Camera traps have been a key part of the conservation toolkit for decades. Remotely triggered video or still cameras allow researchers and managers to monitor cryptic species, survey populations, and support enforcement responses by documenting illegal activities. Increasingly, machine learning is being implemented to automate the processing of data generated by camera traps.
A recent study published showed that, despite being well-established and widely used tools in conservation, progress in the development of camera traps has plateaued since the emergence of the modern model in the mid-2000s, leaving users struggling with many of the same issues they faced a decade ago. That manufacturer ratings have not improved over time, despite technological advancements, demonstrates the need for a new generation of innovative conservation camera traps. Join this group and explore existing efforts, established needs, and what next-generation camera traps might look like - including the integration of AI for data processing through initiatives like Wildlife Insights and Wild Me.
Group Highlights:
Our past Tech Tutors seasons featured multiple episodes for experienced and new camera trappers. How Do I Repair My Camera Traps? featured WILDLABS members Laure Joanny, Alistair Stewart, and Rob Appleby and featured many troubleshooting and DIY resources for common issues.
For camera trap users looking to incorporate machine learning into the data analysis process, Sara Beery's How do I get started using machine learning for my camera traps? is an incredible resource discussing the user-friendly tool MegaDetector.
And for those who are new to camera trapping, Marcella Kelly's How do I choose the right camera trap(s) based on interests, goals, and species? will help you make important decisions based on factors like species, environment, power, durability, and more.
Finally, for an in-depth conversation on camera trap hardware and software, check out the Camera Traps Virtual Meetup featuring Sara Beery, Roland Kays, and Sam Seccombe.
And while you're here, be sure to stop by the camera trap community's collaborative troubleshooting data bank, where we're compiling common problems with the goal of creating a consistent place to exchange tips and tricks!
Header photo: ACEAA-Conservacion Amazonica
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World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
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Team Leader for "Computer Vision and Machine Learning" at University of Jena (Germany) working on algorithmic solutions for biodiversity monitoring tasks
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An early career conservationist with special interest in community-based conservation
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São Paulo State University (UNESP)
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FileMaker Database developer with a passion for nature.
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A conservation photographer that utilizes remote cameras to capture wildlife behavior on east coast US rivers and streams
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Friends of Brisbane Ranges
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PhD Student at the intersection of computer vision and conservation.
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My name is Britnee Cheney. I am a keeper and trainer for three North Amrican River Otters at an aquarium in Utah. I have recently started a conservation program for this species in the wild and am looking for resources and mentors to help me with me camera trapping.
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| My most prized camera trap image - a hummingbird caught on camera! |
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Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Camera Traps | 9 hours 27 minutes ago | |
| I would agree that primates probably aren't your biggest concern, animal-destroyer wise. At least in the Malagasy rainforests, lemurs are highly arboreal so if you have trail cams... |
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Camera Traps | 9 hours 48 minutes ago | |
| Hi Roland,This is really amazing, great to hear about your set-up! I'm just wondering what the overall cost was to set up this system? Just thinking in terms of setting up... |
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Biologging, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Camera Traps, Connectivity, Emerging Tech, Sensors | 9 hours 51 minutes ago | |
| Thanks so much!! |
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Acoustic Monitoring, AI for Conservation, Biologging, Camera Traps, Community Base, Data management and processing tools , Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Remote Sensing & GIS, Software and Mobile Apps | 9 hours 57 minutes ago | |
| Not sure if audio data would be of any use to you, but if so FishSounds has some - I just tried their search function and there is a location tag for 'Mediterranean & Black... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools , Marine Conservation | 10 hours 37 minutes ago | |
| There is this other WILDLABS discussion thread where tons of people provided input on their experiences with lots of different brands & models which may help. You might... |
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Camera Traps | 12 hours 18 minutes ago | |
| Hi everyone!I'm currently working with FFI (Fauna & Flora International) in São Tomé and Príncipe, and a bunch of 'problem' camera... |
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Camera Traps | 18 hours 13 minutes ago | |
| Done lots of this over the years and it depends on the species really. If you want incubation behaviour and hence success or otherwise using temperature then the Thermocron... |
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Biologging, Sensors, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Camera Traps | 3 days 18 hours ago | |
| Might be good to add this to the 'Automated Camera Traps for Insects' group |
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Camera Traps, Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects | 3 days 20 hours ago | |
| Hi Pen-Yuan. I need to revise what I said before. Browning devices within a specific model number have similar PCBs, ie: we worked with the BTC-8A for the Spec Ops Advantage... |
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Camera Traps | 2 weeks 5 days ago | |
| Thank you for the response! I'm not sure how to find that out. It says MP4. Is that what you're looking for? |
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Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools , Open Source Solutions, Software and Mobile Apps | 2 weeks 5 days ago | |
| Has anyone tried running the MegaDetector model through an optimizer like Amazon SageMaker Neo? It can reduce the overall memory footprint and possibly speed up inference on... |
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Camera Traps | 4 weeks ago |
MIT engineers build a battery-free, wireless underwater camera
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Camera Trap repairs - suggestions?
26 September 2022 at 02:15pm
Senior Conservation Technology Expert Position (Consultancy) with the Global Wildlife Program
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CamTrap Ecology meets AI conference
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Avian nest box monitoring
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23 September 2022 at 12:34pm
I'd be interested in any camera monitoring setups that can be used inside a nest box. Most camera traps are too bulky for this purpose. All the devices I've looked at either need a wired connection or a wifi network to transmit images. I want one that can store all info to an SD card and preferably be solar powered. Obviously infrared or starlight sensitivity. Sound recording would be a bonus for some bird monitoring I want to do.
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Done lots of this over the years and it depends on the species really. If you want incubation behaviour and hence success or otherwise using temperature then the Thermocron IButton DS1921G is perfect. The new Blue Maestro is an option I became aware of this year but I haven't tested at scale.
In terms of cameras and endoscopes I've tailored many off the shelf products and built a few from scratch. When I get chance I'll have a look around and see what is still available.
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14 September 2022 at 01:42pm
14 September 2022 at 03:08pm
Maybe this is a starting point. Any idea if this product would work inside the box. Kestrel DROP D3 Wireless Temperature, Humidity & Pressure Data Logger https://amzn.eu/d/5VdQwtA