Cameras capture wildlife moments in urban areas
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Hendrix College have teamed up to launch the Central Arkansas Urban Wildlife Project, placing motion-activated cameras across 30 sites along the Arkansas River Valley, from Pinnacle Mountain near Roland to David D. Terry Park near Scott. The cameras use infrared technology to capture images day and night, and are already photographing hawks, foxes, bobcats, skunks, and other wildlife living quietly alongside city residents.
The project is part of the Urban Wildlife Information Network, coordinated by Lincoln Park Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute. Beyond research, the initiative has a strong public education goal. Researchers hope the images will help urban residents recognize the wildlife sharing their neighborhoods and understand the ecological roles those animals play. Photos of foxes eating rats, for instance, illustrate why rodent poison can have unintended consequences for the broader food chain.
The image database is also expected to support future student research at Hendrix College and inform urban planning decisions. The project has already inspired a youth drawing class at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock based on the camera photos.
