Estimating animal density using camera traps without the need for individual recognition

1 Density estimation is of fundamental importance in wildlife management. The use of camera traps to estimate animal density has so far been restricted to capture–recapture analysis of species with individually identifiable markings. This study developed a method that eliminates the requirement for individual recognition of animals by modelling the underlying process of contact between animals and cameras. 2 The model provides a factor that linearly scales trapping rate with density, depending on two key biological variables (average animal group size and day range) and two characteristics of the camera sensor (distance and angle within which it detects animals). 3 We tested the approach in an enclosed animal…

• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Award: NE/D009456/1
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Award: NE/D009456/1