05/11/14

Forest camera traps monitor world’s endangered species

A TEAM researcher sets up a camera trap in La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Conservation International/photo by Morgan Cottle

The TEAM Network operates in 17 tropical forest sites in Africa, Asia and Latin America

A nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) from the network’s site in Caxiuana National Forest, Brazil

TEAM network

A mountain lion (Puma concolor), also known as the puma or cougar, is one of 169 mammal species in Costa Rica. Pumas are threatened by habitat loss and hunting

TEAM Network

A Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), a type of rodent, from TEAM’s Cocha Cashu site in Manu National Park, Peru

A jaguar (Panthera onca) from Cocha Cashu. Threats to the species include deforestation and human persecution

TEAM Network

A great curassow (Crax rubra) caught on a camera trap in Costa Rica. It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss

TEAM Network

A Sanje mangabey (Cercocebus sanjei) from TEAM’s site in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania. It is classified as endangered by the environmental organisation the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

A South American coati (Nasua nasua) in Caxiuana National Forest. Threats to the species include habitat loss and hunting

TEAM Network

An Amazonian brown brocket deer (Mazama nemorivaga) from the Caxiuana National Forest. Deforestation in the Amazon is a major threat to the species

TEAM Network

A pale-winged trumpeter (Psophia leucoptera) from Cocha Cashu. Accelerating deforestation is the primary threat to the species

TEAM Network

Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. It is classified as an endangered species by the IUCN

TEAM Network

A southern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) from TEAM’s site in Bukit Barisan Selatan, Indonesia. Habitat loss and hunting threaten the species

TEAM Network

A northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) in Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. Threats include hunting and habitat change

