Technology and Wildlife

Article link: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/animal-camera-trap-gallery/?utm_source=UniBulCEO&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&pid=1124

This article discusses a project done by the Smithsonian Institute, called Smithsonian Wild, that set out to gain information on our more elusive creatures living in the wild. The best way to study these creatures is by using camera traps, which have been used for a long time, but are actually advancing quite a bit technologically. The article mentions that these traps can cost anywhere from $200-$600, which means they must be pretty special. A lot of people might think that camera traps are simply cameras with motion detection, but some of the new traps on the market today can do much more than that. As the article mentions, the traps used in this particular project actually detect specific heat signatures of animals and only snap pictures when those are recognized. Oh, and they're weatherproof, which is pretty important for cameras that sit outside all the time.

This technology reminds me of the mammalogy class I took last semester, where we had to come up with a fake research and grant proposal. In this assignment we had to have detailed notes about the types of equipment we would need to use to track or capture our species of choice. Everyone in the class proposed that they would need camera traps in order to learn about their specie's behavior and home range. So, clearly these devices are extremely important to wildlife biologists. The proposed camera traps were also technologically advanced, as were other types of devices. For example, a researcher could also buy a seismic trap that records minute movements on the earth's surface, then matches those movements to certain herds of animals within a few miles radius. Another device that helps track behavior and movements of elusive animals.

The reason I decided to discuss these camera traps has to do with both their importance and their ease of use. As I've mentioned before, these devices are extremely important to wildlife biologists and it makes their job of protecting and helping elusive and often endangered species a lot easier. However, even though these traps are technologically advanced, they can still be used by anyone. As the article says, learning how to use camera traps only takes a couple hours and can even be done by children. To me, having something so important, yet also so accessible is a win-win and hopefully it will lead to greater interest in and greater protection of our endangered species in the wild.