Drones trialled in push to eradicate Bovine TB

The Government has begun trialling advanced drone and thermal-imaging technology in one of New Zealand’s most challenging landscapes as it ramps up the fight against bovine tuberculosis (TB).

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the move marks a “step-change” in how the country tackles possum populations, the primary wildlife carriers of the disease.

Disease-eradication agency OSPRI is leading the project, using thermal-equipped drones to detect, map, and assess possum densities across a rugged trial site in Central Otago.

The vast, tussock-covered hills in the region have long made traditional control methods—such as trapping, shooting, and helicopter operations—both difficult and costly.

“I’ve challenged OSPRI to constantly seek new and innovative ways to step up the fight against bovine TB,” Hoggard said. “Many farmers today may not remember how devastating the disease was through the late ’70s to early ’90s. I remember as a child the anguish and financial strain whenever an infected cow was found in our herd.”

Hoggard said the mental toll on farmers in countries still struggling with the disease, such as the UK and Ireland, highlights the importance of finishing New Zealand’s eradication effort.

New Zealand farmers and taxpayers have spent millions of dollars over decades to control the disease, but success ultimately depends on accurately identifying and suppressing possum populations. OSPRI believes drone-based thermal imaging will dramatically improve efficiency and precision.

“These drones allow us to work smarter, not harder,” an OSPRI spokesperson said. “They can access remote areas, detect possums, and pinpoint exactly where ground teams need to focus. It’s a highly targeted, cost-effective approach.”

Central Otago was chosen for the trial because it remains a TB hotspot and is believed to host higher-than-average possum numbers. Hoggard says the technology could provide the breakthrough needed to achieve long-term eradication.

“To eliminate bovine TB, we have to remove enough possums for the disease to disappear from the population,” he said. “This technology could well be the kicker we need for sustainable, enduring eradication.”