Population size, density, and ranging behaviour in a key leopard population in the Western Cape, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Globally, leopards are the most widespread large felid. However, mounting anthropogenic threats are rapidly reducing viable leopard populations and their range. Despite the clear pressures facing this species, there is a dearth of robust and reliable population and density estimates for leopards across their range, which is particularly important in landscapes that consist of protected and non-protected areas. We conducted a camera trapping survey between 2017 and 2018 in the Western Cape, South Africa to estimate the occupancy, density, and population size of a leopard population. Leopards were recorded at 95% of camera trapping sites, which resulted in a high occupancy that showed no significant variation between seasons, habitat types, or along an altitudinal gradient. Our results indic

SUBMITTER: Muller L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9140237 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature