When we launched our #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge in 2016, we never imagined how much it would grow over the years, how many community members would share their photos and stories with us, and how technology would change! 

To celebrate our upcoming 8th annual #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge, beginning July 24th, we're highlighting our past challenges and showcasing some of our favorite entries and stories shared by WILDLABS community members throughout the years. Let's begin with 2016, the first time we asked all of you how you're using #Tech4Wildlife around the world.

While our community was just getting started in 2016 and our very first photo challenge only lasted one day, we got memorable #Tech4Wildlife moments from it like the famous Robo Cheetah (and its sibling, the Robo Monkey) used to study wildlife behavior, along with real cheetahs, wild African dogs, and quolls sporting biologging gear.

Ever since 2016, camera traps have been a #Tech4wildlife Photo Challenge staple, and amongst our community working with wildlife around the world- to this day, our Camera Traps group is the second most popular group on WILDLABS. 

In our first challenge, along with a sampling of curious critters inspecting these tools up-close, we were also treated to a true throwback from camera trap expert Marcella Kelly, who shared pictures from camera traps that used film!

Since our first #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge, your entries have reached over 1.5 million people, been featured in the New York Times, and highlighted the incredible story of how our community - and the technology you use - has evolved over the years. 

Check back all this week for more highlights from past #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenges. Read the full announcement here to find out how you can participate this year:

Join the #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge: Starting next week! | WILDLABS

Join our annual #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge from July 24-28 to share your best photos and videos with conservation tech users, makers, and supporters from around the world.