Phototrapping Course
7th Edition
2 TO 5 FEBRUARY 2026
COURSE
Between 2 and 5 February 2026, Palombar will organise the course ‘Use and Potential of Photo Trapping in Ecology Studies and Wildlife Monitoring’ – 7th Edition, with basic and advanced modules, which will take place at PINTA - Iberian Nature and Adventure Park in Vimioso, in the district of Bragança.
The course is organised in partnership with the Institute for Research in Hunting Resources - University of Castilla-La Mancha (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM) and the Joint Institute for Biodiversity Research - University of Oviedo (IMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), both in Spain. It also has the support of the Vimioso Municipal Council, Vales de Vimioso and PINTA - Iberian Nature and Adventure Park of Vimioso.
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the course is to provide participants with technical and scientific knowledge on the use of photo trapping as a tool for studying and monitoring wildlife populations, particularly mammals and birds. The course will be taught in Portuguese and Spanish and will have a maximum of 15 participants.
TARGET AUDIENCE
The course is aimed at undergraduate, master's and doctoral students in biology and related fields, monitoring technicians and wildlife managers.
PRICES
Until 11 January 2026, the price of the course will be:
€130 for Palombar members > Become a member here
€175 for students (Universities)
€200 for the general public
From 12 January 2026, the price will be:
€160 for Palombar members
€200 for students (Universities)
€250 for the general public
All prices include lunches during the course.
The course is organised in partnership with the Institute for Research in Hunting Resources - University of Castilla-La Mancha (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM) and the Joint Institute for Biodiversity Research - University of Oviedo (IMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), both in Spain. It also has the support of the Vimioso Municipal Council, Vales de Vimioso and PINTA - Iberian Nature and Adventure Park of Vimioso.
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the course is to provide participants with technical and scientific knowledge on the use of photo trapping as a tool for studying and monitoring wildlife populations, particularly mammals and birds. The course will be taught in Portuguese and Spanish and will have a maximum of 15 participants.
TARGET AUDIENCE
The course is aimed at undergraduate, master's and doctoral students in biology and related fields, monitoring technicians and wildlife managers.
PRICES
Until 11 January 2026, the price of the course will be:
€130 for Palombar members > Become a member here
€175 for students (Universities)
€200 for the general public
From 12 January 2026, the price will be:
€160 for Palombar members
€200 for students (Universities)
€250 for the general public
All prices include lunches during the course.
POSTER
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REGISTRATION
You can register for the course directly on our website by filling out the form below, or by sending an email to atividades@palombar.pt with the following subject line: Photo Trapping Course 2026. Registration, whether via the website or by email, must be accompanied by proof of payment of the course fee, which must be made by one of the following methods:
Maximum number of participants: 15
Minimum number of participants: 8
The deadline for course registration is 25 January 2026
Notes
The course will only take place if there are at least 8 participants. If the minimum number is not reached, the amount paid at the time of registration will be refunded in full.
- MB Way +351 926 862 770
- PayPal palombar@palombar.pt
- Bank transfer IBAN PT50004522624021507266657
Maximum number of participants: 15
Minimum number of participants: 8
The deadline for course registration is 25 January 2026
Notes
The course will only take place if there are at least 8 participants. If the minimum number is not reached, the amount paid at the time of registration will be refunded in full.
PROGRAMME
BASIC MODULE
Monday, 2 February | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. // 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Trainer Dr Pablo Palencia
General information about camera traps
• What are camera traps?
• How do the cameras work? (Practical exercises)
• Which camera model should I choose? Features to consider when buying a camera.
• What can I do to prevent my cameras from being stolen?
• Where and how to install the cameras? (Practical exercises)
• Do I need to request official authorisation to set up my cameras?
