Camera traps in action

21. April 2023

Orangutan protection, Rainforest protection

They are small, inconspicuous, and easy to operate and and have proved invaluable for scientific work in remote areas such as the Sumatran rainforest. Wildlife cameras can provide us with important data on the biodiversity of the orangutan hbitat. See below who blundered into our cleverly placed camera traps last year!

Camera traps in action

21. April 2023

Orangutan protection, Rainforest protection

Snapshots triggered by infrared sensors and motion detectors

Around our Mayang research station in the Batang Toru ecosystem, we use camera traps to monitor orangutan behaviour in the wild. The photos are an important source for estimating the size and density of orangutan populations. We also need to understand the biodiversity in their habitat in order to develop effective conservation strategies. That’s why it is always exciting when the pictures from the traps become available and can be analysed. Sometimes real surprises show up. Read for yourself!

Macaques are called “Südliche Schweinsaffen” (southern pigmonkeys) in German. They owe this name to their pig-like curly tails. This particular one probably fell into the photo trap when it was looking for a snack. Macaques are diurnal forest dwellers that forage primarily on the ground. They live in widely dispersed groups and retreat into the trees in case of danger and to rest at night.

Here, the camera has captured a muntjac (Muntiacus), a genus of deer (Cervidae) that originally lived all over Asia. Several species of this subfamily have been discovered and scientifically described only in the last few decades.

A special gem is the snapshot of this marbled cat (Pardofelis Marmorata). Since 2002, this small cat has been on the IUCN’s (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) list of near threatened species. The entire population probably consists of fewer than 10,000 adult individuals and no single population contains more than 1,000 adult marbled cats.

In the middle of the night, this Sumatran porcupine stepped into the camera trap. This species is distributed all over Sumatra. It is a relatively adaptable animal in terms of habitat and its population remains stable, even though porcupines are hunted locally as a source of meat.

This argus pheasant hen (argusianus argus) passed by the camera on its afternoon walk. The species is considered potentially endangered. Its numbers are declining because its habitat is becoming smaller and smaller. It is also frequently hunted. Fortunately, camera traps are harmless!

Of all the bears, the Malayan bear (Helarctos malayanus) is the one that most prefers to live in the trees. It is an excellent climber, and it likes to sunbathe in the treetops. It sleeps there as well, usually at a height of 2 to 7 meters above the ground. When Malayan bears live near humans, conflicts regularly occur when the animals enter farmlands, plantations, and orchards. For this reason, the predominantly diurnal animal is now increasingly active at night. It is threatened by hunting and illegal wildlife trade. In recent years, the populations have declined by about 35% worldwide, which is why it has been classified as an endangered species.

It is not uncommon for humans (homo sapiens, Latin for “understanding, or wise, prudent, sensible man”) to stumble into camera traps in the remote, protected forest areas of Sumatra. This species often travels in groups to hunt and to search for food. Their presence can therefore pose a threat to other creatures that have to share the protected habitat with them. Thanks to the wildlife cameras, we can monitor their activities, and to some extent curb poaching.

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