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
Article
In 2019, the U.S. Navy initiated a time-lapse camera study to investigate seal presence at select haul-out locations in the lower Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters of Virginia, which are important areas to Navy training...
13 July 2023
Funding
Tools for automating image analysis for biodiversity monitoring
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Apply for funding (£500,000-£750,000) to develop software systems, which will help to improve biodiversity monitoring by automating the analysis of images and videos
12 July 2023
Funding
2023 Canon Oceania Grants - Environmental Grant AU$5,000
Esther Githinji
Applications are now open till 23 July for the 2023 Canon Oceania Grants with the category of the Environmental Grant valued at AU$5,000. The finalist will be selected based on the environmental and social merits of...
7 July 2023
Article
New Add-ons for Mbaza AI
Marundu Muturi
At Appsilon, we are always working to enable our users to get the most out of our solutions. With this in mind, we are happy to introduce two new add-ons to Mbaza AI.
4 July 2023
Article
Osa Conservation: A Multi-Tech Toolbox of Solutions
Osa Conservation
In this Conservation Tech Showcase case study from Osa Conservation, you’ll learn about how technology is aiding their long-term efforts to prevent wildlife crime, protect critical species, and build a climate-adaptive...
22 June 2023
Article
Sustained Effort: Out with the New, In with the Old
Rob Appleby and 1 more
In this interview between Rob Appleby and Ellie Warren, we discuss the importance of DIY, recycling, and sharing tools in order to make our community more sustainable.
14 June 2023
New insights into the behavior of the large-antlered muntjac, a critically endangered deer species in Southeast Asia, are revealed through camera-trapping, shedding light on scent marking as a communication method used...
12 June 2023
Careers
Wildlife Monitoring Engineer
Tom August
Permanent and Full Time role at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
8 June 2023
Article
Acorn removal study of Nendo Dango, Ecological Restoration Research group at the University of Granada
5 June 2023
The saola, also known as the 'Asian unicorn,' remains one of the world's most elusive and rare animals. Conservation organizations, such as the Saola Working Group, operating in Laos and Vietnam, are conducting...
18 May 2023
Camera traps installed in Vietnam's Phong Dien Nature Reserve have yielded remarkable images of rare and endangered species, igniting optimism for biodiversity conservation in the region. Among the captivating...
18 May 2023
Link
This article compares and contrasts the success of their wolf monitoring efforts with both collars and camera traps. The camera traps were intended to help researchers identify individual wolves within the population,...
5 May 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft AI for Earth and DrivenData just launched a new machine learning competition on Snapshot Serengeti data: http://aiforearth.... |
|
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... |
|
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... |
|
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 ... |
|
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... |
|
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... |
|
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 |
|
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... |
|
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... |
|
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,... |
|
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... |
|
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... |
|
Camera Traps | 6 years 1 month ago |
