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 Phil, Thanks for sharing - this is really interesting work! Seems like a cool integration of ground-based (or ocean-based) data and satellite data, with a community... |
|
Geospatial, Acoustics, Camera Traps, eDNA & Genomics | 10 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Dear team,I am new to WildLabs. It's great to find all the interesting and informative discussions.We are exploring deploying "connected" camera traps in wetlands (2 hectares for... |
+8
|
Camera Traps | 10 months 3 weeks ago | |
| I've deployed and trained others to climb and deploy arboreal cameras in several countries and I agree with Lucy's approach. Leaving a thin cord (like a throw line) to quicken... |
+6
|
Camera Traps | 11 months ago | |
| Hi Karen,Yeah the discharge curves of lithium cells tend to be very stable for a long time and then drop sharply at the end. Akiba and Brett's advice below re: condensation... |
|
Camera Traps, AI for Conservation | 11 months ago | |
| Hej Vasilios, thank you so much for this list with notes! Much appreciated. Thank you also for sharing your experiences with the Mitsubishi corporation, your non-profit and other... |
|
Camera Traps, Funding and Finance | 11 months ago | |
| Hi Rob,Thank you so much for these suggestions, I'll do a little more research around these and get back to you if I have any other questions! :)Best,Chelsea |
|
Camera Traps | 11 months 1 week ago | |
| Hi Patrick,FYI - I've modified a couple hundred GardePros at this point with a new lens for wider angles and closer focus. Their cameras are pretty simple so easy to take apart... |
+11
|
Camera Traps | 11 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Very interesting please update us once experiment is successful |
|
Camera Traps, Conservation Tech Training and Education | 1 year ago | |
| Really interesting, I will take a look |
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech | 1 year ago | |
| great project !! |
|
Camera Traps | 1 year ago | |
| great idea!! |
+28
|
Camera Traps | 1 year ago | |
| Keep digging girll!! |
|
Camera Traps | 1 year ago |
