Antler detection from the sky: deer sex ratio monitoring using drone?mounted thermal infrared sensors

Sex differences in large mammals with sexual dimorphism are important ecological and evolutionary issues key factors for wildlife management. To examine the potential use of drone (unmanned aerial vehicle; UAV) observation using thermal infrared images sex ratio monitoring deer, we conducted UAV surveys at night a sparse forest located on distribution periphery sika deer Cervus nippon wild boar Sus scrofa local populations during summer winter. Of 163 detected, 132 (81.0%) 16 (9.8%) were identified boar, respectively. In addition, velvet antlers visually recognized summer, 92% detected antlered. This biased would be characteristic populations. Therefore, abundance sensors UAVs can improve management especially