Camera Trapping Ocelots in Belize, Central America by Adam Dillon Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Ocelots (Leopardus padalis) are a From the 1950s to the mid-1980s, listed on Appendix I of the Convention bobcat-sized feline that weigh approxi- animal pelts were in high demand for on International Trade in Endangered mately 20 pounds and live in a variety international trade, and ocelots were Species (CITES), and laws have been of dense habitats, from the southern heavily exploited throughout their created in many countries to restrict United States to northern Argentina. range. Since then, ocelots have been hunting. Although these laws have They are solitary, nocturnal decreased hunting pres- hunters that establish terri- sure, habitat destruction is tories, with males defend- currently threatening ing larger home ranges ocelot populations. Many than females. Ocelots have of the dense forests they unique patterns of dark prefer are being converted spots, swirls, and stripes to pastures and croplands. that run down their neck, Ocelots are incred- back, and sides. ibly secretive and elusive Historically, ocelots animals, often living in occurred in relatively large dense and remote habi- numbers throughout their tats, making them notori- range, but over the past ously hard to study. The half century, their popula- lack of data on ocelot tion numbers have ecology and population declined dramatically. parameters make it diffi- cult to design appropriate plans for conservation. In GULF OF MEXICO CUBA the late 1980s and early 1990s, a hand- ful of radio telemetry studies were conducted on ocelots to study their behavior and ecology (Texas: Navarro BELIZE 1985, Tewes 1986, Laack 1991; Belize: MEXICO Konecny 1989; Brazil: Crawshaw 1995; Peru: Emmons 1988; Venezuela: Belize City CAYMAN Belmopan Ludlow and Sunquist 1987, Sunquist et ISLANDS San Ignacio al. 1989). CARIBBEAN SEA Recently, a new technique called LAS CUEVAS Dangriga “camera-trapping” was developed to BELIZE Cockscomb Basin study elusive felids (Karanth 1995, Bladen Nature Reserve Karanth and Nichols 1998). Remote GUATEMALA cameras that measure motion and temperature via a sensor are placed HONDURAS throughout the study site. When an animal passes in front of the camera, EL SALVADOR NICARAGUA (Continued on Next Page) Wild Cat News www.cougarnet.org Camera Trapping Ocelots in Belize, Central America (Continued from Previous Page) motion and temperature changes bance in the form of hurricanes, detected by the sensor trigger the whereas the tropical pine forest, as a camera to take a photograph. For result of decimation by the Southern animals possessing unique coat patterns pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) such as ocelots, individuals can be from 1999 to 2003, is a much more identified and a population estimate can open habitat. This research was based be determined. When the cameras are out of the Las Cuevas Research Station set up in a grid formation, each (LCRS), which was jointly adminis- animal’s movement can be tracked tered by the Belize Forest Department from camera to camera. This move- and the British Natural History ment distance is used to determine a Museum at the time of this study. buffer strip, which is applied to the Five remote camera grids of vary- entire camera grid resulting in a final ing camera spacing were conducted in trapping area. To estimate the density, the broadleaf rainforest habitat, and two the estimated population size is divided remote camera grids of varying camera by the trapping area. This camera trap- spacing were conducted in the pine ping technique was originally designed forest habitat between January 2002 to estimate the density of tigers and June 2004. A history of all ocelot (Panthera tigris) (Karanth 1995, captures and recaptures was created for Karanth and Nichols 1998, Carbone et each separate camera grid and run al. 2001, Karanth et al. 2004) and has through the program CAPTURE (Otis since been adapted to jaguars et al. 1978, White et al. 1982, Rexstad (Panthera onca) (Silver et al. 2004) and and Burnham 1991) to estimate the ocelots (Trolle and Kery 2003, Di population size. Each estimated popu- Bitetti et al. Under Review, Haines et lation size was divided by its respective al. Under Review, Maffei et al. Under trapping area to determine the Review, This study). estimated ocelot density for each For this particular study, the camera grid. The estimated ocelot camera trapping technique was used to density for the rainforest habitat was estimate the density of ocelots in the 18.91 to 20.75 ocelots per 100 km2, Chiquibul Forest Reserve and National whereas the estimated ocelot density in Park (CFRNP) of western Belize. This the pine forest habitat was 2.31 to 3.80 area, together with the Peten region of ocelots per 100 km2. northern Guatemala and southern In addition to the remote camera Mexico, makes up the largest contigu- technique, ocelots were trapped in the ous tropical broadleaf forest remaining rainforest habitat and fitted with radio in Central America. Ocelot density was collars in order to estimate their home estimated in two dominant habitats of range size. Ocelots were tracked from the CFRNP: the broadleaf rainforest August 2003 to August 2004, and a and the tropical pine forest. The broad- 95% fixed kernel home range was leaf rainforest is a secondary rainforest subjected to frequent natural distur- (Concluded on Next Page) Wild Cat News www.cougarnet.org Camera Trapping Ocelots in Belize, Central America (Continued from Previous Page) estimates from a relatively intact rain- forest habitat and the first density estimate of ocelots in Central America. These estimates can be compared to estimates in other areas as well as provide baseline information for continued ocelot monitoring in western Belize. Although the start-up costs of camera trapping can be prohibitive, it is an effective tool for studying elusive felids and providing valuable data aiding in conservation of these species. For more information on this study, contact the author at [email protected]. than the pine forest. This may indicate that although ocelots have a wide range of habitats, they may require more dense cover than is Acknowledgements: currently available in the pine forest. This ocelot study was done as part Or, perhaps the destruction of the pine of the author’s Master’s degree at forest by the Southern bark beetle has Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State affected ocelot prey density, resulting University (Advisor: Dr. Marcella determined for each ocelot. The aver- in a decrease in ocelot population. Kelly). age home range in the rainforest for the When the estimated ocelot density and two collared male ocelots was 33.01 home ranges from the broadleaf rain- Literature cited: km2, whereas the average home range forest habitat of western Belize were Dillon, A. 2005. Ocelot home in the rainforest for the three collared compared to those in other areas of its range and density in Belize, Central female ocelots was 21.05 km2. range, the density was smaller and America: Camera-trapping and radio When comparing the two habi- home ranges were larger than most telemetry. M.S. Thesis. Virginia Poly- tats, the broadleaf rainforest showed a other studies. technic Institute and State University, much higher estimated ocelot density This study provided home range Blacksburg, VA, USA. Wild Cat News www.cougarnet.org.