Abstract
This study aims to document the existence and habitat preferences of the Anatolian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana Valenciennes, 1856) in north-eastern Anatolia, Turkey. We sampled eleven study areas in 2013–2017, primarily based on our previous field experiences, reports from local people, and literature. Based on the findings from initial surveys, camera traps and leopard studies were mostly used in parts of the Giresun (Sarıçiçek Mountain), Erzincan (Sansa Strait), and Bingöl (Yedisu Valley) Provinces. We employed both direct observations and indirect observations. A total of 58 observations were recorded, ranging from 1176–3050 meters in altitude: six camera trap pictures, three thermal video camera images, three sightings by local people, 28 sets of tracks, 13 pieces of scat, two ground-scrapings, and three tree-scratches belonging to the Anatolian leopard. We defined eight habitat types and found that leopards preferred sparse forest areas, rocky habitats, and agriculture and pasture regions the most. Furthermore, 49 of 58 observations made in the sampling areas were detected in the southerly aspects of the study region. The Anatolian leopard habitat selection is mainly based on prey abundance, and we found that leopards prefer wild boar (Sus scrofa) the most, followed by wild goat (Capra aegagrus), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).
Highlights
Predatory animals mostly choose habitats where they can meet their energy requirements by spending minimum energy and minimize life-threatening risks (Hayward & Kerley 2005; Hopcraft et al 2005)
Habitat categories were determined according to the European Nature Information System (EUNIS), a standard for classifying European habitats developed by the European Environment Agency (Davis et al 2004; http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/), standing maps of sample areas obtained from Forest Management Plans (FMP) (Gdf 2017), and field studies carried out by us
Of the thousands of photographs and video recordings analysed, six camera trap pictures of Anatolian leopards were obtained from Sarıçiçek Mountain (Çamoluk/Giresun) in 2013 and three thermal video camera images were obtained by Turkish military from Yedisu Valley (Yedisu/Bingöl) in 2015 and Sansa Strait (Üzümlü/Erzincan) in 2017 (Fig. 3)
Summary
Predatory animals mostly choose habitats where they can meet their energy requirements (e.g., available prey) by spending minimum energy and minimize life-threatening risks (Hayward & Kerley 2005; Hopcraft et al 2005). The leopard is a predator with one of the widest ranges of food sources in the world, and it can adapt to various climatic zones and ecological environments as long the quantity and quality of prey are high enough (Bailey 1993; Nowell & Jackson 1996; Edgaonkar & Chellam 2002). Leopards prefer hilly or rocky, mountainous terrain interspersed with thick riverine vegetation and densely wooded areas. Leopard live in a wide variety of habitats, from semi-desert areas to evergreen forests, and has even been found near major metropolitan areas
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