Travel Tips
Wildlife Camera Trapping in Nepal: A Guide
Camera trapping — setting motion-triggered cameras on wildlife trails — has transformed wildlife research in Nepal. Visitors can now participate in citizen science programmes that deploy camera traps in Chitwan, Bardia, and Kangchenjunga.
Overview
Camera trapping uses motion-activated cameras placed on wildlife trails to photograph animals passing through without human presence. This technique has produced the majority of Nepal's documented snow leopard, clouded leopard, and Pallas's cat photographs — species too rare or shy for conventional wildlife photography.
Nepal's national parks and conservation organisations now offer visitor participation in camera trap programmes as a citizen science engagement. The Snow Leopard Conservancy Nepal runs programmes in Upper Mustang and Kangchenjunga where visitors can help set, retrieve, and review camera trap images during scheduled expeditions. This is genuine field research that produces data used in conservation management.
In Chitwan and Bardia, several research NGOs run camera trap grids covering tiger and leopard territories. Images retrieved from these grids are used for individual ID programmes (each tiger has a unique stripe pattern). Volunteer field assistants are occasionally recruited for multi-week programmes.
For those wishing to set their own camera traps: all camera trap placement within national parks requires a research permit from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and written approval from the specific park authority. The most productive legal option for visitors is joining an organised citizen science expedition.
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FAQ
What camera brands are used in Nepal's research programmes? Bushnell, Browning, and Reconyx are the most common research-grade brands. Consumer brands are used in lower-priority survey areas.
Can I buy images from Nepal's camera trap programmes? Research images remain with the research institution. Some organisations license images for conservation publications.
How do I join a camera trap programme as a visitor? Contact Snow Leopard Conservancy Nepal or WWF Nepal directly. Several conservation expedition operators in Kathmandu organise participation trips.
