Thermal imagery did not raise culling rates in this tropical study

What the study found: Thermal imagery detected feral deer and pigs under a variety of temperatures and canopy densities, but it did not significantly increase aerial culling rates compared with conventional unaided visual detection.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors conclude that thermal imagery may still offer benefits in northern Australia, especially when animal densities are lower and canopy cover is dense, where animals are harder to detect.
What the researchers tested: The researchers analyzed video recordings from a chital deer control program near Collinsville, Queensland, and compared thermal camera runs with conventional shooting runs during aerial culling in a warm, tropical environment.
What worked and what didn't: The thermal camera successfully detected animals across different temperatures and canopy densities. However, it did not significantly increase the culling rate, whether measured as animals removed per hour or per kilometer, and there were no consistent differences in search time between thermal and conventional runs.
What to keep in mind: The study was conducted in one tropical setting during a chital deer control program, so the abstract only supports that specific context. The authors also recommend further assessments to optimize control practices.

Key points

• Thermal imagery detected feral deer and pigs across a range of temperatures and canopy densities.
• It did not significantly improve aerial culling rates over conventional unaided visual detection.
• There were no consistent differences in search time between thermal and conventional runs.
• The authors suggest thermal imagery may be more useful at lower animal densities and in dense canopy cover.