Wildlife managers use small General Aviation (GA) aircraft to help protect endangered species and to learn about the health and well being of wildlife.

Temporary tracking collars can be placed on animals, which are then monitored from the air to determine the range of territory used. This helps wildlife managers to detect the true habitat needs of different species, learn migratory patterns, and protect human populations from unplanned encroachment encounters.

Aerial observation and aerial photography are used to measure animal and bird populations and to monitor trends that can signal the success or failures of management programs.

When rare or endangered animals have been injured or are threatened by a wildfire or flood, rescue teams will use small aircraft or helicopters to locate the animal, deploy a rescue team, and then relocate the animal to a safer area.