Comparison of direct counting and drone counting techniques used in mountain goat inventories

The development of new generation technologies and the availability of products related to these technologies are becoming attractive to small-scale public and private companies in the National Parks and Wildlife Refugee areas. Intelligent drone systems which are in the lightest segment of unmanned aerial vehicles, with more secure features, self-monitoring, smart and accurate sensor usage, increased remote control capacities, and increased load liftings are established new connections in transportation, transportation, military, logistics and international markets. In this context, the purpose of this study is to compare direct counting and drone counting the Mountain goat inventory methodologies within the Çoruh Valley Wildlife Protection and Refuge Area in the Artvin Province, Turkey. Three sample observation points were selected to measure differences between two inventory methods. At each sample point, two observers, a total of 6 people were placed to count the mountain goats using the direct observation method. The drone team at the same points consisting of two people: one for flying the drone and other observor helping the pilot to direct the drone to the points where the goats were located. On the date of 15.12.2018, 33, zero (0) and 20 mountain goats were counted at observation point number 16, 17 and 18, respectively. In the inventories made with drone, there were 34, zero (0) and 22 mountain goats at observation points 16, 17 and 18 respectively. We counted 21 and 14 goats at observation point number 16 and 18 respectively with direct method and 21 and 20 goats with the drone method on 29.04.2019. On the third visit (18.07.2019), we counted 6 goats with direct method and 11 goats with drone method at the observation poin number 18. No individuals were found at other observation point numbers 16 and 17 on the same date. It was hard to locate the goats with the drone at the first stage without binoculars' help. Then, once located, the distinction of the flocks with the zoom capabilities of the camera can be made more clearly and precisely as the age and gender distinction are made closer to the drone. It was found out that the goats escaping from the sound of the drone were easier to identify and count the flock of mountain goats. The safe distance to approach to the mountain goats without disturbing using the drones was found to be 30 meters. With the features of thermal cameras and SAR radars, it will be easier to locate mountain goat locations, while making more accurate counts and tracking their movements. Depending on the technological development studies of drones in the world, wildlife inventory will have an even more important place in determining the habitats, population sizes and making wildlife management plans.