IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Wilson, B.; Sliwa, A.; Drouilly, M. | |
| A conservation assessment of _Felis nigripes_ | |
| 2016 Book Chapter | |
Black-footed Cats are endemic to the arid regions of southern Africa, occurring widely across the western reaches of the assessment region, and have a relatively restricted and patchy distribution. The historical paucity of data has led to inconsistencies and perpetuated inaccuracies in current literature, which in turn has affected the accuracy of conservation measures. The naturally rare, cryptic colouring, small size and secretive nocturnal nature of this species has contributed considerably to the lack of information. Black-footed Cats are known to occur at low densities and it is difficult to establish population sizes. The stronghold of the species is suspected to be in the central Karoo region where highest densities are reached, whereas other regions (Kalahari, North West Province, northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, Free State Province, and the Lowveld) are suspected to have medium or low densities. Using density estimates of 0.03 km2, 0.02 km2 and 0.01 km2 for high, medium and low density areas respectively, we converted kernel densities to isopleths to calculate population size. Estimated population size ranges from 7,526-11,905 individuals, of which 5,269-8,334 are considered to be mature (using a 70% mature population structure), where no subpopulation is suspected to comprise more than 1,000 mature individuals as the species is patchily distributed. However, defining subpopulations for this species needs further work. We also caution that these estimates will be confounded by uneven sampling across the range, thus leading to inaccurate density isopleths. This is a first attempt and should be refined as more data from across the range become available. There is a general suspected continuing decline due to loss of prey base due to bushmeat poaching (especially Springhare _Pedetes capensis_), persecution (direct or incidental), road collisions and predation by domestic pets. Continuing decline is also inferred from a long-term study on Benfontein Game Farm, Northern Cape, where estimated density declined from 0.17 cat / km2 in 1998-1999 to 0.08 cat / km2 in 2005-2015. Additionally, _c. _50% of radio-collared individuals are lost annually to a combination of natural mortality and predation from abundant Black-backed Jackals (_Canis mesomelas_), Caracals (_Caracal caracal_) or domestic pets. An emerging threat may be increasing interspecific competition, including intraguild predation, by overabundant mesopredators (for example, Black-backed Jackals). Thus, we list this species as Vulnerable C2a(i), as population size is estimated to be fewer than 10,000 mature individuals, where no subpopulation is suspected to be more than 1,000 mature individuals, and there is an inferred continuing decline. We note that this is a precautionary assessment given the low density estimates used in the analysis, the lack of systematic field surveys across the range and the lack of a robust subpopulation definition. This species should be reassessed once such data are available. Key interventions include the establishing of large conservancy areas and sustaining viable Springhare subpopulations in areas where alternative refuge systems are unavailable. |
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