May 22 marks World Biodiversity Day and, regarding this date, a point to highlight is that Chile was recently recognized as the country with the largest public monitoring network with camera traps in the world. In parallel, Greenpeace and the Andean Cat Alliance announced that they installed 15 of these artifacts in the Yerba Loca Nature Sanctuary, with the purpose of detecting species that require conservation. But, before talking about the uses that are given to it in our territory, it is worth explaining what this valuable tool is and what it is for.
From military strategy to nature
Camera traps have their origins in military intelligence, since they are camouflaged in nature and are used to make covert observations, in images and video. This same characteristic led to its use later being extended to the study of species in the wild. “Prior to this technology, the study of species in their natural habitat was done in person, which could cause disturbances in the environment or disturb the behavior of individuals. With these devices, on the other hand, we can look at the animals in a calm state, following their routines as usual, at night or in areas that are very difficult to access for humans,” explains Dominique Charlin, biodiversity specialist and spokesperson for Greenpeace.
Regarding the camera traps, meanwhile, they are rectangular artifacts, similar to a brick in shape and size. They have a capture lens, for photographs and videos, that is activated by motion detection; They can take night shots and work with infrared light, which does not alter the behavior of the animals. In addition, they tolerate all inclement weather such as rain, snow or high temperatures.
Camera traps in Yerba Loca
Greenpeace and AGA have just reported that they installed camera traps in the Yerba Loca Nature Sanctuary, with the aim of detecting species such as pumas, leopard lizards, Darwin’s matuastos and Andean cat (the latter in danger of extinction) in the area. among others, those that could be under anthropogenic threats, due to the potential action of the mining industry in the area. Part of this process was recorded in the documentary “Por HERE NO” by the environmental organization, which has just released its third chapter on Biodiversity, available on its YouTube channel (See here).
“Our objective is to carry out a study of biodiversity. Carry out a registry of the species that live in the place, their behavior and their way of life and deliver this information to the general public, so that they know the wealth that exists in our mountain range, especially in this area so close to Santiago. Furthermore, so that this knowledge is a call to the authorities to improve their conservation efforts, especially in Yerba Loca, which is the largest sanctuary in the region and which is home to ecosystems that are very little represented in the protected areas of our country, such as for example, the sclerophyllous forest,” he says. In addition, it warns that the sanctuary is threatened “if the Los Bronces Integrated project is carried out, which considers among its works the construction of an underground mine of 114 hectares, which would pass beneath this place and could affect all of its biodiversity.” For this reason, Greenpeace is carrying out its campaign “Let’s raise the voice, let’s lower the bronzes”, which seeks to ensure that, through citizen pressure, the expansion of this project is not carried out. More info at bajemoslosbronces.cl
