Camera-trap avoidance by Kinkajous Potos fl avus: rethinking the "non-invasive" paradigm

Nocturnal arboreal mammals are challenging to study in the wild, especially in dense tropical forests. Camera-trapping is a non-invasive method to study elusive species and is increasingly used to document species presence, habitat use, and density. However traditional camera-fl ash systems may in fact be “invasive” when used to study animals that completely rely on vision to navigate the rainforest canopy at night. This study demonstrates that using standard fl ash photography in camera-traps can lead to avoidance behaviour in Kinkajou Potos fl avus. Researchers wishing to study nocturnal arboreal mammals should explore infrared techniques when using camera-traps in the canopy.