imageomics/thewilds_cameratraps

Dataset Card for The Wilds Camera Trap Data

This dataset contains images and video captured from camera traps deployed at The Wilds safari park in Ohio during Summer 2025. It supports ecological monitoring, animal behavior analysis, and biodiversity studies.

This dataset was created to support wildlife monitoring research using camera traps. Data were collected using various camera trap models, with each camera recording photos and videos in the wild. The images are organized by device and deployment session.

Dataset Details

Supported Tasks and Leaderboards

[No benchmarks currently available]

Dataset Structure

Data Instances

Each camera trap folder contains images in .jpg and .mp4 formats, along with metadata files describing the deployment context. Metadata are organized in Markdown files per deployment, providing key information such as camera settings, location, and environmental conditions.

Data Fields

metadata.md
Each camera trap folder contains a metadata.md file with the following fields:

• Camera Trap ID: Unique device identifier (e.g., CT01)
• Trap Model: Model name (e.g., GardePro T5NG)
• Camera Serial Number: Manufacturer-assigned serial number
• Site ID: Location code where the camera trap was deployed (e.g., TW05)
• Deployment Location Description: Short text description of the site (e.g., "Near the waterhole")
• GPS Coordinates: Latitude and longitude in decimal format (e.g., 39.83537, -81.73842)
• Deployment Date and Time: When the camera was deployed (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM, 24-hour format)
• Retrieval Date and Time: When the camera was retrieved (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM, 24-hour format)
• Camera Configuration: Camera settings (e.g., Hybrid mode, Photo (4MP), Video (1080p, 10 sec))
• Maintenance Notes: Any configuration changes or issues during deployment
• Observer: Name or initials of the person who completed the metadata

Data Splits

This dataset has no training/validation/test splits. Data are organized by site and deployment session. Users may define their own splits depending on modeling goals.

Dataset Creation

Curation Rationale

This dataset supports behavioral ecology research, the development of species detection models, and studies of animal activity patterns from camera trap images and videos.

Source Data

Data Collection and Processing

Camera trap data were collected at The Wilds safari park using GardePro and Trail Camera models. Cameras were set up to capture both photos and videos based on motion detection and pre-set schedules. Upon retrieval, data were organized into folders by camera ID and deployment session.

Who are the source data producers?

The dataset was collected and curated by researchers and students from the Imageomics Institute and Ohio State University in collaboration with conservation staff at The Wilds.

Annotations

Annotation process

No annotations are currently provided. Manual and AI-assisted labeling efforts are planned for future versions.

Who are the annotators?

N/A

Personal and Sensitive Information

The dataset includes GPS coordinates within a public conservation park. Endangered or sensitive species may be present, but the data do not identify them specifically. Spatial redaction has not been applied.

Considerations for Using the Data

Images and videos vary in quality due to weather conditions, motion blur, and camera settings. Some footage may be partially obstructed by vegetation or camera malfunctions. Additionally, sampling bias exists due to non-random camera placement at targeted ecological hotspots.

Bias, Risks, and Limitations

• Camera traps were deployed purposively in areas likely to capture significant wildlife activity, leading to a potential bias in species representation.
• Cameras were set to capture a range of species from small mammals to large ungulates, but may not capture rare or nocturnal species as effectively.
• Data are limited to the specific deployment window (summer 2025) and may not reflect full seasonal biodiversity or behavioral patterns.

Recommendations

Use with ecological and methodological context in mind. Future versions may include additional seasonal data to complement this initial dataset.

Licensing Information

This dataset is dedicated to the public domain under a CC0 license. Users are encouraged to cite the dataset and acknowledge contributors.

Citation

BibTeX:

@misc{thewilds_cameratraps_2025,
  author = {Tanishka Wani, Vedant Patil, Rugved Katole, Bharath Pillai, Anirudh Potlapally, Ally Bonney, and Jenna Kline},
  title = {The Wilds Camera Trap Data},
  year = {2025},
  url = {https://huggingface.co/datasets/imageomics/thewilds_cameratraps},
  publisher = {Hugging Face}
}