Calls to limit drones near wildlife

The growing use of drones to monitor wildlife could pose a risk to some animals, environmental researchers say.

The University of Adelaide's drone hub has called for a code of practice to be introduced to ensure such field research does not have unexpected and undesirable impacts.

A report by researchers Jarrod Hodgson and Lian Pin Koh found there is currently little understanding of the risks to wildlife posed by drones.

"Even though an animal might appear not to be disturbed, it could be quite stressed," Mr Hodgson said.

He cites the example of a bird that may stay quite close to a drone because it is incubating an egg or protecting a hatchling.

"It is likely that animal responses will vary depending on a variety of factors including the species, environmental and historical context as well as the type of drone and its method of operation."

Among the report's recommendations is a call for drone users to seek to minimise the disturbance to wildlife and to cease operations if their flights prove disruptive.