The Application of Autonomous Fixed‐Wing Drones in the Sub‐Antarctic Operating Beyond Visual Line of Sight to Enable Large Area, Multi‐Species Population Monitoring in a Changing Environment

ABSTRACT Autonomous fixed‐wing drones operating beyond visual line of sight of the pilot were used to conduct the first aerial, multi species baseline reference survey at the sub‐Antarctic island of South Georgia. Long‐term population monitoring in this remote, challenging environment has historically proved difficult, with terrestrial monitoring generally limited to the immediate vicinity of two research stations, the only permanent human presence on the island. Methodologies capable of monitoring remote wildlife aggregations, and in challenging conditions, are critical for understanding the consequences of the recent rapid ecological and environmental changes at South Georgia. Here we utilised small, simple, but highly capable fixed‐wing drones, operating autonomously and beyond visual line of sight to overcome the difficulties faced by operating in the sub‐Antarctic, including with limited access and weather. The methodologies and workflows developed here represent a tool kit for conducting a large‐scale, long‐term wildlife monitoring programme in remote environments elsewhere around the world, where conventional terrestrial and aerial methods are not practical. Utilising these methods, we conducted a survey of key indicator species around South Georgia.