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
- @matt_hron
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Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS)
Technology Coordinator at Wildlife Protection Solutions
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Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Wildlife Biologist and Marine Conservationist
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- @jsstamn
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PhD student at the University of Mississippi; research interests include predator/prey dynamics, particularly the landscape of fear in relation to species conservation. Rookie at using arduino
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Researcher working on endangered bird species
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My main interest is in the application of geospatial technology for ecology and conservation
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- @Mary_Waithira
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I am a conservation enthusiast who aims at learning more about conservation and its technology. My research interests lie in wildlife conservation in anthropogenic landscapes.
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Asst. Prof @ MIT with research at the intersection of computer vision, biodiversity monitoring, conservation, and sustainability.
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- @tomwhite101
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Agroecology Geek
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- @BioVipa
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Natural Resources Engineer. Birdwatcher and citizen science lover, data science enthusiast.
Wanting to learn more ways to use technology for conservation.
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Holder of a Masters in Management of Protected Areas and a Masters in Physical Geography, I have more than 5 years of experience in the field of ecological monitoring within protected areas. I am currently working as a GIS and Database Management Officer at African Parc Pendjari
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Careers
WCS is seeking a Conservation Technology Specialist to join their work in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
11 August 2023
Article
#Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge: Judges' Panel Honorees
WILDLABS Team
Please join us in celebrating this year’s top #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge Honorees as chosen by our panel of leading conservation organization judges, and enjoy the story contained within these entries about how our...
4 August 2023
Article
Join us as we count down the WILDLABS community's honorees in the first-ever #Tech4Wildlife Community Choice Awards!
3 August 2023
Careers
Senior Technical Specialist, Monitoring & Technology, ZSL
Anthony Dancer
Exciting opportunity for an experienced biodiversity monitoring expert in ZSL's conservation department
18 July 2023
Article
In 2019, the U.S. Navy initiated a time-lapse camera study to investigate seal presence at select haul-out locations in the lower Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters of Virginia, which are important areas to Navy training...
13 July 2023
Funding
Tools for automating image analysis for biodiversity monitoring
UK Research and Innovation
Apply for funding (£500,000-£750,000) to develop software systems, which will help to improve biodiversity monitoring by automating the analysis of images and videos
12 July 2023
Funding
2023 Canon Oceania Grants - Environmental Grant AU$5,000
Esther Githinji
Applications are now open till 23 July for the 2023 Canon Oceania Grants with the category of the Environmental Grant valued at AU$5,000. The finalist will be selected based on the environmental and social merits of...
7 July 2023
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New Add-ons for Mbaza AI
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At Appsilon, we are always working to enable our users to get the most out of our solutions. With this in mind, we are happy to introduce two new add-ons to Mbaza AI.
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Article
Osa Conservation: A Multi-Tech Toolbox of Solutions
Osa Conservation
In this Conservation Tech Showcase case study from Osa Conservation, you’ll learn about how technology is aiding their long-term efforts to prevent wildlife crime, protect critical species, and build a climate-adaptive...
22 June 2023
Article
In this interview between Rob Appleby and Ellie Warren, we discuss the importance of DIY, recycling, and sharing tools in order to make our community more sustainable.
14 June 2023
Careers
Wildlife Monitoring Engineer
Tom August
Permanent and Full Time role at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
8 June 2023
Article
Acorn removal study of Nendo Dango, Ecological Restoration Research group at the University of Granada
5 June 2023
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi @mguins , as @kimhendrikse mentioned resolution (and also brand) for thermal cameras can dictate a big jump in price. GroupGets has a budget Lepton (FS - short for 'factory... |
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Camera Traps | 1 week 5 days ago | |
| I would be interested how you setted up this system. Which model do yu use and how are they connected? |
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Human-Wildlife Conflict, Camera Traps, Sensors | 1 week 5 days ago | |
| Keep us in touch looks promissing! |
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Camera Traps | 1 week 5 days ago | |
| This is super cool! Me and @Hubertszcz and @briannajohns and several others are all working towards some big biodiversity monitoring projects for a large conservation project here... |
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AI for Conservation, Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Camera Traps | 1 week 6 days ago | |
| A few months ago, the Wildlife Insights team conducted a survey to learn more about camera trap data management practices, the use of AI... |
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Camera Traps | 2 weeks ago | |
| Hello Community,I am currently working on specifying some camera trap projects and am particularly interested in gathering statistics on... |
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Camera Traps | 2 weeks 2 days ago | |
| Just a heads up that GBIF has released a new technical document for community peer review. The guide, Best Practices for Managing and... |
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Camera Traps | 2 weeks 5 days ago | |
| Ben, I have just noticed you work at Chester Zoo. I am due to be at Welsh Mountain Zoo on Fri 22nd and Sat 23rd giving talks about our Margay project that uses arboreal... |
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Camera Traps | 3 weeks 4 days ago | |
| And finally for now, the object detectors are wrapped by a python websocket network wrapper to make it easy for the system to use different types of object detectors. Usually, it'... |
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Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Camera Traps | 4 weeks 1 day ago | |
| Frank's idea of using 2 camera traps is inspired!I've fiddled with cheap camera traps a bit, and some (most?) of them use a low power, inaccurate timer for the time lapse function... |
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Camera Traps | 1 month 3 weeks ago | |
| Thanks folks. Will go check and let you know what I learn.Mike |
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Camera Traps | 1 month 3 weeks ago | |
| Thank you for your suggestion, Collin. It's not my decision, but I'll pass it on |
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Camera Traps, Drones | 1 month 3 weeks ago |
The Highs and Lows of Camera Traps for Rapid Inventories in the Rainforest Canopy
Andy Whitworth
4 July 2016 12:00am
Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge Accelerator Bootcamp
Sophie Maxwell
24 June 2016 12:00am
Project Feedback Wanted: Building Low Cost Cameras
2 March 2016 9:59am
20 May 2016 11:07pm
Hi Sorry been away, I'll list more about parts etc.. In the mean time the Pi Zero has just had an upgrade..
http://petapixel.com/2016/05/19/5-raspberry-pi-zero-now-camera-compatible/
TEAM Network and Wildlife Insights
Eric Fegraus
28 April 2016 12:00am
Is Google’s Cloud Vision useful for identifying animals from camera-trap photos?
Aditya Gangadharan
20 April 2016 12:00am
Disruptive Technology: Embracing the Transformative Impacts of Software on Society
10 March 2016 12:00am
[ARCHIVED]: Smithsonian Course: Camera Trapping Study Design and Data Analysis for Occupancy and Density Estimation
3 February 2016 2:25pm
Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge: Winners Announced!
22 January 2016 12:00am
The Social Lives of Conservation Technologies and Why They Matter
Chris Sandbrook
2 November 2015 12:00am
11 May 2016 6:27pm
thanks for this very interesting post! i was also trying to develop an inexpensive camera trap but with not good results. i think the use of a PIR sensor can give more battery life than motion detection via software. Can you give more details about the components you used please?
Thanks
Paolo