Advantages: Round the clock observation/recording of a location and a deterrent to illegal activity.
Limitations: Footage must be viewed by retrieving the memory card from the camera, causing a delay between recording footage and reviewing it.
A trail camera (also known as a camera trap) is a battery operated, motion-activated camera, designed for wildlife monitoring. The detection of motion and change in ambient heat activate a trail camera to take photos or record video, so they can be used in remote locations and are primed and ready to record 24/7. Trail cameras use infrared LEDs for nighttime visibility and store footage on an SD card, providing valuable insights into the presence and behaviour of wildlife, and potentially people, in an area. This technology can work as both a record of activity and a deterrent.
To stay hidden, trail cameras use infrared LEDs to illuminate an area at night. This is effectively an invisible flash, as it uses infrared outside of the visible light spectrum. There are two kinds of infrared LEDs used in trail cameras: low-glow (sometimes called ‘red glow’) and no-glow. A low-glow flash produces a dim red glow in the LEDs when illuminated, which makes the camera more visible to people at night, producing a glow that is similar to that of the red standby light on a TV.
A no-glow flash is a much more discreet option, as it does not produce any LED glow. The downside of a no-glow flash is slightly reduced image clarity compared to the low-glow equivalent. Many brands offer both no-glow and low-glow models of the same camera, such as the popular Browning Spec Ops Elite HP5 (no-glow) and the Browning Recon Force Elite HP5 (low-glow).
Sample footage from the Browning Dark Ops Pro X 1080 trail camera
Look for trail cameras that feature no-glow LEDs (the most discreet option) and clear image quality. For example:
NatureSpy Ursus trail camera
Advantages: Instant notifications and footage retrieval.
Disadvantages: More expensive to buy, plus maintenance costs with subscription plans, compared to non-wireless trail cameras.
Wireless trail cameras work on the same principle as traditional trail cameras, triggering when detecting a change in heat along with motion, however they address the limitation described with trail cameras above. This technology uses cellular networks or Wi-Fi to transmit images or videos to a smartphone or computer. Users can access these images or videos through a dedicated app or online portal, allowing real-time monitoring without physically retrieving the SD card. Most models require a subscription for cellular data, while Wi-Fi cameras rely on a nearby network. Some wireless camera models allow live view of a location.
Consider the type of footage required (photo or video) and how long the camera will be left for. If installed in a remote location, a solar powered camera may save on long or challenging trips to change batteries. For example:
Advantages: Detection of heat signatures and night vision.
Disadvantages: Camera performance can be diminished in adverse weather.
A thermal imaging camera detects infrared radiation emitted by objects to create a visual representation of temperature differences. This technology translates heat signatures into a visible image, enabling applications such as detecting animals or humans in complete darkness and spotting camouflaged wildlife in the landscape. While trail cameras are designed to work remotely, thermal imaging cameras are handheld devices, designed to be used much like binoculars.
Most thermal imaging cameras feature options to take photos and/or record video. The specifications of thermal imagers vary broadly between models, with higher-end models exceeding effective detection ranges of 1500m.
There are several limitations to the application of thermal imaging for combating wildlife crime. Most significant of these is weather conditions, with high humidity, rain and fog impacting the effective range of a thermal imager. If using a thermal imager frequently in more challenging weather conditions, consider a model with a lower NETD specification. NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) defines how effectively a thermal camera can differentiate between small variations in temperature. A lower NETD value translates to greater sensitivity, which means the camera will not only produce more detailed images, but will maintain more image clarity in adverse weather.
Pulsar Telos XP50 thermal imaging camera
Consider the range in which the thermal imaging camera is likely to be used and the typical weather conditions during use. For example:
Trail cameras and thermal imaging cameras are valuable tools in the fight against wildlife crime. How this technology is applied depends on the scenario and needs. In summary: trail cameras operate discreetly, recording images at any time of day, and even prove to be an effective deterrent in some scenarios, while thermal imaging cameras enable real-time night vision and spotting camouflaged wildlife across large areas.
