Abstract
Identifying factors promoting jaguar (Panthera onca) occupancy is crucial for planning effective conservation and management actions that can contribute to long-term population viability. We used camera-trapping and modeled factors affecting detection and occupancy for jaguars in Sonora at 149 sites during August–November 2008 and 2009. We measured 24 covariates presumed to affect detection (n = 6) and occupancy (n = 18) at camera sites, including sampling period and various habitat characteristics. We obtained 29 jaguar detections at 19 sites (naïve occupancy = 0.12) in 5455 trap-days of effort. Jaguar detectability (p = 0.16 ± 0.05) was negatively affected by human presence and varied by study year and sampling period. Jaguar occupancy (ψ = 0.30 ± 0.03) increased as prey richness, the abundance of calves of domestic cattle, and the proportion of subtropical vegetation increased. Jaguar occupancy was lower with increased abundance of adult cattle and peccary, and higher levels of fragmentation. Jaguar occupancy in Sonora was hence driven by a diverse combination of factors which should be considered when planning conservation actions. We suggest that managers mitigate the impact of livestock, especially on subtropical habitats, by employing appropriate fencing. Fencing may increase wildlife prey for jaguars, thereby reducing calf depredation by jaguars, while concurrently protecting habitat from overgrazing. Furthermore, providing financial support for ecotourism and compensation for depredation to offset potential jaguar impacts should be considered for jaguar conservation in Sonora.
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Acknowledgments
We thank the ranchers who allowed us access onto their lands. S. Borrego and M. Galaz-Galaz collected data in the field. M. Culver, L. Haynes, J. Kolowski, C. Lopez-Gonzalez, O. Rosas-Rosas, and R. Thompson provided additional logistical support. Useful comments provided by the Associate Editor and an anonymous reviewer have greatly improved this manuscript.
Funding
This project was funded by Southern Illinois University, the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Panthera, the Shared Earth Foundation, and the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.
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Anile, S., Greenspan, E. & Nielsen, C.K. Determinants of jaguar occupancy at the northern range edge. Mamm Res 65, 667–677 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-020-00511-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-020-00511-0