Across their range jaguars Panthera onca are important conservation icons for several reasons: their important role in ecosystems as top carnivores, their cultural and economic value, and their potential conflicts with livestock. However, jaguars have historically been difficult to monitor. This paper outlines the first application of a systematic camera trapping methodology for abundance estimation of jaguars. The methodology was initially developed to estimate tiger abundance in India. We used a grid of camera traps deployed for 2 months, identified individual animals from their pelage patterns, and estimated population abundance using capture-recapture statistical models. We applied this methodology in a total of five study sites in the Mayan

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This paper reports on efforts to trap jaguars Panthera onca on camera in the dry forests of the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park in Bolivia. Ad hoc camera trapping provided certain information on jaguar presence and habits, but was limited in application. Activity patterns showed that jaguars are active all day, particularly at one of three sites, with peaks in the morning and evening the more common pattern. Minimum observed home range was variable, with males (up to 65 km 2 ) occupying more area than females (up to 29 km 2 ). The authors adapted systematic methodologies first developed to survey tigers in India, based on individually distinctive pelage patterns in tigers and jaguars. Abundance is estimated using capture-recapture statistical analysis, and a sample area defined based on the maximum distance that individual jaguars move during the sample period. The methodology has proved successful for jaguars in dry Chaco forest, population densities of 1/30-45 km 2 and 1/20 km 2 are estimated in the two most extensive landscape systems of Kaa-Iya. The entire 34 400 km 2 protected area is estimated to sustain a population of over 1000 adult and juvenile jaguars, the largest single population of jaguar reported anywhere, and a viable population for long-term jaguar conservation.

In comparison with the Neotropical big cats, jaguar (Panthera onca L.) and puma (Felis concolor L.), medium and small felids are poorly studied. Furthermore, studying wild felids in forest habitats is extremely difficult using direct methods given that most species are principally nocturnal and secretive (Gittleman 1996). Indirect methods are therefore particularly important, e.g. radio-telemetry (Emmons 1987, 1988; Konecny 1989, Ludlow & Sunquist 1987) or camera trapping (Maffei et al. 2002, Trolle & Kéry 2003). Using systematic camera trap surveys, we compare the population density of ocelots (Felis pardalis L.) across five Bolivian dry-forest sites with different habitat types and/or annual rainfall regimes (Table 1). We hypothesize that ocelot densities will decline as rainfall declines. In addition, we estimate the population of ocelots in the 34 400-km2 Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park. Finally, we describe and evaluate additional ecological information provided by camera trapping: activity patterns relative to seasonality and moon phase, sex ratios, ranging patterns and relative abundance compared with sympatric felids.

Cable snares are probably the most widespread hunting method used in central African forests today. I evaluated the impacts of cable snare hunting on wildlife in the Central African Republic. I accompanied 17 snare hunters to hunting camps to check snare lines. I identified and weighed all animals captured, recorded losses to decomposition and scavengers, and identified escaped animals when possible. Data from observed hunting activities were extrapolated to estimate the animal rate of hunting offtake from snares within the Bayanga snare hunting range of 1000 km 2 . All mammals, as well as several birds and reptiles, were captured in cable snares. But 75% of snare captures were of four species: the three duikers ( Cephalophus callipygus , C. dorsalis , and C. monticola ) and the brush-tailed porcupine ( Atherurus africanus ). Losses to scavengers and decomposition amounted to 27% of total captures. Over one-third of animals caught by cable snares broke the cable and escaped with an injury. Protected species represent 2% of animals caught by snares. Population densities for the three duiker species and the brush-tailed porcupine were estimated from line-transect surveys and net-hunt encounters. Additional density estimates from research sites elsewhere in central Africa were taken from the literature, as were figures on reproductive productivity. The wide range of estimates for population densities, reproductive productivity, and sustainable offtake rates make the sustainability of snare hunting difficult to assess; however, snare hunting is probably unsustainable for the three duiker species.Impactos de la Caza con Lazos de Cable en las Poblaciones Silvestres de los Bosques de la República de Africa Central Resumen: Los lazos de cable son probablemente el método de caza mas empleado actualmente en los bosques de Africa central. Evalué los impactos de esta técnica de caza en poblaciones silvestres de la Repúplica de Africa Central. Acompañé a 17 cazadores a los campos de caza para checar las lineas de trampeo e identifiqué y pesé todos los animales capturados. Analizé pérdidas por descomposición y animales carroñeros, además de identificar cuando era posible el escape de animales. Los datos de las actividades de caza fueron extrapolados para estimar la tasa anual de captura por caza con lazos dentro del rango de caza de 1000 km 2 de Bayanga. Todos los mamíferos, así como algunas aves y reptiles fueron capturados con lazos. De las capturas, un 75% estuvo compuesto por cuatro especies: tres antilopes pequeños ( Cephalophus callipygus , C. dorsalis y C. monticola ) y el puercoespín cola de arbusto ( Atherurus africanus ). La cantidad de pérdidas por carroñeros y descomposición fué de un 27% del total de las capturas. Mas de una tercera parte de los animales capturados por lazos rompieron el cable y escaparon lesionados. Un 2% de los animales capturados fue de especies protegidas. Datos de densidades de poblaciones para las tres especies de antílopes y el puercoespín estimados para sitios de investigación en Africa Ce...