Technology and the use of Remote Wildlife Cameras
Cameras and digital images
Motion detected cameras ( for us Swift-Pro and Kings) are used across all sections of 16:6 and play an integral role in monitoring the wildlife across the property. Remote wildlife cameras are an essential tool for understanding what native species we have and the introduced feral animals present.
To ensure effective conservation efforts it is essential to know what species are in the area and have some idea of frequency, population, reproduction and impact. As it is impossible to monitor all of 16:6 day and night, camera image data capture, especially in remote areas is so valuable.
To date a number of animals including, the Broad Headed Sand Swimmer, Mallee Ctenotus, Eastern Brown Snake, the Western Pygmy Possum and three bird species have been initially identified through camera images. In addition cameras have captured Mallee Fowl and Wombats literally kilometres from their closest known base, leading to finding new mounds and a warren system under construction.
Technology to assist in species identification
Motion detection - remote wildlife cameras are an essential tool for understanding what native species we have across 16:6 and the introduced feral animals present.
The images that these tools capture in remote areas, at times when we can’t be present and of species that hide as soon as we approach has allowed us to increase the species records across the heritage agreements.
There are several species that we have captured on cameras but never seen out in the daytime when we are on the ground, Cats, Foxes, and Hares are not uncommon and have been detected woefully on all allotments, however we have not seen any of these whist’s walking or driving the land. As for native species, we have not seen a brush tailed possum, or Night Jar to date, yet have a number of records of them on nighttime image capture.
Echidnas, Eastern Brown Snakes, Echidnas, Pygmy Possums, Mallee Fowl and Ctenotus skinks are also more frequently captured on film than seen in person.
The greatest challenge that we have with the use of remote cameras is the resources required to collect the SD cards, reset, maintain and the followup that is associated with several thousand images. At 16:6 we average 9,000 to 10,000 images per month to review, however, as we learn how to better set up the remote cameras and target the shots that we are after, we are reducing the number of false triggers caused by wind, movement of shadow and poor alignment.
AI based image recognition is becoming more readily available; however, it is very costly, still requires human involvement in setting up identification parameters and is unlikely to be something that 16:6 could currently resouirce.
However as AI improves and becomes more widely available there is a likelihood that it will be affordable for citizen science. One current tool is called the Felixer grooming trap.
Felixer AI traps are a remote camera that can recognise images of cats. As an automated device it helps control feral cats by shooting 1080 gel sprey onto passing cats, who then groom themselved and inject the gel.
Many animals seen drawn to the cameras. Whilst we have the cameras on silent certain species such as Corvids, crows and currawongs Emus and Kangaroos all seem fascinated and approcah the camera for a close inspection.
The challenge of many images to sort
As above the greatest challenge that we have with the use of remote cameras is the resources required to collect the SD cards, reset, maintain and the followup that is associated with several thousand images. At 16:6 we average 9,000 to 10,000 images per month to review, however, as we learn how to better set up the remote cameras and target the shots that we are after, we are reducing the number of false triggers caused by wind, movement of shadow and poor alignment.
Other useful technological tools.
Endoscopes – Small to carry and easy to use endoscopes are ideal for checking into small burrows, spider holes, nest sites, bat roosts and other crevices. The endoscope we have has the capability of recording images and videos. These have been useful in verifying pygmy possum hollows and nesting birds
Bat detectors - Anabat ® detectors - A bat detector is a device used to detect the presence of bats by converting their echolocation ultrasound signals, as they are emitted by the bats, to audible frequencies. We have been fortunate in that the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board have rolled out a bat monitoring program for community members across the region of which we have been involved. In early 2025 we shall have results from our survey and a specific blog will be posted.
Where to in the future of technological solutions
Our next steps in using technology will likely be
1- Improving our access to remote cameras by activating 4G capabilities to monitor some key sites point in time.
2- To hire or purchase a suitable drone with Infra-red capability to allow for morning or evening flights for the detection of sites such as additional mallee fowl mounds