The lack of studies on behavioral ecology and population dynamics of Madagascar’s carnivores, resulting in a significant under representation of these species in literature, is a direct result of the difficulty associated with studying these species. Many of these carnivores are both rare and elusive making observational studies near impossible. Fortunately, camera trapping studies provide a non-invasive approach for investigation of these elusive species. Brian Gerber (former VT student) and Sarah Karpanty recently completed a two year study of carnivores in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. Their work provided the first assessment of carnivore population dynamics in Madagascar and vastly improved our knowledge on how invasive pressures, including fragmentation, invasive species, and human encroachment, are influencing these threatened species. Camera trapping techniques/methods use digital, remote-sensing cameras within a fixed grid across the landscape to photographically sample widlife. These cameras use infrared technology which allows them to detect both movement and heat from passing wildlife. Each study site has a minimum of 30 camera stations, operational 24h/day, consisting of two cameras mounted on opposing sides of the trail to ensure capture of both flanks of the animal for positive identification. Carnivores with unique coat patterns are considered individually identifiable. For those species which I can positively identify individuals (Cryptoprocta ferox and Fossa fossana), I will estimate density across fragmented and non-fragmented forests. However, for those carnivores who are not individually identifiable I will estimate occupancy across fragmented and non-fragmented forests. My research will utilize these camera trapping methods, shown to be effective for other forest mammals, to provide data on 6 carnivore species across the Masoala-Makira landscape, as well as on 6 invasive species, small mammals, birds, and humans. These data will provide estimates of population density and occupancy for carnivores inhabiting eastern rainforest habitat in Madagascar.
Zach Farris, camera trapping, Sahavary forest site. Mark'hila, camera trapping, Sahavary forest site. Felix Ratelolahy, camera trapping, Anjanaharibe site. |
