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
Link
Best Trail Cameras 2023 - Forbes Vetted
Stephanie O'Donnell
Forbes feature comparing five trail cameras.
26 April 2023
Link
Video: Virginia Tech tracking bobcats to preserve wildlife
Stephanie O'Donnell
Quick feature of Virgina Tech project using camera traps and biologgers to track bobcats, collecting data to inform human-wildlife coexistance efforts
26 April 2023
Careers
Hardware Lead - Biodiversity / Conservation
Ben Williamson
New role at Pivotal Earth
4 April 2023
Article
New paper in Methods in Ecology and Evolution
24 March 2023
Article
Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Mbaza AI
Andrzej Białaś
💙 Exciting news from Appsilon! Our flagship project, Mbaza AI, is expanding its impact on nature and biodiversity conservation. We’ve teamed up with the 🦏 Ol Pejeta Conservancy to build a model for classifying images of...
16 March 2023
Careers
Proposals wanted for Innovation in Practice
Ellie Warren
The Innovation in Practice edition of Methods in Ecology and Evolution is still seeking proposals about conservation technology
6 March 2023
Interesting article that links to research on how technology has made studying moose populations easier, with particularly good explanation of what makes moose populations difficult to track.
22 February 2023
Link
Are you looking to use camera traps in your conservation project? Check out this starter tutorial from Ol Pejeta's Kennedy Muriithi - he'll walk you through everything you need to know about getting started with camera...
22 February 2023
Article
Tropical pilot of insect camera traps
Tom August
New technology enabling the automated monitoring of moths has been put to rigorous testing in tropical conditions in Panama by an international team of researchers
22 February 2023
Careers
Technology to End the Sixth Mass Extinction. Salary: $104k-144K; Location: Washington DC or Seattle WA, potential hybrid; 5+ years of Full stack development experience; Deadline March 15th - view post for full job...
10 February 2023
Careers
Are you excited by the potential for new technologies to help monitor the natural world? Do you enjoy communicating your passion for technology and nature with diverse audiences? We are seeking an enthusiastic...
2 February 2023
Careers
Consultancy opportunity: Wildlife monitoring specialist
Anthony Dancer
Consultancy opportunity at ZSL for an experienced monitoring specialist to support species monitoring in rewilding landscapes across Europe
31 January 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi Lucie @luciegallegos ,Great to see ecoSecrets and happy to collaborate in any way I can! All EcoAssist's models are open-source, and the inference code too. With regards to... |
+10
|
Software Development, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 6 months ago | |
| Another question. Right now pretty much all camera traps trigger on either PIR sensors or small AI models. Small AI models would tend to have a limitation that they would... |
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 6 months ago | |
| Thanks so much!! |
+10
|
Camera Traps, Latin America Community | 6 months ago | |
| Some thoughts as I have experience working with some of the tech mentioned... Corrodible pin@htarold Did a great job explaining how that works. This pin is used in the pop-up... |
+10
|
Camera Traps | 6 months ago | |
| Hi, I'm collecting screenshots (and explanation if needed) of visualisations that you found useful. It could be charts, maps, tables... |
|
Data management and processing tools, Animal Movement, Camera Traps | 6 months ago | |
| I’ll reply with further commercial details direct to you. I think you are not supposed to discuss to that level in these discussions. This is managed product at this stage, not... |
|
Camera Traps | 6 months 1 week ago | |
| Hello, I am new to camera trapping and I have been researching trail cameras for a project to photograph the city. I need a trail cam... |
|
Camera Traps | 6 months 1 week ago | |
| Do the short videos happen mostly at night? If so, this is likely a problem with low batteries. The higher power required to power the IR flash can cause the camera to... |
|
Camera Traps | 6 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hi, I am using these for my current project: They seem to be of good quality and support offline SD card storage. These run on 5V/1A. You should be able to run them for... |
|
Camera Traps, Animal Movement | 6 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hi Simon,We (Reneco International Wildlife Consultants) have an ongoing collaboration with a local University (Abu Dhabi, UAE) for developing AI tools (cameratrap/drone... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Connectivity, Drones, Early Career, eDNA & Genomics, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools, Sensors | 6 months 4 weeks ago | |
| @HeinrichS there’s still time for you or anyone else to make a funding submission to the wildlabs 2025 grants ❤️❤️❤️I haven't applied for wildlabs funding, but I would love for... |
|
Human-Wildlife Coexistence, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Emerging Tech | 7 months ago | |
| A video speak a thousand words. I thought I’d share some fun observing the local wildlife in the back yard in thermal. |
|
Camera Traps | 7 months ago |
