Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of consumer drone technology for non-invasive pathogen surveillance in free-ranging whales across the North Atlantic, marking a significant advancement in marine mammal health monitoring. A study published in BMC Veterinary Research documented the use of a DJI Mavic 2 Pro equipped with specialized sampling apparatus to detect cetacean morbillivirus and herpesvirus from the “blowhole snot” of humpback whales, sperm whales, and fin whales.
Drone Technology for Blow Samples
The drone was equipped with two foam floaters, low-noise propellers, and four sterilized Petri dishes for blow sample collection, and operated at altitudes between 0.5 and 3 meters during sampling operations. The positioning strategy varied by species: for humpback whales, the drone was flown above and behind the blowhole, while for sperm whales—which possess a single blowhole on the left side—the aircraft was positioned above and to the left. After successful sampling, the Petri dishes were dry-swabbed and placed in tubes containing RNAlater for preservation at ambient temperature during fieldwork, then transferred to 4°C storage for up to two weeks before laboratory processing at −80°C.
Between 2016 and 2025, researchers collected 76 blow samples and 45 skin biopsy samples across multiple locations including northern Norway’s foraging grounds in Skjervøy and Andenes, Iceland’s waters, and Cape Verde. The study represents what researchers describe as “the first report of blow sampling for pathogen surveillance in sperm and fin whales, and the first study exploring the use of remotely collected biopsy samples for viral screening.”
By AWeith – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52210407
Results Achieved
Results revealed cetacean morbillivirus in blow samples from two asymptomatic groups of humpback whales in Norway, one sperm whale, and a stranded pilot whale. Alphaherpesvirus was detected in five humpback whale groups throughout multiple locations, while a gammaherpesvirus appeared in one skin biopsy sample. No samples tested positive for avian influenza virus or Brucella spp.
The research demonstrates that “minimally invasive sampling, particularly blow sampling, can be used for pathogen surveillance in free-ranging cetaceans.” The findings provide insights into viral circulation patterns in North Atlantic cetacean populations while establishing drone-based sampling as a viable complement to traditional monitoring methods, requiring only standard consumer drone equipment and sterilized collection vessels.
The full study is available here.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
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