Leveraging limited data from wildlife monitoring in a conflict affected region in Venezuela

In conflict-affected regions with limited data, combining camera trap surveys with opportunistic off-camera records significantly improves wildlife monitoring accuracy. A study in Canaima National Park, Venezuela, demonstrated that supplementing camera detections with additional occurrence data—such as animal tracks and direct sightings—enhanced predictions for widespread species while yielding mixed results for restricted ones. The research used a resource selection function model accounting for imperfect detectability to assess wildlife responses to deforestation, fire, swidden agriculture, and human settlements. Despite security challenges and budget constraints, the approach revealed that focusing on one location with both on-camera and off-camera records is more effective than using cameras alone in multiple sites. This method supports conservation efforts in high-biodiversity areas where access is restricted.

Stachowicz, I., Ferrer-Paris, J. R., & Sánchez-Mercado, A. (2024). Leveraging limited data from wildlife monitoring in a conflict affected region in Venezuela. Scientific Reports, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52133-0