Estimating the density of raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and water deer (Hydropotes inermis) using thermal real-time drone surveys and distance sampling

but with low detection probability (34.4%) and wide confidence intervals due to limited sample size and complex terrain. These results indicate that real-time drone surveys, when integrated with distance sampling, can effectively correct for detection bias in density estimation of medium- to large-sized mammals. Future studies should apply advanced approaches such as Multiple Covariate Distance Sampling to account for variability in detection probability across survey conditions.