Detectability and activity patterns of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) in Baw Baw National Park, Victoria

Introduced sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) are increasing in abundance and distribution across much of south-eastern Australia and causing damage to native ecosystems. However, the current paucity of knowledge surrounding many aspects of sambar deer ecology is limiting our capacity to make informed management decisions, and properly gauge the extent of deer impacts. Here we investigate correlates of sambar deer detectability and describe activity patterns of sambar deer in Baw Baw National Park (BBNP) to inform control operations. Camera traps were deployed in BBNP between October and December 2016. We used an occupancy modelling framework to investigate sambar deer detectability and camera trap record time stamps to determine sambar deer activity patterns. Sambar deer were found to be significantly more detectable near roads and in areas of sparse tree density and displayed strong crepuscular activity patterns. Control operations carried out along roads at dawn and dusk could be effective, at least in the short term. Likewise, aerial culling could be an effective control option for sambar deer populations in BBNP. This study highlights the utility of camera trap data to inform the application of control operations for cryptic invasive species.

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Density and activity patterns of ocelot populations in Yasuní National Park, Ecuador

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mammalia-2014-0172 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 80 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Julia Salvador ◽

Santiago Espinosa

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Habitat Loss ◽

National Park ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Oil Extraction ◽

Density Estimates ◽

Yasuni National Park ◽

Ecuadorian Amazon

AbstractOcelots were historically hunted for their skins but habitat loss is now their most serious threat, causing rapid declines in populations throughout their range. Ocelot abundance has been estimated for various locations across the Neotropics, but we still lack this information from some countries, including Ecuador. Knowing whether ocelot abundance is increasing or decreasing is important to assess the conservation status of this species and the conditions of its habitats in the Ecuadorian Amazon and in the region. To determine whether ocelot abundance and its behavior are affected by human-related activities, camera-trap surveys were carried out in two localities of Yasuní National Park (YNP), one that has experienced hunting, oil extraction, and roads (Maxus Road) and one that is largely unaffected by these activities (Lorocachi). During the survey, 35 and 36 individual ocelots were photographed in Maxus Road and Lorocachi, respectively. Population density estimates were similar for both localities, ranging from 0.31 (SE±6) to 0.85 (SE±17) ocelots/km

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River Otter Distribution and Food Habits in Grand Teton National Park as Part of an Ongoing Project in the GYE

The UW National Parks Service Research Station Annual Reports ◽

10.13001/uwnpsrc.2015.4099 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 75-78

Author(s):

Kelly Pearce ◽

Tom Serfass

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Public Support ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Lontra Canadensis ◽

Flagship Species ◽

River Otter ◽

Grand Teton National Park ◽

River Otters

Grand Teton National Park is part of the known range of the North American river otter, however not much is known about this semi-aquatic mammal within the park. The results presented here are part of a larger project to investigate the potential of the river otter (Lontra canadensis) to serve as an aquatic flagship (species that engender public support and action) for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. River otters, known for their charismatic behavior have the potential to serve as an aquatic flagship species to promote conservation of aquatic ecosystems. The primary objective of this portion of the study was to identify river otter latrines on portions of the Snake River, between Flagg Ranch and Jackson Lake, and between Jackson Lake Dam and Pacific Creek, collect river otter scats to determine diet of the river otter, and employ remote cameras to determine activity patterns of the river otters. Between 20 June and 1 July 2015, 26 river otter latrines were identified during shoreline surveys, 186 river otter scats were collected, and cameras were deployed at 6 latrines between 7 July and 24 August 2015. River otter scats have been cleaned and prepared for analysis, but have not all been processed to date. Camera traps recorded 222 images, of which 7% (n = 14) were of carnivores, 70% (n = 155) were of non-carnivore mammals, and 9% (n = 22) were of birds. River otters were detected at 1 of the 6 latrines, a total of 5 independent times during the study.

