Remote camera images

Parks Canada biologists face a problem when monitoring wildlife populations: it's hard to count animals when you don’t see them!

One way to solve this problem is by using camera traps.

Camera trapping uses specially designed cameras placed in strategic locations, usually attached to a tree beside a trail. When the infrared sensor detects movement, the camera takes a photo. Around 35 remote cameras currently operate throughout the park.

Biologists classify the images by location, date, time, species observed, age, sex of the animal (if discernible), and number of animals in a group. The information is catalogued and used to monitor wildlife population trends. Cameras are maintained year-round, although some locations are too difficult or hazardous to access in the winter.

These cameras also document trail users in the park. While traditional infrared trail counters record that something used a trail, they don’t tell us whether it was triggered by a hiker or by a deer. A camera tells us so much more about who is using the trail, and how they are using it. Whether it was wildlife or humans, and if the people were hiking, riding a horse, cycling, or using snowshoes.

This data helps Parks Canada understand how visitors use the trails, and plan for the future of the park. All pictures of people are deleted after the type of activity and number of users are recorded.

Discover what our trail cameras capture

• Watching wildlife in the Waterton Valley
• Cougar family
• Wolves of Waterton
• Bear season again
• Bald eagle
• It's a wilderness out there!
• Animal face-offs
• Rare images
• Champion winter survivors
• Up close and personal