Experimenting usage of Camera-traps for Population Dynamics Study of the Asian Elephant Elephas Maximus in Southern India

Abstract

To evaluate the application of camera-trap technology in population dynamics studies of the Asian elephant, indigenously designed, cost-effective, infrared-triggered camera-traps were used.Usability of pictures was defined based on quality, clarity and positioning of the subject.With 99 pictures of 330 elephants, 20 sequences were obtained and 44 distinct individuals were identified.It was found that 38.6% were adult females, 4.5% adult males, 13.6% sub-adult females, 6.8% sub-adult males, 20.4% juvenile females,while juvenile males were poorly represented(2%), and 13.6% were calves.These results were surprising identical with those of other systematic and long-term studies.

Assessing species occurrence and species‐specific use patterns of bais (forest clearings) in Central Africa with camera traps

“…In general, results indicate that camera traps have a very low impact on forest mammals because among the 467 captures that showed animal reaction, only twelve depicted fleeing. The feasibility of identifying age and sex classes and even individual forest elephants found in the present study confirms findings from Varma, Pittet & Jamadagni () that camera traps have potential for the study of the population structure of elephants.…”

Population and habitat use of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and five ungulate species in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand

“…Record the details of the photographs, especially the photographs that can be classified, and record the date and time that are shown in the photograph (Siripattaranugul et al 2015). The characteristics of the photographs that were classified were chosen followed the method of Varma et al (2006), which had 3 characteristics including (i) quality: the sex and age of the elephant can be identified, (ii) clarity: each photograph has to be clear, the flash reaches the elephant and picture is in focus and (iii) the position within the image: suitable distance from camera trap, full body from head to tail could be seen and the shape of the elephant could be classified in detail.…”

“…The locations of the camera traps in this study were chosen after surveying the study area and choosing suitable locations according to the appearance of elephant tracks. In the dry season, camera traps were placed near water sources, which is suitable for an elephant population count (Wanghongsa 2004) and these became the main locations to set up camera traps during the dry season (Varma et al 2006;2012), followed by around saltlicks and along animal trails (Rovero and Marshall 2009). This study focused on wild Asian elephant and 5 species of large even-toed ungulates including gaur, banteng, sambar deer, wild boar, and red muntjac.…”

Camera trap survey of medium and large mammals in a montane rainforest of northern Peru

“…Camera traps have been used successfully in numerous studies of mammals, and potential applications of this field technique in wildlife studies are increasing. This method provides information on population dynamics (Varma et al 2006), species richness (Shek et al 2007, Lyra-Jorge et al 2008, activity patterns (Maffei et al 2007, Arispe et al 2008), habitat use (Bowket et al 2007, Tobler et al 2009), population density (Trolle & Kery 2005, Ríos-Uzeda et al 2007, Rowcliffe et al 2008, and abundance (Silver et al 2006, Marnewick et al 2008; which are essential data for wildlife conservation. Several surveys have been carried out in Peru, principally in lowland Amazonia, but none in montane cloud forests.…”