How Scientists Use Drones to Tag Sperm Whales

Scientists have developed a new tagging method called "tap-and-go" to study sperm whales. This technique involves using drones to quickly attach small tags to the whales, which can then collect data on their health and behavior without significantly disturbing the animals. The tags are designed to fall off after a few days, allowing researchers to retrieve the data and re-attach new tags. This approach is a significant improvement over previous methods that required physically capturing the whales or attaching tags that remained on the animals for extended periods. The tap-and-go technique has several advantages. It allows scientists to gather more data on a larger number of whales, as the process is less disruptive to the animals. Additionally, the shorter attachment time reduces the risk of infection or other complications. This new method provides a more ethical and efficient way to study these marine mammals, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of their biology and conservation.