Camera traps, the "all-seeing eyes" in the vast forest.

Recently, the City's Special Forest Management Board has effectively applied camera trap technology in monitoring forest resources in protected areas.

Camera trap technology will detect baby elephants in the Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area in early 2026. (Photo: Provided by the Special Forest Management Board)

The special-use forests managed by the Special-Use Forest Management Board preserve rich biodiversity resources with many endangered and rare animal and plant species of high conservation value.

In particular, most wildlife species have reclusive habits, are nocturnal, and have narrow distributions in rugged terrain, making field monitoring difficult. Therefore, the application of camera trap technology is considered a "watchful eye" in the vast wilderness.

Mr. Mai Van Duong, head of the Nature Conservation Department of the Special Forest Management Board, said that camera traps allow for continuous recording of wildlife activity 24/7 without disrupting their natural behavior. Currently, the management board is implementing two camera trap methods: integrated system camera traps and targeted camera traps at migration routes, water sources, feeding grounds, or important habitats.

The Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area is one of the areas with high biodiversity value, home to 275 species of terrestrial vertebrates belonging to 84 families and 27 orders; including 32 species of mammals, 174 species of birds, 38 species of reptiles, and 32 species of amphibians.

Through camera traps, many endangered and rare animal species have been discovered, providing important data on species composition, distribution, and habitat status. By early 2026, camera trap technology will detect two endangered and rare baby elephants, one of which is being recorded for the first time and the other was recorded in July 2025. In addition, the camera trap system has also recorded the presence of many other animal species such as the large muntjac, the red-backed pheasant, and the gray-footed langur…

Camera trap technology detects pangolins in the Saola Species Conservation Area. Photo: Provided by the Special Forest Management Board.

Meanwhile, the Saola Conservation Area is considered a living database of the Truong Son mountain range ecosystem, home to 445 species of terrestrial vertebrates, including 64 species of mammals, 135 species of birds, 118 species of reptiles, and 128 species of amphibians.

Notably, many endangered and rare animal species have been recorded here, such as pangolins, red-faced pheasants, clouded civets, palm civets, white pheasants, and brown-footed langurs… However, recording the saola directly in its natural habitat remains a major challenge.

According to Mr. Le Hoang Son, Director of the City's Special Forest Management Board, the effectiveness of camera trapping in recording the presence of wild animals and creating scientific evidence to identify priority protection areas, develop patrol plans, and control the risk of illegal hunting is significant. It also helps assess the current population status and habitat use of wild animal species.

More importantly, each image captured by camera traps placed in the heart of the forest is not merely research material but "living proof" that Da Nang 's special-use forest ecosystems are still maintaining important ecological values, contributing to the conservation of valuable biodiversity resources in the Central region in particular and Vietnam in general.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/bay-anh-mat-than-giua-dai-ngan-3338219.html