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Language: English
Volume 4 in this series reports results from three studies
Movements and Prey Selection of the Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in a Subtropical Evergreen Forest in Southern Thailand:
The ecology of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), was studied for nineteen months in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Petchaburi Province, Thailand. Four adult leopard cats were live-trapped, radio collared and tracked from June, 1996 through May, 1997. Radio-telemetry data focused on home range size, daily movements and activity. Data on prey selection was gathered via fecal collection in the field and identification with reference collection beginning November, 1995. The results indicate that leopard cats occupied overall home range sizes of 2.3 to 5.4 km2, showed a mean daily movement of 0.80 km, and exhibited an arrhythmic activity pattern dominated by crepuscular and nocturnal tendencies. One female leopard cat home range was encompassed within a male’s home range by 72 %, while other males showed little or no intraspecific overlap. Leopard cats utilized rodents intensively with Rattus spp. and Mus spp. accounting for 36 % of total diet. Comparisons between this study and a previous similar study in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani Province, indicate that fluctuations in seasonal home range size, activity pattern and diet were less marked in Kaeng Krachan leopard cats. Seasonal change and environmental stresses (fire and floods) were less severe in Kaeng Krachan National Park than in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, and these factors in addition to variation in forest type are likely responsible for these ecological differences.
Movements and Fruit Selection of Two Paradoxurinae Palm Civet Species in a Subtropical Evergreen Forest in Southern Thailand:
The ecology of two Paradoxurinae palm civet species was studied for nineteen months in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Petchaburi Province, Thailand. Three adult common palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and one adult masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) were live-trapped, radio collared and tracked from December, 1995 through May, 1997. Radio-telemetry data focused on home range size, daily movements and activity. Data on fruit selection was gathered via fecal collection in the field and identification with reference collection beginning November, 1995. The results indicate that Palm civets occupied overall home range sizes of 1.1 to 5.9 km2, were predominantly nocturnal in activity, and exhibited a mean daily movement of 0.49 km. Palm civets were shown to feed on at least thirteen fruit species dominated by Ficus spp. (24 %). Comparisons between this study and a previous similar study in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani Province, indicate that fluctuations in seasonal home range size, activity pattern and diet were less marked in Kaeng Krachan palm civets. Seasonal change and environmental stresses (fire and floods) were less severe in Kaeng Krachan National Park than in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, and these factors in addition to variation in forest type are likely responsible for these ecological differences.
Ecology and Behaviour of the Indochinese Leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) in a Subtropical Evergreen Forest in Southern Thailand:
The ecology of the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri), was studied for nineteen months in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Petchaburi Province, Thailand. Three adult leopards were live-trapped, radio collared and tracked from February, 1996 through May, 1997. Radio-telemetry data focused on home range size, daily movements and activity. Data on prey selection was gathered via fecal collection in the field and identification with reference collection beginning November, 1995. The results indicate that leopards occupied overall home range sizes of 8.8 to 18 km2, showed a mean daily movement of 1.88 km, and exhibited arrhythmic activity dominated by nocturnal and crepuscular tendencies. Overlapping home ranges >40 % were recorded between two males and between a male and female. Leopard diet was dominated by hog badger (Arctonyx collaris) (45.9 %), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) (20.9 %) and wild pig (Sus scrofa) (6.3 %). Comparisons between this study and a previous similar study in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani Province, indicate that fluctuations in seasonal home range size, activity pattern and diet were less marked in Kaeng Krachan leopards. Seasonal change and environmental stresses (fire and floods) were less severe in Kaeng Krachan National Park than in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, and these factors in addition to variation in forest type are likely responsible for these ecological differences.
