Counting the spots: The use of a spatially explicit capture–recapture technique and <scp>GPS</scp> data to estimate leopard (<i>Panthera pardus</i>) density in the Eastern and Western Cape, South Africa

Devens, Carolyn; Tshabalala, Thulani; McManus, Jeannine; Smuts, Bool

doi:10.1111/aje.12512

Cited by 26 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…At each camera-trap station, we positioned two cameras to capture both flanks of a passing leopard. The stations were placed 3–5 km apart to achieve even coverage of the sampling area and camera stations remained active for a minimum of 3 months to ensure maximum likelihood of leopard activity being captured without violating the closed population assumption (Karanth & Nichols, 1998; Devens et al, 2018).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating leopard density across the highly modified human-dominated landscape of the Western Cape, South Africa

Devens

Hayward

Tshabalala

et al. 2019

Oryx

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Apex predators play a critical role in maintaining the health of ecosystems but are highly susceptible to habitat degradation and loss caused by land-use changes, and to anthropogenic mortality. The leopard Panthera pardus is the last free-roaming large carnivore in the Western Cape province, South Africa. During 2011–2015, we carried out a camera-trap survey across three regions covering c. 30,000 km2 of the Western Cape. Our survey comprised 151 camera sites sampling nearly 14,000 camera-trap nights, resulting in the identification of 71 individuals. We used two spatially explicit capture–recapture methods (R programmes secr and SPACECAP) to provide a comprehensive density analysis capable of incorporating environmental and anthropogenic factors. Leopard density was estimated to be 0.35 and 1.18 leopards/100 km2, using secr and SPACECAP, respectively. Leopard population size was predicted to be 102–345 individuals for our three study regions. With these estimates and the predicted available leopard habitat for the province, we extrapolated that the Western Cape supports an estimated 175–588 individuals. Providing a comprehensive baseline population density estimate is critical to understanding population dynamics across a mixed landscape and helping to determine the most appropriate conservation actions. Spatially explicit capture–recapture methods are unbiased by edge effects and superior to traditional capture–mark–recapture methods when estimating animal densities. We therefore recommend further utilization of robust spatial methods as they continue to be advanced.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating leopard density across the highly modified human-dominated landscape of the Western Cape, South Africa

Devens

Hayward

Tshabalala

et al. 2019

Oryx

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“…Spatially explicit CR models have been developed to incorporate telemetry data (e.g. Devens et al, ; Sollmann et al, ), but we were not able to use such methods due to the small area sampled relative to hyaena home range. However, by using telemetry data from two individuals in the clan, we were able to estimate density and to overcome one of the major problems in traditional CR methods, namely over which area should density be estimated (Efford, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, the development of the Capture‐Recapture (CR) framework (Nichols, ) and advances in statistical analyses have been critical for estimating population size and survival rate (e.g. Devens, Tshabalala, McManus, & Smuts, ; Karanth, ; Karanth, Chundawat, Nichols, & Kumar, ). CR relies on the identification of individuals based on unique markings such as tags, coat patterns or other natural marks (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Camera traps can provide large data sets of individual observations and group composition, and are now extensively used in CR studies focusing on population size and density in a wide range of species (e.g. Devens et al, ; Head et al, ; Jiménez et al, ; Karanth, ). As hyaenas have unique pelage patterns that facilitate individual identification, camera traps can be used to study their associations and social network structure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dyadic associations reveal clan size and social network structure in the fission–fusion society of spotted hyaenas

Stratford¹,

Stratford²,

Périquet³

2019

Afr J Ecol

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Estimating the size and dynamics of populations is of paramount importance in ecology.In species with uniquely marked individuals, capture-recapture methods can be used to establish population size and to explore associations between individuals. However, very few studies have used cameras traps to focus on group composition in social carnivores, despite being of particular interest in species characterised by "fission-fusion" formation of sub-groups. Here, we provide estimates of (a) population size, (b) density, (c) clan size, (d) association patterns and (e) social network structure in spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) based on images from camera traps deployed at waterholes on Ongava Game Reserve (northern Namibia). In a 15 week study period, we identified 32 individuals. Dyadic associations and the resulting social network showed that all but two hyaenas associated directly or indirectly with each other, indicating the presence of one clan of at least 30 individuals, resulting in a density of 8.1 hyaenas/100 km 2 . We found a very high variability in the tendency of individuals to associate with others.This study confirms a highly dynamic fission-fusion society in spotted hyaenas. We argue that camera traps can provide relevant insights into large carnivore social network structure where associations between individuals are difficult to observe directly. S U PP O RTI N G I N FO R M ATI O N Additional supporting information may be found online in the Supporting Information section at the end of the article. How to cite this article: Stratford K, Stratford S, Périquet S. Dyadic associations reveal clan size and social network structure in the fission-fusion society of spotted hyaenas. Afr J Ecol. 2020;58:182-192. https ://doi.

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“…In earlier studies of tigers [ 12 ], leopards [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ], leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis [ 49 ], and dhole Cuon alpinus [ 44 ], researchers positioned a pair of cameras at each station to photograph both flanks of the target species for individual identification purposes. Similarly, our camera stations were selected based on the trails frequently traversed by the target species to facilitate individual identification based on facial markings and markings on the flanks ( Figure 2 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Camera-Trap Home-Range Analysis of the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Jaipur, India

Kumbhojkar

Yosef

Mehta³

et al. 2020

Animals

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The suitability of the camera trap–retrap method was explored for identifying territories and studying the spatial distribution of leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) in the Jhalana Reserve Forest, Jaipur, India. Data from two years (November 2017 to November 2019, N = 23,208 trap-hours) were used to provide estimates of minimum home-range size and overlap. We conducted home-range analysis and estimation, using the minimum convex polygon (MCP) method with geographic information system (GIS) tools. We are aware of the limitations and advantages of camera trapping for long-term monitoring. However, the limitations of the research permit allowed only the use of camera traps to estimate the home ranges. A total of 25 leopards were identified (male = 8, female = 17). No territorial exclusivity was observed in either of the sexes. However, for seven females, we observed familial home-range overlaps wherein daughters established home ranges adjacent to or overlapping their natal areas. The median home range, as calculated from the MCP, was 305.9 ha for males and 170.3 ha for females. The median percentage overlap between males was 10.33%, while that between females was 3.97%. We concluded that camera trapping is an effective technique to map the territories of leopards, to document inter- and intraspecific behaviors, and to elucidate how familial relationships affect dispersal.

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Counting the spots: The use of a spatially explicit capture–recapture technique and GPS data to estimate leopard (Panthera pardus) density in the Eastern and Western Cape, South Africa

Cited by 26 publications

References 39 publications

Estimating leopard density across the highly modified human-dominated landscape of the Western Cape, South Africa

Estimating leopard density across the highly modified human-dominated landscape of the Western Cape, South Africa

Dyadic associations reveal clan size and social network structure in the fission–fusion society of spotted hyaenas

A Camera-Trap Home-Range Analysis of the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Jaipur, India

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