Camera traps have become a useful and common tool used by biologists to study wildlife. In fact, it has become one of the most commonly used ways to observe and monitor elusive species of wildlife. But with this explosive use of camera traps to study wildlife, a new problem has arrived - what to do with all those photographs, and how to manage the huge volume of information in them.
Fortunately, help has arrived. A number of organizations have developed database software geared towards organizing, protecting, and managing the huge number of photographs that come from camera traps. 
Participants of the WCS training on using CPW software for cameratrap images management.
The WCS Sikhote-Alin Research Center, Terney, Russia. Photo ©ANO WCS
From March 13-15 ANO WCS was holding a training seminar for its own staff and interested parties (Zavpovednoe Primamur) to learn how to use one such program, called "CPW Photo Warehouse." The software was developed by the Colorado Fish and Game Department to manage photographs collected while monitoring a reintroduced population of lynx. Since then, much work has been done on the program to make it more broadly useful to camera trap users around the world.
Participants of the WCS training on using CPW software for cameratrap images management.
The WCS Sikhote-Alin Research Center, Terney, Russia. Photo © ANO WCS
For three days participants learned how to use the program, and how to set up their own database to most effectively protect and manage their own collection of photographs - from badgers to tigers.
We hope that now, by the end of this training, all participants are able to easily answer that question, "now where did I put that photograph?" with a click of a button.
For more information about our Trainings and Seminars please follow the link here.
Amur tiger. Image from WCS Russia cameratrap database managed with the help of CPW softaware.
Amur tiger. Image from WCS Russia cameratrap database managed with the help of CPW software.