Abstract:
Ocelots were historically hunted for their skins but habitat loss is now their most serious threat, causing rapid declines in populations throughout their range. Ocelot abundance has been estimated for various locations across the Neotropics, but we still lack this information from some countries, including Ecuador. Knowing whether ocelot abundance is increasing or decreasing is important to assess the conservation status of this species and the conditions of its habitats in the Ecuadorian Amazon and in the region. To determine whether ocelot abundance and its behavior are affected by human-related activities, camera-trap surveys were carried out in two localities of Yasuní National Park (YNP), one that has experienced hunting, oil extraction, and roads (Maxus Road) and one that is largely unaffected by these activities (Lorocachi). During the survey, 35 and 36 individual ocelots were photographed in Maxus Road and Lorocachi, respectively. Population density estimates were similar for both localities, ranging from 0.31 (SE±6) to 0.85 (SE±17) ocelots/km2 in Maxus Road and 0.35 (SE±6) to 0.93 (SE±18) ocelots/km2 in Lorocachi, when using the MMDM and the ½ MMDM to estimate the effective trapping area, respectively. Ocelots were more active during the night than during the day in both study sites, probably reflecting the activity patterns of their prey. Ocelot densities obtained in YNP are among the highest reported within the Neotropics. Yasuní’s large tracts of suitable habitat can provide the resources necessary to support sufficiently large populations of ocelots and other species, and ensure their long-term survival.
