#Japan #Kagawa #MATRICE 4TD #DJI Dock3 #Drone Support Association

Innovative Drone Technology to Tackle Wild Boar Damage in Remote Islands

The Joint Research conducted in December 2025 aims to find effective solutions for the increasing damage caused by wild boars on Ogi Island in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. The Japan Drone Business Support Association, in collaboration with Kinchuu Co., Ltd. and Bit Communications, implemented an advanced monitoring project using drone and infrared camera technology. The project was aimed at drastically improving the wildlife monitoring systems in rural and isolated areas, specifically targeting the ongoing boar invasion which poses a significant threat to agriculture and residential safety.

The Problem of Wild Boar Damage

Ogi Island, located approximately 40 minutes by ferry from Takamatsu, has been facing severe challenges due to an exponential increase in wild boar population. Reports indicate that these animals not only harm crops but are also frequently spotted in residential areas, instilling fear among residents who often find it dangerous to venture outside at night.

Human efforts to monitor and counteract these problems have proven limited and resource-intensive. As such, the team set out to explore the feasibility and efficacy of employing drones for automated surveillance.

Survey Outline and Method

Implementation Details

• - Date: December 16, 2025, at 09:00 to December 17, 2025, at 09:00 (approximately 24 hours)
• - Location: Ogi Town, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture

Survey Procedure

1. Terrain Survey and Flight Route Planning
The first step involved conducting a detailed survey of the island's topography using drones to create safe flight paths considering vegetation and residential placements.

2. Automated Flight for Regular Imaging
A DJI Dock3, a drone automatic takeoff and landing station, was strategically placed on the island. The Matrice 4TD, equipped with thermal imaging, autonomously flew the predefined route to capture infrared images continuously.

3. Concentrated Search During Active Hours
The survey focused on the periods when boars are most active, usually around dawn and dusk. Flight frequency was increased during these times to enhance data collection.

4. Detection of Boars via Infrared Images
Infrared imagery was utilized to detect the body temperatures of boars, documenting their movements, habitat preferences, and behaviors accurately.

Result and Findings

The project successfully recorded numerous images of boar activities throughout the 24-hour survey period. The use of infrared cameras enabled the capture of data that was otherwise challenging to obtain through conventional visual methods or trapping.

Future Prospects: Developing an AI-based Detection System

The data gathered presents an opportunity to advance towards an AI-driven automated detection system that can efficiently analyze the images collected.

Potential Applications

1. Real-time Detection: Automatically alerting authorities when boars invade specific areas.
2. Reduction of Crop Damage: Analyzing trends in boar appearances to devise effective prevention strategies.
3. Public Safety Alerts: Alerting residents when boars approach inhabited zones.

Strengthening Operational Capabilities

Going forward, the plan includes utilizing two units of DJI Dock3 and Matrice 4TD alternately to ensure a steady monitoring presence during the prime activity periods of the boars. This initiative aims to develop a sustainable wildlife management model that can be replicated in other isolated and hinterland regions facing similar challenges across Japan.

About Collaborating Organizations

The project is backed by the Japan Drone Business Support Association, which boasts a franchise network across 43 prefectures, focusing on drone business training and disaster response. Kinchuu Co., Ltd., the first certified drone school in Yamaguchi, provides extensive training in various drone applications. Bit Communications, based in Kagawa, supports the local IT sector and has expanded into drone operations to assist environmental assessments.

For more information or inquiries regarding this initiative, please contact:
Japan Drone Business Support Association
Contact: Koji Morimoto
Phone: 086-948-2761
Email: [email protected]