Anthropogenic activities and age class mediate carnivore habitat selection in a human-dominated landscape.

ABSTRACT: Human activities increasingly challenge wild animal populations by disrupting ecological connectivity and population persistence. Yet, human-modified habitats can provide resources, resulting in selection of disturbed areas by generalist species. To investigate spatial and temporal responses of a generalist carnivore to human disturbance, we investigated habitat selection and diel activity patterns in caracals (Caracal caracal). We GPS-collared 25 adults and subadults in urban and wildland-dominated subregions in Cape Town, South Africa. Selection responses for landscape variables were dependent on subregion, animal age class, and diel period. Contrary to expectations, caracals did not become more nocturnal in urban areas. Caracals increased their selection for proximity to urban ar

SUBMITTER: Serieys LEK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10391726 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature