Camera traps have transformed wildlife research by enabling non-invasive monitoring of wild animal populations, but their design, placement, and use involve welfare considerations for the animals they study.
Camera trap research is among the least invasive wildlife research methods, but even non-invasive monitoring has welfare implications worth considering. Flash photography causes acute startle responses and may disrupt mating behavior, maternal care, or territorial interactions. Strategic placement of camera traps near water sources, den sites, or food resources can increase encounter rates but may also increase competitive interactions among attracted animals. The welfare balance is generally strongly positive — camera trap research enables conservation interventions that save lives, identifies disease for treatment, and supports habitat protection that benefits wild animal welfare at population scale. Best practice guidelines for camera trapping include using passive infrared rather than active flash, avoiding placement at denning sites during breeding seasons, and minimizing site visits.