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A sparse observation model to quantify species interactions in time and space

10.1101/815027 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sadoune Ait Kaci Azzou ◽

Liam Singer ◽

Thierry Aebischer ◽

Madleina Caduff ◽

Beat Wolf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Interactions ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Niche Partitioning ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Observation Model ◽

Occupancy Models ◽

Time And Space ◽

Imperfect Detection ◽

Mobile Species

SummaryCamera traps and acoustic recording devices are essential tools to quantify the distribution, abundance and behavior of mobile species. Varying detection probabilities among device locations must be accounted for when analyzing such data, which is generally done using occupancy models. We introduce a Bayesian Time-dependent Observation Model for Camera Trap data (Tomcat), suited to estimate relative event densities in space and time. Tomcat allows to learn about the environmental requirements and daily activity patterns of species while accounting for imperfect detection. It further implements a sparse model that deals well will a large number of potentially highly correlated environmental variables. By integrating both spatial and temporal information, we extend the notation of overlap coefficient between species to time and space to study niche partitioning. We illustrate the power of Tomcat through an application to camera trap data of eight sympatrically occurring duiker Cephalophinae species in the savanna - rainforest ecotone in the Central African Republic and show that most species pairs show little overlap. Exceptions are those for which one species is very rare, likely as a result of direct competition.

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Spot on: using camera traps to individually monitor one of the world’s largest lizards

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr19159 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 326 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harry A. Moore ◽

Jacob L. Champney ◽

Judy A. Dunlop ◽

Leonie E. Valentine ◽

Dale G. Nimmo

Keyword(s):

Activity Patterns ◽

Image Data ◽

Dorsal Surface ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Identification Accuracy ◽

Individual Identification ◽

Lizard Species ◽

Late Afternoon ◽

Large Animals

Abstract ContextEstimating animal abundance often relies on being able to identify individuals; however, this can be challenging, especially when applied to large animals that are difficult to trap and handle. Camera traps have provided a non-invasive alternative by using natural markings to individually identify animals within image data. Although camera traps have been used to individually identify mammals, they are yet to be widely applied to other taxa, such as reptiles. AimsWe assessed the capacity of camera traps to provide images that allow for individual identification of the world’s fourth-largest lizard species, the perentie (Varanus giganteus), and demonstrate other basic morphological and behavioural data that can be gleaned from camera-trap images. MethodsVertically orientated cameras were deployed at 115 sites across a 10000km2 area in north-western Australia for an average of 216 days. We used spot patterning located on the dorsal surface of perenties to identify individuals from camera-trap imagery, with the assistance of freely available spot ID software. We also measured snout-to-vent length (SVL) by using image-analysis software, and collected image time-stamp data to analyse temporal activity patterns. ResultsNinety-two individuals were identified, and individuals were recorded moving distances of up to 1975m. Confidence in identification accuracy was generally high (91%), and estimated SVL measurements varied by an average of 6.7% (min=1.8%, max=21.3%) of individual SVL averages. Larger perenties (SVL of >45cm) were detected mostly between dawn and noon, and in the late afternoon and early evening, whereas small perenties (SVL of <30cm) were rarely recorded in the evening. ConclusionsCamera traps can be used to individually identify large reptiles with unique markings, and can also provide data on movement, morphology and temporal activity. Accounting for uneven substrates under cameras could improve the accuracy of morphological estimates. Given that camera traps struggle to detect small, nocturnal reptiles, further research is required to examine whether cameras miss smaller individuals in the late afternoon and evening. ImplicationsCamera traps are increasingly being used to monitor reptile species. The ability to individually identify animals provides another tool for herpetological research worldwide.

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Daily Activity Patterns and Co-Occurrence of Duikers Revealed by an Intensive Camera Trap Survey across Central African Rainforests

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10122200 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2200

Author(s):

Fructueux G. A. Houngbégnon ◽

Daniel Cornelis ◽

Cédric Vermeulen ◽

Bonaventure Sonké ◽

Stephan Ntie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Daily Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Camera Traps ◽

