(1) Wildlife Ecology Laboratory, PO Box 16, Tsukuba-Norin Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan;(2) Tama Forest Science Garden, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, PO Box 16, Tsukuba-Norin Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan
Abstract:
A new system of monitoring remote wildlife via the Internet was developed. The system consists of a QuickTime streaming server with a digital PC camera and a recipient computer with monitoring software. Results of field experiments were fine. Wildlife (raccoon dogs and feral cats) inhabiting a forest remote from the observer were monitored and photographed automatically when detected. Data and frame rates were 35–300 kilobits per second and 3–14 frames per second, respectively, depending on the network traffic. This system is applicable wherever a broadband network is available and thus has great potential for ecological research.