TEAM Network

By: Giorgia Scaturro

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<div class="article-wrap">
<div id="article-introduction">
<h1>Forest camera traps monitor world’s endangered species</h1>
<h4>By: Giorgia Scaturro</h4>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="article-img-gallery" id="image-gallery"><div class="owl-carousel"><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1_teresa_kelley_sets_a_camera_trap_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A TEAM researcher sets up a camera trap in La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1_teresa_kelley_sets_a_camera_trap_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A TEAM researcher sets up a camera trap in La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1_teresa_kelley_sets_a_camera_trap_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A TEAM researcher sets up a camera trap in La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica
'></noscript></noscript><p>A TEAM researcher sets up a camera trap in La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica</p>
<p><em>Conservation International/photo by Morgan Cottle </em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2_map_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='The TEAM Network operates in 17 tropical forest sites in Africa, Asia and Latin America
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2_map_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='The TEAM Network operates in 17 tropical forest sites in Africa, Asia and Latin America
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2_map_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='The TEAM Network operates in 17 tropical forest sites in Africa, Asia and Latin America
'></noscript></noscript><p>The TEAM Network operates in 17 tropical forest sites in Africa, Asia and Latin America</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3_nine-banded_armadillo_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) from the network’s site in Caxiuana National Forest, Brazil
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3_nine-banded_armadillo_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) from the network’s site in Caxiuana National Forest, Brazil
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3_nine-banded_armadillo_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) from the network’s site in Caxiuana National Forest, Brazil
'></noscript></noscript><p>A nine-banded armadillo (<em>Dasypus novemcinctus</em>) from the network’s site in Caxiuana National Forest, Brazil</p>
<p><em>TEAM network</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3.1_mountain_lion_puma_concolor_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A mountain lion (Puma concolor), also known as the puma or cougar, is one of 169 mammal species in Costa Rica. Pumas are threatened by habitat loss and hunting  
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3.1_mountain_lion_puma_concolor_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A mountain lion (Puma concolor), also known as the puma or cougar, is one of 169 mammal species in Costa Rica. Pumas are threatened by habitat loss and hunting  
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3.1_mountain_lion_puma_concolor_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A mountain lion (Puma concolor), also known as the puma or cougar, is one of 169 mammal species in Costa Rica. Pumas are threatened by habitat loss and hunting  
'></noscript></noscript><p>A mountain lion (<em>Puma concolor</em>), also known as the puma or cougar, is one of 169 mammal species in Costa Rica. Pumas are threatened by habitat loss and hunting  </p>
<p><em>TEAM Network</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/4_central_american_agouti_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), a type of rodent, from TEAM’s Cocha Cashu site in Manu National Park, Peru
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/4_central_american_agouti_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), a type of rodent, from TEAM’s Cocha Cashu site in Manu National Park, Peru
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/4_central_american_agouti_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), a type of rodent, from TEAM’s Cocha Cashu site in Manu National Park, Peru
'></noscript></noscript><p>A Central American agouti (<em>Dasyprocta punctata</em>), a type of rodent, from TEAM’s Cocha Cashu site in Manu National Park, Peru</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5_jaguar_panthera_onca_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A jaguar (Panthera onca) from Cocha Cashu. Threats to the species include deforestation and human persecution
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5_jaguar_panthera_onca_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A jaguar (Panthera onca) from Cocha Cashu. Threats to the species include deforestation and human persecution
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5_jaguar_panthera_onca_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A jaguar (Panthera onca) from Cocha Cashu. Threats to the species include deforestation and human persecution
'></noscript></noscript><p>A jaguar (<em>Panthera onca</em>) from Cocha Cashu. Threats to the species include deforestation and human persecution</p>
<p><em>TEAM Network</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/6_great_curassow_full_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A great curassow (Crax rubra) caught on a camera trap in Costa Rica. It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/6_great_curassow_full_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A great curassow (Crax rubra) caught on a camera trap in Costa Rica. It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/6_great_curassow_full_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A great curassow (Crax rubra) caught on a camera trap in Costa Rica. It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss 
'></noscript></noscript><p>A great curassow (<em>Crax rubra</em>) caught on a camera trap in Costa Rica. It is threatened by hunting and habitat loss </p>
<p><em>TEAM Network</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8_sanje_mangabey_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A Sanje mangabey (Cercocebus sanjei) from TEAM’s site in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania. It is classified as endangered by the environmental organisation the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8_sanje_mangabey_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A Sanje mangabey (Cercocebus sanjei) from TEAM’s site in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania. It is classified as endangered by the environmental organisation the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8_sanje_mangabey_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A Sanje mangabey (Cercocebus sanjei) from TEAM’s site in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania. It is classified as endangered by the environmental organisation the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
'></noscript></noscript><p>A Sanje mangabey (<em>Cercocebus sanjei</em>) from TEAM’s site in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania. It is classified as endangered by the environmental organisation the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)</p>
<p><em></em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/9_south_american_coati_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A South American coati (Nasua nasua) in Caxiuana National Forest. Threats to the species include habitat loss and hunting
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/9_south_american_coati_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A South American coati (Nasua nasua) in Caxiuana National Forest. Threats to the species include habitat loss and hunting
