Drones Revolutionize African Lion Conservation in Uganda: A New Era of Wildlife Research

The use of cutting-edge drone technology is revolutionizing wildlife conservation efforts in Uganda, particularly in monitoring and protecting the African lion. Under the leadership of Dr. Alexander Braczkowski, a renowned big cat biologist and wildlife filmmaker, teams have been using DJI's Zenmuse H30T drone to overcome the challenges of traditional lion tracking methods and to capture unprecedented footage of these majestic animals.

Resting climbing lion at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Credits: Dr. Alexander Braczkowki

The Challenge: Tracking Lions in Difficult Terrain

Uganda is home to several national parks where lions roam free, including the iconic Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its unique tree-climbing lions. However, traditional ground-based tracking methods face significant limitations due to the dense and thorny vegetation, particularly in the Acacia Sickle Bush Thickets where many lions reside. The difficulty of navigating these environments has hampered the ability of researchers to consistently monitor lion populations, observe their behavior, and collect critical data on their health and status.

"We have teams searching for lions every single day, identifying them using photographic whisker spot patterns and measuring distances traveled to get accurate counts," explains Dr. Braczkowski. "However, the ground-based approach is nearly impossible in some terrains, which is why we turned to aerial photography."

The Solution: Aerial Photography with Advanced Drones

Dr. Braczkowski with the Uganda Wildlife Authority at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Credits: Dr. Alexander Braczkowski

Aerial photography allows Dr. Braczkowski and his team to track lions from above, offering a clear and comprehensive view of their movements, hunting patterns, and even rare behaviors like swimming across crocodile-infested waters. "Recently, we documented a Guinness World Record of lions swimming across the Kazinga Channel. Without drones, capturing such footage would not have been possible," says Dr. Braczkowski.

During the unprecedented swim, the team was able to capture the great feat with the Zenmuse H20T, the predecessor of the current model. After their experience they realized the need for higher thermal and night vision capabilities, hence the upgrade to the Zenmuse H30T.

Dr. Braczkowski using the Zenmuse H30T in night conditions. Credits: Dr. Alexander Braczkowski

The Zenmuse H30T, with its enhanced resolution capabilities, has taken conservation efforts to a new level. Compared to previous models like the Zenmuse H20T, the H30T provides a fourfold increase in image clarity, allowing for more detailed and accurate monitoring, particularly during nighttime operations. "We can now see the details in the wrinkles of an elephant's ears or the texture of their skin at night, which has been a game changer for our work," adds Dr. Braczkowski.

Dr. Braczkowski captures lion brothers Tibu & Jacob using the Zenmuse H30T. Credits: Dr. Alexander Braczkowski

Beyond Photography: Broader Applications of Drone Technology

The benefits of drones extend beyond capturing breathtaking footage. They are also vital in identifying new lions and observing critical behaviors such as mating and hunting, which would otherwise be impossible to document due to dense vegetation. Moreover, the use of drones can support anti-poaching efforts by detecting illegal activities such as poaching and unauthorized fishing in these protected wilderness areas.

Dr. Braczkowski notes, "The potential of drone technology is not just limited to wildlife photography and film. It also holds promise for security applications in places like East Africa and Uganda, where there are no fences. This technology is crucial for detecting illegal activities, ensuring the safety and preservation of wildlife."

Transforming Conservation Efforts with Technology

Over the years, Dr. Braczkowski's team has utilized a variety of DJI products, from the early DJI Mavic models to the advanced Matrice series. However, the latest Zenmuse H30T has significantly enhanced their capabilities, opening new frontiers in lion conservation and enabling the team to achieve higher production quality in their wildlife documentaries and storytelling projects.

"Our collaboration with DJI has been instrumental in advancing our research and conservation efforts," says Dr. Braczkowski. "The improved resolution and the ability to operate at night have provided us with insights that were previously unattainable."

About Dr. Alexander Braczkowski

Dr. Alexander Braczkowski is a big cat biologist and wildlife filmmaker whose work has been featured in leading outlets such as National Geographic, Disney+, and The New York Times. With over 15 years of experience in wildlife research and conservation, Dr. Braczkowski is a dedicated advocate for big cat preservation and an innovator in the use of technology for environmental research.

Full Video Link

Unedited footage Link

Images Link