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
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New Jersey Institute of Technology
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Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
PhD student from Argentina, working in animal population ecology with camera traps and sighting surveys.
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PhD Student in Wildlife Ecology
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Committed to solving conservation challengies through policy and community participation
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Computer Engineer and Environment Enthusiast
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I am a professional conservation photographer specializing in those small creatures often ignored by many.
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Article
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloha Luke,This is an amazing tool that you have created. Are your cameras availble for purchase? We use a lot of camera traps in the Hono O Na Pali Natural Area Reserve on Kauai... |
+4
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AI for Conservation, Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Camera Traps | 13 hours 45 minutes ago | |
| @LydiaKatsis Trapper was designed to process large-scale camera trap projects, and it offers two interfaces for data management: a simple citizen science interface and an expert... |
+15
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Camera Traps | 3 days 3 hours ago | |
| Hello Eugene, I just tried your service:Was wondering how possible will it be to have the option to upload a second image and have a comparison running to let the user know if... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Software Development | 6 days 7 hours ago | |
| Thank you for your reply! It surely helps, we have use exif for a while to read metadata from images, when there is information available. Could be nice to maybe see if we... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 1 week 2 days ago | |
| Hi everyone,I’m currently developing a multilingual, offline-friendly training program called ConTech Curriculum, designed... |
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Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Camera Traps, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Protected Area Management Tools | 1 week 4 days ago | |
| Wow this is amazing! This is how we integrate Biology and Information Technology. |
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Camera Traps, AI for Conservation, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Data management and processing tools, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools, Geospatial | 2 weeks 3 days ago | |
| It's a wildlabs security innovations thermal camera product. We are a new company (The Netherlands), just formed last year. We just have one wildlife customer at the moment in... |
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Camera Traps | 4 weeks ago | |
| That's great. Thanks! |
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Camera Traps | 4 weeks 2 days ago | |
| Idles around 2W, peaks a bit more than 6W. |
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Camera Traps, AI for Conservation | 1 month ago | |
| We have a camera that could do this over some distance away due to a thermal module being involved. It will also record very high quality audio (Nature recording audiophiles rave... |
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Camera Traps | 1 month ago | |
| Here is a nice review on the use of camera traps in various ecological contexts:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1002/(ISSN)2045-7758.ecological-insights |
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Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools | 1 month 1 week ago | |
| Super nice project! How do you imagine thermal cameras will help with vegetation? It cannot exactly look though it.Rather than placing the camera inside the metalbox have you... |
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Camera Traps | 1 month 1 week ago |
