🐦⬛6.20 Luhu: Setting up infrared cameras in Luye & Hongshi Park
I have experience setting up infrared cameras and habitat enrichment at Chengdu Raptor Station and sectors of the National Giant Panda Park. Earlier this month, Peng, the head of the Luye Park team, asked me to apply this expertise for Luye and Hongshi Parks.
The goal is clear: use habitat design around infrared cameras to boost urban wildlife activity. This supports ecological surveys while meeting animals’ habitat needs.
Key Findings
Infrared Camera & Habitat Setup for Luye
Birds: Many species recorded, using 110mm shallow pans for drinking and bathing.
Amphibians: Out of 7 mid-depth 230mm water containers, 5 already support tadpole breeding. Species include Microhyla fissipes (ornamented pygmy frog) and Pelophylax nigromaculatus (dark-spotted frog). We are monitoring if Kaloula rugifera (Sichuan narrow-mouthed toad) is present.
Conclusion: Small wetland habitats are effectively supporting amphibian reproduction.
Hongshi Park Camera Records
One infrared camera installed. By June 6, recorded masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) five times, along with multiple birds, stray cats, and free-ranging cats.
Confirmed: a resident civet population active at night. No breeding individuals recorded yet.
From early June, stray cat activity increased in the camera area. From June 15, no civet activity was detected.
Decision: remove camera from cat-dense zone and relocate it to background forest habitat for better monitoring.
Summary
I applied proven methods from Chengdu to Luye and Hongshi. Infrared cameras combined with micro-habitats attract wildlife and enable solid biodiversity data. Results show both successes (birds, frogs, civet presence) and threats (high invasive species pressure, stray cat disturbance).
