Density and movements of mainland clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) under conditions of high and low poaching pressure

Abstract

Despite its high risk of extinction in the wild, little is known about the ecology and population status of the mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). We used camera-traps and spatial capture-recapture analysis to estimate mainland clouded leopard density within southern Thailand’s Khlong Saeng – Khao Sok Forest Complex, comparing densities in two zones of the forest with different levels of human access and poaching pressure (core and edge). Over 5242 trap-days, we detected at least 27 mainland clouded leopards, including 12 females and 15 males. Model averaged density in the less accessible core zone (5.06 ± SE 1.64/100 km2) was 62% higher compared to the more accessible and more heavily hunted edge zone (3.13 ± SE 1.05/100 km2). This density difference corresponded to a 56% higher occupancy probability of muntjacs (Muntiacus spp.) in the core zone, a potentially important prey species for clouded leopards. Model averaged movements (sigma) of male clouded leopards were 38% larger (3448 m; SE 551 m) than female movements (2502 m; SE 478 m). Mainland clouded leopard density at our study site was among the highest recorded in South and Southeast Asia (range: 0.40 to 5.14/100 km2). We hypothesize this high density might be related to the extirpation of larger sympatric carnivores. Our study provides important baseline information for monitoring the conservation status of mainland clouded leopards in Thailand and Southeast Asia and offers insights into the species’ behavioral ecology and capacity to adapt to human disturbance.

Keywords

• Camera-trapping
• Mainland clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa
• Density estimate
• Poaching
• Prey availability
• Spatial capture-recapture