31 Jul 2019

World-first: Drone used to monitor endangered whales

From Afternoons, 1:18 pm on 31 July 2019

In a world first, scientists have figured out how to measure the vital signs of a huge patient - a humpback whale. 

By using a "doctor drone" the team has been able to monitor the temperature, respiration and heart rate of the endangered paikea whale. 

The team that made the discovery is led by Associate Professor Travis Horton from the University of Canterbury, he's on the line now to explain how it works.