An adaptable but threatened big cat: density, diet and prey selection of the Indochinese leopard (<i>Panthera pardus delacouri</i>) in eastern Cambodia

Rostro‐García, Susana; Kamler, Jan F.; Crouthers, Rachel; Sopheak, Keo; Prum, Sovanna; In, Visattha; Pin, Chanratana; Caragiulo, Anthony; Macdonald, David W.

doi:10.1098/rsos.171187

Cited by 40 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…There are two possible reasons supporting that the density has not changed between the two sessions. First, "top-down" regulation due to human persecution which causes higher anthropogenic mortality (Rosenblatt et al, 2016;Rostro-García et al, 2018;Sharma et al, 2014). However, we found little evidence that the Bafq leopard population suffers direct anthropogenic persecution.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

“…We included a trap-specific behavioral response in the baseline detection model because we expected that the leopard behaviour can change after being detected at a specific trap for the duration of the session (bk). We were also interested in quantifying sex-specific baseline encounter rate (g 0 ) and spatial scale (σ), both of which are widely seen in leopard studies (Braczkowski et al, 2016;Goldberg et al, 2015;Rostro-García et al, 2018). We finally fitted session-stratified estimates, meaning that all parameters vary across sessions (i.e., years), by maximising the likelihood.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The persistence of small leopard populations can be adversely affected by demographic stochasticity through reducing survival and fecundity (Rostro-García et al, 2018;Williams et al, 2017). Importantly, controlling two threats, prey depletion and leopard persecution, both inside Bafq as well as nearby areas to support individuals dispersing from this breeding population are crucial.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, when the population size is very small, several challenges arise for SECR density estimates (Gerber et al, 2014). Most importantly, infrequent detections (Mohamed et al, 2019;Rostro-García et al, 2018), the low number of individuals detected (Hearn et al, 2017;Sharma et al, 2014) and variability in detection among individuals (Alexander et al, 2015;Gerber et al, 2014) can compromise SECR models' precision. The SECR method also requires sampling to be conducted relatively densely to obtain sufficient recaptures of individuals on multiple cameras; this is required for adequate estimates of the spatial scale parameter (σ) (Sollmann et al, 2013;Wilton et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Estimating the density of small population of leopardPanthera pardususing multi-session photographic□sampling data

Farhadinia

Behnoud²,

Hobeali³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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West Asian drylands host a number of threatened large carnivores, including the leopard (Panthera pardus) which is limited to spatially scattered landscapes with generally low primary productivity. While conservation efforts have focused on these areas for several decades, reliable population density estimates are missing. Spatially-explicit capture-recapture (SECR) methodology, incorporating animal movement in density estimates, is widely used to monitor populations of large carnivores. We employed multi-session SECR modeling to estimate the density of a small population of leopard (Panthera pardus) in a mountainous stretch surrounded by deserts in central Iran. During 6724 camera trap nights, we detected eight and five independent leopards in 2012 and 2016 sessions, respectively. The top performing model demonstrated density estimates of 1.6 (95% CI = 0.9-2.9) and 1.0 (95% CI = 0.6-1.6) independent leopards/100 km2 in 2012 and 2016, respectively. Both sex and season had substantial effects on spatial scale (σ), with larger movements for males and during winter. Currently available estimates in arid regions represent some of the lowest densities across the leopard global range. These small populations are vulnerable to demographic stochasticity. Monitoring temporal changes in population density and composition can inform conservation priorities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Estimating the density of small population of leopardPanthera pardususing multi-session photographic□sampling data

Farhadinia

Behnoud²,

Hobeali³

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…Several larger-bodied mammals have been nationally extirpated through over-hunting including the Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), with no confirmed sightings in the Cardamoms or Cambodia since the 1980's (Daltry and Momberg, 2000) and the Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), which was declared functionally extinct in Cambodia in 2016 (WWF, 2016). The Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) was found to have declined in abundance by 72% between 2009 and 2014 in the Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary, Eastern Cambodia, most probably due to widespread snare hunting, and is now under threat of national extirpation (Rostro-García et al, 2018). In 2000, of the 67 mammal species recorded in the Cardamom mountains, 26 were threatened or near-threatened according to the IUCN Red list, with the greatest threat coming from commercial hunting (Daltry and Momberg, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife and Livelihoods in the Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia

