Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Estimation of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) population in the Doñana area, SW Spain, using capture–recapture analysis of camera-trapping data

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Wildlife Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) has a highly restricted geographic distribution, limited even within the Iberian Peninsula. The last national survey reported less than 200 remaining individuals, distributed in two isolated areas—Andújar-Cardeña and Doñana—and in consequence, the Iberian lynx was listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as “Critically Endangered”. In this study, we estimate the Iberian lynx population size in the Doñana area using capture–recapture analysis of camera-trapping data. A model with different capture probability for each individual (Mh) yielded an estimate of 26 Iberian lynxes (SE = 5.26) more than 1 year old. It is considered that a small slant in the estimation of the number of individuals could exist due to the presence of dispersers inside the study area that were not detected. Our study shows: (1) a reduction in number since the 1980s (45 individuals), and falling below the theoretical threshold of genetic viability, (2) changes in the species’ spatial distribution in this area, and (3) as for other carnivore species, photographic capture–recapture methods are applicable for estimating the size of Iberian lynx populations

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anon (1989) Plan Nacional de Coordinación de Doñana y su entorno. Consejería de obras Públicas y Transporte. Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla

  • Burnham KP, Overton WS (1979) Robust estimation of population size when capture probabilities vary among animals. Ecology 60:927–936

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cabrera A (1914) Fauna ibérica. Mamíferos. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid

  • Curtis PD, Boldgiv B, Mattison PM, Boulanger JR (2009) Estimating deer abundance in suburban areas with infrared-triggered cameras. Hum Wildl Conf 3:116–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Cutler TL, Swann DE (1999) Using remote photography in wildlife ecology: a review. Wildl Soc Bul 27:571–581

    Google Scholar 

  • Efford MG, Warburton B, Coleman MC, Barker RJ (2005) A field test of two methods for density estimation. Wildl Soc Bul 33:731–738

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreras P (2001) Landscape structure and asymmetrical inter-patch connectivity in a metapopulation of the endangered Iberian lynx. Biol Conserv 100:125–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreras P, Aldama J, Beltrán JF, Delibes M (1997) Spatial organization and land tenure system of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), Temminck, 1824). J Zool 243:163–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franklin IR (1980) Evolutionary change in small populations. In: Soule ME, Wilcox BA (eds) Conservation biology, an evolutionary-ecological perspective. Sinauer, Sunderland, pp 135–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrote G, García FJ, Guzmán JN, Perez de Ayala C, Iglesias C, Pereira P, Robles F (2001) Aplicación de técnicas de autofotografía en trabajos de conservación de especies amenazadas. El caso del lince ibérico (Lynx pardinus). VI jornadas de la Sociedad Española de Conservación y Estudio de Mamíferos. Vitoria-Gasteiz

  • Gibbs JP (2000) Monitoring populations. In: Boitani L, Fuller TK (eds) Research techniques in animal ecology. Columbia University Press, New York, pp 213–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Graells MP (1897) Fauna mastozoologica ibérica. Mem Rea Aca Ciencias XVII. Madrid

  • Guzmán JN, García FJ, Garrote G, Pérez de Ayala R, Iglesias C (2004) El lince ibérico (Lynx pardinus) en España y Portugal. Censo diagnóstico de sus poblaciones. Dirección General para la Biodiversidad. Madrid

  • Heilbrun RD, Silvy NJ, Peterson MJ, Tewes ME (2006) Estimating bobcat abundance using automatically triggered cameras. Wildl Soc Bul 34:69–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hemker TP, Lindzey FG, Ackerman BB (1984) Population characteristics and movenments patterns of cougars in southern Utah. J Wildl Manag 48:1275–1284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henschel P, Ray J (2003) Leopards in African rainforests: survey and monitoring techniques. WCS Global Carnivore Program. Wildlife Conservation Society

  • IUCN (2002) 2002 IUCN red list of threatened animals. IUCN, Gland and Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN (2007) 2007 IUCN red list of threatened animals. IUCN, Gland and Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson RM, Roe JD, Wangchuk R, Hunter DO (2006) Estimating snow leopard population abundance using photography and capture–recapture techniques. Wildl Soc Bul 34:772–781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson HA, Kroll JC, Browning RW, Koerth BH, Conway MH (1997) Infrared-triggered cameras for censusing white-tailed deer. Wildl Soc Bul 25:547–556

