Are camera traps fit for purpose? A rigorous, reproducible and realistic test of camera trap performance. (29th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Apps, Peter; McNutt, John Weldon
• Other Names: Bahaa‐el‐din Laila guestEditor.; Cusack Jeremy guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: African journal of ecology. Volume 56:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 710
• Page End: 720
• Publication Date: 2018-11-29
• Subjects: camera trap -- capture‐recapture -- fit for purpose -- occupancy -- trail camera -- validation; Zoology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Wildlife management -- Africa -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Africa, East -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Africa, East -- Periodicals; Wildlife management -- Africa, East -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/aje.12573
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-6707

Abstract

Abstract: Camera traps are now widely used to produce the data that inform critical, large‐scale conservation strategies, but insufficient attention has been paid to evaluating or validating their performance. A realistic, reproducible and rigorous test of camera trap performance has been developed, using a real animal target moving in different directions and at different distances from sets of up to six cameras. The test clearly shows differences in performance between camera trap brands and models that affect whether they are fit for research purposes, and the effects on camera performance of the small differences in mounting height and angle that are likely to arise when camera traps are used in the field.