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Estimation of the Population Densities of Species Prey or Competitor to the Leopard (Panthera pardus) in Hyrcan National Park, Azerbaijan

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Abstract

Based on the random encounter model, the population densities of species that are potentially prey or competitor to the leopard (Panthera pardus) were estimated in Hyrcan National Park, Azerbaijan. Data obtained from 18 camera traps were processed, 11 of which were installed in the southern part of the park, and seven of which are in the northern part. The total operating time of the cameras amounted to 3950 traps per day for the period from April 2018 to December 2019. A very high wild boar population density was revealed in the southern part of the park (32.5 ind./1000 ha). On the contrary, no roe deer were recorded in the southern part, while it had a rather low density in the northern part (4.4 ind./1000 ha). The population densities of the golden jackal (0.6 ind./1000 ha), the gray wolf (0.1 ind./1000 ha), the jungle cat (6.7 ind./1000 ha), and the raccoon (46.9 ind./1000 ha ) ranged within the normal limits characteristic of similar populations in other parts of their global distribution. The population densities of the Indian porcupine (9.7 ind./1000 ha) and the brown bear (0.4 ind./1000 ha) seem to have also corresponded to the mountain forest conditions of the study area. From the view point of food supply, the territory of the Hyrcan National Park is quite suitable for permanently supporting 3–4 leopard individuals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. WWF Azerbaijan Office, 1001, Baku, Azerbaijan

    E. Askerov & K. Akhmadova

  2. Institute of Zoology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, 1073, Baku, Azerbaijan

    E. Askerov

  3. Ilia State University, 0162, Tbilisi, Georgia

    E. Askerov & N. Zazanashvili

  4. Tembotov Institute of the Ecology of Mountain Territories, Russian Academy of Sciences, 360051, Nalchik, Russia

    S. A. Trepet & A. B. Pkhitikov

  5. Shaposhnikov Caucasian State Biosphere Nature Reserve, 354340, Sochi, Russia

    S. A. Trepet, T. G. Eskina, K. V. Bibina & A. I. Narkevich

  6. WWF Caucasus Program Office, 0198, Tbilisi, Georgia

    N. Zazanashvili

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  1. E. Askerov
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Askerov, E., Trepet, S.A., Eskina, T.G. et al. Estimation of the Population Densities of Species Prey or Competitor to the Leopard (Panthera pardus) in Hyrcan National Park, Azerbaijan. Biol Bull Russ Acad Sci 49, 953–960 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359022070020

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