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiménez MA, Sánchez B, Pérez Alenza MD, García P, López JV, Rodriguez A, Munóz A, Martínez F, Vargas A, Peña L (2008) Membranous glomerulonephritis in the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Vet Immunol Immunopathol 121:34–43

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karanth KU, Nichols JD (1998) Estimation of tiger densities in India using photographic captures and recaptures. Ecology 79:2852–2862

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karanth KU, Nichols JD (eds) (2002) Monitoring tigers and their prey: a manual for researchers, managers and conservationists in tropical Asia. Centre for Wildlife Studies, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly MJ, Noss AJ, Arispe L, Di Bitetti M, De Angelo CD, Paviolo A, Di Blanco YE, Maffei L (2008) Estimating puma densities from remote cameras across three study sites: Bolivia, Argentina, and Belize. J Mammal 89:408–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lancia RA, Nichols JD, Pollock KH (1994) Estimating the number of animals in wildlife populations. In: Bookhout TA (ed) Research and management techniques for wildlife and habitats. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, pp 215–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebreton JD, Brunham KP, Clobert J, Anderson DR (1992) Modeling survival and testing biological hypotheses using marked animals: a unified approach with case studies. Ecol Monogr 62:67–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez-Bao JV, Rodrıguez A, Palomares F (2008) Behavioural response of a trophic specialist, the Iberian lynx, to supplementary food: patterns of food use and implications for conservation. Biol Conserv 141:1857–1867

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell-Jones AJ, Amori G, Bogdanowicz W, Krystufek B, Reijnders PJH, Spitzenberger F, Stubbe J, Thissen JBM, Vohralik V, Zima J (1999) The atlas of European mammals. T. and A. D. Poyser Ltd./Societas Europaea Mammalogica, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray DL, Fuller MR (2000) A critical review of the effects of marking on the biology of vertebrates. In: Boitani L, Fuller TK (eds) Research techniques in animal ecology. Columbia University Press, New York, pp 15–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Otis DL, Burnham G, White C, Anderson DR (1978) Statistical inference from capture data on closed animal populations. Wildl Monogr 62:1–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Palomares F, Rodriguez A, Laffite R, Delibes M (1991) The status and distribution of the Iberian Lynx Felis pardina (Temminck) in Coto de Doñana, SW Spain. Biol Conserv 57:159–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palomares F, Ferreras P, Fedriani JM, Delibes M (1996) Spatial relationships between Iberian lynx and other carnivores in an area of south-western Spain. J App Ecol 33:5–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palomares F, Delibes M, Ferreras P, Fedriani JM, Calzada J, Revilla E (2000) Iberian lynx in a fragmented landscape: predispersal, dispersal, and postdispersal habitats. Cons Biol Vol 14(3):809–818

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palomares F, Delibes M, Revilla E, Calzada J, Fedriani JM (2001) Spatial ecology of Iberian lynx and abundance of European rabbits in southwester Spain. Wildl Monogr 148:1–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Peña L, García P, Jiménez MA, Benito A, Pérez Alenza MD, Sánchez B (2006) Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings in lymphoid tissues of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Comp Immunol Microbial Infect Dis 29:114–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson MN, Lopez RR, Frank PA, Peterson MJ, Silvy NJ (2003) Evaluating capture methods for urban white-tailed deer. Wildl Soc Bul 31:1176–1187

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollock KH, Nichols JD, Brownie C, Hines JE (1990) Statistical inference for capture–recapture experiments. Wildl Monogr 107:1–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Rau JR, Beltrán JF, Delibes M (1985) Can the increase of fox density explain the decrease in lynx numbers at Doñana? Rev Ecol (Terre vie) 40:145–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Rexstad E, Burnham KP (1991) User’s guide for interactive program CAPTURE. Abundance estimation of closed populations. Colorado State University, Colorado

