Camera Trapping for Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Communication in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Introduction: The Imago project, conducted within the Hemisferios Biodiversity Reserve, seeks to employ camera traps as tools for the conservation of 2,168 hectares of montane forest in the Ecuadorian Amazon. This study presents preliminary findings derived from camera trap images collected in the area. Methodology: In accordance with the WWF Camera-Trapping Guidelines (Wearn & Glover-Kapfer, 2017), five cameras were strategically placed along a two-kilometer trail near the scientific station, allowing for daily checks over a period of fifteen nights, which is the minimum duration required for detecting rare Amazon species (Silver et al., 2004; Espartosa et al., 2011). Results: During phase 1, the camera traps documented five mammal species and two bird species. Notably, among the recorded species is Tapirus pinchaque, which is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The identification of two individuals of Canis lupus familiaris (domestic dogs) is a notable concern, as their presence poses a significant threat to the native fauna through predation, competition, and disease transmission. Discussion: Camera-trapping technologies have enabled scientists to monitor ecosystems, track wildlife populations, and educate global audiences with remarkable precision and efficiency. These findings not only corroborate the ecological richness of Napo province, as previously suggested by Cuesta et al. (2017) and Kleemann et al. (2021), but also present new opportunities for the communicative application of this information, particularly in strategies aimed at raising environmental awareness. Conclusion: The study concludes that the collected data not only serves as a fauna registry but also facilitates the development of educational and communication strategies to promote environmental stewardship.