• Tips, mistakes and advice (Practical exercises)
• What software can I use to process the images? (Practical exercises)
• Artificial intelligence: Present or future? (Practical exercises)
• Citizen science and camera trapping
ADVANCED MODULE
Tuesday, 3 February | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. // 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Trainer: Dr. Pelayo Acevedo
Case studies (mammals)
• Study of activity patterns
• Study of interactions between species
• Population density estimates through camera trapping
• Introduction to Random Encounter Models (REM)
• Practical component: data analysis
ADVANCED MODULE
Wednesday, 4 February | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. // 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Trainer: Dr Patricia Mateo Tomás
Case studies (scavenger vertebrates)
• Presence/Absence: characterisation of scavenger vertebrate communities
• Quantification of ecological functions: estimates of carcass consumption
• Carcass management: implementation and monitoring of regulations and useful information for adaptive management
• Practical component: data analysis
FIELD TRIP
Thursday, 5 February | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Traditional Dovecote Interpretation Centre (CIPT) – village of Uva, Vimioso
• Natura 2000 Network – Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) “Rios Sabor e Maçãs” – visit to the Feeding Ground for Scavenger Birds (CAAN)
SOFTWARE
For the practical component of data analysis, students should download the free software listed below and install it on their personal computers before the start of the course.
R v4.5.2
Windows
Mac OS X
RStudio Desktop
Monday, 2 February | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. // 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Trainer Dr Pablo Palencia
General information about camera traps
• What are camera traps?
• How do the cameras work? (Practical exercises)
• Which camera model should I choose? Features to consider when buying a camera.
• What can I do to prevent my cameras from being stolen?
• Where and how to install the cameras? (Practical exercises)
• Do I need to request official authorisation to set up my cameras?
• Tips, mistakes and advice (Practical exercises)
• What software can I use to process the images? (Practical exercises)
• Artificial intelligence: Present or future? (Practical exercises)
• Citizen science and camera trapping
ADVANCED MODULE
Tuesday, 3 February | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. // 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Trainer: Dr. Pelayo Acevedo
Case studies (mammals)
• Study of activity patterns
• Study of interactions between species
• Population density estimates through camera trapping
• Introduction to Random Encounter Models (REM)
• Practical component: data analysis
ADVANCED MODULE
Wednesday, 4 February | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. // 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Trainer: Dr Patricia Mateo Tomás
Case studies (scavenger vertebrates)
• Presence/Absence: characterisation of scavenger vertebrate communities
• Quantification of ecological functions: estimates of carcass consumption
• Carcass management: implementation and monitoring of regulations and useful information for adaptive management
• Practical component: data analysis
FIELD TRIP
Thursday, 5 February | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Traditional Dovecote Interpretation Centre (CIPT) – village of Uva, Vimioso
• Natura 2000 Network – Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) “Rios Sabor e Maçãs” – visit to the Feeding Ground for Scavenger Birds (CAAN)
SOFTWARE
For the practical component of data analysis, students should download the free software listed below and install it on their personal computers before the start of the course.
R v4.5.2
Windows
Mac OS X
RStudio Desktop
TRAINERS
Dr. Pablo Palencia
Instituto Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (IMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Universidad de Oviedo
I am a researcher interested in the use of camera traps for wildlife conservation and monitoring. I am especially focused on the use of camera traps as a non-invasive methodology to estimate population abundance. I also use camera traps to monitor animal movement and behaviour, nest predation, disease spread, demographic parameters as well as other more methodological works about camera trap performance and survey design. I give particular attention to communicating research, interacting frequently with the media and updating relevant camera trapping studies on my Twitter profile (@cameratraps1).
A more complete overview of my CV can be found here.
Patricia Mateo Tomás, Ph.D.
Instituto Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (IMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Espanha
My research interests focus on conservation biology and ecology, with special attention to the impact of human activities such as livestock rearing, hunting or agriculture on natural ecosystems. I am mainly interested in scavengers. Although most of my work up to date deals with bird (especially vulture) ecology and conservation, I am also studying the structure and function of the whole scavenger community. I have a strong commitment to effectively transmit science to wildlife managers, policymakers and the general public. As a lecturer, I am strongly committed to transmitting robust scientific-based ecological concepts to support real case studies in conservation biology.
