Eye spy: What camera traps have uncovered about wildlife in Singapore

Chua added: “This gave us the first look into how this nationally critically endangered species is doing in Singapore, and has since been a reference for conservation of the species here.”

Under the sea, researchers use equipment such as remote underwater video systems (RUVS), where a video camera is placed underwater to study marine communities.

On her current deployment of RUVS, marine biologist Zeehan Jaafar said she is hoping to gain a better understanding of the occurrence of reef fishes, among other research questions.

Each camera unit is typically deployed for one hour, which is about the time that the battery can last, she added.

“Our work can be significantly affected by conditions of water currents, especially during the deployment and retrieval of the camera units. Low visibility can also impact the outcome of footage analyses.”

Jaafar, who is a senior lecturer at NUS’ department of biological sciences, said memorable findings included a hawksbill turtle and locally rare species such as black-tipped reef sharks. She added that her team was able to confirm the presence of the blue trevally, a fish that was reported in historical records, through footage from the RUVS in 2024.

Camera traps are also used to monitor specific locations, such as wildlife crossings, to ensure their effectiveness and keep sighting records of the animals without affecting their natural behaviour. 

Since 2011, the National Parks Board (NParks) has deployed camera traps to record wildlife species on the Eco-Link@BKE, an ecological bridge over the Bukit Timah Expressway connecting the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves.

“This has helped demonstrate the bridge’s effectiveness as a wildlife crossing to strengthen ecological connectivity for native species and restore ecological balance in the two nature reserves,” said How Choon Beng, NParks’ group director of wildlife management.

He added: “As of 2025, more than 100 species of fauna have been recorded on Eco-Link@BKE through camera traps, transect surveys and mist-netting.”

A study published by NParks in 2024 also revealed that 14 mammal species were recorded on camera traps and closed-circuit television using culverts, roads and rope bridges to move across forest patches. 

How said: “Information gathered through camera traps allows us to better understand the movement and behaviour of wildlife, which in turn enables us to strengthen our conservation management strategies.”

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore has also installed camera traps with the support of NParks to identify wildlife crossing hot spots along a road running through a forested area since October 2025.

The camera has captured mammals such as wild boars and civets moving through the space, as well as other creatures such as junglefowl and monitor lizards.

Goh Ter Yang, WWF-SG’s head of Singapore conservation and community science, said: “The data collected helps strengthen our understanding of how wildlife navigates human-modified environments and supports long-term mitigation measures to improve ecological connectivity and wildlife safety.”

Over at Mandai Lake Road, five camera traps have also been installed on the Mandai Wildlife Bridge since 2022 to monitor wildlife and track them at night when they are more active, said Eng. 

At least 26 species, comprising 13 bird species, nine mammal species and four reptile species, have been recorded by cameras on the bridge since monitoring started, she added.

“Monitoring showed that the lesser mouse-deer was first recorded using the bridge in April 2022 and the Sunda pangolin in July 2023,” Eng said.

“These milestones suggest that as the vegetation on the bridge has become more established, it is increasingly facilitating the movement of forest-dependent species across habitats, strengthening its role as a functioning ecological corridor.”

She added that camera traps are also installed in buffer forests and the adjacent Central Catchment Nature Reserve, providing insight into the reproduction and foraging habits of wildlife, as well as their social and territorial behaviours.

For instance, images of juveniles such as pangolin and civet pups may indicate that these species are not only passing through but also successfully breeding within or near the site, Eng explained.

“This suggests that the habitat provides sufficient shelter and stability for raising young,” she said.

She added that recurring detections on the camera traps over time can also serve as an indicator of how wildlife in an area is faring.

“These trends may allow us to pick up changes indicating disturbance, habitat degradation or shifts in wildlife behaviour.”