The Other ◽

Species Pairs ◽

Free Ranging ◽

First Time ◽

Daily Activity Patterns ◽

Temporal Overlap

The duiker community in Central African rainforests includes a diversity of species that can coexist in the same area. The study of their activity patterns is needed to better understand habitat use or association between the species. Using camera traps, we studied the temporal activity patterns, and quantified for the first time the temporal overlap and spatial co-occurrence between species. Our results show that: (i) Two species are strongly diurnal: Cephalophus leucogaster, and Philantomba congica, (ii) two species are mostly diurnal: C.callipygus and C. nigrifrons, (iii) one species is strongly nocturnal: C.castaneus, (iv) and one species is mostly nocturnal: C.silvicultor. Analyses of temporal activities (for five species) identified four species pairs that highly overlapped (Δ^≥ 0.80), and six pairs that weakly overlapped (Δ^ between 0.06 and 0.35). Finally, co-occurrence tests reveal a truly random co-occurrence (plt > 0.05 and pgt > 0.05) for six species pairs, and a positive co-occurrence (pgt < 0.05) for four pairs. Positive co-occurrences are particularly noted for pairs formed by C.callipygus with the other species (except C. nigrifrons). These results are essential for a better understanding of the coexistence of duikers and the ecology of poorly known species (C. leucogaster and C. nigrifrons), and provide clarification on the activity patterns of C. silvicultor which was subject to controversy. Camera traps proved then to be a powerful tool for studying the activity patterns of free-ranging duiker populations.

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Differences in activity patterns of the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis between rivers of two Brazilian ecoregions

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467416000079 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 170-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Marcelo Lopes Rheingantz ◽

Caroline Leuchtenberger ◽

Carlos André Zucco ◽

Fernando A.S. Fernandez

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Human Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Kernel Density ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Use Of Time ◽

Activity Behaviour ◽

Lontra Longicaudis

Abstract:Circadian use of time is an important, but often neglected, part of an animal's niche. We compared the activity patterns of the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis in two different areas in Brazil using camera traps placed at the entrance of holts. We obtained 58 independent photos in the Atlantic Forest (273 camera trap-days) and 46 photos in Pantanal (300 camera trap-days). We observed different kernel density probabilities on these two areas (45.6% and 14.1% overlap between the 95% and 50% density isopleths respectively). We observed the plasticity in Neotropical otter activity behaviour with different activity patterns in the two areas. In the Pantanal, the Neotropical otter selected daylight (Ivlev = 0.23) and avoided night (Ivlev = −0.44), while in the Atlantic Forest it selected dawn (Ivlev = 0.24) and night (Ivlev = 0.14), avoiding daylight (Ivlev = −0.33). We believe that this pattern can be due to human activity or shifts in prey activity.

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The Increase of Sumatran Tiger’s Prey Following Eradication of Melastoma malabatrichum in Way Kambas National Park, Indonesia

Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology ◽

10.22146/jtbb.63972 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 63972

Author(s):

Jani Master ◽

Ibnul Qayim ◽

Dede Setiadi ◽

Nyoto Santoso

Keyword(s):

Wild Boar ◽

National Park ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Encounter Rate ◽

Feeding Ground ◽

Sambar Deer ◽

Way Kambas National Park

The invasion of the planter's rhododendron (Melastoma malabatrichum) in Way Kambas National Park caused the loss of the sumatran tiger preys feeding ground, therefore efforts were made to eradicate the plant. This study aimed to compare the presence of sumatran tiger preys between M. malabatrichum-invaded location and eradicated location. Eradication was carried out by removing M. malabatrichum on a plot measuring 80 x 60 m2. To record the animal visit, the camera traps were placed at the eradicated and invaded location of M. malabatrichum for comparison. The results showed that the M. malabatrichum eradicated location was more frequently visited by sumatran tiger preys. At the M. malabatrichum eradicated location, camera traps recorded 19 species of wild boar having the highest encounter rate (55.23) followed by sambar deer (33.24), and long-tailed macaque (17.43). Meanwhile, at the M. malabatrichum invaded location, camera traps recorded 13 species with wild boar having the highest encounter rate (30.56), followed by sambar deer (14.75), and long-tailed macaque (14.48). Thus, the eradication of M. malabatrichum had a good impact on increasing the number of sumatran tiger preys due to the availability of feed after being free from M. malabatrichum invasion.

