LTERN Data Portal

Nitmiluk National Park contains 46 plots, each with a paired plot located within 1km of the primary plot. In 2015, 23 paired plots were surveyed for terrestrial vertebrate fauna using a range of survey methods.

Camera traps were installed at all 23 primary plots and at 10 secondary plots. A 5 camera array was installed during the 4 day fauna survey, operational for a 5 week period. Current methodology has been adopted to balance maximising detection of feral cats and native mammals, including dogs, in an integrated fashion. When undertaking a standard 50 x 50 m mammal trapping quadrat, five camera traps are placed in and around the quadrat.

One camera is placed in the middle of the quadrat and four cameras are placed in a rough diamond configuration surrounding the trapping quadrat. Cameras are placed at least 30 m apart from each other; this includes the centre camera. Cameras are placed no more than 100 m from the centre camera, resulting in the maximum distance between any cameras being no more than a 200 m. Where possible cameras should be placed in a variety of different micro-habitats within the survey area, as different species will use different parts of the landscape.

Determine what vegetation may cause false photos. Careful attention needs to be given to ‘gardening’ the area around the camera to ensure that any low hanging vegetation, grass, leaves, etc. are removed from the view of the camera to avoid false photos. Where necessary use secateurs to trim back overhanging leaves or vines and a fire rake to clear grass clumps.

If in doubt set the camera and trigger it to take a couple of photos, then remove the SD card and put it into a digital camera to check field of view.

Each camera trap requires an elastic strap and a bait station containing peanut butter, oats and honey attached to a metal picket.

• The camera needs to be attached to a secure support – usually a tree, but a steel picket can be used where no tree is available. Avoid trees or bushes less than 20 cm in diameter as they move in the wind causing false photos.

• The camera will be placed at ~70 cm above the ground.

• Angle the camera slightly downward so it captures the bait station in the middle of the shot, to ensure a consistent field of ‘detection’ as a function of the camera to bait station distance.

• The bait station will be set at either 1.5-or 2.5 m from the camera. Any two cameras will have bait station set at 1.5 m, and the other three cameras will be have bait stations set at 2.5 m. For consistency, these distances will be determined by tape measure. The distance that each camera is set from bait stations will be recorded on a datasheet. Bait stations will be placed approximately 300 mm above the ground. On a secure stake that cannot be easily knocked over by animals.

• Arm cameras and trigger camera to take some photos, then check images in a handheld camera to check on alignment.

• Take a waypoint of the camera location using a handheld GPS and enter into datasheet.

More detailed information on the camera trapping method used can be found in the ‘A guide for the use of remote cameras for wildlife survey in northern Australia’ (2015) following this link:

http://www.territorynrm.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/5.2_a_guide_to_use_of_remote_cameras_for_wildlife_surveys_final_web.pdf