Here’s a breakdown of the diffrent Flir thermal cameras and their uses in the ape research, based on the provided text:
1. Flir A6301 (Cooled MWIR Sensor)
* Type: Cooled (Mid-wave Infrared)
* Key Features:
* Highly sensitive
* High resolution (crucial for achieving a threshold of at least 50 pixels per area of interest)
* Sensitivity of 3-5 µm (detects breathing/respiration as a thermal image)
* Use Case:
* Static studies: Used to study “nasal dip” when apes voluntarily watch videos (stress/positive response elicitation). The high detail is crucial for these stationary observations.
* Creating a region of interest on the face for data collection.
2. Flir T1K (Uncooled)
* Type: Uncooled
* Key Features:
* Portable and easy to carry
* Effective zoom
* Use Case:
* ‘Focal follow’ research: Tracking the normal behavior of apes as they move around the sanctuary.
* Field work in Uganda: Tracking wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Thermal Ecology Kit
* Components: Flir cooled or uncooled camera, multiple lens options, tripod, battery pack (6 hours), Windows tablet with Flir research Studio software.
* Benefits:
* Mobile and convenient
* Easier wildlife recording
* Faster reporting
* Increased field safety
* Replaces bulkier equipment
* Synchronous data collection with a GoPro camera (thermal image + RGB video for individual identification).
In essence, the researchers are strategically using the strengths of each camera type: the high sensitivity and detail of the cooled camera for controlled, static studies, and the portability of the uncooled camera for dynamic, field-based observations.