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Fauna diversity in the southern part of the Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Gia Lai province

ACADEMIA JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY ◽

10.15625/2615-9023/16280 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 139-151

Author(s):

Nguyen Ai Tam ◽

Nguyen Van Tay ◽

Nguyen Thi Kim Yen ◽

Ha Thang Long

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Wildlife Conservation ◽

Animal Species ◽

Infrared Camera ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Survey Results ◽

Set Up ◽

First Time

Kon Ka Kinh National Park (KKK NP) is a priority zone for biodiversity protection in Vietnam as well as ASEAN. In order to survey the current fauna species diversity in the southern part of the KKK NP, we conducted camera trapping surveys in 2017, 2018, and 2019. 28 infrared camera traps were set up on elevations between 1041 to 1497 meters. In total, there were 360 days of survey using camera trap. As result, we recorded a total of 27 animal species of those, five species are listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN, 2020). The survey results showed a high richness of wildlife in the southern park region, and it also revealed human disturbance to wildlife in the park. The first-time camera trap was used for surveying wildlife diversity in the southern region of the KKK NP. Conducting camera trap surveys in the whole KKK NP is essential for monitoring and identifying priority areas for wildlife conservation in the national park.

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PRESENCE of SUMATRAN ELEPHANTS (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in THE ECOTONE AREA of SEMBILANG NATIONAL PARK (TNSTNS) and PALM OIL PLANTATION in SEMENANJUNG BANYUASIN SEMENANJUNG, SOUTH SUMATRA PROVINCE

BIOVALENTIA Biological Research Journal ◽

10.24233/biov.6.2.2020.162 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Dafid Pirnanda ◽

Indra Yustian ◽

Zulkifli Dahlan ◽

Winda Indrianti ◽

Ina Aprilia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Palm Oil ◽

National Park ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Elephas Maximus ◽

Conservation Area ◽

Young Females ◽

Adult Females ◽

Data Archives

A research to monitor the presence of Sumatran elephant between two ecosystem in Sembilang National Park (TNSTNS) and palm palm oilplantation has been conducted on March until June 2019 at Semenanjung Banyuasin Semenanjung, South Sumatra. This research aimed to verify the presence of Sumatran elephantpopulation and to estimate the number of elephant individuals in the area. The methods used weredirect observation during the day and indirect monitoring through installation of Camera Traps for 1 month. In addition, secondary data was collected in the form of data archives from the palm oil plantation records and interviews with affected plantation workers. From direct observation, Wedirect encountered one elephant individual and fifteen signs of elephant activities, such as sounds, footprints, and feces. From camera trap photos, we identified and verified onepopulation of Sumatran Elephants which consisted of at least twenty-two individuals with composition as follows: eight adult females, two young females, three infant females, and nine males. The ecotone area between TNS and palm palm oil plantation should be designated as a new habitat patchof Sumatran elephant that needs to be managed appropriately in order to maintain the designation of the area as a conservation area.

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Some Initial Observations Concerning the African Wild Banana Ensete ventricosum as a Resource for Vertebrates

Tropical Conservation Science ◽

10.1177/1940082919879318 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 194008291987931 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fredrick Ssali ◽

Douglas Sheil

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Keystone Species ◽

Resource Scarcity ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Nocturnal Activity ◽

Ensete Ventricosum ◽

Forest Resilience ◽

Animal Populations ◽

Wild Banana

The ecological role and significance of “African wild bananas” Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman (Musaceae) are unknown. We considered if E. ventricosum, with its sustained flowering and fruiting, might act in some ways like a keystone species by supporting animal populations during periods of resource scarcity. We deployed camera traps facing flowers or fruits of E. ventricosum for a total of 40 camera months in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. We recorded 1,691 visitor events by 11 vertebrate species to flowers and fruits (1,129 events by five species to flowers and 562 events by eight species to fruits); these visitors included potential pollinators and seed dispersers. Frequent visitors to flowers were the African dormouse Graphiurus murinus (53.3%), Nectar bat Megaloglossus woermanni (43.8%), and sunbirds (family Nectariniidae) (2.4%) while those to fruits were Carruther’s mountain squirrel Funisciurus carruthersi (54.1%), L'hoest's monkey Allochrocebus l’hoesti (18.7%), and Forest giant pouched rat Cricetomys emini (18.6%). Flower visitors were mainly nocturnal (with birds favoring dusk), while fruit visitors exhibited both diurnal and nocturnal activity patterns. The data indicate that by producing flowers and fruits continuously, E. ventricosum should support animal populations when other flower and fruit resources are scarce. We speculate that establishing these plants in degraded areas may facilitate forest resilience and recovery while providing fallback resources to many species. Such plant species are prime contenders for protection and restoration.

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