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Weaseling out the best way to monitor small carnivores

A study by University of Groningen researchers found that enclosed camera traps are more effective in detecting small mustelids like weasels and stoats. Camera traps placed inside boxes with tubes, also known as Mostelas, proved to be the most successful method.

Why scientists are worried about weasels

Researchers from North Carolina State University found that red meat is the most effective bait for detecting weasels, with salmon oil adding to its allure. The study aimed to address the lack of standardized monitoring protocols for weasel populations and provides a framework for future surveys.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

AI helps to detect invasive Asian hornets

Researchers have developed VespAI, an automated system that attracts hornets to a monitoring station and captures standardized images using an overhead camera. The system uses AI algorithm to identify the species with almost perfect accuracy, allowing authorities to mount a rapid response.

Trail cameras track ‘critically low’ New York bobcat population

A recent study published in Biological Conservation reveals that NY bobcat populations remain critically low, with occupancies below detectable limits. Researchers used trail cameras to monitor wildlife populations in central and western NY state, tracking white-tailed deer, red fox, coyote, eastern wild turkey, and gray fox numbers.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Rice researcher scans tropical forest with mixed-reality device

A Rice University scientist used a mixed-reality headset with custom-designed software to measure and analyze forest floor vegetation in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The study found that mammal diversity increases with forest floor habitat surface area, leading to a greater variety of ecological characteristics.

Fear of humans pervades the South African savanna

A recent study found that animals in the Greater Kruger National Park react with alarm to hearing human voices, fleeing waterholes and abandoning their habitat. The researchers used custom sound systems to compare the fear response of mammals to humans versus lions.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Large herbivores keep invasive plants at bay

A new study shows that large herbivores can protect local nature by eating and trampling on invasive plant species. Native plants have evolved to withstand the treatment of these herbivores, while invasive plants usually cannot.

Hidden cameras spot wildlife returning home after 2018 megafire

A recent study analyzing camera trap images found six wildlife species, including coyote and gray fox, to be remarkably resistant to the Mendocino Complex Fire's impacts. Small patches of tree cover spared by the fire provided a refuge for these animals, allowing them to recover and even spread back into burned areas.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Glacier National Park could provide climate haven for Canada Lynx

A recent study found that Glacier National Park is home to an estimated 1.28 lynx per 100 square kilometers of terrain, exceeding initial expectations and providing a potential climate haven for the species. The research used camera trapping and coat marking analysis to estimate lynx density in specific areas of the park.

Low-impact human recreation changes wildlife behavior

A study found that human presence in Glacier National Park causes 16 out of 22 mammal species to change their movement patterns, using different areas or being more nocturnal. The researchers suggest that this effect is significant enough to impact population survival.

Cameras candidly capture bushmeat mammals to avert crisis

A team of researchers from Kyoto University and Cameroon used camera trap surveys to predict the total biomass of large rodents and duikers in southeast Cameroon. They developed six candidate indicators, including the ratio of red duikers to blue duikers, which showed positive linear correlations with total bushmeat biomass.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Getting data to do more for biodiversity

A new model developed by MSU researchers uses low-cost data about abundant species to generate insights on harder-to-find neighbors, helping monitor and preserve biodiversity. The model can be particularly helpful for rare and elusive species, providing valuable information with minimal data.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Some mammals shift their schedules in urban environments

Urban mammals adjust their daily activities to evade human encounters, altering predator-prey dynamics and increasing human overlap. This multi-species study reveals the timing of mammalian behavior changes in response to urbanization.

The mystery of an unusual Panamanian plant’s dispersal

Researchers used camera traps to monitor interactions between Panama's epiphytic Zamia pseudoparasitica and animals, revealing that a nocturnal tree-dwelling mammal called northern olingos may be responsible for seed dispersal. The study sheds light on the plant's persistence in the forest canopy.

Cameras reveal snowshoe hare density

A new study by Washington State University researchers has developed a camera-trapping method that accurately estimates the density of snowshoe hares and potentially other unmarked small mammals. The method, validated through a large-scale field test, shows promise as an inexpensive and non-invasive alternative to live-trapping.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Smelly ocelot habitats may scare off seed-dispersing rodents

Seed dispersal rates by Central American agoutis are lower in ocelot habitats with high scent presence. This change allows bruchid beetles to attack seeds for longer periods, promoting forest diversification. The study's findings have implications for understanding the ecology of fear and its effects on ecosystems.

