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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Muzna Kashaf is a dedicated herpetologist who recently achieved her MPhil, showcasing her commitment to advancing knowledge in the field. Her research focus lies in amphibians, and she has utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance precision of her studies.
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Article
Automated Identification of Indonesian Rhinos
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In this case study, Cooper Oelrichs of Save Indonesian Endangered Species Fund (SIES) breaks down his proposal for the development and training of an automated rhino identification system from limited camera trap data.
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The WILDLABS TECH HUB is supporting technology solutions tackling the illegal wildlife trade, in collaboration with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Digital Catapult, Satellite Applications Catapult, Amazon Web...
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Technology lab focused on wildlife protection opens on Ol Pejeta Conservancy
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In this blog, Laure Joanny adds her perspectives to an ongoing discussion that we've been seeing in the community about conservation tech and it's relationship to e-waste. How do we tackle the challenge of battery waste...
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#Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge: Our Favourites from 2019
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi there!, You should definitely check out VIAME, which includes a video annotation tool in addition to deep learning neural network training and deployment. It has a user... |
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Camera Traps | 1 year 7 months ago | |
| Featuring some of the very best spider video you'll ever see.. @JayStafstrom has been pushing the boundaries of camera technology,... |
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Camera Traps, Sensors | 1 year 8 months ago | |
| Also, take a look at TrapTagger. It has integration with WildMe. |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 1 year 8 months ago | |
| The two cameras you mention below tick off most of the items in your requirements list. I think the exception is the “timed start” whereby the camera would “wake up” to arm... |
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Camera Traps | 1 year 8 months ago | |
| Hi @GermanFore ,I work with the BearID Project on individual identification of brown bears from faces. More recently we worked on face detection across all bear species and ran... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Software Development | 1 year 9 months ago | |
| Hi Jay! Thanks for posting this here as well as your great presentation in the Variety Hour the other day!Cheers! |
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Camera Traps | 1 year 9 months ago | |
| For anyone interested: the GBIF guide Best Practices for Managing and Publishing Camera Trap Data is still open for review and feedback until next week. More info can be found in... |
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Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Camera Traps | 1 year 9 months ago | |
| Hi Maddie,This camera has a very quick reaction time. |
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Camera Traps | 1 year 9 months ago | |
| 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 year 10 months 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, Funding and Finance | 1 year 10 months 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 | 1 year 10 months 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 | 1 year 10 months ago |
