Brazilian Tapir Density in the Pantanal: A Comparison of Systematic Camera‐Trapping and Line‐Transect Surveys

Abstract

The density of Brazilian tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) was studied in the northeastern part of the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil using two simultaneous and independent methods: (1) systematic camera trapping combined with capture–recapture analysis, with camera traps spaced 1 km apart and distributed over 54 km2; and (2) line‐transect sampling using an array of 12 linear transects, from 3.8 to 7.2 km long, covering the principal open and forest habitat types across the entire 1063 km2 SESC Pantanal Reserve. The two methods yielded conservative density estimates of 0.58 ± 0.11 tapirs/km2 (camera trapping) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.30–1.01) tapirs/km2 (line transects). The study suggests that certain Pantanal habitats and sites can sustain relatively high population densities of tapirs when these animals are protected from hunting. Further testing of the camera‐trapping methodology as applied to tapirs is required, particularly focusing on extending the survey period. As it represents a relatively rapid method for estimating population density, in comparison to line‐transect surveys, and as it generates information simultaneously on multiple species that are conservation priorities, we recommend that camera‐trapping surveys be applied more widely across a variety of Pantanal habitats and land‐use categories in order to confirm the value of the vast 140,000 km2 wilderness region for this vulnerable species.

Density, Abundance and Activity Patterns of the Endangered Tapirus Bairdii in One of its Last Strongholds in Southern Mexico

“…Fortunately, the increased accessibility and sophistication of camera-traps have revolutionized the study of wildlife. Standardized rates of picture recording (e.g., number of pictures/100 camera-trap days) are increasingly used as estimators of population abundance [6][7][8]. Yet calls for caution have been made about the risk of confounding variations in species detectability with differences in abundance [9][10][11].…”

Mamíferos de médio e grande porte de uma área agricultável em Terezópolis (GO) com notas sobre métodos de amostragem

“…parcelas de areia, estradas). O método de armadilhamento fotográ-fico é amplamente utilizado em estudos faunísticos (Wallace et al, 2003;Yasuda, 2004;Trolle e Kéry, 2005). Por basear-se em um registro visual, é possível, através desse método, individualizar os animais (Heilbrun et al, 2003) e conhecer caracterís-ticas suas como padrões de atividade (Arispe et al, 2008), variação na coloração (Tortato e Althoff, 2007) e uso de habitat (Santos-Filho e Silva, 2002).…”

Fototrampeo de mamíferos en la Sierra Nanchititla, México: abundancia relativa y patrón de actividad

“…Las cámaras son útiles para evaluar patrones de actividad , Rumiz et al 2002, Pinto de Sá Alves & Andriolo 2005, Monroy-Vilchis et al 2009) y uso de hábitat (Bowkett et al 2007), así como para realizar estimaciones de densidad (Trolle & Kéry 2003, Karanth et al 2004, Maffei et al 2004, Di Bitetti et al 2006, Soisalo & Cavalcanti 2006, Dillon & Kelly 2008, Maffei & Noss 2008, Trolle 2008. La frecuencia de captura ha sido utilizada como un índice de abundancia relativa (IAR) evidenciando su correlación con las densidades absolutas, además de su relativa facilidad de aplicación , O'Brien et al 2003, Silveira et al 2003, De Almeida et al 2004, Yasuda 2004, Kelly 2008, Monroy-Vilchis et al 2009, Rovero & Marshall 2009).…”