Monitoring Orangutans Through the Lens of Camera Traps
Date Posted: November 12, 2024
Text by: BOS Foundation Communication Team
Wildlife monitoring technology has evolved significantly in recent years, with camera traps being one example. Since 2020, the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS Foundation) has worked with the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada and Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) to install 30 Reconyx Hyperfire (HP2X) infrared cameras in the Bukit Batikap Protected Forest.
How Camera Traps Work
Despite its name, "Camera Trap," this device is harmless to wildlife. Camera traps are a non-invasive tool used to monitor animals, including orangutans. This conservation tool may observe orangutans' activity for 30-60 days in distant and difficult-to-access locations without the requirement for physical presence. These cameras can also collect information on the existence, behaviour, life cycles, and interaction patterns of animals.
Camera traps may seem complex, but they're actually straightforward conservation tools—regular cameras equipped with infrared sensors. They detect movement and automatically capture images of passing animals, allowing researchers to document a wide range of behaviors without disrupting the animals' natural routines.
Camera Trap Installation
The camera traps are strategically placed at 30 points throughout the Bukit Batikap Protected Forest. The cameras are installed at several key locations, approximately 500–1000 meters apart along pre-existing trail systems. This area covers most of the forest interior, which is difficult to access regularly.
The cameras are housed in lockable boxes, as rehabilitated orangutans, who tend to be more curious than wild ones, are likely to find these cameras interesting. Data is collected monthly by swapping out the SD cards, while battery changes occur every two months. The images captured on the SD cards are downloaded, saved to hard drives, and regularly emailed from the field to the team at Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Center and our collaborators at UBC.
Wildlife Captured by Camera Traps
While the primary goal is to monitor orangutans, the camera traps have successfully recorded many wildlife species since the project began. These include sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), pangolins (Pholidota), barking deer (Muntjacus spp.), and the rare Bornean crested fireback (Lophura ignita), whose presence is now known to be extremely scarce. This information undoubtedly helps the BOS Foundation and its partners monitor wildlife population health and assess the effectiveness of habitat protection efforts.
The collaboration between the BOS Foundation, UBC, and IPB highlights the importance of integrating technology with conservation science. Camera traps play a crucial role in helping researchers gather vital data, supporting efforts to preserve orangutans and other wildlife in the Bukit Batikap Protected Forest. This approach allows scientists to monitor animals without disturbing them in their natural habitat, enhancing the effectiveness of conservation efforts.