Sensitivity of Adélie and Gentoo penguins to various flight activities of a micro UAV

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A recent increase in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—also known as remotely piloted aircraft (RPA)—in the Antarctic in private, commercial and scientific sectors suggests that operational guidelines are urgently needed. One of the factors inhibiting adoption of such guidelines is the lack of knowledge about the impact of UAVs on wildlife. During the austral summer field season of 2014/15, data were gathered on the behavioural reactions to UAVs of Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) and Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), both resident breeding species on Ardley Island, King George Island, South Shetland Islands. A series of overflights at different altitudes above the nesting penguins were conducted with a small octocopter UAV, and their behaviour was recorded by video. Penguin behaviour altered as a result of the UAV flights, and behavioural reactions were more pronounced when the UAV was flown at lower altitudes. In Adelie penguins, behavioural reactions caused by the UAV were evident at the highest tested altitude of 50 m, while in Gentoo penguins reactions were evident from 30 m downwards. For both species, the reactions increased markedly when the UAV was flown at low altitudes of 10–20 m. Gentoo penguins showed significant reactions when the UAV was launched at distances closer than 20 m. There was some evidence of habituation to the UAV at some altitudes for horizontal flights, but no evidence of habituation in vertical flights.