Big cats at large: Density,structure, and spatio-temporal patterns of a leopard population free of anthropogenic mortality |
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Authors: | Guy Balme Matt Rogan Lisa Thomas Ross Pitman Gareth Mann Gareth Whittington-Jones Neil Midlane Mark Broodryk Kerryn Broodryk Michelle Campbell Marc Alkema Dave Wright Luke Hunter |
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Affiliation: | 1. Panthera, New York, New York;2. Panthera, New York, New York Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;3. Singita, Oakdale House, Cape Town, South Africa;4. Panthera, New York, New York School of Life Sciences, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa |
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Abstract: | Human impact is near pervasive across the planet and studies of wildlife populations free of anthropogenic mortality are increasingly scarce. This is particularly true for large carnivores that often compete with and, in turn, are killed by humans. Accordingly, the densities at which carnivore populations occur naturally, and their role in shaping and/or being shaped by natural processes, are frequently unknown. We undertook a camera-trap survey in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve (SSGR), South Africa, to examine the density, structure and spatio-temporal patterns of a leopard Panthera pardus population largely unaffected by anthropogenic mortality. Estimated population density based on spatial capture–recapture models was 11.8 ± 2.6 leopards/100 km2. This is likely close to the upper density limit attainable by leopards, and can be attributed to high levels of protection (particularly, an absence of detrimental edge effects) and optimal habitat (in terms of prey availability and cover for hunting) within the SSGR. Although our spatio-temporal analyses indicated that leopard space use was modulated primarily by “bottom-up” forces, the population appeared to be self-regulating and at a threshold that is unlikely to change, irrespective of increases in prey abundance. Our study provides unique insight into a naturally-functioning carnivore population at its ecological carrying capacity. Such insight can potentially be used to assess the health of other leopard populations, inform conservation targets, and anticipate the outcomes of population recovery attempts. |
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Keywords: | carnivore ecology carrying capacity Panthera pardus population regulation spatial capture–recapture |
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