Assessing UAVs Equipped with Thermal Camera as a Novel Tool for Studying Habitat Related Behaviour of Mesopredators

In management of mesopredators it is essential to understand their ecological roles and habitat use. However, studies of nocturnal species are challenging and conventional methods are limited in their applicability. This study presents a new method to study habitat preference and behaviour of red fox (Vulpes vulpes), European badger (Meles meles), and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). In this study the use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with thermal camera is tested and evaluated in relation to conventional monitoring methods. Our results demonstrate that UAVs are highly effective for tracking predator movements across open landscapes, capturing real-time data on locations and behaviours such as foraging, resting, and hunting. This study revealed habitat separations as well as spatial overlap between fox, badger and otter in agricultural areas in Denmark. Foxes showed more versatility, both in behaviour and habitat choice than badger and otter. Otters were almost exclusively found close to water bodies as lakes, streams and coastlines, where they caught fish. Badgers preferred to forage under three covers and in meadows. This study highlights the potential for UAVs to provide novel insights into predator behaviour, habitat use, and interspecies interactions, contributing to a deeper understanding of mesopredator ecology.