Coad

Lim

Nuon³

2019

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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This study provides a preliminary assessment of the use of wild meat and fish by rural communities in the Northern Cardamoms, Cambodia. We used a case-study approach in three villages, to identify key characteristics and drivers of wildlife use, with a view to informing the design of future larger-scale investigations of wild meat and fish use in the Cardamoms. Interviews with 41 households, conducted from August to October 2013, were used to investigate the main livelihood activities of each household, including hunting and fishing activity, key hunting techniques and hunted and consumed species. Group discussions with households and hunters were used to determine the relative importance of hunting and fishing as a livelihood activity and food source. We found that over 80% of interviewed households hunted, and similarly over 90% fished. Hunters employed a range of techniques, and caught at least 38 different mammal, bird and reptile species. However, our results suggest that arable farming is the backbone of livelihoods in these villages, providing the bulk of household incomes, and that most households are hunting to prevent crop-raiding, or opportunistically, rather than to supply the commercial trade. While households expressed a preference for wild meat, bought domestic meats and fish were eaten more frequently. A potentially lucrative commercial trade with high profits per animal exists but catches are unpredictable, and hunting is dangerous. However, as many species populations are already heavily depleted, even low hunting offtakes could have significant impacts on vulnerable species. Previous research suggests that commercial hunting which targets larger-bodied and high-value species for the international wildlife trade is mainly conducted by professional hunting groups, external to local communities. The importance of agricultural trade to local communities suggests that "wildlife-friendly farming" initiatives may help to both secure a fair and reliable price for village agricultural products, while promoting conservation of biodiversity in the Cardamoms mountains. However, due to the likely larger impacts of commercial hunting groups, declines in biodiversity are likely to continue without stricter enforcement of wildlife trade laws in Cambodia's towns and cities, and the reduction of demand for wildlife products in consumer countries.

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Occupancy, density, and activity patterns of a Critically Endangered leopard population on the Kawthoolei‐Thailand border

Montgomery¹,

Stokes²,

K'lu³

et al. 2023

Population Ecology

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Large carnivores have been largely extirpated from Southeast Asia due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and poaching. Estimating the density of endangered carnivore populations, and identifying relationships between species occupancy and both environmental and anthropogenic factors, is essential for effective conservation planning. Recently, the IUCN conservation status of the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) was upgraded to “Critically Endangered.” We surveyed Kweekoh Wildlife Sanctuary in Kawthoolei, an area administered by the Karen ethnic group in eastern Myanmar, to quantify (1) leopard population density using spatially explicit mark‐resight (SMR) models, (2) leopard occupancy as influenced by important ecological variables, and (3) potential differences in activity between melanistic and spotted leopard morphs. Leopard density was estimated to be 1.39 ± SE 0.22/100 km2. Leopard occupancy (ψ = 0.43; 95% credible interval: 0.26–0.67) increased further from roads, at relatively higher elevations, and in areas with higher relative abundance of wild boar. Leopard activity was cathemeral, with higher activity during night hours, and significant overlap (Δ = 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.71–0.96) between melanistic and spotted morphs. However, melanistic leopards were more active during twilight hours than spotted individuals whose activity did not significantly vary throughout the day. Indochinese leopard density estimates in Kweekoh were among the lowest reported from Southeast Asia. Leopard occupancy was highest in the sanctuary's core areas, suggesting the presence of negative anthropogenic impacts along the sanctuary borders. We suggest our low density estimates warrant immediate and decisive conservation action, including better protection for leopards, their habitat, and their prey.

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An adaptable but threatened big cat: density, diet and prey selection of the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) in eastern Cambodia

Cited by 40 publications

References 89 publications

Estimating the density of small population of leopardPanthera pardususing multi-session photographic□sampling data

Estimating the density of small population of leopardPanthera pardususing multi-session photographic□sampling data

Wildlife and Livelihoods in the Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia

Occupancy, density, and activity patterns of a Critically Endangered leopard population on the Kawthoolei‐Thailand border

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