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
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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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Panthera
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- @lucytallents
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VerdantLearn
Sociable e-learning for conservation capacity building
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- @CitlalliMJ6
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Conservation biologist, executive director at the Tesoro Escondido Reserve Foundation in the Ecuadorian Chocó, working on participatory action research, environmental education, primate and amphibian conservation
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St. Lawrence University
Professor of Biology at St. Lawrence University
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- @diego_lizcano
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Wildlife biologist interested in biodiversity monitoring and the conservation of mammals. Passionate photographer.
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wildlife crime WWF-NL
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- @jenlaw
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Biodiversity scientist specialising specialising in the study of tropical ecosystems and their biodiversity using multiple forms of technology, including acoustics, images and robotics.
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Careers
Lisanne Petracca is hiring TWO technicians within the SPEC Lab Ocelot Research Program to start January 17, 2024.
16 November 2023
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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
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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
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Do you or someone you love study nocturnal animals? Do you want to film behavior in infrared, but NOT spend $1k on a camera (that will die in the field anyways)? Is short battery life a constant battle? Here, this...
20 October 2023
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When considering MPA groundfish monitoring methods: the more, the merrier! New paper out in Journal of Applied Ecology compared three MPA monitoring techniques commonly utilised to survey groundfish populations. They...
20 October 2023
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Have you ever wanted to continuously film underwater species and their behaviours for up to 2 days at a low cost? Well now you can with this new open-source design guide published in @MethodsEcolEvol! https://...
5 September 2023
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An interesting new paper from a camera trap surveying species' responses and resilience to megafires in the western United States. A great example of how conservation tech can help us understand regional climate change...
24 August 2023
Careers
Conservation Technology Specialist
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
WCS is seeking a Conservation Technology Specialist to join their work in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
11 August 2023
Article
#Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge: Judges' Panel Honorees
WILDLABS Team
Please join us in celebrating this year’s top #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge Honorees as chosen by our panel of leading conservation organization judges, and enjoy the story contained within these entries about how our...
4 August 2023
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Join us as we count down the WILDLABS community's honorees in the first-ever #Tech4Wildlife Community Choice Awards!
3 August 2023
Careers
Senior Technical Specialist, Monitoring & Technology, ZSL
Anthony Dancer
Exciting opportunity for an experienced biodiversity monitoring expert in ZSL's conservation department
18 July 2023
August 2025
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Riley Knoedler
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Louisa Richmond-Coggan
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Stephanie O'Donnell
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| I create ocean exploration and marine life content on YouTube, whether it be recording nautilus on BRUVs, swimming with endangered bowmouth... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Drones, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation, Sensors, Sustainable Fishing Challenges, Wildlife Crime | 1 month 2 weeks ago | |
| Thank you for your reply, ChadI meant 10 as a whole, indeed. Perhaps you see your post in one group, but since it is tagged for all groups, I assumed you meant 10 in total.In your... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Climate Change, Community Base, Connectivity, Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance, Geospatial, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Software Development, Wildlife Crime | 1 month 3 weeks ago | |
| Thanks Fadhilla! I met with your colleague Henrick at the booth. :-) |
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AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Early Career, Geospatial | 1 month 3 weeks ago | |
| Hi Jeremy,I am copying here a reply from Juliane Röder, who is not on the forum here: The GFBio VAT tool seems to do all the desired analysing and visualising stuff - but it... |
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Data management and processing tools, Camera Traps, Software Development | 2 months ago | |
| We manufacture the DOC AI Cam. It's a thermal camera, so particularly good for nocturnal animals. It comes with a 4G modem. It might meet your needs? |
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Camera Traps | 5 months ago | |
| Hi everyone! I am hoping to gather a little advice from this amazing community. I am a graduate student at Rutgers University and will be... |
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Camera Traps, Acoustics | 2 months 1 week ago | |
| I'm excited to see this project begin; I think its focus on versatility and functionality for users in diverse environments will allow Trapper Keeper to have a broad impact,... |
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Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 2 months 1 week ago | |
| This survey on camera trap use is a valuable effort to improve data quality and consistency in wildlife monitoring. Looking forward to the results and how they will help shape... |
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Camera Traps, AI for Conservation, Open Source Solutions | 2 months 1 week ago | |
| True, the US ecosystem is a challenging space right now, for basically all sectors. We should not let the US chaos prevent us from engaging with opportunities in other... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Connectivity, Drones, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Marine Conservation, Sensors | 3 months 4 weeks ago | |
| We have spent the past 9 months taking the lessons learnt from the AMI system to build an automated moth monitoring system... |
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Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Camera Traps | 2 months 3 weeks ago | |
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Latin America Community, Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Drones, Early Career | 3 months 1 week ago | ||
| @LukeD, I am looping in @Kamalama997 from the TRAPPER team who is working on porting MegaDetector and other models to RPi with the AI HAT+. Kamil will have more specific questions. |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 3 months 1 week ago |