A more complete overview of my CV can be found here.
Pelayo Acevedo, Ph.D.
Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Espanha
My research career is characterized by its eminent multidisciplinary framework in which wildlife species and their parasites –including macro- and micro-parasites– are both studied at local and large spatial scales, to gain useful insights for wildlife management and conservation. I believe having a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach is crucial in the development of effective research, which in turn, furthers and advances given that a larger array of ideas and solutions can be extracted from diverse research areas.
A more complete overview of my CV can be found here.
Instituto Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (IMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Universidad de Oviedo
I am a researcher interested in the use of camera traps for wildlife conservation and monitoring. I am especially focused on the use of camera traps as a non-invasive methodology to estimate population abundance. I also use camera traps to monitor animal movement and behaviour, nest predation, disease spread, demographic parameters as well as other more methodological works about camera trap performance and survey design. I give particular attention to communicating research, interacting frequently with the media and updating relevant camera trapping studies on my Twitter profile (@cameratraps1).
A more complete overview of my CV can be found here.
Patricia Mateo Tomás, Ph.D.
Instituto Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad (IMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Espanha
My research interests focus on conservation biology and ecology, with special attention to the impact of human activities such as livestock rearing, hunting or agriculture on natural ecosystems. I am mainly interested in scavengers. Although most of my work up to date deals with bird (especially vulture) ecology and conservation, I am also studying the structure and function of the whole scavenger community. I have a strong commitment to effectively transmit science to wildlife managers, policymakers and the general public. As a lecturer, I am strongly committed to transmitting robust scientific-based ecological concepts to support real case studies in conservation biology.
A more complete overview of my CV can be found here.
Pelayo Acevedo, Ph.D.
Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Espanha
My research career is characterized by its eminent multidisciplinary framework in which wildlife species and their parasites –including macro- and micro-parasites– are both studied at local and large spatial scales, to gain useful insights for wildlife management and conservation. I believe having a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach is crucial in the development of effective research, which in turn, furthers and advances given that a larger array of ideas and solutions can be extracted from diverse research areas.
A more complete overview of my CV can be found here.
COORDENATION
Responsible for coordinating the course
PhD in Biology from the University of Aveiro, in partnership with the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM) in Spain. At Palombar, he is a nature conservation technician and responsible for research, supervision of academic work, project development and management, fundraising, and organisation of technical and scientific training activities. He is a researcher at CIBIO - Centre for Research in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources at the University of Porto/BIOPOLIS.
+INFO
Google Scholar
ORCID
Publons
ResearchGate
- João Santos, Ph.D. joaosantos@palombar.pt
PhD in Biology from the University of Aveiro, in partnership with the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM) in Spain. At Palombar, he is a nature conservation technician and responsible for research, supervision of academic work, project development and management, fundraising, and organisation of technical and scientific training activities. He is a researcher at CIBIO - Centre for Research in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources at the University of Porto/BIOPOLIS.
+INFO
Google Scholar
ORCID
Publons
ResearchGate
COURSE LOCATION
PINTA - Parque Ibérico de Natureza e Aventura de Vimioso
Google maps
Adress
Estrada das Três Marras, cruzamento para S. Joanico, Vimioso.
Contact
+351 273 511 254
Google maps
Adress
Estrada das Três Marras, cruzamento para S. Joanico, Vimioso.
Contact
+351 273 511 254
ACCOMMODATION
Participants are responsible for their own accommodation. Below are some accommodation options in Vimioso:
For further information, please contact Palombar at the following email address: atividades@palombar.pt
- Residencial Centro +351 969 213 939
- Hotel Rural Sra. de Pereiras +351 273 518 000
- Hotel A Vileira +351 273 518 200
For further information, please contact Palombar at the following email address: atividades@palombar.pt