Animal reactivity to camera traps and its effects on abundance estimate using distance sampling in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire

Camera traps (CTs) can significantly overestimate animal populations if their effects on behavior are not accounted for. In Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, researchers found that four species—Maxwell’s duiker, Jentink’s duiker, pygmy hippopotamus, and Western chimpanzee—responded differently to CTs, with reactions varying by distance, time of day, and initial installation period. Maxwell’s duiker showed minimal reactivity (~0.11%), while others exhibited high reaction rates (up to 52.96% for pygmy hippopotamus), potentially tripling population estimates if ignored. The study highlights the need to consider species-specific behaviors when using CTs for density sampling, emphasizing the importance of minimizing human impact around traps.

Houa, N. A., Cappelle, N., Bitty, E. A., Normand, E., Kablan, Y. A., & Boesch, C. (2022). Animal reactivity to camera traps and its effects on abundance estimate using distance sampling in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. PeerJ, 10, e13510. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13510