A new study suggests drones could offer a safer way to check on dolphins without ever disturbing them in the water.

Researchers at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, tested how drone technology can be used to monitor dolphin health from above. Their findings show the flying devices can accurately measure key health indicators such as body temperature and breathing rates.

Using specialized thermal cameras mounted on drones, scientists analyzed more than 40,000 images of bottlenose dolphin populations. The study found that the most reliable measurements were taken when drones hovered about 10 metres (32.8 feet) directly above the animals.

“Monitoring the health of dolphins is important for assessing environmental impacts and supporting conservation,” said researcher Charlie White.

Because dolphins spend most of their lives underwater, traditional health checks can be difficult and sometimes stressful for the animals. In many cases, scientists must temporarily capture or restrain them to gather medical information.

Drones could change that.

By collecting thermal images from above, researchers can track body temperature and respiration patterns. Any unusual changes in those measurements may signal illness, injury or stress.

The method could also help protect marine ecosystems.

Dolphins are considered keystone species, meaning their health often reflects the overall condition of the ocean environment. Changes in dolphin populations can signal problems such as overfishing, pollution or habitat damage.

Senior researcher Guido Parra said the technology could become an important conservation tool as it continues to improve.

“With continued refinement and testing under a wider range of wild conditions, the approach has the potential to support safer and less intrusive health monitoring of marine mammals,” he said.

As drone technology advances, scientists hope these aerial checkups will help ensure dolphins — and the ecosystems they help support — continue to thrive.