Drones for GoodThe Southern Resident killer whales are an endangered population in the waters of Washington State. In September 2015 a NOAA Fisheries research team led by a biologist from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center used a remotely operated hexacopter to collect high-resolution aerial photogrammetry images of the whales. The work was a joint project with the Vancouver Aquarium.
According to NOAA, the images covered all 81 whales. Most appeared to be in robust condition and several females may have been pregnant, pending further analysis.