A drone discovered a super-rare plant on a steep cliff on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi. The discovery wowed botanists — and shows how technology can help conservationists in their fight against extinction. Merlin Edmonds, a conservationist at NTBG was training to be a drone pilot with Nyberg when the plants were spotted. The plant discovered by drone is a critically endangered species called Laukahi that’s being wiped out by invasive goats that love munching on its leaves. The drone footage added about 10 more plants.