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
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @ImaniWilson
- | She / Her
Zoology with a placement year graduate from Bangor University. Interested in large African mammal movement and behaviour in response to climate change, particularly African elephants
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 13 Groups
- @Ferrugem
- | They/Them
Latin American environmental scientist.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 2 Groups
Robotics and IoT Engineer living in Costa Rica since 2000
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 4 Groups
Researcher interested in waterbird ecology and conservation
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 6 Groups
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- 1 Resources
- 18 Discussions
- 4 Groups
Camera Trap Technologist at Large
- 1 Resources
- 36 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- @HollyCormack
- | she/her
Biodiversity Knowledge Management Intern at the Biodiversity Consultancy Ltd
- 6 Resources
- 5 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @ryanhuang
- | He/Him/His
Conservation scientist based in Pretoria, South Africa
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @jsstamn
- | She/her
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
- 0 Resources
- 4 Discussions
- 5 Groups
An Environmental sciences and Management graduate from SUA, passionate and eager to drive change to the Environment, making World a better place for present and future generations.
- 4 Resources
- 35 Discussions
- 14 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 1 Groups
Careers
The primary focus of the research is to explore how red deer movements, space use, habitat selection and foraging behaviour change during the wolf recolonization process.
10 February 2024
Link
Camera traps often monitor larger animals, so passive infrared sensor tends to miss small and fast species like mustelids. Researchers tested the Mostela against a tree-mounted camera trap to compare performance and...
8 February 2024
Article
HWC Tech Challenge update 2020
Lars Holst Hansen
An update on @Alasdair and @adanger24's HWC project
11 January 2024
Link
Underwater camera trap for amphibian - Call for early users
Xavier Mestdagh
Hi! CAMPHIBIAN project develops an underwater camera trap for amphibian. The interest has been proven on newts and grass snake in NW Europe. We are looking for early users worldwide, diversify target species and...
13 December 2023
Careers
Project support officer - Conservation Tech
Tom August
Outstanding chance for a motivated and ambitious individual to enhance their current project support skills by engaging with a diverse array of exciting projects in the field of biodiversity science.
11 December 2023
Article
Paving the Way for Women: LoRaWAN Technology in Akagera National Park with Clementine Uwamahoro
Esther Githinji and 1 more
Read our interview with Clementine Uwamahoro, African Parks’ Country Manager in Conservation Technology overlooking technology operations for both Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Park.
29 November 2023
Article
ICOTEQ launch TAGRANGER® system of products
Craig Rackstraw
TagRanger® is a state-of-the-art wildlife finding, monitoring and tracking solution for research, conservation and environmental professionals. With superior configurability for logging data, reporting location and...
23 November 2023
Link
Eliminatha, WiCT 2023 Tanzania
ELIMINATHA AMBROSS
Passionate wildlife researcher and tech user, making strides in Grumeti, the heart of western Serengeti,Tanzania, using Camera Traps to gain priceless insights into the lives of this unique fauna and contributing...
21 November 2023
Careers
Lisanne Petracca is hiring TWO technicians within the SPEC Lab Ocelot Research Program to start January 17, 2024.
16 November 2023
Link
A secure platform designed for those working to monitor & protect natural resources. Insight facilitates sharing experience, knowledge & tools to increase efficiency & effectiveness in conservation. By...
7 November 2023
Link
Researchers in Nepal are using vertical cameras and AI technology to track and profile individual spotted deer (Axis axis), similar to the methods used for tigers.
30 October 2023
Article
With the rising threats to biodiversity such as wildlife crime, climate change and human-wildlife conflict today, wildlife monitoring technologies have become vital to study movement ecology, behaviour patterns, changes...
25 October 2023
June 2025
July 2025
February 2023
event
Netty Cheruto
November 2022
October 2022
event
Len Thomas
September 2022
August 2022
July 2021
58 Products
Recently updated products
4 Products
Recently updated products
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanks :)We are working on making it smaller and simpler using the latest openMV board. |
+15
|
Camera Traps | 6 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hi everyoneMy first post on this site - not sure if this is the proper group.I've placed a few trail cams in Florida. After 3 months and... |
|
Camera Traps | 6 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hi Lucy,I now realised it is an old thread and you most likely have already found a solution long ago but this might be of interest to others.As mentioned previously, it is... |
+5
|
Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 6 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Yes baboons. But this area has a few different primate species. In the weekend three species were present.Yes, the thermal ones will be spectacular. I wondering what other species... |
|
Camera Traps | 7 months ago | |
| Hi Brett, I am interested in developing really low cost multi channel underwater acoustic recorders. Can you tell me a bit more about the board and stuff you were using... |
|
Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Acoustics, Camera Traps, Climate Change, East Africa Community, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Protected Area Management Tools | 7 months ago | |
| For the record now that this is here:This error typically occurs when the wrong number of classes is given to timm.create_model. You should try to specify num_classes=30... |
|
Camera Traps, AI for Conservation | 7 months 1 week ago | |
| Product added to the Inventory : Tikee |
|
Camera Traps | 7 months 1 week ago | |
| Do you use camera traps? If so, we'd love if you could take five minutes to fill out this survey: tinyurl.com/zambasurveyWith our WILDLABS... |
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Software Development, Open Source Solutions | 7 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hi Phil, Thanks for sharing - this is really interesting work! Seems like a cool integration of ground-based (or ocean-based) data and satellite data, with a community... |
|
Geospatial, Acoustics, Camera Traps, eDNA & Genomics | 7 months 4 weeks ago | |
| Dear team,I am new to WildLabs. It's great to find all the interesting and informative discussions.We are exploring deploying "connected" camera traps in wetlands (2 hectares for... |
+8
|
Camera Traps | 8 months ago | |
| I've deployed and trained others to climb and deploy arboreal cameras in several countries and I agree with Lucy's approach. Leaving a thin cord (like a throw line) to quicken... |
+6
|
Camera Traps | 8 months 1 week ago | |
| Hi Karen,Yeah the discharge curves of lithium cells tend to be very stable for a long time and then drop sharply at the end. Akiba and Brett's advice below re: condensation... |
|
Camera Traps, AI for Conservation | 8 months 1 week ago |
