The convergence of wildlife conservation and cutting-edge technology is making waves in Washington state, where the Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced a new drone surveillance strategy aimed at monitoring seal and sea lion populations along the coast and inland waterways. According to a recent press release, researchers will deploy drones across various regions, with a specific focus on the Nisqually, Dosewallips, and Duckabush river estuaries this fall. These sophisticated eye-in-the-sky operations are set to run through October 2025, to gather essential data on harbor seal numbers and their predation patterns on local fish species.