  Using thermal infrared detectors mounted on drones, and applying techniques
from astrophysics, we hope to support the field of conservation ecology by
creating an automated pipeline for the detection and identification of certain
endangered species and poachers from thermal infrared data. We test part of our
system by attempting to detect simulated poachers in the field. Whilst we find
that we can detect humans hiding in the field in some types of terrain, we also
find several environmental factors that prevent accurate detection, such as
ambient heat from the ground, absorption of infrared emission by the
atmosphere, obscuring vegetation and spurious sources from the terrain. We
discuss the effect of these issues, and potential solutions which will be
required for our future vision for a fully automated drone-based global
conservation monitoring system.
