Estimating the density of a small population of leopards (Panthera pardus) in central Iran using multi-session photographic‐sampling data

Farhadinia, Mohammad S.; Behnoud, Pouyan; Hobeali, Kaveh; Mousavi, Seyed Jalal; Hosseini-Zavarei, Fatemeh; Gholikhani, Navid; Arman, Hasan; Braczkowski, Alexander; Eslami, Morteza; Moghadas, Peyman; Macdonald, David W.

doi:10.1007/s42991-020-00096-w

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 40 publications

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“…With only 25 mm of average rainfall in the LHR, our study provides information from the driest area where a leopard survey was carried out (Ghoddousi et al 2010;Edwards et al 2015;Farhadinia et al 2021). Stein et al (2011a) determined the entire costal Namib Desert as area of high leopard densities by extrapolating densities across the country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leopard Panthera pardus camera trap surveys in the arid environments of northern Namibia

et al. 2022

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In Namibia, leopards (Panthera pardus) are widely distributed, used commercially as trophy animals and are often persecuted for perceived or real predation on livestock and valuable game species outside protected areas. Therefore, leopard populations living in protected areas might be important source populations and for maintaining connectivity. Little data on their population sizes and densities are available from the northern part of the country, particularly from protected areas. Here, we estimated leopard densities using a spatial capture–recapture approach in northern Namibia: (i) the Khaudum National Park (KNP) in north-east Namibia with an annual average rainfall of 450 mm and (ii) the Lower Hoanib River (LHR) in north-west Namibia with an annual average rainfall of 25 mm. With an effort of 2430 and 2074 camera trap nights in the KNP and LHR, respectively, 11 adult female and six adult male leopards were identified in the KNP, whilst only one adult female leopard was detected once in the LHR. For the KNP, a maximum likelihood approach (using the package SECR) revealed a density estimate of 2.74 leopards/100 km2, whereas a Bayesian approach (using the package SPACECAP) revealed a density estimate of 1.83 leopards/100 km2. For the LHR, no density estimate could be determined and it is suggested that the leopard density in such an arid environment is low. These are the first leopard density estimates based on camera trap surveys provided for these protected areas and thus of importance for further monitoring programs to understand leopard population dynamics. We discuss our findings with current habitat changes and conservation measures in both study areas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leopard Panthera pardus camera trap surveys in the arid environments of northern Namibia

et al. 2022

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Landscape connectivity and population density of snow leopards across a multi‐use landscape in Western Himalaya

Pal

Sutherland

Qureshi

et al. 2021

Animal Conservation

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Human modification and habitat fragmentation significantly impact large carnivores requiring large, connected habitats to persist in a landscape. Understanding species responses to such change and the protection of critical areas and connectivity they provide is essential when planning effective conservation strategies. Our study examines the spatial distribution of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) across a gradient of protection status, anthropogenic pressures and habitat types in the Gangotri landscape (~4600 km2), Western Himalaya. Using spatial capture‐recapture modeling, we analyzed a 4‐year camera trapping dataset (2015–2019) to assess the relationship between snow leopard movement and topography and identified the conducible areas for facilitating movement across the landscape. Snow leopard density was positively associated with elevation and slope, and was higher in protected areas (summer: 1.42 SE 0.02/100km2; winter 2.15 SE 0.03 vs. summer: 0.4 SE 0.01; winter: 0.6 SE 0.01 for unprotected areas). Precipitous terrain and several prominent mountain peaks were found to be resistant to snow leopard movement. Even with a range of human activities inside protected areas, the higher density suggests a positive impact of protection. Density‐weighted connectivity showed that conducible areas are available between the Gangotri landscape and the adjacent protected areas. However, compared to protected area, these areas are relatively less used and require attention for management. We recommend regulating human activities and co‐managing pastures with local communities to revive prey base outside protected areas, especially in corridors, to ensure such areas are functionally conducive. Our study provides a framework to collectively quantitate the spatial pattern of abundance, distribution and connectivity. Our approach has broad applicability for policymakers to develop strategic plans for balancing the conservation of species, and other land uses in a multiuse landscape.

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Estimating the density of a small population of leopards (Panthera pardus) in central Iran using multi-session photographic‐sampling data

Cited by 2 publications

References 40 publications

Leopard Panthera pardus camera trap surveys in the arid environments of northern Namibia

Leopard Panthera pardus camera trap surveys in the arid environments of northern Namibia

Landscape connectivity and population density of snow leopards across a multi‐use landscape in Western Himalaya

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