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
No showcases have been added to this group yet.
National Geographic Society
Experience utilizing technology to inspire, educate, and create solutions to some of our biggest challenges. Currently, head of the National Geographic Society Exploration Technology Lab, overseeing the development and deployment of research and storytelling technologies.
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 16 Groups
I'm a wildlife ecologist with interests in a range of technology.
- 0 Resources
- 22 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @ana-alcantara
- | She/her
Postgraduate Biology student interested in bioacoustics, conservation biology and biodiversity
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 10 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- @magerk
- | she/her
wildlife ecologist, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Policy, & Sustainability and Biology
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @kosmakosv
- | he/him
Peace Corps Volunteer and Nature Enthusiast
- 0 Resources
- 10 Discussions
- 1 Groups
Movement Ecologist studying the where, why, and how animals move throughout our world. Current work is investigating the movement and energetics of large neotropical bats in a changing environment with ephemeral resources.
- 0 Resources
- 23 Discussions
- 22 Groups
- @matt_hron
- | He/Him
Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS)
Product Manager at Wildlife Protection Solutions
- 0 Resources
- 8 Discussions
- 8 Groups
- @tomwhite101
- | He/Him
Agroecology Geek
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 12 Groups
World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
- 1 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @heiabb02
- | she/her
Early Career Wild Felid conservationist with BS in Biology & Zoology
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
Asst. Prof @ MIT with research at the intersection of computer vision, biodiversity monitoring, conservation, and sustainability.
- 4 Resources
- 15 Discussions
- 5 Groups
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
Link
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
Link
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
Link
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
Link
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
Article
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
event
Riley Knoedler
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
September 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
June 2020
October 2019
58 Products
Recently updated products
4 Products
Recently updated products
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I think the big thing is power consumption. Commercial camera traps have a large power (current) dynamic range. That means they can often swing from ~0.1 mA to ~1000 mA of current... |
|
Camera Traps | 8 months 3 weeks ago | |
| As others have said, pretty much all image models at least start with general-subject datasets ("car," "bird," "person", etc.) and have to be refined to work with more precision... |
+20
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 8 months 4 weeks ago | |
| This is a thread for anyone who has questions about AI for Conservation Office Hours 2025.We're once again teaming up with Dan Morris from... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Community Base, Geospatial | 8 months 4 weeks ago | |
| Hi Eugene!Interesting project!I already signed up to test it!Cheers,Lars |
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 9 months 1 week ago | |
| Thanks :)We are working on making it smaller and simpler using the latest openMV board. |
+15
|
Camera Traps | 9 months 1 week 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 | 9 months 1 week 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 | 9 months 1 week 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 | 9 months 3 weeks 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 | 9 months 3 weeks 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 | 9 months 4 weeks ago | |
| Product added to the Inventory : Tikee |
|
Camera Traps | 10 months 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 | 10 months 1 week ago |
