Silent Count
See them without them seeing you. · Operation FIELDNOTES · 2 days suggested (1–7)
Biologists need an elk herd count before winter — and the herd spooks easily. Wildlife researchers use drones to count animals and check on nests from a respectful distance. The rules are strict: stay high enough, approach slowly, never chase, and leave the moment animals react.
- ◆ I can control speed and height precisely to meet a rule.
- ◆ I can explain ethical guidelines for flying near wildlife.
- ◆ I can plan a counting route that avoids double-counting.
- Pilot: Flies slow and high over each group.
- Mission Commander: Keeps the count and the route.
- Engineer / Safety Observer: Watches height and the disturbance buffer; calls STOP.
Simulator challenges
Wildlife rules mean staying high. Hold a steady hover for 3 seconds and land at the blind.
Fly it →Count each group from at least 1.6 m up (scans only work high), stay out of the buffer zones around the calves, and land at the blind.
Fly it →Program a respectful approach: climb first, then move slowly over the group, hold for the count, and leave the way you came.
Fly it →Count toy animals or picture cards from a respectful height, without flying inside the taped buffer circles.
- ☐ Accurate count with no double-counting
- ☐ Slow, smooth approaches
- ☐ Respected every buffer
Crews write a one-page 'flight rules' card for flying near animals, then fly the Slow Approach program following it.
- ☐ Wrote clear, specific rules
- ☐ Program follows the rules
- ☐ Explained why each rule protects animals
Zoom camera (simulated): Holding high over a group records a count in the simulation. Real CoDrone EDU: CoDrone EDU has no camera. In class, crews 'count' toy animals or picture cards by hovering above them and reading the count aloud.
Your crew counted every group once, kept the calves calm, and left as soon as the bull started moving. That's how real wildlife surveys protect the animals they study.