Camera traps: Effective tool for biodiversity conservation

Camera traps cause no harm to wildlife

Globally, camera traps have long been used in wildlife conservation research, particularly during the 1990–2010 period when high-capacity battery and memory card technologies advanced.

In Viet Nam, with support from domestic and international conservation non-governmental organizations such as WWF, SVW, and FFI, camera traps have been used in several national parks and nature reserves since 2010. Thanks to their advantages of being non-invasive, causing minimal stress to wildlife, operating continuously 24/7, and performing effectively in rugged terrain, camera traps have become an indispensable tool for wildlife monitoring and conservation in Viet Nam's special-use forests.

Tam Dao National Park, spanning the three provinces of Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, and Thai Nguyen, is one of Viet Nam's special-use forests with rich and diverse ecosystems of flora and fauna. To enhance biodiversity conservation value, the park has applied science and technology to support biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Among these, camera traps are considered an effective tool for recording habitats, species composition, population distribution density, and behavioral ecology.

A camera trap is essentially a camera equipped with an infrared beam. When wild animals pass by, motion sensors automatically trigger the camera to capture images. At Tam Dao National Park, each camera trap typically operates continuously for 60 days in photo-capture mode. At the end of each monitoring cycle, the park’s technical staff inspects the devices and downloads data from memory cards to computers and mobile devices to build a database of species present within the ecosystem.

Detecting signs of survival of many rare wildlife species

According to Mr. Dang Van Thach, an officer from the Science and International Cooperation Division of Tam Dao National Park, forest patrol teams in recent years have discovered areas inhabited by various rare wildlife species during forest patrol operations. Following research, the Park's leadership directed the division to install camera traps at multiple locations, leading to the detection of numerous rare species residing in the national park, including junglefowl, wildcats, cobras, wild boars, mouse deer, squirrels, and various bird species. The documented presence of these wild animals serves as evidence of efforts to restore the Tam Dao ecosystem.

"Thanks to camera traps, we have been able to capture highly detailed images of these animals, which helps us develop appropriate conservation and protection plans. In addition, we can monitor animals after they are released into Tam Dao National Park to assess whether they can adapt or not. Camera traps are considered one of the most practical and beneficial tools for the management and protection forces of Tam Dao National Park," Mr. Thach emphasized.

Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, Deputy Head of the Km13 Forest Ranger Station, said the station regularly coordinates with the Park's Science and International Cooperation Division to film, photograph, and observe the behavior of endemic species in Tam Dao National Park.

After each camera trap deployment cycle, the most anticipated moment for staff is reviewing the memory cards and celebrating the recorded wildlife sightings. At Tam Dao National Park, many species were previously undetected through direct field surveys. However, thanks to camera trap technology, signs of the survival of many rare wildlife species have now been discovered.

Dr. Vuong Tien Manh, Deputy Director of Tam Dao National Park, said, "The application of technological and scientific advances in biodiversity conservation represents the smart management model that countries around the world are striving toward. We are currently using camera trap technology to monitor biodiversity across various survey routes and locations. Once sufficient observational results and data are collected, we will develop management, conservation, and scientific research plans. This includes strengthening patrol forces, focusing management efforts, and deploying protection measures in areas inhabited by rare wildlife species. At the same time, we are intensifying communication among local communities to encourage their participation in conserving rare animals."

Not only at Tam Dao National Park, the camera trap method has also recorded the presence of many rare wildlife species in other natural areas across Viet Nam. Most recently, this method helped discover the healthy existence of Siamese fireback in natural forests at Chu Mom Ray National Park, while 23 Red Book-listed species, including marbled cats, yellow-throated marten, hog badger, and barking deer, were recorded at Pu Mat National Park.