A review of camera trapping for conservation behaviour research

Caravaggi and colleagues reviewed how camera traps can be used to study animal behavior, not just presence and abundance, for conservation purposes. They catalogued behavioral metrics extractable from images and video, including activity timing, movement, social interactions, foraging, vigilance, and responses to threats, and discussed analytical approaches and pitfalls. The review highlighted the underused potential of camera traps as behavioral observatories that capture natural behavior with minimal human disturbance. It also addressed how behavioral data inform conservation, such as understanding human-wildlife conflict or anti-predator responses. By framing camera trapping as a tool for behavioral ecology, the paper broadened the perceived scope of the method. It is a key reference for researchers using cameras to study felid and wildlife behavior.