Leopard Seal Photogrammetry from UAS Flights in Antarctica

Fifty photogrammetric samples from 15 unrestrained leopard seals were collected via small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) flights in January and February of 2013 and 2014. This dataset was created to test the precision and accuracy of UAS photogrammetry for estimating seal mass and body condition. It provides a noninvasive method for pinniped morphometrics that may be widely applicable.

Use Cases

• Validating UAS-based photogrammetry methods for estimating animal mass based on known body size and mass.
• Assessing leopard seal body condition as an ecological indicator using vertical image measurements.
• Developing computer vision models for automated pinniped morphometric analysis from aerial imagery.

Strengths

• Contains 50 photogrammetric samples from 15 individual seals, providing multiple observations per subject.
• Data collection was noninvasive, involving unrestrained animals in their natural habitat.
• Cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA EarthData indicates recognized scientific value.

Limitations

• Column names and specific data structure are unknown, limiting immediate analytical use.
• Metadata conflicts exist: the last updated date is reported as 2026-03-14 on Data.gov but 2014-03-31 on NASA EarthData.
• Dataset size, row counts, and license information are not provided by any source.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce, likely from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC).

Collection Method

Aerial surveys conducted using a small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to capture vertical images of seals.

Time Range

2013-01-01 to 2014-03-31

Freshness

2026-03 14 23:05:52.903936

Geography

Antarctic region, specifically referenced areas include the Antarctic Peninsula, Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, and the South Shetland Islands (CCAMLR Area 48.1, FAO Area 48.1).