New initiative to help collect data on Dana Bay wildlife

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Getting just a glimpse of Dana Bay's shy or nocturnal wildlife is a rare treat.

However, a new initiative between the Dana Bay Conservancy and the Wildlife Crime Information Network (WCIN) will enable nature lovers to do just that.

Using camera traps enabled with artificial intelligence (AI), this new initiative will not only allow residents a look at Dana Bay's wildlife, undisturbed in its natural habitat, but will also collect important data and information on the animals in the conservancy.

Leon Rossouw of WCIN and Erika van der Westhuizen, chairperson of the Dana Bay Conservancy, both said these camera traps will allow the surveillance and monitoring of the wildlife population, various species and both human and animal activity in the Dana Bay area.

These cameras are set up so they cause little to no disturbance to the wildlife. Just one camera has the ability to collect vast amounts of important data over a long period.

An antelope recently captured on one of the camera traps. Photo: WCIN

"It can also tell us if specific conservation actions are actually working or if action plans are required," Rossouw said. He added that the cameras send images and videos in real time over 4G networks.

"Each fleeting glimpse of animals captured by the camera traps is evidence of a func-tioning ecosystem; a visual reminder of why conservancies matter," said Van der Westhuizen.

"You can think of a camera trap as an automatic and restless field assistant that sits in the field, in rain or sunshine, day or night, just capturing whatever walks in front of it," added Rossouw.

The two thanked those who had helped sponsor a few cameras already, however, they said having more camera traps dotted around Dana Bay would improve the range of data collection, ensuring accuracy.

If you would like to help with this new initiative or become a civil scientist by providing photographs and videos captured on your own camera, send a WhatsApp to the conservancy on 067 490 8396 or to WCIN on 079 643 9556.

A porcupine captured on a camera trap set up in Dana Bay. Photo: WCIN