41,000+ Endangered Turtles Found at World's Largest Nesting Site via Drones

• World's largest nesting site for endangered South American river turtles discovered on the Guaporé River, bordering Brazil and Bolivia.
• Over 41,000 turtles were estimated at the site using a new method combining drones and statistical analysis.
• The study, by University of Florida and Wildlife Conservation Society, highlights drones as an efficient tool for monitoring wildlife populations.
• South American river turtles (Arrau turtles) are endangered but crucial for the Amazon ecosystem, aiding seed dispersal and serving as a food source.
• Mass nesting behavior in July and August makes traditional counting challenging, underscoring the value of advanced drone technology.