Gallery: Wild Close-Ups of Rare Mammals From Huge Camera-Trap Study
01mountain-gorilla
A massive camera trap survey of tropical mammals around the world has returned a magical series of glimpses into animal life. The survey was conducted by Conservation International and partners and partners in South America, Africa and Asia. They installed 420 [camera traps](http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Build_a_Camera_Trap) in key protected areas, amassing some 52,000 photographs between 2008 and 2010. For scientists, the survey's findings, published in the September *[Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B](http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/366/1578/2703)*, represent an automated methodological approach to conducting large-scale ecological surveys. For everyone else, they're a chance to see animals in a new and intimate way. Unlike the sort of photographs seen in wildlife magazines, which are so technically perfect and highly produced as to seem posed, camera trap photos feel like behind-the-scenes snapshots. They're immediate and, in a sense, candid. They're the everyday reality of nature. On the following pages are a selection of photographs from the set, with links to high-resolution versions. __Above:__ Mountain gorilla ---------------- Endangered. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426484461_8tKg3sX-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Wildlife Conservation Society*
02chimpanzee
Chimpanzee ---------- Endangered. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426484473_dD92BDt-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Wildlife Conservation Society*
03jaguar1
Jaguar ------ Near threatened. Central Suriname Nature Reserve, Suriname. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426468491_fpCSGpg-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Conservation International Suriname*
04elephant
African elephant ---------------- Threatened. Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426471931_4hcjSTR-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)*/Trento Museum of Science
05giant-anteater
Giant anteater -------------- Vulnerable. Manaus, Brazil. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426477751_XGRgLrS-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia*
06africanbuffalo
African buffalo --------------- Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426470644_WSz9txT-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Trento Museum of Science*
07peccaries
White-lipped peccary -------------------- Near threatened. Central Suriname Nature Reserve, Suriname. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426461610_GdG3HHr-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Conservation International Suriname*
08jaguar-2
Jaguar ------ Near threatened. Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426501216_LHbdLcM-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/ Organization for Tropical Studies*
09cougars
Cougar ------ Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426461632_j8F5mtJ-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Organization for Tropical Studies*
10poacher
Poacher ------- Nam Kading, Lao People's Democratic Republic. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426484494_Fv8D7pL-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Wildlife Conservation Society*
11muntjak
Indian muntjak -------------- Nam Kading, Lao People's Democratic Republic. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426484512_zsGbGLd-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Wildlife Conservation Society*
12southernpigtailmacaque
Southern pig-tailed macaque --------------------------- Vulnerable. Bukit Barisan Selatan, Indonesia. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426484454_Bdq2kHw-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Wildlife Conservation Society*
13southernpigtailmacaques
Southern pig-tailed macaque --------------------------- Bukit Barisan Selatan, Indonesia. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426484439_vCrMZH7-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Wildlife Conservation Society*
14whitenosedcoatis
White-nosed coati ----------------- Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426501246_nrxJZf8-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Organization for Tropical Studies*
15bairds-tapir
Baird's tapir ------------- Endangered. Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426501205_rVVvN4q-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)*
16south-america-tapir
South America tapir ------------------- Vulnerable. Manaus, Brazil. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426477764_DnFf6zR-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia*
17ocelot2
Ocelot ------ Manaus, Brazil. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426477749_CH8GFGp-O-LB)\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia*
18ocelot
Ocelot ------ Volcan Barva, Costa Rica. \[[High resolution](http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/16284125_Z4sdC#1426501201_nN3Kcw9-O-LB )\] *Image: [Conservation International](http://www.conservation.org)/[Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network](www.teamnetwork.org)/Organization for Tropical Studies*
The Best Greens Powders for Drinking Your Veggies
I did the research and taste-testing to find the best greens powders worth your money. Bloom Nutrition’s Superfood Greens Powder is my tried-and-true pick.
Louryn Strampe
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online in 2026
WIRED has tested 100-plus bed-in-a-box mattresses for a week each. Our top pick, the Helix Midnight Luxe hybrid, is the best bed you can buy online.
Julia Forbes
20 Best Gifts for Men, Manly Men, and Menly Man Men
When you need something that’s as mannishly masculinized as you can get for the Man™ in your life, we have you covered.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Qi2 and MagSafe Wireless Chargers for Your Phone
Top up your Qi2 Android phone or MagSafe iPhone with a magnetic wireless charging stand, pad, car charger, or power bank.
Simon Hill
The Best Drip Coffee Makers Now Rival Café Pour-Over
The old-fashioned drip coffee maker has come a long way. These impressive machines can turn your barista into a stranger.
Matthew Korfhage
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
Ranking the Best Red-Light Therapy Mask and LED Devices of 2026
Your face called, and it’s low-key offended you might trust TikTok more than WIRED.
Boutayna Chokrane
The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure
From strenuous hikes and serious summits to weekend rambles in the park, these boots help you make the most of your time outdoors.
Chris Haslam
In Praise of a Dumb House
Tech has been encroaching on the family domicile for years—but actor, writer, and satirist Jill Kargman is all in on analog.
Jill Kargman