The monitoring and management of species depends on reliable population estimates, and this can be both difficult and very costly for cryptic large vertebrates that live in forested habitats. Recently developed camera trapping techniques have already been shown to be an effective means of making mark-recapture estimates of individually identifiable animals (e.g. tigers). Camera traps also provide a new method for surveying animal abundance. Through computer simulations, and an analysis of the rates of camera trap capture from 19 studies of tigers across the species' range, we show that the number of camera days/tiger photograph correlates with independent estimates of tiger density. This statistic does not rely on individual identity and is particularly useful for estimating the population density of species that are not individually identifiable. Finally, we used the comparison between observed trapping rates and the computer simulations to estimate the minimum effort required to determine that tigers, or other species, do not exist in an area, a measure that is critical for conservation planning.
Summary1. Conservation managers require accurate and timely information on the occurrence, size and viability of populations, but this is often difficult for cryptic species living at low densities over large areas. This study aimed to provide such information for tigers in the 36 400-km 2 Kerinci Seblat (KS) region, Sumatra, by identifying and assessing subpopulation viability under different management strategies. 2. Tiger occurrence was mapped within a geographical information system (GIS) using repeat detection-non-detection surveys to incorporate a function of detection probability into a logistic regression model. The landscape variables that influenced tiger occupancy were then used to construct a spatially explicit habitat model to identify core areas. 3. The number of tigers within each core area was estimated by calculating the area of different forest types and their respective tiger densities as determined through camera trapping. The viability of each subpopulation was then assessed under different management scenarios using a population viability analysis (PVA). 4. Tiger occurrence was negatively correlated with distance to public roads. Four core tiger areas were identified, all predominantly located within KS National Park, estimated to support subpopulations of 21, 105, 16 and three adult tigers, respectively. PVA showed that the three larger subpopulations could be demographically viable if well protected. However, if poaching removed ≥ 3 tigers per year, then only the largest subpopulation would not reach extinction within 50 years. Connectivity to this large subpopulation would ensure survival of the smaller subpopulations, through providing a source of tigers to offset poaching losses. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our key management recommendations for tigers in the Kerinci Seblat region of Sumatra stress the importance of maintaining connectivity between the smaller areas and the larger area, and minimizing poaching within these smaller areas. More widely, our research has shown the feasibility of using detectionnon-detection surveys combined with spatial modelling to provide timely information for conservation management.
Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP) is the often photo-trapped in pairs. Repeat 'recapture' of the same individuals suggests that these pairings may be of largest protected area in which Asian tapir Tapirus indicus occurs. Data collected during 3 years of bio-long duration. Evidence of distribution and threats throughout the Park and adjacent forests was collected diversity surveys indicated that KSNP is one of the most important remaining areas for Asian tapir. Evidence of to produce a greater understanding of how best to safeguard the future of this species in KSNP. Deliberate tapirs was collected by photo-trapping, recording of tapir signs, and interviewing local people. Photo-trapping was hunting of tapirs in KSNP was found to be rare, and habitat loss and fragmentation poses the most serious carried out in four locations, each representing a different forest type. The results showed that the Asian threat. tapir is widespread throughout the Park and found in a variety of habitats, from montane cloud forests to
The Sumatran tiger, categorized as Critically of TPCU patrol size from the number of arrests, and chainsaw and snare trap confiscations per patrol. The Endangered on the 2002 IUCN Red List, is threatened by poaching for domestic and international markets, by success of forest patrols increased with the number of TPCU staC per patrol. We looked at general law enforce-prey depletion from human hunting and by habitat loss from illegal and commercial logging, oil palm pro-ment for KSNP, which appeared to be inadequate. To reduce the threat posed by poaching and illegal logging duction, pioneer farming, mining operations and forest fires. Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP) in west-central extra TPCU staC are required for patrols, and extra patrol units are required for the northern and southern sections Sumatra still has large blocks of forest that support tiger populations. In this paper we present information on of the Park. In KSNP it is necessary to monitor habitat loss, establish an unambiguous scheme to mitigate human-photo-trapping and tiger distribution in KSNP and adjoining forest. Tigers were found to be present in all tiger conflict, and develop a photo-trapping programme to monitor the tiger population. habitat types across KSNP. The poaching pressures on tigers and their prey species were evaluated from confiscations of snare traps by Tiger Protection and
Most species‐specific conservation efforts require estimates of population size to establish priorities and to monitor management activities. Yet obtaining reliable estimates of animal populations is often difficult, especially given time and funding limitations experienced by many research programmes. Consequently, there is a great need for practical methods to provide indices of animal density. Ideally, accurate estimates of populations would be obtained through mark‐recapture data collected from recognizable individuals over multiple censuses that cover the entire population range. Such data are rarely available, so conservation biologists have no alternative but to resort to analyses of less perfect data, ranging from permanent‐point censuses from cameras through to transect data on sightings and spoor encounters. The importance of census and monitoring data makes the development, and validation, of new techniques a priority. Because we do not live in a perfect world, there is a need to develop methods that can give an estimate of population sizes. It would be naïve to assume that these will give hugely accurate estimates of population size, but these techniques can prove useful in identifying areas that are likely to benefit from conservation action.
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