Search

To inform the conservation of the Regionally Critically Endangered West African lion, we studied lion population size and social structure in Niokolo Koba National Park (NKNP), Senegal. Calling station and camera trap surveys were conducted and opportunistic lion observations were documented from 2015 to 2020. The average lion density was calculated as 0.50 lion/100 km² and the population size was estimated as 28-56 individuals. Average lion group size was 2.1 ± 1.45 lions (range 1-8 lions). There were no significant differences between observations of single individuals (43%), groups of two (22%), three (19%), four (4%) and more than four (5%) individual lions (X² = 30.021, p-value = 0.06452). Sex ratio showed a ratio of male:female of 1:1.1 to 1:2.8. About 13.59% of the lion population was composed of cubs while, respectively, 81.22% and 5.17% were adults and subadults. Based on the analysis of activity patterns, lions in NKNP are mainly nocturno-crepuscular (18:00-01:00) and matutinal (06:00-08:00). Lion population size and density are still low in NKNP compared to earlier estimates from the same area, in the late 1990s. We therefore conclude that the conservation of lions in NKNP must be further improved to safeguard this population in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microhabitats play a significant role in the persistence of mammalian species and communities. In South Africa, the forest biome is the smallest. It includes the naturally fragmented Southern Mistbelt Forest group, where little is known about contemporary mammalian assemblage dynamics concerning these forest's microhabitats. We determined the microhabitat characteristics that best explained mammalian species' presence and absence in these forests in the northern Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu‐Natal provinces. We deployed a minimum of 60 camera traps at any time for 24 h/day to monitor mammalian species' presence/absence. We recorded a habitat foliage profile within a 20 m radius around each camera trap. The species most often photographed were Tragelaphus scriptus and Cercopithecus albogularis labiatus, with the least photographed species being Leptailurus serval and Felis silvestris cafra. All mammalian species detected in our study had a negative association with bare ground. Cercopithecus albogularis labiatus, an arboreal species that requires a dense connecting canopy for movement, showed a positive association with crown closure. Our study highlighted that microhabitat variables: leaf litter, crown closure and grass cover played an important role in the presence and persistence of large and medium‐sized mammalian species that inhabit the Southern Mistbelt Forests, which benefits forest conservation management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating the richness and abundance of animal species remains central to any conservation strategy of a given area. In remote and challenging environments such as tropical forests, camera traps have proven to be successful in documenting secretive wildlife communities compared to other survey methods, as they allow continuous monitoring without the presence of a human observer. Here, we used camera traps to characterise the community of medium and large terrestrial mammals in the community zone of Lobéké National Park, in southeastern Cameroon. We deployed a grid of 40 camera traps over a 5‐week period, recording 5156 independent detection events over 1284 camera days. We recorded 35 species, many of them showing high detection rates compared to other sites in central Africa. These results highlight the little disturbance of the studied area within the park despite its accessibility to local communities. These results obtained from a standardised approach using an expanding technology offer valuable information about the wildlife community of Lobéké, and new insights for reconciling human activities with wildlife conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population densities are an important consideration for wildlife management. For hunted species, estimates of population size are essential for establishing quotas. There are limited data regarding sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) abundance, and few studies have used camera traps for estimating population densities. We estimated sitatunga density in the Mayanja River area of central Uganda using the time in front of the camera (TIFC) method, which yields population density estimates using camera‐trap data without having to identify each individual. Density estimates from the TIFC method averaged 11.1 sitatunga/km2, similar to estimates from a spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) study, which requires perfect identification of individuals. These results suggest that TIFC methods accurately estimate population densities and might be an alternative for species where individual identity cannot be determined, or in habitats where typically identifiable species might not be accurately identified to meet the requirements of SECR. In addition, the resulting density estimates can influence management decisions and quotas for hunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edge habitats, where the African wildcats were photographed, could place them at increased risk of human-wildlife conflict or disease transmission, as seen in other species (Bloomfield et al., 2020; Mardaraj & Sethy, 2015). Additionally, it is important to know more about the remaining population of wildcats in and around this park as well as other carnivoran species remaining in the NNP to conserve these species and update management efforts. Dowsett (1990) recorded the African wildcat in his survey of fauna and flora of Nyungwe National Park (NNP). Keywords: camera traps; landowners; Nyungwe National Park; wildcat EN camera traps landowners Nyungwe National Park wildcat 71 74 4 02/28/22 20220301 NES 220301 INTRODUCTION The African wildcat ( I Felis lybica i , Forster, 1780) has a large geographical distribution, stretching throughout the African continent, excluding tropical forests and true deserts (Boitani et al., 1999; Nowell & Jackson, 1996). [Extracted from the article]

