Camera Trap Photogrammetry Dataset, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, Sept. 2021

The dataset and images provided here were used to evaluate a method of using pixel measurements in an image to estimate animal size or distance from the camera using a conceptual model in photogrammetry known as the “pinhole camera model". Our objectives were to 1) determine whether the pinhole camera model can produce reliable estimates of animal size or distance using different camera traps, models, and image settings under ideal conditions using stationary life-like animal targets and 2) evaluate performance of the pinhole camera model in a practical field setting using live captive reindeer. Images of captive reindeer were collected at the Large Animal Research Station at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Alaska, United States of America, in 2021. We found this approach addressed limitations of current methods while remaining conceptually simple, easy to implement, and generalizable to different camera trap models and installations.