Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Envirolapse delivered a fully automated, flood-resistant camera system for continuous glowworm monitoring in Waitomo Caves, enabling remote data collection in a challenging underground environment with no direct power or connectivity.
Project Capability Review
Envirolapse successfully delivered a remote monitoring solution for Waitomo Glowworm Caves Monitoring glowworm research in the Waitomo Caves, New Zealand. The project required a fully automated, continuous imaging system capable of operating in a challenging underground environment with no direct mains power, WiFi, or cellular coverage.
By implementing a custom-built, power-efficient camera system with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), we provided a solution that enables long-term monitoring without frequent physical access to the equipment.
The extreme conditions of the Glowworm Grotto presented several logistical and environmental challenges.
Working in complete darkness with a running stream, the installation required navigating and securing equipment in a confined and frequently flooded space. With no existing power source at the installation site, running a 100-metre Ethernet cable along the grotto wall was necessary to provide both power and data connectivity. Additionally, the camera enclosure had to be fully waterproof to withstand complete submersion during flooding events and durable enough to resist debris impact in the stream.
The new monitoring system provides continuous, hands-free data collection, allowing researchers to capture high-resolution images without the need for frequent on-site access.
By integrating Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), the system ensures uninterrupted operation, eliminating the logistical challenges of battery swaps in a difficult-to-access environment.
With seamless data transfer, images are uploaded remotely, removing the need for SD card retrieval or physical downloads. This real-time accessibility improves research efficiency and allows for more consistent data collection over time.
Designed to withstand the harsh cave environment, the robust, flood-resistant enclosure protects the camera from complete submersion and floating debris during flooding events. Mounted securely along the grotto wall, the system ensures long-term durability while minimizing maintenance requirements.
By significantly reducing hands-on intervention, this solution has streamlined glowworm monitoring efforts, enhancing research capabilities in one of New Zealand’s most unique and challenging ecosystems.
“I write this letter as an endorsement for the quality of innovation and service provided by Envirolapse. I am Chair of the Environmental Advisory Group (EAG) at Waitomo Glowworm Cave, New Zealand, which is visited by up to 500,000 tourists per year to view the glowworms. The EAG — comprised of specialists in entomology, environmental science, cave geochemistry and cave management — advises the commercial operator Discover Waitomo and the cave owners’ committee on environmental and sustainability issues. The group oversees comprehensive environmental datalogging in the caves to conserve the geological formations and the cave’s unique glowworm colony while ensuring a quality visitor experience. My contribution is expertise is the biology of glowworms of Australia and New Zealand.
Timelapse photographic monitoring of the glowworms at Waitomo was initiated in 2011. Image analysis was used to assess the well-being of the population with the aim of continuous monitoring into the future. The initially used off-the-shelf timelapse set-up was prone to failure, meaning consistent long-term data were hard to obtain. In 2024 Envirolapse was invited to design and install a new setup. The technical challenges included setting up the camera and enclosure in a dark cave chamber at an elevated site on the cave wall that is difficult to access with no power source. Also, the cave is very humid and is subject to floods. The Envirolapse system was installed in mid-2024 and has operated extremely efficiently since. Envirolapse has set up online access to images so that the on-site Environmental Officer in New Zealand can monitor the images and I can access the images via the web for image analysis. The insights from monitoring have so far been used in two scientific publications; (1) Merritt, D.J., 2024. Photographic monitoring of glowworm Arachnocampa luminosa (Diptera: Keroplatidae) bioluminescence in a tourist cave reveals diurnal and annual cycles. Austral Entomology and (2) Merritt, D.J., 2026. Insect-based tourism: glowworms in a show cave give robust bioluminescence displays. Wildlife Research, 53 (2). The latter paper used the Envirolapse set-up where I worked with Envirolapse to operate the camera at shorter intervals than standard for a month to allow higher time resolution for analysis.
In summary, Envirolapse has provided a seamless service for this scientific and environmental project at a challenging site, eliminating concerns about the associated technical challenges. I do not hesitate to recommend their involvement in similar projects.”
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At Envirolapse, we specialise in real-time environmental monitoring, providing high-resolution imagery and data solutions to support research, safety, and sustainability efforts. Our mission is to bridge the gap between technology and environmental awareness, enabling informed decision-making in even the most remote and challenging environments.
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Users can securely access real-time and archived footage through our online platform. Depending on the application, we offer various viewing and reporting tools, allowing stakeholders to monitor conditions, analyse trends, and make data-driven decisions.
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Envirolapse works with researchers, government agencies, conservation groups, aviation and transport operators, energy and infrastructure companies, and outdoor safety organisations. Our technology supports climate research, avalanche forecasting, search and rescue operations, wildlife tracking, and infrastructure monitoring.
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Our technology is deployed globally, with projects spanning Antarctica, the Alps, New Zealand’s Fiordland, Australia, Canada, and beyond. We operate in some of the world’s most challenging environments, offering solutions for industries that require continuous environmental awareness and monitoring.
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Envirolapse stands apart due to our expertise in remote and extreme environment monitoring. We combine cutting-edge imaging technology with advanced connectivity solutions, allowing seamless data access from anywhere in the world. Our systems are built for resilience, operating in the harshest conditions while delivering unparalleled accuracy and reliability.
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Our technology is deployed globally, with projects spanning Antarctica, the Alps, New Zealand’s Fiordland, Australia, Canada, and beyond. We operate in some of the world’s most challenging environments, offering solutions for industries that require continuous environmental awareness and monitoring.
We provide a range of environmental monitoring services
Our technology empowers researchers, commercial operators, and governments with real-world, real-time insights, capturing nature’s transformation while supporting informed decision-making in extreme environments.
Examples include avalanche detection and forecasting, glowworm habitat monitoring, penguin tracking, coastal condition and erosion analysis, landscape change detection, urban greening initiatives, aviation safety and more.