Govind Tekale
Trail cameras are changing how we track and protect wildlife by capturing rare animals that scientists rarely see face-to-face. These motion-activated devices are helping confirm the existence of species thought to be extinct and providing crucial data for conservation efforts worldwide.
In Guatemala’s Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve, researchers finally captured what they had long suspected – the presence of jaguars and pumas. Despite the reserve being home to nearly 900 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, these big cats had proven incredibly difficult to document.
“The occurrence of jaguars and pumas across the reserve provides critical insights into the distribution of these apex predators in the region,” researchers noted in the Journal of Biodiversity Data. What surprised scientists most was finding jaguars at much higher elevations than expected.
Both jaguars and pumas play vital roles in their ecosystems. As apex predators, they control prey populations and maintain biodiversity. Jaguars use their powerful jaws to hunt, while pumas, also called mountain lions or cougars in North America, interact with over 485 other species as “nature’s brokers.”
In South Africa’s De Hoop Nature Reserve, similar camera trapping success occurred. The Landmark Foundation’s Leopard Conservation Project placed 30 camera traps that took over 4,000 photographs during a 50-day period. Two photos captured African leopards, which are considered vulnerable by conservation authorities.
“This is an incredibly hopeful moment,” said Ed Zeeman, co-founder of the Morukuru Family. “To confirm the presence of not one, but two leopards, is a testament to the power of patient, long-term conservation work.”
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Elsewhere, trail cameras are documenting remarkable wildlife comebacks. In Kazakhstan, cameras have photographed snow leopards in Katon-Karagay National Park, showing a 20% population increase since 2019. They’ve also captured Tien Shan brown bears in Kolsai Lakes National Park, whose numbers have risen from fewer than 260 in 1999 to over 550 by 2015.
The technology has even helped rediscover species thought extinct. In Vietnam, cameras documented the silver-backed chevrotain, a mouse-deer not seen for nearly 30 years. In India, the Himalayan Quail was spotted after 150 years of presumed extinction.
These cameras offer major advantages over traditional wildlife monitoring methods. They work 24/7 without disturbing animals, can be placed in remote locations, and capture natural behaviors that might change when humans are present.
“Camera traps offer a non-intrusive way to monitor rare and wide-ranging species,” explained Bool Smuts, general manager at the Landmark Foundation.
The data collected helps scientists assess population health, identify critical habitats for protection, evaluate the success of conservation programs, and spot potential threats. This information directly influences conservation policy and land management decisions.
For those interested in wildlife monitoring, basic trail cameras now cost less than $40. Everyday citizens can contribute to conservation by documenting wildlife in their own backyards or participating in organized counting efforts like the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count.
With habitat destruction, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict threatening many species, these silent electronic sentinels are providing the evidence needed to protect Earth’s most vulnerable creatures.
