In recent years, the resurgence of grizzly bears in eastern Montana has necessitated the creation of innovative wildlife management roles. In 2017, the state appointed Wesley Sarmento as its inaugural prairie-based grizzly manager, a position designed to navigate the delicate balance between the growing human population and the threatened bear species, which is still protected under the Endangered Species Act. Stationed in the small town of Conrad, Sarmento’s work involved acting as a wildlife first responder, mitigating potentially dangerous encounters between bears and humans. His experiences in the field, including moments where he narrowly avoided injury, led him to adopt drones as a safer alternative for wildlife management.
Sarmento’s journey into wildlife management began with his studies on mountain goats in Glacier National Park, where he donned a bear costume weekly for over three years to understand predator-prey dynamics better. As grizzly manager, he often traveled significant distances to discourage bears from raiding farms, attracted by spilled grain. Equipped with a shotgun and bear spray, he realized after a close call that he needed a more effective strategy. Initially, he experimented with Airedale dogs, but distractions limited their effectiveness. However, the advent of drones offered a promising solution. In 2022, he utilized a drone to locate a mother grizzly and her cubs near a silo, leveraging the drone’s infrared sensors and the sound of its rotors to safely steer the bears away from danger, all while remaining secure in his vehicle. This drone, purchased for $4,000, has proven to be a valuable asset, allowing Sarmento to survey hazardous terrains without direct confrontation.
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology at the University of Montana, Sarmento is exploring further applications of drone technology in wildlife management. He envisions developing a drone system that could assist police in deterring black bears from school grounds. Looking ahead, he believes that integrating artificial intelligence for image recognition could revolutionize how drones identify and interact with bears, potentially preventing conflicts that could lead to harmful outcomes for both species. “While the technology isn’t fully developed yet, the potential for drones in wildlife management is significant,” Sarmento states. The exploration of these technological innovations marks an exciting frontier in the field of wildlife conservation.
Source: Job titles of the future: Wildlife first responder via MIT Technology Review