For the first time in Togo, we used camera trapping to investigate the mammal community in Fazao‐Malfakassa National Park (FMNP), a forest and savannah mosaic landscape subject to poaching and other detrimental anthropogenic activity. We compiled a species inventory, that is species occurrence, habitat use and activity patterns during dry and wet seasons. Based on images from >80 locations during 9,007 camera days, we identified 32 mammal species, which, when combined with other published studies, increases the total number of mammals (excluding bats) historically reported to 57 species. Our results confirm the presence of five mammal species evaluated as threatened according to the IUCN Red List, highlighting the significant conservation value of the FMNP. Specifically, it appears to be the only protected area in Togo where the African savannah elephant and the African forest elephant occur sympatrically, and only the second site currently known with direct observations of Walter's duiker. We also report the presence of poachers and other anthropogenic activity within the FMNP. We recommend that continued survey efforts should be combined with detailed ecological data collection, effective law enforcement, community outreach and eco‐tourism development, to safeguard the remaining mammal species communities necessary for a functioning ecosystem in the park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, no okapis were photographed by the few camera traps deployed in the area; and nor were they photographed during the comprehensive study conducted by Chester Zoo, with 37 camera traps, which caught on camera 36 different mammalian species, but no okapis (Nixon et al., 2018). There are also fairly recent reports of active okapis near the SNP: in 2008, okapis were reported approximately eight km south-west of the SNP, in the northern Virunga Reserve (Nixon & Lusenge, 2008). Keywords: camera traps; Okapi; reintroduction; Semliki Valley; Semuliki National Park; survey; Uganda EN camera traps Okapi reintroduction Semliki Valley Semuliki National Park survey Uganda 286 292 7 03/22/21 20210301 NES 210301 INTRODUCTION The okapi ( I Okapia johnstoni i ) is an extant primitive member of the giraffe family, Giraffidae. [Extracted from the article]

Activity periods and diurnal behaviour of southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) were studied in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe, from August 2016 to July 2017 using camera trapping and focal group sampling, respectively. Camera trap data showed that diurnal and nocturnal movements of white rhino varied significantly with moon phase, with more frequent nocturnal photographic captures during full‐ and third‐quarter moon phases than during new and crescent moon phases. Permutational MANOVA and canonical correspondence analysis of focal group observation data were used to test the effects of season, time of day, habitat type, distance to roads, moon phase, presence/absence of other mammals, age/sex category, individual identity and herd composition on daytime behaviour. Weather conditions accounted for the majority of variation in rhino behaviour, with more time spent feeding during cloudy and rainy weather than sunny weather. Time of day and moon phase also accounted for high variation in behaviour, followed by habitat attributes and age/sex category. Variance partitioning by sets of explanatory variables showed that weather conditions had the greatest explanatory power in the variation of rhino behaviour, followed by temporal attributes, habitat attributes and age/sex category. Our findings provide insights for white rhino population management strategies aimed at increasing the effectiveness of security patrols, minimising disturbance and improving sightings for tourists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to directly monitor animal populations across time and space is a key element of wildlife conservation and management, but logistically difficult to achieve. Photographic capture rates from camera trap surveys can provide relative abundance indices (RAIs) for a wide variety of medium‐ to large‐bodied wildlife species. RAIs are less complex than other estimation methods and are commonly used when true abundance is difficult or costly to measure. However, this method is controversial as it does not account for potential bias arising from imperfect detection. Here, we evaluate the reliability and precision of RAI estimates drawn from a large‐scale camera trap survey for ten African herbivore species by comparing them against preexisting aerial survey data. RAIs correlated strongly with independent estimates, particularly when indices were derived from counts of all photographed animals. RAIs were most reliable for species that were nonmigratory, occurred in open habitats and had high rates of daily movement. Increasing survey coverage and duration both had strong but comparable effects on improving RAI precision. Our results suggest that RAIs from camera traps hold substantial promise as a tool for monitoring herbivore relative abundances, and we provide guidelines on the utility of this approach for ecological inference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of low-status protected areas under community management to achieve a conservation objective is frequently questioned, particularly in developing countries. The lack of sound, scientific-based biodiversity monitoring frequently undermines attempts to evaluate the extent to which these areas are contributing to biodiversity conservation. Based on data collected between 2008 and 2010 in a Forest Reserve under community management in western Tanzania, our study tested fives methods: camera trapping, walking line transects, vehicle transects, opportunistic encounters and indirect signs, to find the most appropriate for future monitoring. Method comparisons confirmed a higher performance of camera trapping compared to other methods for the ability to detect species. However, our results identified the need of a better survey design to ensure a sound monitoring in the future. Besides method comparisons, our study provides the first fine-scale data on mammal communities in such a low-status protected area. Combined methods allow the identification of 49 species of medium and large mammals, a surprisingly high diversity for such area. These findings outline the potential conservation value of this type of protected area and call for better biodiversity monitoring throughout complexes of protected areas of different statuses and management regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the movement and distribution of wildlife is a critical tool of an adaptive management framework for wildlife conservation. We