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
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| We recently spoke with @andy_manu_peru about arboreal camera trapping. For anyone, for anyone who hasn't read it yet, I... |
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Camera Traps | 6 years ago | |
| Some camera trap manufacturers offer solar power as an add-on or option off the shelf. I agree that using the image seems like a solution looking for a problem. |
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Camera Traps | 6 years 1 month ago | |
| 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-... |
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Camera Traps | 6 years 2 months ago | |
| This Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation course offering looks really valuable: Camera Trapping Study Design and Data... |
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Camera Traps | 6 years 6 months ago |
Lead Software Engineer, Wildlife Insights
10 August 2022 at 11:06pm
Tiger, Tiger, in the Night... Now Visible in Real Time
5 August 2022 at 04:07pm
Dealing with Cows whilst camera trapping
5 August 2022 at 11:17am
9 August 2022 at 03:22pm
I like the idea of supplying them with a scratching post solution, I will look into that. Thorns/gorse is also a great idea.
Thanks very much for the suggestions! I will let you know what works!
9 August 2022 at 03:24pm
Hi Kim,
Thanks for the response. I think they can hear our cameras clicking when they are set off and they come to see what is happening so I would totally agree with the inquisitive cows!
I will try the flag idea as building cages is just not going to be practical with soil depth.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Cheers
Dave
Identify animal from Image
2 August 2022 at 01:37am
2 August 2022 at 02:54am
Hi Jitendra.
If they are still images, many people are using Megadetector to analyze their images. I'm not sure how it will do in species classification, but it can tell you if there are images of interest in the shots. Others here can probably give you more detailed instructions on how to use it to batch process camera trap images.
2 August 2022 at 10:24am
Have you considered creating a Kaggle competition? If you already have lots of images, and some that have been labelled, then this could be a good way to get people working on a solution
Wolverine Data Technician
WCS
29 July 2022 at 01:59pm
Snapshot Europe 2022 sign-up is open!
20 July 2022 at 06:17pm
Opportunity: Postdocs on mammal species distributions
Roland Kays
11 July 2022 at 08:46pm
New Conservation Tech Directory update
27 June 2022 at 04:45pm
Floating mount/base for cameratrap?
23 June 2022 at 02:36pm
23 June 2022 at 08:49pm
@Rob_Appleby @Freaklabs
24 June 2022 at 06:07am
I haven't tried anything like a floating mount for camera traps so would love to stay posted on how it goes. It would open up a lot of possibilities, but it sounds quite complicated too.
Thermal cameras for monitoring visitors in highly vulnerable conservation areas
21 June 2022 at 03:44pm
21 June 2022 at 09:20pm
You should talk with the folks at Arribada Initiative, like @Alasdair, as they've used thermal cameras to automatically detect polar bears & alert local response teams (to avoid human-wildlife conflict). The folks at ConservationAI are also doing similar work. RESOLVE also has the Trailguard system
Most of the geofencing projects I know of are working with tags rather than cameras (e.g., LionShield, Save the Elephants) but it sounds like that wouldn't be as relevant for your needs.
The Conservation Tech Directory may have other examples as well.
22 June 2022 at 07:14am
Thanks! Actually a major concern is wether thermal cameras could substitute the use of eco-counters, and therefore save money and reduce complexity in data analysis.
I will contact them.
23 June 2022 at 01:41pm
At Ol Pejeta, through the Kifaru Rising project, we have 19 FLIR thermal cameras that we use to address poaching as a conservation challenge.
The cameras have been deployed along a key fence line and are monitored 24/7 by a dedicated team.
The cameras have inbuilt analytics capabilities which allow us to design virtual fences/boundaries.
An Alert is generated whenever a human or vehicles crosses the virtual fence. Following an alert, appropriate ranger action is undertaken depending on the video content recorded with each alert.
I think the Alert feature available with these cameras could be leveraged to monitor the wildlife visitor interaction, seeing as a video clip is recorded with each alert, the thermal video clips could be reviewed to assess the wildlife-human interaction effects.
9 August 2022 at 12:02am
Hi David,
Harold is correct. Cattle do like to use anything to scratch against. They are also pretty inquisitive.
Cattle don't like shadows or flowing rubbish/ material. So attach a flag post near the camera or build a cage around it. Yet with a cage, cattle will most likely rub up against it.
Never ending cycle of the scratching vs what you don't want moved