First
time camera traps are used to catch illegal activity
November 2012. Conservationists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
will be the first to use camera traps specifically for catching trespassers.
Camera traps are typically used to capture images of endangered species for
conservation purposes. But in a bid to increase anti-poaching efforts, special
camera traps will be camouflaged and hidden in Russian forests to record
illegal entry by would-be poachers.
Lazovsky Nature Reserve and Zov Tigra National Park
As part of ZSL's ‘Forest Eyes' project, a total of 30 camera traps will be set
up in Lazovsky Nature Reserve and Zov Tigra National Park in the Russian Far
East, equivalent to a total area a little larger than London. The two protected
areas are 15 to 20 kilometres apart and separated by public land used mostly
for hunting and logging. This results in people taking advantage of the area
between the nature reserve and the national park to trespass onto nearby
protected areas.
ZSL tiger conservationist Linda Kerley says: "The images from camera traps
set up for humans will better inform us of any illegal activity in protected
areas, so inspectors can be notified and patrols changed accordingly. We will
be able to monitor the area more effectively and ensure we are doing all we can
to try and change people's attitudes and behaviours towards poaching,"
Linda added.
Continued: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/amur-tiger-poacher.html
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