Tropical biologists study plant phenology, herbivory and leaf traits, pollination and bee visits, frugivory and seed dispersal, and many of the animal-plant interactions that occur in the canopy of tropical forests. Traditionally, they have observed and described these biological processes from the ground using binoculars. However, since the pioneering study by Donald R. Perry (published in 1978 in Biotropica), climbing trees to observe and collect plants and animals has become popular, but it entails risks. Only a few biologists, the most adventurous ones, may reach the treetops, sometimes with a high risk of falling while ascending trunks with a ladder, french spikes, or more traditional rope belt or ankle belt used by the coconut tree climbers. With the construction of expensive permanent structures such as towers, cranes, platforms, and walkways, it became easier and safer to establish monitoring protocols in the canopy. Yet, when conducting ecological studies, replicates are essential, a requirement that, for most studies, cannot be met when using these infrastructures. Therefore, scientists keep developing tools and methods to access the canopy more efficiently and safely. Camera trapping in the canopy has allowed us to gain previously unavailable ecological information. At the same time, it has sparked new questions and research challenges. However, there are difficulties associated with camera trapping. Studies require adequate material, methods, and skills to answer research questions correctly. Furthermore, not only is the installation of camera traps potentially risky, but to minimize risks, their locations are often (and necessarily) biased.  During this symposium, in addition to presenting their research results, we will ask speakers to discuss what they perceive to be the pros and cons of using camera traps to answer their research questions and whether they believe those questions could be answered with an alternative methodology. We also want the speakers to objectively assess the safety risks involved in camera trapping in the canopy and how they think those risks could be minimized. In other words, is it worth the risk?