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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| @cmwainaina please take a look |
|
Animal Movement, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Connectivity, Data management and processing tools, East Africa Community, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools, Geospatial, Sensors, Software Development | 1 year ago | |
| I'm being quite daring by making statements on a forum that is frequented by Dan Morris (obviously in deference to his extensive knowledge on the subject :-) ), but here goes.... |
|
Camera Traps | 1 year ago | |
| We evaluated background subtraction as part of our pipeline for Zamba Cloud a few years ago. It's going to depend a lot on your backgrounds, but we found that for jungle/forest... |
|
Camera Traps | 1 year 1 month ago | |
| I was going to suggest the Garde Pro too. The model available in Australia is good. I have found that the download from the SD card to the linked phone can take a while, so be... |
|
Camera Traps | 1 year 1 month ago | |
| Hello everyone,I've been thinking about FLIR thermal cameras and I'm curious about their capabilities. Given their powerful capabilities,... |
|
Camera Traps | 1 year 1 month ago | |
| In that case, you might want to keep an eye on the project from @Lars_Holst_Hansen |
|
Camera Traps, AI for Conservation, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Early Career, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Protected Area Management Tools | 1 year 2 months ago | |
| Hi AlexThank you so much for the imput 🙏 |
|
Camera Traps | 1 year 2 months ago | |
| Depending on how much drift there is it may be a fixed offset caused by the timer not restarting until you have finished puttin gin al the settings. You set the time, then do all... |
|
Camera Traps | 1 year 2 months ago | |
| Thank you for elaborating, @evebohnett ! And for the heads ups! |
+22
|
Camera Traps, Drones | 1 year 3 months ago | |
| [oops, the same reply got submitted twice and there doesn't seem to be a "delete" button] |
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 1 year 3 months ago | |
| Hi @zhongqimiao ,Might you have faced such an issue while using mega detectorThe conflict is caused by:pytorchwildlife 1.0.2.13 depends on torch==1.10.1pytorchwildlife 1.0.2.12... |
+6
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Open Source Solutions | 1 year 3 months ago | |
| Thanks, and that's a match! All these pictures are from a lab experiment and formated with AmphIdent. We took weekly belly pictures of several larvae. The aim of this google... |
|
Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Software Development | 1 year 3 months ago |
