Revolutionizing Rainforest Wildlife Conservation: HIKMICRO’s Thermal Technology Illuminates Panama’s Nocturnal World

The rainforests of Panama are home to a wealth of secretive and little known animals, home to species such as Jaguars, Sloths and Howler monkeys but who’s heard of an Olingo, Paca or Margay? The truth is that most people are unfamiliar with the majority of rainforest species, even scientists have been slow to study these creatures. There is a very good reason for this, many of them are nocturnal, they only come out after dark and us humans are not well equipped to see in the dark. That is until fairly recently when technology has transformed our abilities and revolutionised the world of mammal research.

Our project is using Hikmicro’s Habrok multispectrum binoculars to carry out nocturnal mammal surveys in the Panamanian rainforest. Traditionally the way scientists surveyed nocturnal rainforest mammals was to walk a set line, shining a bright light into the canopy and noting down any mammals spotted. It is pretty easy to see that this method precludes any chance of observing natural behaviour as mammals tend to either run for cover or freeze in reaction to being blasted with a white light. For us, using the Habrok on thermal mode means we can observe without being seen and without disturbing the mammals. This ability means we are starting to gather behavioural data that is critical to conservation planning on a range of creatures. Take for instance the Andean Porcupine. 

This strictly tree dwelling (arboreal) mammal is so understudied that it is listed on the IUCN red list of endangered species as Data Deficient, meaning there is not enough information known to even make a guess at its conservation status. Our work using Hikmicro’s Habrok could help provide data to reclassify this endearing creature.

Along with adopting new technology as valuable survey tools we have also pioneered a new method of observation. We carry out our surveys from a raised platform attached 10 to 15 meters up a tree. We use rope access to climb to the platform which brings us the dual advantage of getting us closer to mammal activity in the canopy and also removes us from the ground. It means we can quietly wait for both ground dwelling and tree dwelling mammals to move all around us undisturbed. We sit and scan with the thermal and, once we have discovered a mammal, at the flick of a button we can switch to IR optical view in order to verify an identification.

One of the most limiting conditions in a rainforest for spotting mammals, particularly in the canopy, is the density of the vegetation. It is very easy for a small, cryptic animal to hide amongst all that foliage. This is where the quality of the Habrok thermal comes in to play. We can follow a mammal even if it is partially obscured by the vegetation, patiently waiting for it to venture out into a more exposed position when we can flick on to IR Optical mode. Being able to record video is a brilliant feature, it means that we don’t have to rely on a brief view of a mammal to identify it in a split second, we can review the footage later and verify the data. Having footage of these secretive charismatic creatures to share with the world is also a bonus thanks to the Habrok.

Our work is tough, we head out into the rainforest at 6pm, walking in the dark to our survey site, climb to our platform in the dark, working in three hour shifts between two of us until dawn, all the time being bitten by bugs. However, the nocturnal world is illuminated for us with the Habrok, we have the privilege of witnessing events most people never see. The other night we watched no less than 4 individual Kinkajou, an arboreal member of the raccoon family, one by one enter a hole in a tree in which they would sleep together for the day before emerging for another night of foraging. 

We filmed an Ocelot, who was totally unaware of us sat 10 meters above him, as he passed along the trail below going about his nightly business. Working with thermals, remaining unnoticed by the wildlife we are watching is such a vast improvement on the old methods and is something every wildlife enthusiast should embrace. Us humans tend to have a huge impact on the wildlife around us, using technology to lessen that in any way we can is a bonus.

Our journey of discovery into the nocturnal world is only just beginning. To put it into perspective, we have been using camera traps for over 10 years including three years of installing them in trees to document the wildlife on Cocobolo Nature Reserve yet with less than 30 nights conducting nocturnal observations with thermals we have already added 5 species never before recorded on the reserve. Our aim is to share our discoveries with both scientists and the public. Hikmicro’s donation of equipment for this scientific research is key to achieving this aim and to future conservation efforts.

*Before purchasing any thermal or digital day & night vision device, please make sure you adhere to the local ledislation and only use it when it is allowed. Our ambassadors come from various countries and travel a lot, which allows them to test different devices. We do not encourage or support the illegal use of our devices in any events.