installed motion-triggered cameras to capture the movement of mammals through two purpose-built migration gaps in an otherwise fenced conservancy in northern Kenya. We compared the results to data gathered over the same time period (1 Jan 2011-31 Dec 2012) by the human observers monitoring mammal tracks left at the same fence gaps in a sandy loam detection strip. The camera traps detected more crossing events, more species and more individuals of each species per crossing event than did the human track observers. We tested for volume detection differences between methods for the five most common species crossing each gap and found that all detection rates were heavily weighted towards the camera-trap method. We review some of the discrepancies between the methods and conclude that although the camera traps record more data, the management of that data can be time-consuming and ill-suited to some time-sensitive decision-making. We also discuss the importance of daily track monitoring for adaptive management conservation and community security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translocations and reintroductions are key elements for the population management of the critically endangered black rhino (Diceros bicornis, Linnaeus, 1758). In this study, we investigated the postrelease behaviour and habitat preferences of a black rhino starter group (n = 4) on the individual level. The animals were reintroduced to a fenced game reserve (8 7 km2) in North-Central Namibia 1 year prior to our study. We used camera traps and very high frequency (VHF) radiotelemetry to examine the animals' temporal and spatial behaviour over a period of 4 months at transition between wet and dry seasons. Our results underline a peak in drinking activity and waterhole visits occurring between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. We found a shift in intensity in drinking activity during the period of the study. Satellite-based woody cover estimations only suggest positive correlations between the density of woody cover and favoured black rhino habitat types. Although the area seems suitable to facilitate breeding success of this starter group, it does not support a self-sustaining population. However, black rhinos were already successfully reintroduced to several additional fenced reserves in this region. The selective opening of fences in the future could help to enable genetic exchange between currently isolated groups of rhinos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ephemeral rivers and the vegetation they support have numerous ecological and economic values to the mammals and people who rely on these systems. Yet, these crucial environments are believed to be threatened by exotic plant invasion. In Africa, invasive trees of the genus Prosopis have detrimental effects on native vegetation, bird and dung beetle communities; however, to date, there is no evidence that Prosopis establishment has affected indigenous wild mammalian distribution and ecology in its introduced range. Using a combination of camera traps and vegetation surveys, we tested the hypothesis that Prosopis invasion has a negative impact on the mammals of the ephemeral Swakop River in Namibia by reducing mammal species richness and species occupancies. Prosopis was found to have no negative impact on species richness; however, evidence for species-specific responses to Prosopis abundance was found. This is the first study to confirm an impact of Prosopis on sub- Saharan African mammals, providing a foundation for future research and the development of appropriate management policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of increasing resource extraction on biodiversity in the Central African rainforest are largely unknown, in part due to the lack of baseline data on species occurrence across the basin. Natural forest clearings (bais) in this region are key habitats for a variety of vertebrates and offer opportunities for monitoring species distribution. Information on species composition, however, is lacking from the majority of areas (except for long-term study sites). Approaches and protocols for short-term bai assessments can greatly advance such baseline knowledge. This study demonstrates that camera traps provide an effective method for species inventories (species occurrence and temporal activity patterns) and monitoring at bais across the broader region. In comparison with direct observational studies, they performed especially well regarding rare and nocturnal species. Camera traps during sampling sessions of 4 weeks or less recorded previously undocumented, and 65-94% of the mammals known to use each of seven Central African bais. Results indicate that many mammal species, in particular African forest elephants ( Loxodonta africana cyclotis), visit bais preferentially at night. This underlines the urgent need for monitoring tools providing both diurnal and nocturnal data to provide baseline data that address conservation and management objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We placed camera traps for a month at sixty locations in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to determine the species composition and distribution of medium-to-large terrestrial vertebrates. A total of 15912 images were recorded from 1800 camera trap days. These provided a total of 625 and 338 camera events when filtered by hour and day, respectively. Twenty mammal species were recorded from 594 and 314 camera events by hour and day, respectively. Four bird species were recorded from 31 and 24 camera events by hour and day, respectively. The African golden cat Profelis aurata Temminck was recorded from 27 and nineteen camera events by hour and day, respectively. The black-fronted duiker Cephalophus nigrifrons Gray was most frequently photographed with 179 and 65 camera events by hour and day, respectively. Analyses reveal two species possessed a significantly interior-biased distribution. One species showed an edge-biased pattern. Five species were detected to have significantly biased altitudinal distributions with higher elevations. Distance to park edge and elevation can significantly influence species distribution. The selective use of the park limits the area that each species utilizes, with implications for maximum population sizes and viability. Our observations provide a baseline for long-term terrestrial vertebrate monitoring in Bwindi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]