Wildlife biologist Miguel Ordeñana told Rachel Ann and the
other kids about camera traps when he was working with their
Nature Navigators group. He taught the young citizen scien-
tists how camera traps worked. He explained the importance of
choosing the right location to set up the cameras, the importance
of tracking nocturnal species, and other information they needed
to know. Rachel Ann yearned for her own camera trap and re-
ceived one for her birthday. She eagerly began setting it up. On a
trip to Yellowstone National Park with her family, she received tips
from a biologist. She began following his advice and made some
adjustments—and was thrilled with her discoveries. She captured
photos of two bobcats together, which is a rare occurrence, since
they are solitary animals. Also caught on film was daytime footage
of a coyote traveling along the edge of a residential community.
In Venezuela a biologist and a park ranger check the camera trap
that they are using to study rare and elusive jaguars. These special
cameras are equipped with motion sensors that enable them to
capture videos and photos of animals in their natural settings.