Data from thousands of cameras confirms protected areas promote mammal diversity

A global study using thousands of camera trap stations found that protected areas have a positive impact on mammal diversity, even when experiencing human disturbances such as recreational use and logging. The study's findings suggest that expanding protected areas could help conserve larger mammals and their critical roles in ecosystems.

Hybrid strategy captures a larger picture of wild mandrills

Researchers at Kyoto University used a hybrid strategy to study wild mandrill movement patterns, combining direct tracking with camera trap data. The findings show that mandrill groups change their travel speed during the day and exhibit flexible dietary and ranging behaviors influenced by seasonality.

New $15 million NSF grant launches Ohio State Imageomics Institute

The Ohio State University has received a $15 million NSF grant to create the Imageomics Institute, which will use machine learning methodologies to extract biological traits from images. This new approach, called imageomics, aims to transform biomedical, agricultural and basic biological sciences.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

SNAPSHOT USA: First-ever nationwide mammal survey published

The first-ever nationwide mammal survey in the US has been published, utilizing 1,509 motion-activated camera traps from 110 sites across all 50 states. The data reveals that urban areas tend to have higher overall mammal detections, with three top sites being urban locations.

Picture perfect: Camera traps find endangered dryas monkeys

Scientists from Florida Atlantic University used non-invasive camera-trap techniques to detect and survey the elusive dryas monkey, confirming its occurrence at seven locations in Lomami National Park. The study suggests that the species prefers structurally complex understories and forest edges, rarely traveling on the ground.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Automatic trail cameras keep wildlife research going during pandemic

Researchers used trail cameras to study wildlife behavior during the pandemic, gathering data on animal populations and identifying unique research opportunities. The cameras allowed scientists to monitor individual animals passively over a large area without the need for manual trapping or processing.

Chimpanzees and humans share overlapping territories

New research reveals chimpanzees use areas away from villages more intensively, but enter human-occupied land for fruit when scarce. The study provides insights into how wildlife balance risks and rewards in anthropogenic landscapes, informing coexistence strategies.

Media tip sheet: Going high-tech in ecology

Researchers use cameras, drones, geolocators, and sensors to track wildlife and greenhouse gas emissions. Computing advances help analyze terabytes of data, enabling ecologists to scale up ecological research and address environmental challenges.

Zoology: Western gorillas may be territorial

A study in Scientific Reports suggests western gorillas may be territorial, with groups defending the centers of their home ranges against neighboring groups. The authors monitored eight groups across a 60 km2 area and found that gorillas tend to avoid feeding areas visited by other groups the previous day.

The do's and don'ts of monitoring many wildlife species at once

A new analysis of 92 studies from 27 countries highlights common pitfalls in multi-species wildlife monitoring, including under-reporting and reporting bias. The study recommends best practices for future research, focusing on the use of appropriate methods and tools to ensure accuracy and precision in inferences made.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Scientists left camera traps to record wild apes -- watch what happens

A recent study using camera traps in African forests found that wild apes exhibit varied reactions to unfamiliar objects, including poking, staring, and attempting to bite cameras. The study highlights the need for scientists to consider how animals will respond to monitoring equipment in their natural habitats.

Wild African ape reactions to novel camera traps

Researchers found that bonobos reacted more strongly to camera traps than chimpanzees, while younger apes were more curious and explored them longer. The study highlights the need for scientists to consider animal responses to unfamiliar monitoring equipment in their natural habitats.

Studying species interactions using remote camera traps

Researchers developed a framework to detect species interactions using camera trap data, highlighting the need for standardized data collection and collaboration. The study found that many records are needed to produce trustworthy results, but standardization can achieve this by combining datasets from multiple studies.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Citizen science projects have a surprising new partner -- the computer

Researchers have developed a new technique using machine learning to classify large datasets of camera trap images, reducing the time needed for analysis. The computer can identify species with high accuracy and also learn to distinguish between empty images, greatly increasing efficiency.

Camera trap study reveals the hidden lives of island carnivores

A study by Max Allen and colleagues found several mammalian predators, including gray wolves and American martens, living on islands with varying sizes and proximity to the mainland. The research offers new insights into island biogeography and highlights the importance of preserving carnivore habitats.

Surviving large carnivores have far-reaching impact

A global study using camera trap data found that large-bodied mammalian carnivores exclude other carnivore species, shaping local communities. This leads to a chain reaction affecting prey species, plant communities, and even insect populations.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Amazonian hunters deplete wildlife but don't empty forests

A new study reveals that Amazonian communities with access to healthy fish stocks and large areas of intact forest do not empty their forests through sustainable subsistence hunting. However, large-bodied species and those forming large groups are depleted near communities, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.