Why use camera traps?

Camera traps are a highly effective tool for biodiversity monitoring due to their ability to capture wildlife in natural settings without disturbance. They provide continuous, 24/7 data collection, making it easier to study both diurnal and nocturnal species. This method is especially useful for detecting elusive or rare animals that are hard to observe with traditional methods. Camera traps are cost-effective, requiring minimal human presence after setup, and are ideal for long-term monitoring. They work well in remote or difficult-to-access areas and reduce observer bias by recording wildlife behaviour naturally.

Why use the camera trap service from Kumbe?

At Kumbe we provide our camera trap service in combination with our other servers, like eDNA and sound sensors. It is possible yo use your own camera traps but we can also lease them to you for the duration of the project.

Depending on your goal, the camera traps are placed following the TEAM approach or in a customised approach. E.g. if you are interested in one specific species, the camera’s will be placed at pre-defined locations where the species is likely to be found.

For biodiversity monitoring, Kumbe adheres to the TEAM approach.

Which services does Kumbe offer?

Plan

Based on your specific requirements and objectives, Kumbe's team of experts will develop a tailored camera traps monitoring plan. This plan will include the following components:

  • Where to place the camera traps

  • How many camera’s to place

  • Which camera settings to use

  • The duration of the placements

Kumbe works with local communities to place the camera traps at the predefined locations.

Annotation

Once the SD cards are collected, the images will be annotated. Kumbe works together with the Annotation Lab in Arusha for this purpose. Based on your requirements and the AI models available, there are 3 approaches possible:

  • manual annotation of all images

  • use of the Mega Detector model to filter empty images i.c.w. manual annotation of the images with species

  • use the Mega Detector and an AI model for the relevant habitat for automatic annotation

Analysis and reporting

Building on your initial requirements, we will conduct a thorough analysis of the results, delivering comprehensive and insightful reports. These reports will include detailed data interpretations, relevant visualizations, and actionable recommendations tailored to your specific needs, ensuring clarity and informed decision-making