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du Preez, B.; Loveridge, A.J.; MacDonald, D.W.
Making the best of camera-trap surveys in an imperfect world: a reply to Balme et al
2014 Biological Conservation (179): 146-147
Big cats are wide-ranging and occur at low densities; consequently, confidence in the results of traditional camera-trap surveys is generally limited by low capture rates. However, by using bait, we recorded 645 independent detections in a single 50-day baited camera-trap survey, whilst unbaited surveys at the same site yielded only 111 detections over the same period (du Preez et al., 2014). Baiting increases capture frequency and capture probability - both of which are fundamental parameters for calculating accurate and precise population density estimates. Furthermore, our findings suggested that cubs and camera-shy individuals, which remained undetected in unbaited camera-trap surveys, were more likely to be recorded in baited surveys.
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