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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Careers
Postdoc: Biologging & Camera Trap Data Integration
Lacey Hughey
The Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to help us integrate movement data & camera trap data with global conservation policy.
22 April 2024
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Starting a Conservation Technology Career with Vainess Laizer
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Watch our interview with pioneering young Tanzanian vulture researcher Vainess Laizer! Her research investigating the breeding success of white-backed vultures in the western corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem using...
16 April 2024
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"We present the multivariate Hawkes process (MHP) and show how it can be used to analyze interactions between several species using camera trap data."
15 April 2024
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Research Assistant, Lion Landscapes in Nanyuki
Esther Githinji
Are you passionate about wildlife conservation and eager to contribute to meaningful research efforts? Lion Landscapes is seeking a dedicated and proactive Research Assistant to join their team.
11 April 2024
Combining camera traps and online surveys provided a more comprehensive understanding of mammal communities in anthropogenic landscapes, increasing both spatial coverage and the number of species sightings.
9 April 2024
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These researchers used camera trapping as a lens to view mammal responses to changes in human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Variety Hour: 2024 Lineup
Alex Rood
You’re invited to the WILDLABS Variety Hour, a monthly event that connects you to conservation tech's most exciting projects, research, and ideas. We can't wait to bring you a whole new season of speakers and...
22 March 2024
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The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SNZCBI) is seeking two postdoctoral fellows to engage more directly with identifying conservation metrics for vertebrate communities and populations.
14 March 2024
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Our new paper uses data from the citizen science project, Seabird Watch (hosted on the Zooniverse platform; seabirdwatch.org), to measure seabird phenology. Volunteers marked birds in time-lapse images to investigate...
13 March 2024
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EcoAssist has now incorporated the Deepfaune v1.1 species identification model for camera trap images, capable of recognizing 26 European species. The model is developed by Deepfaune initiative. More information is...
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Catch up on the conservation tech discussions and events that happened during World Wildlife Day 2024!
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EcoAssist introduces a free African species identification model for camera trap images, capable of recognising 30 species.
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graeme, Maybe speak to a web IT expert. You may be able to have an interface on the webpage which provides the login credentials to the camera, but then passes the image (and... |
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Camera Traps, Sensors | 1 year 9 months ago | |
| I agree, this would be great for canopy work! |
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Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Camera Traps, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation | 1 year 9 months ago | |
| Does anyone know of a network camera that can stream live video direct to a browser page without requiring a password? Our Nest Outdoor... |
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Camera Traps, Sensors | 1 year 9 months ago | |
| Hello everyone,With my original background in ecology/conservation, I'm working on an open science project to give motion-sensing... |
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Camera Traps | 1 year 10 months ago | |
| Hi Ross, Where exactly did you put the UV paint? Was it on the petals or the actual middle of the flowers? I would recommend switching from sugar paste to sugar water... |
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Camera Traps, Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects | 1 year 10 months ago | |
| During Andrew's talk, @dmorris put out a call in the chat that might be relevant to folks catching up on the video, so I'll drop it here too: Re: Andrew's fish work... part... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Drones, Marine Conservation | 1 year 10 months ago | |
| I like your hypothesis. I'm going with that until someone demonstrates otherwise. It's less fun than finding out that Elsa Kramer's birthday was January 13th (or... |
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Camera Traps | 1 year 10 months ago | |
| Also, for more help, here is the link to the website where an old report is shown. Navy Marine Species Monitoring :: Time-lapse Camera Surveys of Pinnipeds in Southeastern Virginia |
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Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools | 1 year 11 months ago | |
| A new COST action has been announced which will focus on the use of computer vision for monitoring insects.InsectAI will run for 4 years... |
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AI for Conservation, Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Camera Traps | 1 year 11 months ago | |
| (apologies for joining this thread late) Has anyone tried using the LIDAR in one of the newer iPhones so-equipped as a trail cam trigger? (e.g. iPhone12 Pro), perhaps in... |
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Camera Traps | 1 year 11 months ago | |
| This is such a cool idea! We need an aussie/international version!Best of luck with this year's survey!Rob |
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Camera Traps | 1 year 11 months ago | |
| I just wanted to see if anyone else was having an issue with Cuddelink cameras sometimes emailing you super old images. Like for example,... |
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Camera Traps | 1 year 11 months ago |
