Dear colleagues,

We are looking for recommendations on software for analyzing video imagery of large dolphin groups collected via drone. Our aim is to count the number of dolphins in groups that sometimes contain many hundreds of dolphins. We also aim to identify and count mother-calf pairs, assess the relative size of each calf, and track those mom-calf pairs as they swim across the screen. Our main challenges are: the large group sizes where individuals may be tightly bunched, the continuously moving imagery as the drone moves with the dolphins, and sun glare.

We would be most grateful for any recommendations on software that may aid in any component of this analysis. We would appreciate hearing from you by August 16, 2024. Please email Heidi Pearson at hcpearson@alaska.edu and Joana Castro at info@aimmportugal.org.

Thank you very much,
Heidi

Heidi Pearson, Ph.D. (she/her)

Professor of Marine Biology

University of Alaska Southeast

11066 Auke Lake Way, AND 1

Juneau, AK 99801

Phone: 907.796.6271

Our campus resides on the unceded territory of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan on Lingít Aaní, also known as Juneau and Douglas, Alaska, which also houses neighboring X̱aadas and Ts’msyen peoples.