Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Invasive rodent species represent a principal threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem integrity, particularly on islands. The development of aerial dispersal of rodenticide bait from helicopters in the 1990s was a major innovation credited with driving an increase in the scale, scope, and pace of successful eradication attempts. Helicopter-based operations can, however, be logistically complex and prohibitively costly, particularly on islands that are small and remote. Uncrewed aerial vehicles (or “drones”) have been identified as a promising tool to enable bait distribution on sites for which helicopter or ground-based methods are unfeasible. We report on the early evolution of this tool, documenting six drone-assisted rodent suppression and eradication programs widely spread across the Pacific. Drones were transportable on aircraft, cars, and small vessels, offering cost savings and logistical efficiency when compared with helicopters. They also proved to be a viable means of aerial bait dispersal: broadcasting 17,400 kg over an area of 796 ha across all programs. However, we encountered limitations associated with the technology in its current form. Flight plans initially took weeks to prepare, required detailed spatial data, and were not readily altered in real time during operations. The platforms we used were constrained by their lithium power source, needing extensive and time-consuming battery charging support and limiting payload capacity and endurance. Reliability issues, overcome in later projects, led to delays and abandonment of some parts of projects and necessitated the preparation and implementation of alternative methods as back-ups. Though key advancements − such as increased payload capacity and endurance − are imminent, a broad suite of improvements are needed for this method to be widely adopted. In their current form, drones provide a niche option for bait distribution on islands too large for hand-spreading of bait and where remoteness, precision, or safety considerations may limit the use of piloted aircraft. If future strategic investments in technology and people can be properly directed, drones have the potential to make the eradication of invasive rodent populations an achievable goal for a broader set of practitioners, democratizing a critically important conservation intervention.