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Hamidi, A.K.; Ghoddousi, A.; Soufi, M.; Ghadirian, T.; Jowkar, H.; Ashayeri, S.
Camera trap study of Persian leopard in Golestan National Park, Iran
2014 Cat News (60): 12-14
Golestan National Park has long been believed to be the reserve holding the highest number of Persian leopards Panthera pardus saxicolor in Iran and the world. The park has also been recognized as being under intense pressure from rampant local poaching. In 2011, we initiated a survey to 1) ascertain the status of this top predator, and 2) shed light on the challenges and pressures within the park. After 2,777 trapnight efforts of camera trapping, we identified 20 leopards comprising 10 males, 7 females and 3 of undetermined sex. We estimated 27.0ñ4.61 leopards using CAPTURE software and calculated a population between 23 and 42 leopards with 95% accuracy. The population density was determined to be 2.63 individuals per 100 km2. Low numbers of prey species were recorded through the camera trapping survey (except for wild boar). Further research on poaching leopard and its prey is underway to better understand the conservation problems.
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