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivas-Martínez S (1987) Memoria del Mapa de Series de Vegetación de España. 1: 400000. ICONA, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez A, Delibes M (1992) Current range and status of the Iberian lynx Felis pardina Temminck, 1824 in Spain. Biol Conserv 61:189–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez A, Delibes M (2003) Population fragmentation and extinction in the Iberian lynx. Biol Conserv 109:321–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seber GAF (1982) The estimation of animal abundance and related parameters, 2nd edn. MacMillan, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer ML, Samson FB (1985) Population size and extintion: a note on determining critical population sizes. Amer Nat 125:144–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silver SC, Ostr LET, Marsh LK, Maffei L, Noss AJ, Kelly MJ, Wallace RB, Gomez H, Ayala G (2004) The use of camera traps for estimating jaguar Panthera onca abundance and density using capture/recapture analysis. Oryx 38:148–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simón MA (2008) Currente status of Iberian lynx in Andalusia. Proceedings of the III Iberian lynx International Seminar. Andalusia Government, IUCN/SC Cats Specialist Group

  • Soisalo MS, Cavalcanti SMC (2006) Estimating the density of a jaguar population in the Brazilian Pantanal using camera-traps and capture-recapture sampling in combination with GPS radio-telemetry. Biol Conserv 129:487–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soulé ME (1980) Thresholds for survival: maintaining fitness and evolutionary potential. In: Soulé ME, Wilcox BA (eds) Conservation biology: an evolutionary–ecological perspective. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, pp 151–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Trolle M, Kéry M (2003) Estimation of ocelot density in the pantanal using capture–recapture analysis of camera-trapping data. J Mamm 84:607–614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valverde JA (1963) Información sobre el lince en España. Min Agric Bol Tec, Ser Cinegética, 1

  • Villafuerte R, Calvete C, Gortázar C, Moreno S (1994) First epizooty of rabbit haemorragic disease on free living populations at Doñana National Park (SW Spain). J Wildl Dis 30:176–179

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • White GC, Burnham KP (1999) Program MARK: survival estimation from populations of marked animals. Bird Study 46:120–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zielinski WJ, Kucera TE (1995) American Marten, Fisher, Lynx, and Wolverine: survey methods for their detection. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PSW GTR-157

Download references

Acknowledgments

The fieldwork and the economic support was possible through the collaboration between the Dirección General de Conservación de la Naturaleza (DGCONA-MIMAM, project “Censo-Diagnóstico de las Poblaciones de Lince Ibérico en la Península Ibérica”), Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales-Doñana, Parque Natural de Doñana, Delegación Provincial de Medioambiente de Huelva, and TRAGSA. We thank JA Blanco “J”, E Virgós, JLTellería, and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments, and also Ramón Pérez de Ayala Giménez, Ricardo Balzola, John Muddeman, and Yolanda Cortés who helped with the translation.

Author information

Author notes

  1. German Garrote

    Present address: Vertebrate Biology and Conservation UCM Research Group, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dirección General para la Biodiversidad, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid, Spain

    German Garrote, Ramon Perez de Ayala, Nicolas Guzman, Francisco J. García, Maria C. Iglesias & Jaime Hervás

  2. Parque Nacional de Doñana, Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales, MIMAM, Andalusia, Spain

    Pablo Pereira & Francisco Robles

  3. Delegación Provincial de Huelva, Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía, Huelva, Spain

    Iñigo Fajardo

  4. Parque Natural de Doñana, Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía, Andalusia, Spain

    Manuel Simón & Jose L. Barroso

Authors
  1. German Garrote
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ramon Perez de Ayala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pablo Pereira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Francisco Robles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Nicolas Guzman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Francisco J. García
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Maria C. Iglesias
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jaime Hervás
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Iñigo Fajardo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Manuel Simón
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Jose L. Barroso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to German Garrote.

Additional information

Communicated by C. Gortázar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Garrote, G., Perez de Ayala, R., Pereira, P. et al. Estimation of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) population in the Doñana area, SW Spain, using capture–recapture analysis of camera-trapping data. Eur J Wildl Res 57, 355–362 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0440-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0440-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation