Drone project is now in action

Cornell University, Griffith University, and Avisure are excited to announce their collaboration in a groundbreaking research project focused on studying bat behavior and its impact on pathogen spillover using state-of-the-art drone technology. This joint effort brings together researchers, cutting-edge drones, and a shared commitment to advancing our understanding of zoonotic diseases and their transmission.

Understanding the behaviors of bats and their interactions with horses is crucial for identifying the mechanisms that contribute to pathogen spillover events. Drones offer a unique advantage by allowing researchers to observe bats over large areas, at night providing valuable insights into their foraging patterns, movements, and interactions. This knowledge can shed light on the specific behaviors that facilitate the transmission of zoonotic pathogens from bats to other species, including humans.

This multidisciplinary collaboration will bring together tenured and emerging researchers, including Raina Plowright, Manuel Ruiz Aravena, and Emma Spence from Cornell, Alison Peel, Belinda Linnegar, and Zoe Bienkiewicz from Griffith, Andrew Hoegh from Montana State University, and Jeff McKee from Avisure. While the initial deployment of drones will focus on field sites in Australia, the research project aims to extend its scope to other regions worldwide. For instance, in Bangladesh, where bat-human interactions lead to Nipah virus outbreaks, and in Southeast Asia, where coronaviruses circulate in rhinolophid bats, where the technology could provide critical insights into bat behavior and the ecological conditions that facilitate viral emergence.