Question 1

Can thermal imaging help find a lost dog?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In the right conditions, thermal imaging can help detect a lost dog by identifying its heat signature in bush, scrub, uneven ground or low light. Results depend on terrain, vegetation, weather, time elapsed and whether the dog is exposed enough to present thermally.

Question 2

Can thermal imaging be used to search for missing people?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Thermal imaging can support search efforts for missing people by helping identify heat signatures that may not be visible through standard visual searching alone. It is most effective when used as part of a coordinated search operation.

Question 3

What equipment is used?

Accepted Answer

CITIS uses professional FLIR handheld thermal systems together with DJI thermal drone capability where suitable. Different platforms serve different purposes, including wide-area aerial scanning, closer-range anomaly checking and coordinated search follow-up.

Question 4

Can a DJI thermal drone find a lost dog?

Accepted Answer

A DJI thermal drone can be very useful for locating or confirming a lost dog where terrain allows safe UAV deployment. It is particularly valuable for checking gullies, scrub edges, river margins and other areas that are difficult or time-consuming to search on foot.

Question 5

Can thermal imaging detect all people or animals?

Accepted Answer

No. Thermal imaging is powerful, but it is not guaranteed. Dense canopy, water, wet ground, thick vegetation, weather conditions and the amount of time that has passed can all reduce thermal visibility. Some genuine targets may also be partially obscured or thermally muted.

Question 6

Is this a replacement for ground search teams?

Accepted Answer

No. Thermal imaging is best used as part of a wider search strategy. It helps narrow search areas, identify anomalies and support decision-making, but ground teams, drone operators and pilots remain critical to confirmation and recovery.

OUR SERVICES

Search & Rescue Thermal Imaging - South Island Wide