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: Stephanie O'Donnell
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Article
Machine learning is widely recognized as the solution to camera trap data processing, but a user-friendly and broadly-accessible system for putting this tech to use has not yet been developed. In this case study,...
1 October 2018
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Motion-sensing wildlife-tracking cameras in South Sudan have captured 425,000 photos, documenting species not previously known to be found in this richly forested area. The team is now asking for your help to identify ...
22 August 2018
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In this case study, Sam Seccombe documents his efforts to track down an off-the-shelf remote camera setup with the capability to stream quality, reliable video from the field. As he explains, it was a slighlty more...
25 July 2018
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This latest chapter in the Conservation Technology Series from WWF-UK looks at the opportunities, challenges and state-of-the-art of satellite remote sensing for conservation applications. This issue reviews available...
23 April 2018
Funding
The Plant-Powered Camera Trap Challenge
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Are you an architect, engineer, designer or a scientist? Can you design and manufacture a prototype open source plant-BES (bio electrochemical system) to power a camera trap and environmental sensors in tropical forests...
3 April 2018
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#Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge 2018: Our Top 10
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Hundreds of people joined our #Tech4Wildlife photo challenge this year, showcasing all the incredible ways tech is being used to support wildlife conservation. We've seen proximity loggers on Tasmanian Devils in...
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‘The Field’… Say the words ‘The Field’ to a group of conservationists and it will immediately conjure up vivid memories of everything from sticky wet rainforests to burning dusty deserts. What’s more, it’s almost...
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FIT Cheetahs
Larissa Slaney
A new research project is looking to investigate whether technology combined with the ancient skills and knowledge of Namibian trackers can help save cheetahs from extinction. Called FIT Cheetahs, the research project...
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HWC Tech Challenge Update: Meet the Judges
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Our panel of international experts has been hard at work reviewing the 47 proposals we recieved for innovative technological tools to address human wildlife conflict. The panelists have systematically been assessing the...
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Download New Conservation Tech Guidelines: Camera Traps, Acoustics and LiDAR
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The inherent complexity of not only deploying technologies in the field but also doing so in a scientifically rigorous manner can prove a substantial barrier for the effective use of conservation technologies, and clear...
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Frustrated by the limitations of the tools that were available for managing large camera trap data sets, Heidi Hendry and Chris Mann set out to develop something that met their needs, and thus, Camelot was born. In...
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| Amaxing, thank you! We had to put them out already so have gone with the super-tech solution of a *very* high pole for now but will look at speaking to Sebastian, or with... |
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Camera Traps | 6 years 11 months ago | |
| Thanks, Steph. The camera trap ML nerds among us will have seen drafts of this kicking around in pre-print for a while now. Very cool to see it out finally. I'... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years ago | |
| Check our CamoCamPics.com for a full line Browning Trail Cameras and Accessories! |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 2 months ago | |
| Looking for infra‐red CCTV monitoring cameras to install at perimeter fence to aid remote assessment and evidence capture of suspected... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 2 months ago | |
| We want to understand how or if time-lapse imagery is used to monitor wildlife and landscapes in real-time and... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 2 months ago | |
| Just signposting this group to the Camera trapping workshop event to be held at the Royal Geographical Society in London on Thursday... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 3 months ago | |
| Hi Damien, Lora technology enables a range of very efficient solutions that you can deploy over a large area. We provide consultancy and field support for deploying such... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 3 months ago | |
| Dear All Our group in Australia has developed a device for monitoring wild dogs/dingoes in remote areas and have a fully authomated system using Iridium and or 3-4G... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 3 months ago | |
| Sounds great! I am doing the almost same thing, since here we have a problem between elephant and human living in the same area and conflict a lot. We would like to warn people... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 3 months ago | |
| My preference is to use Adobe Lightroom, allowing me to move forwards or backwards one frame at a time. I can also adjust the exposure. This is an example from one of my videos.... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 3 months ago | |
| I'm honored to be part of this WILDLABS group and specifically this Camera Trap forum. I hope that what I've learned weekly over... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 3 months ago | |
| Consultancy opportunity with WWF-UK Collation and cleaning of global camera-trapping data Interested in getting hands-on experience... |
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Camera Traps | 7 years 4 months ago |
