use of camera trapping for estimating Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) home ranges

• Published in: European journal of wildlife research Vol. 57; no. 6; pp. 1203 - 1211
• Main Authors: Gil-Sánchez, Jose María, Moral, Manuel, Bueno, José, Rodríguez-Siles, Javier, Lillo, Santiago, Pérez, Joaquín, Martín, Jose Manuel, Valenzuela, Gerardo, Garrote, Germán, Torralba, Bernado, Simón-Mata, Miguel Ángel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.12.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Boundaries; Cameras; Conservation; Cores; Data processing; Ecology; Endangered species; Fish & Wildlife Biology & Management; Home range; land tenure; Life Sciences; Lynx; Lynx lynx; Original Paper; surveys; Territory; Trapping; Wildcats; Wildlife conservation; Zoology; Camera-trapping; Home range; Iberian lynx; Sierra Morena; Monitoring
• ISSN: 1612-4642; 1439-0574
• DOI: 10.1007/s10344-011-0533-y

The use of non-invasive long-term monitoring data to estimate home ranges of the critically endangered Iberian lynx has been evaluated. This programme began in 2002 and consisting of both annual latrine and camera-trap surveys, with the aims of detecting and individually identifying the maximum number of individuals and delineating female home range boundaries. Radio-tracking data were used to evaluate the accuracy of home range estimates constructed with camera-trapping data. There was little overlap of camera-trapping home ranges (7.0% ± 1.47), which suggests the existence of real territories consistent with the land tenure system expected for the species. Camera trapping home range estimates were half the size of radio-tracking data (54.1% ± 6.0 of overlapping). When comparing core areas, only the radio-tracking data did not yield improved results (36.7 ± 5.4 of overlapping). Estimation of territories, which escaped detection each year, ranged from 0.0% to 5.7%. The results produced by camera-trapping data in this non-intrusive monitoring programme could be considered precise, and are therefore well suited to provide the knowledge required for appropriate conservation of this endangered species.