WildCam Gorongosa Lab

WildCam Gorongosa Lab is a feature of the WildCam Gorongosa platform, which allows educators and students to ask ecological questions and filter the trail camera data to answer these questions. The data can be downloaded as a spreadsheet to analyze and draw conclusions. You can access the lab here to start exploring. Additional educational resources focused on Gorongosa National Park are available from HHMI BioInteractive (below).

Gorongosa as a Case Study

Gorongosa National Park is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and is undergoing a large-scale restoration effort following decades of war in Mozambique. Park managers and scientists are working together to better understand the ecology of the park and to protect the Gorongosa ecosystem and its wildlife. This ongoing effort is an ideal case study to teach concepts in ecology and conservation biology in the classroom.

HHMI BioInteractive has developed free educational resources, which are aligned to national curriculum standards, that educators can use to teach concepts in ecology, conservation, social science, and inquiry-based science practices. Visit the BioInteractive website to explore a variety of Gorongosa resources, including films, interactives, and hands-on activities.

Explore Resources

WildCam Darién

Darién National Park in Panama is home to one of the remotest tropical forests on the planet, and a critical ecosystem for the jaguar. Scientists are using trail cameras in Darién and Soberanía national parks to study jaguars and their prey, mainly peccaries and tapirs, to determine how they can ensure their ongoing protection. These cameras are equipped with motion sensors that snap photos when an animal moves in front of them. Join the project now and stay tuned for related educational resources.

Interested in learning more about wildlife ecology and behavior?

Check out the Snapshot Safari educational materials, perfect for day camps, informal classroom settings, and students who wish to extend their knowledge of the African savanna.

Want to learn more about Snapshot Safari parks and conservation history?

Explore our timeline at https://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/979721/Snapshot-Safari/

Would you like to use our data for research?

One of the primary goals of WildCam Gorongosa is to generate data on the dynamics of African wildlife species in this recovering system that will be useful to scientists across the globe. If you are a student or researcher interested in collaborating with us to test new and exciting hypotheses, email Drs. Meredith Palmer (mspalmer@princeton.edu) and Kaitlyn Gaynor (gaynor@nceas.ucsb.edu) to tell us more about your project. We are happy to provide additional data or metadata for your research. If you are using the WildCam platform in your projects or teaching, please include an acknowledgement of the WildCam Gorongosa research and education team!