have not only helped locate missing persons so that others could be rescued, but have also delivered food and revived people who were unconscious as a result of smoke or darkness.

So this cost saving has literally been a lifesaver for hundreds of people, and that number could now be approaching 1,000.

But humans aren’t the only lives saved by drones. For example, Wilderness International uses drones to protect nature areas and to see how healthy they are. Drones for Earth offers a unique service to private protected natural areas: using licensed sUAS (drone) pilots from Drones for Earth and coming up with an innovative approach to help. They do it all with zero emissions and with minimal impact on these private natural areas.

As the drone flies, 42-megapixel photos are taken time and again. The GPS data and compass data are stored in the image metadata which is then fed into photogrammetry software. This produces a 3D map with centimeter-level detail by overlaying the images for even greater resolution.

By regularly returning to the wilderness, Wilderness International can take note of what the land looks like, how healthy the plants are and where exactly everything is. This way they will know if something as small as a rock is moved from its place. This provides better protection for the land, including knowing if it is being entered and ensuring that ecosystems are defended against various types of hazards. They can also see which animals are in that region and follow their tracks over time.

Now Utah’s Wildlife Resources Department is stepping in

In a recent press release, Utah’s DWR said it has formed its own drone team, made up of state conservationists.

To become certified to operate drones for law enforcement duties, the new Unmanned Aerial Systems team had to complete several licensing and training requirements with the Federal Aviation Administration. The drone team currently consists of five researchers located across the state.

“Using drones will help us solve wildlife crime more effectively, and having trained law enforcement drone pilots will also enable us to assist other law enforcement agencies in search and rescue efforts or other investigations,” said DWR Captain Wade Hovinga . “Utah conservation officials are civil servants, and these new tools will help us better serve the public, whether we’re solving poaching crimes or locating lost hunters.”

These are similar to the K-9 Conservation Officer’s team in that they will be asked to assist in a number of activities, including:

  • Documenting crime scenes using drone technology.
  • Searching for evidence of and locating illegally captured wildlife (which are often hidden from view, at least until they get eyes in the sky).
  • Helping landowners by investigating illegal access to private property (which often happens when hunters and poachers break the law).
  • Other law enforcement agencies assist with search and rescue.
  • Assisting biologists in wildlife surveys of protected areas.
  • Document boat accidents (on request).
  • Investigating hunting-related shooting incidents (stray rounds, irresponsible use of weapons, etc.)
  • Research on animal-human encounters (for both hunters and non-hunters).

As you can imagine, volumes could be written about all of the above, and it’s a lot like the stuff I wrote about further down. By putting the drones in the hands of these law enforcement officers, they can help with a wide variety of things that they couldn’t do as well as they could now. In addition, other agencies (such as the small town police) that do not have a drone program can achieve the same results.

The officers can help with this because DWR officers already wear a lot of hats. Conservation law enforcement officers focus on enforcing wildlife rules and encourage compliance. They also educate and protect the outdoor recreational public while working to increase the value of Utah’s wildlife for all. In addition, Utah conservation officers are increasingly being called upon to assist local law enforcement with non-nature related violations of the law. Their responsibilities include:

  • Patrolling the mountains and lakes of the state, investigating wildlife violations. (Conservation officers are patrolling on foot, horseback, motorcycles, ATVs, boats and in trucks, and now from the air.)
  • Biologists assist in studies and investigations for better management.
  • Remove nuisance from urban areas and relocate (if possible).
  • Helping other agencies with a variety of law enforcement needs.
  • Assist in search and rescue missions, wildfire evacuations and other relief efforts as needed.
  • Helping with Hunter Education, new hunters learn how to be responsible and ethical.
  • Enforce all Utah laws, as needed.

So, as you can probably see, they were an ideal place to put a drone team in the general state government structure. These guys and gals are everywhere and are already doing everything. Putting clean energy and the power of electric aviation in your hands makes perfect sense.

Featured image by DJI.


 

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