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/9_south_american_coati_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A South American coati (Nasua nasua) in Caxiuana National Forest. Threats to the species include habitat loss and hunting
'></noscript></noscript><p>A South American coati (<em>Nasua nasua</em>) in Caxiuana National Forest. Threats to the species include habitat loss and hunting</p>
<p><em>TEAM Network</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/11_amazonian_brown_brocket_fileminimizer__55469.jpg' alt='An Amazonian brown brocket deer (Mazama nemorivaga) from the Caxiuana National Forest. Deforestation in the Amazon is a major threat to the species
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/11_amazonian_brown_brocket_fileminimizer__55469.jpg' alt='An Amazonian brown brocket deer (Mazama nemorivaga) from the Caxiuana National Forest. Deforestation in the Amazon is a major threat to the species
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/11_amazonian_brown_brocket_fileminimizer__55469.jpg' alt='An Amazonian brown brocket deer (Mazama nemorivaga) from the Caxiuana National Forest. Deforestation in the Amazon is a major threat to the species
'></noscript></noscript><p>An Amazonian brown brocket deer (<em>Mazama nemorivaga</em>) from the Caxiuana National Forest. Deforestation in the Amazon is a major threat to the species</p>
<p><em>TEAM Network</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/12_pale-winged_trumpeter_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A pale-winged trumpeter (Psophia leucoptera) from Cocha Cashu. Accelerating deforestation is the primary threat to the species
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/12_pale-winged_trumpeter_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A pale-winged trumpeter (Psophia leucoptera) from Cocha Cashu. Accelerating deforestation is the primary threat to the species
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/12_pale-winged_trumpeter_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A pale-winged trumpeter (Psophia leucoptera) from Cocha Cashu. Accelerating deforestation is the primary threat to the species
'></noscript></noscript><p>A pale-winged trumpeter (<em>Psophia leucoptera</em>) from Cocha Cashu. Accelerating deforestation is the primary threat to the species</p>
<p><em>TEAM Network</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/13_gorilla_beringei_beringei_.jpg' alt='Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. It is classified as an endangered species by the IUCN
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/13_gorilla_beringei_beringei_.jpg' alt='Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. It is classified as an endangered species by the IUCN
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/13_gorilla_beringei_beringei_.jpg' alt='Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. It is classified as an endangered species by the IUCN
'></noscript></noscript><p>Mountain gorillas (<em>Gorilla beringei beringei</em>) in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. It is classified as an endangered species by the IUCN</p>
<p><em>TEAM Network</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/14_macaca_nemestrina_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A southern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) from TEAM’s site in Bukit Barisan Selatan, Indonesia. Habitat loss and hunting threaten the species
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/14_macaca_nemestrina_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A southern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) from TEAM’s site in Bukit Barisan Selatan, Indonesia. Habitat loss and hunting threaten the species
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/14_macaca_nemestrina_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A southern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) from TEAM’s site in Bukit Barisan Selatan, Indonesia. Habitat loss and hunting threaten the species
'></noscript></noscript><p>A southern pig-tailed macaque (<em>Macaca nemestrina</em>) from TEAM’s site in Bukit Barisan Selatan, Indonesia. Habitat loss and hunting threaten the species</p>
<p><em>TEAM Network</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/15_northern_tamandua_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) in Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. Threats include hunting and habitat change
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/15_northern_tamandua_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) in Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. Threats include hunting and habitat change
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/15_northern_tamandua_fileminimizer_.jpg' alt='A northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) in Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. Threats include hunting and habitat change
'></noscript></noscript><p>A northern tamandua (<em>Tamandua mexicana</em>) in Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. Threats include hunting and habitat change</p>
<p><em>TEAM Network</em></p></div></div></div>
<div id="article-body">
<p>Hidden in some of the world’s most impenetrable forests, a network of cameras with inbuilt motion sensors are snapping animals in their tropical habitats. The photographs in this gallery were captured in forests in Africa, Asia and Latin America. They provide information on animal populations that are usually unseen by humans.</p>
<p>With the help of local inhabitants, scientists from the TEAM (Tropical Ecology Assessment & Monitoring) Network have deployed ‘camera traps’ in 17 tropical forests. Although these are the richest biological habitats on the planet, they are also the least understood because they are so difficult to access.</p>
<p>The images help build a picture of the long-term effects of climate change on biodiversity, natural resources and, ultimately, on human wellbeing in threatened environments. For example, they can reveal how changes in rainfall pattern or temperature affect species numbers. The cameras also help monitor how species are affected by changes in habitat and land use.</p>
<p>The data that TEAM collects on mammals, birds and vegetation can act as an early warning of global species loss.</p>

</div>
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<p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.scidev.net" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.scidev.net/global/multimedia/forest-camera-traps-endangered-species/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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Hidden in some of the world’s most impenetrable forests, a network of cameras with inbuilt motion sensors are snapping animals in their tropical habitats. The photographs in this gallery were captured in forests in Africa, Asia and Latin America. They provide information on animal populations that are usually unseen by humans.

With the help of local inhabitants, scientists from the TEAM (Tropical Ecology Assessment & Monitoring) Network have deployed ‘camera traps’ in 17 tropical forests. Although these are the richest biological habitats on the planet, they are also the least understood because they are so difficult to access.

The images help build a picture of the long-term effects of climate change on biodiversity, natural resources and, ultimately, on human wellbeing in threatened environments. For example, they can reveal how changes in rainfall pattern or temperature affect species numbers. The cameras also help monitor how species are affected by changes in habitat and land use.

The data that TEAM collects on mammals, birds and vegetation can act as an early warning of global species loss.