In entire Northeast Pakke has been the most consistent Tiger Reserve in conducting camera trapping. It all started in 2006, when researchers from Wildlife Institute of India (WII) set up the first camera traps along with the field director Tana Tapi, sleeping on the river banks with no proper shelter.

Earlier, camera trapping in Pakke was done by Government Institutions such as WII with support from NGO’s like WWF, but now with strengthening of field staffs of STPF (Special Tiger Protection Force) and development of infrastructure such as patrolling roads and anti-poaching camps, Pakke now annually conducts camera trapping without any external support.

Pakke acquired new camera traps and other field equipment’s to conduct camera trapping in newly explored areas as well, earlier where no camera trapping were done. The whole exercise will be about five months long with entire reserve being divided into two blocks-Tippi and Seijosa for easy management and supervision of the exercise.

Prior to the camera trapping, an annual training workshop on the monitoring protocols of Phase IV Monitoring of Tigers, co-predators and prey species was held on October 26. The goal of this training was to provide hands-on training on the monitoring protocols and usage of field equipment’s such as GPS, range finder, compass and camera. Likewise every year, this year also the frontline staff were provided with field gears to conduct camera trapping. After the completion of the camera trapping prizes would be given under three categories- Best camera trap image, Best anti-poaching activity and Rescue & release of wild animal. For each category, two prizes would be given to motivate and encourage the frontline staff. For more information and update on this year camera trapping, one may visit Pakke Tiger Reserve Facebook page.