Bengaluru: JAIN students visit Bannerghatta National Park to understand use of camera traps

WFCCP 2023 concluded with a field trip equipping students with an experience of laying camera traps. Before entering the field, they were introduced to the technology by wildlife scientist Dr Sanjay Gubbi. Camera traps are used for a statistical estimation of the population of a species in a region with the use of infrared technology. This is particularly useful if the species has natural markings that can help in distinguishing them from each other. It has also helped the forest department officials in nabbing criminals involved in the trade of wildlife. 

Speaking exclusively with NewsFirst Prime, Dr Sanjay Gubbi, conservation biologist, talked about an incident wherein the device was used to nab a poacher. “A few years ago we had set up camera traps in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary to estimate leopard population. One night we got hold of a poacher carrying a country made gun walking in front of a camera trap. Unfortunately the head was not visible in the camera trap. However, the individual was wearing shorts and there was a mole mark on his right leg. The forest authorities were able to capture the individual on the basis of the mole mark. It was a crucial piece of evidence. He was a poacher as bad as Veerappan,” he said. The capture-recapture methodology can also be used in urban areas to detect the presence of criminals and even feral dogs. 

The students were introduced to the camera trap and its features. How they are strategically installed to observe wildlife was demonstrated. The students tried their hand in the same. The students found the three-day event to be of great value.