Camera trap technology has revolutionized wildlife monitoring with minimal welfare impact, but trap placement, flash use, and data handling require consideration to ensure truly minimal disturbance.
Camera traps represent one of wildlife research most welfare-positive methodological advances because they generate population-level data without capture, handling, or marking of individual animals. The welfare impact is minimal compared to radio-collaring, tissue sampling, or population surveys requiring capture. However, even passive monitoring requires welfare consideration. White flash cameras cause bright light exposure that temporarily impairs night vision of nocturnal animals — particularly problematic for flash-triggered images of multiple animals at high-traffic sites. Trap placement near dens or nursing sites can disrupt critical behaviors if animals become aware of and avoid the camera. Infrared no-glow cameras and careful placement away from sensitive sites represent best practice that minimizes even these minor welfare impacts. The data generated by well-deployed camera traps protects far more welfare through conservation action than it costs through monitoring.