Using citizen science to study a mesocarnivore: the jungle catFelis chausin Sri Lanka

Abstract

We used citizen science and inexpensive methodology to assess the distribution of the jungle cat Felis chaus, a relatively common species in Sri Lanka but the least studied of the four wild cat species occurring in the country. We obtained three types of records of the jungle cat: geo-referenced photographs of the species from the public; sightings obtained from print and social media, and provided via an online sighting form; and sightings by field biologists. We combined the 112 unique records obtained in this way with the 21 records from the 2012 National Red List distribution map of the species, and used MaxEnt to predict habitat suitability for the species. The new sightings were primarily in drier regions, expanding the known extent of occurrence for this species in Sri Lanka. Of the new sightings, 7.1% were road kills. Distance to nearest riverine forest, annual precipitation and distance to the nearest reservoir were the most important variables explaining habitat suitability. These findings validate our hypotheses that the species is more widespread than demonstrated previously and also ranges in human-dominated landscapes outside protected areas. Our study provides a model for how ecological and behavioural information for common species can be obtained inexpensively and incorporated into species distribution models. Studies of species such as the jungle cat, which are neither threatened nor charismatic, will help ensure that we keep common species common.

Conservation of rare and cryptic species: Challenges of uncertainty and opportunities for progress

“…Some aspects of snow leopard ecology remain largely unknown (Riordan et al, 2016), yet recent research has rapidly improved knowledge due to collaborations that often spanned political or geographic boundaries (Atzeni et al, 2021; Bayandonoi et al, 2021; Rovero et al, 2020; Yang et al, 2021). Collaborative studies present opportunities to establish connections between diverse stakeholders, which can include government agencies, academic institutions, indigenous groups, non‐profit organizations, and industry (Lamb et al, 2022; Miththapala et al, 2022). Further, efforts that engage community members and the general public (e.g., citizen or community science) can be invaluable to democratizing research, promoting stewardship, increasing awareness, and ultimately creating lasting and impactful progress in conservation (de Sherbinin et al, 2021; McKinley et al, 2017).…”