Trapping Elusive Cats: Using Intensive Camera Trapping to Estimate the Density of a Rare African Felid

摘要: Camera trapping studies have become increasingly popular to produce population estimates of individually recognisable mammals. Yet, monitoring techniques for rare species which occur at extremely low densities are lacking. Additionally, unpredictable movements may make obtaining reliable challenging due detectability. Our study explores the effectiveness intensive camera estimating cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) numbers. Using both a more traditional, systematic grid approach and pre-determined, targeted sites placement, Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Botswana was sampled between December 2012 October 2013. Placement cameras in regular pattern yielded very few (n = 9) images these were insufficient estimate density. However, pre-selected scent-marking posts provided 53 seven adult cheetahs (0.61 ± 0.18 cheetahs/100km²). While increasing length survey from 90 130 days increased total number obtained (from 200), no new individuals recorded estimated density remained stable. Thus, our demonstrates that placement (irrespective duration) is necessary reliably assessing where populations naturally or dominated by transient individuals. Significantly can easily be applied other predator species.