Use of cellular-linked cameras to monitor live-trapping of wildlife

Maintaining a restrained animal's safety is imperative when live-trapping wildlife for research or management purposes. Trap monitor systems, which allow remote checking of traps, can reduce the amount of time animals are restrained and lower the risk of negative health effects. Although a number of trap monitor systems have been developed, no prior study has evaluated the use of commercially-available, cellular network-linked cameras (hereafter, cellular cameras) for remote trap monitoring. We used cellular cameras to monitor Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) capture efforts in southern Oregon, USA, to determine whether they acted as an effective trap monitor system. Using cellular cameras, we monitored 40 live-traps in 12 locations for 523 camera-days in 2020. We estimated a >7 hr reduction in response time to captured deer when monitoring live-traps via cellular cameras as compared to daily, visual trap checks. Additionally, we noted occasional camera failures caused by drained batteries, inconsistent cellular signal, and photo-processing issues and provide recommendations for avoiding or remediating these problems. Data gathered from cellular cameras also helped inform other animal welfare considerations and guide refinement of trapping efforts. We provide discussion of the benefits and limitations of cellular cameras as a trap monitor system. Overall, we suggest that cellular cameras are a promising tool for monitoring live-trapping efforts and improving trapping programs but require a robust failsafe mechanism be in place to guarantee animal safety.