Grey Wolf Camera Trap Monitoring in Pukaskwa National Park

17 remote cameras collected data from 2010 to 2023, initially for caribou and later for grey wolf occupancy analysis. The dataset includes trap events, defined as continuous image sequences of the same individual(s) not separated by more than 10 minutes. Monitoring effort is calculated using daily operational photos taken by the cameras.

Use Cases

• Analyze grey wolf occupancy patterns across the 13 designated coastal grid squares from 2015 onward.
• Study caribou presence using motion-activated trap event data collected between 2010 and 2023.
• Calculate annual monitoring effort per trap season using the scheduled daily operational photos.
• Model animal activity along travel corridors using non-random camera placement locations.

Strengths

• 13-year temporal coverage from 2010 to 2023 provides a long-term ecological record.
• Data collection uses a structured 5.5 km grid design with 13 squares selected for wolf monitoring.
• Standardized trap event definition ensures consistency in identifying individual animal occurrences.

Limitations

• Camera placement was non-random, focusing on accessible locations and travel corridors, which may introduce sampling bias.
• The dataset's spatial scope is limited to Pukaskwa National Park's coastal forests.
• Sample size and data volume (rows, images) are unspecified, limiting assessment of statistical power.

Provenance

Source

Parks Canada

Collection Method

Data gathered via 17 motion-activated wildlife cameras (Reconyx models) serviced annually.

Time Range

2010 to 2023

Freshness

Data collection concluded in 2023; the metadata was last updated in March 2026.

Geography

Pukaskwa National Park, Canada, specifically coastal forest areas.