Scientists at the Wildlife Conservation Society have released their favorite camera-trap pictures of 2014. They use camera traps as a non-invasive tool to estimate wildlife populations and species diversity in many of the wild places where they work.
1. Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, Karnataka state, India:
A strolling leopard in the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve seems to have a camera trap strapped to its back. Image credit: WCS India.
2. Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Karnataka state, India:
A tiger and its curly-tailed cub on a stroll in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve where Wildlife Conservation Society has worked since the 1980s, and tiger numbers have rebounded. Image credit: WCS India.
3. Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the United States:
A pronghorn strikes a stately pose in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem where biologists from the Wildlife Conservation Society are studying the effects of exurban development on wildlife. Image credit: WCS North America Program.
4. Giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in Manu National Park, Peru:
A baby giant anteater hitches a ride on its mother’s back in Manu National Park, where Wildlife Conservation Society scientists do landscape conservation work. Image credit: SERNAP / WCS.
5. Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Karnataka state, India:
A sloth bear mother and its two cubs pay a visit in the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve. Image credit: WCS India.
6. Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in Manu National Park, Peru:
An ocelot inspects a camera trap station in Manu National Park, Peru. Image credit: SERNAP / WCS.
7. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) on Wrangell Island:
A ghostly-looking polar bear checks out a muskoxen skull on Wrangell Island. Image credit: WCS / Joel Berger.
8. Brown Fish-owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Karnataka state, India:
A Brown Fish-owl decided to briefly touch down in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve. Image credit: WCS India.
9. Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Karnataka state, India:
A muntjac takes a selfie in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve – tiger prey species have doubled in recent years due to good management. Image credit: WCS India.
10. African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) in the Lope National Park, Gabon:
A damaged camera trap after a forest elephant got through with it in the Lope National Park. Image credit: WCS Gabon.
