Hi everyone,

For my PhD project, I’m monitoring wolf communication from birth until adulthood. I want to collect video and audio recordings inside and outside the dens all along puppie's development.

Due to time constraints this year, I tested a very rudimentary setup using some basic surveillance cameras (see picture). The system included:

• A metal box to prevent wolves from accessing the equipment
• A surveillance camera connected to a power bank

• An Audiomoth for sound backup

  

Surprisingly, the quality of the recordings (both video and audio) was very good, also during the night. However, there were several issues I’d like to solve before next year’s litters are born:

Main problems:

• Power/duration: The system didn’t last long enough. Ideally, I need something that can record for 3 weeks/1 month continuously. It should be motion-triggered because, although early on the pups stay in the den most of the time and the camera is triggered constantly, there's the possibility that in some dens there will be no litter.
• Waterproofing: To let the PIR sensor and camera function, we had to cut holes in the metal box. This allowed water to get in. While the camera and mic are waterproof and the power bank was protected, I worry about long-term damage.
• Data retrieval: With the Reolink camera, swapping the SD card required reformatting it (you have to log into the app and connect via hotspot, which isn't always possible in the field and takes time).

• Too many points of failure: With several connected parts (camera, power bank, mic), different things failed in different boxes — sometimes the camera, sometimes the power.

  Important characteristics of the set-up:

• Wireless system with local storage
• No need for WiFi or internet
• A wolf-proof metal box
• Day and night vision
• God video and audio quality

Improvements I want to make

For next year, I want to build a more custom system with similar core features. I'm considering using a Raspberry Pi with a pan-tilt night vision camera (that can follow the subjects) for inside the dens, and potentially adding a thermal camera for outside use, to avoid losing data due to dense vegetation.

I have zero experience with Raspberry Pi or custom builds, but I'm willing to learn. So I’d really appreciate:

• Examples of similar projects (if anyone has used this kind of setup in the field)
• Resources or tutorials for building a Raspberry Pi-based wildlife monitoring system (there are tons of raspberry projects on the internet so it would be helpful to be pointed to useful resources for beginners)
• Tips or advice on what to keep in mind or what to avoid when designing and using such a system in harsh outdoor conditions

I have found similar setups for monitoring bird nests but not for projects similar to mine to follow pups. The main difference is that I would need something that follows the animals around, to avoid placing too many cameras.

I know this project is more focused on basic research than direct conservation, but I believe the discussion could still be useful to many people, since similar setups are often used in conservation work as well. Plus, if you know more appropriate forums for me to be in, I'm happy to be addressed there!