Abstract
The population densities of leopards vary widely across their global range, influenced by prey availability, intraguild competition and human persecution. In Asia, particularly the Middle East and the Caucasus, they generally occur at the lower extreme of densities recorded for the species. Reliable estimates of population density are important for understanding their ecology and planning their conservation. We used a photographic spatial capture-recapture (SCR) methodology incorporating animal movement to estimate density for the endangered Persian leopard Panthera pardus saxicolor in three montane national parks, northeastern Iran. We combined encounter history data arising from images of bilaterally asymmetrical left- and right-sided pelage patterns using a Bayesian spatial partial identity model accommodating multiple “non-invasive” marks. We also investigated the effect of camera trap placement on detection probability. Surprisingly, considering the subspecies’ reported low abundance and density based on previous studies, we found relatively high population densities in the three national parks, varying between 3.10 ± SD 1.84 and 8.86 ± SD 3.60 individuals/100 km2. The number of leopards detected in Tandoureh National Park (30 individuals) was larger than estimated during comparable surveys at any other site in Iran, or indeed globally. Capture and recapture probabilities were higher for camera traps placed near water resources compared with those placed on trails. Our results show the benefits of protecting even relatively small mountainous areas, which accommodated a high density of leopards and provided refugia in a landscape with substantial human activity.
Highlights
IntroductionNotably prey density, is the main ‘bottom-up’ process affecting predator density[1,2]
Resource availability, notably prey density, is the main ‘bottom-up’ process affecting predator density[1,2]
These opposing regulatory processes, environmental productivity have contributed to great variation in density estimates of leopards across their global range
Summary
Notably prey density, is the main ‘bottom-up’ process affecting predator density[1,2]. The common leopard Panthera pardus, one of the most wide-ranging top predators, frequently illustrates these dual circumstances These opposing regulatory processes, environmental productivity have contributed to great variation in density estimates of leopards across their global range. Camera-trap data and capture-recapture analyses is the method of choice for estimating the density of large and small cats with individually distinct coat patterns[25]. Maximising the number of captures and recaptures is known to enhance the precision of estimates derived from this methodology Attractants, such as bait[31] and scent lures can increase capture rates[32]. Our second objective here was to explore the use of a natural limiting factor which is not associated with these various disadvantages of attractants, i.e. water resources during summer on estimates of detection parameters and observed age/sex class composition in leopards. Spatial variation in density in areas where populations are likely to be low has implications for leopard conservation in this poorly studied area
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