Using crowd sourced data to save endangered Hector’s dolphins
New Zealand’s Hector's dolphins are one of the most endangered dolphin species on earth and despite awareness about the
species decline, little is known about the areas in which they roam. Leading location app developerThunderMaps has partnered with Whale & Dolphin Conservation UK and Gemma McGrath, to develop an app to crowdsource location data on Hector’s Dolphins to aid
research into the species.
If you see a dolphin, with the app you can easily record its location, take a photo of the dolphin when it surfaces and
record additional information such as weather and behavioural observations.
Gemma McGrath said, “Locals are excellent citizen scientists. They’re out observing their environment every day and this
app helps them provide much needed scientific data on these endangered dolphins. Hector’s dolphins are very distinctive,
they’re small with a very rounded fin on their back unlike other dolphins that all have pointy fins.
“Every dolphin sighting is important and the data gathered by the ‘Hector’s Dolphin Sightings’ app will be co-managed
with the Department of Conservation and interested scientists to assist dolphin conservation and fill knowledge gaps.”
ThunderMaps is endorsed by the European Commission for citywide implementations of its software. Usually it makes apps
to help councils keep their citizens informed and safe, however these new Dolphin applications, developed in conjunction
with Whale & Dolphin Conservation group, use the same technology for the conservation market.
ThunderMaps’ Managing Director Clint Van Marrewijk says, “Although we're primarily exporting into the EU and US, our
home office is in Wellington and it's important that we give back and find ways to support New Zealand.”
ThunderMaps technology has previously been applied in the conservation space. In 2014 Forest and Bird used their
software for the Great Kereru Count and Gareth Morgan’s Morgan Foundation has used ThunderMaps to crowd source
information on pollution, and feral cat populations in New Zealand.
The ‘Hector's Dolphin Sightings’ App is available free from today for download in the Android and Apple stores.
ENDS