Abstract

(Introduction):  The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest cat in the Americas, and due to vast connected forests, the Amazon currently holds the largest jaguar populations.

(Objective):  We present jaguar population density estimates for seven sites in the Great Madidi-Tambopata Landscape in northwestern Bolivia and southeastern Peru.

(Methodology):  Data collection occurred from 2001 to 2008, using between 26 to 118 camera trap stations distributed in polygons between 37 to 355 km² in extent, active from 29 to 75 days at each study site.

(Results):  We identified a total of 63 individuals across all sampling sites. The estimated capture rate for each sampling site ranged from 0.18 to 2.81 independent events / 100 trap nights. The jaguar density estimates with SCR models ranged from of 0.1 to 2.39 individuals / 100 km², and derived CAPTURE (MMDM) population density estimates using a regional buffer (5.76 km, n = 19), were between 0.52 and 2.86 individuals / 100 km².

(Conclusions):  These results are especially relevant for the development of conservation strategies and evaluations for this threatened species, and also underline the importance of the transboundary Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape as a population stronghold for jaguars in the region.

Keywords: Bolivia; camera traps; capture-recapture; mean distance; Peru