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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World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
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- @ldbraunholtz
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(Tropical) forest ecologist w interest: biodiversity, camera traps, community led conservation & more. Passionate about inclusive nature for all.
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- @Riley
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I'm a Data Scientist at Western EcoSystems Technology. I am interested in AI processing and statistical modeling of acoustic data and camera trap and drone imagery.
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- @Gathoni
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PhD Candidate at Nottingham Trent University, UK. Ecologist with a passion for wildlife conservation and conservation technology with foundational training in BSc and MSc Rangeland Management (Ecology option). Current project: Use of acoustics to monitor ecosystem restoration.
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- @parlaynu
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software engineer
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- @moorerp
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Oregon State University
Avian/Conservation ecologist at Oregon State University and Wildlife Corridors (in Patagonia, Arizona, USA)
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World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
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- @AlexBats
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Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS)
Director of Technology at Wildlife Protection Solutions. Primarily focuses on leveraging machine learning and advanced data analytics to combat poaching, monitor biodiversity, and predict environmental threats.
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Arribada Initiative
Director at Arribada, a UK-based conservation technology research & development organisation
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Article
This study breaks ground in outlining a methodology for a system of low-cost, long-term camera traps (Dispersed Environment Acquatic Cameras) that can be deployed over large spatial scales in remote marine environments...
30 November 2021
Article
Technical Difficulties: The Promise and Pitfalls of Machine Learning for Conservation
Sara Beery and 1 more
In Ellie Warren's interview with Sara Beery as part of the Technical Difficulties Editorial Series, they discussed how the hype surrounding machine learning impacts our perceptions of failure, and how conservationists...
23 November 2021
Article
Caiman: Images as Sources of Intelligence
Sensing Clues Foundation
CAIMAN is a product from the Sensing Clues Foundation that automatically classifies animals on images from camera traps. It aims to be available by the end of 2021, contact the Sensing Clues team for more details. This...
18 November 2021
Article
Technical Difficulties: Pangolin in a Haystack
Juliana Masseloux
In her case study from our Technical Difficulties Editorial Series, Juliana Masseloux discusses her challenges in working with camera traps to study elusive and rare animals like the pangolin, and shares her best advice...
11 November 2021
Article
Black Rock Forest (BRF) are recruiting a seasonal Wildlife Connectivity Technician. Visit their website for further details and how to apply. Hurry, applications close soon!
3 November 2021
Article
Technical Difficulties: Understanding the Realities
Eric Becker and 1 more
In their three-part interview from our new series Technical Difficulties, Colby Loucks and Eric Becker share the failures they've encountered and learned from throughout six years of working on the WWF-US Wildlife Crime...
13 October 2021
Article
Technical Difficulties: A Deployment Checklist
Kristen Denninger Snyder
In Alina Peter's and Kristen Snyder's contribution to the Technical Difficulties Editorial Series, you'll receive a practical checklist of factors and questions to consider at various stages of your conservation...
13 October 2021
Article
Wildlife Insights Launches
Zoological Society London (ZSL)
Wildlife Insights is excited to announce the public release of their new platform! Read on to learn about all the useful features you'll find on Wildlife Insights, and check out WILDLABS' Tech Tutors episode with...
27 July 2021
Article
Tech4Wildlife Leaders: Understanding Endangered Primate Populations
Tasmin Alexander
Read our interview with Tasmin Alexander, early career conservationist and member of the CLP Future Conservationist Award-winning Preuss's Monkey Project research team. Working in the Obudu Plateau in Nigeria, this team...
2 June 2021
Article
Tech4Wildlife Leaders: Resolving Human-Giraffe Conflict
Owino Otieno Raymond
Read our interview with early career conservationist and CLP Future Conservationist Award recipient Owino Raymond, who is working with camera traps along the Kenya-Somalia border to understand and reduce conflict...
21 May 2021
Article
New Article: Environmental DNA Metabarcoding
WILDLABS Team
Check out the new research article "Environmental DNA metabarcoding as a useful tool for evaluating terrestrial mammal diversity in tropical forests." Recently published in Ecological Society of America's Ecological...
6 April 2021
Community Announcement
Whether you spent the last year working in the field, lab, at home, or virtually, the WILDLABS community's conservation tech achievements were on full display in our annual #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge! Relive our...
25 March 2021
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft AI for Earth and DrivenData just launched a new machine learning competition on Snapshot Serengeti data: http://aiforearth.... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 8 months ago | |
| Hi all, I'm a PhD student at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences using various wildlife monitoring technologies to... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 8 months ago | |
| Greetings! I'm working with a team that is developing a device to scare predators away from animal corrals in Kenya. To capture... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 8 months ago | |
| Hi everyone! This forum is for questions that we couldn't get to during the event. Here are some to get the conversation ... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 9 months ago | |
| Thanks Sam I am looking at LoRa for high resolution GPS tracking, and the project also involves camera trapping at scent marking sites. Power is already limiting collar... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 9 months ago | |
| Hi! I've been working in the background on a project to try to push the world of wildlife camera trapping into new formats by looking... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 10 months ago | |
| Good Day, Has anyone used Camera traps through a 2 way radio network like the DMR Tier 2 products? Chris Pakenham Harare, Zimbabwe |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 10 months ago | |
| Jaguar, cougar, jaguarundis and ocelot: In its last episode, the series “Residents of the Forest” brings images of the Amazon Felids In its ninth and... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 10 months ago | |
| Hi all, I just wanted to flag to all those working at the intersection of camera-trapping and AI, that there is a symposium coming up on... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 10 months ago | |
| Hi Louisa I have exactly the same questions! Over the last few years there has been a proliferation of cheap camera traps flooding the market (Apeman, Distianert,... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 10 months ago | |
| For the 808s I normally go through links on the chucklohr website, the absolute oracle on 808s. My last purchase were Mate 808 1080P "spy" cameras, with a long camera... |
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Camera Traps | 5 years 11 months ago | |
| There was a talk recently at ZSL where a similar thing was found using camera traps studying wild pigs in the Osa Penisula. Tracking and other audio evidence showed that the... |
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Camera Traps | 6 years 1 month ago |
