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Rostro-Garcia, S.; Kamler, J.F.; Crouthers, R.; Prum, S.; Caragiulo, A.; MacDonald, D.W.
Population trends and sexual differences in diet of the Indochinese leopard in eastern Cambodia
2016  Conference Proceeding

We examined that long-term population trends of an isolated population of the Indochinese leopard (_Panthera pardus delacouri_) at two sites in eastern Cambodia: Mondulkiri Protection Forest (MPF) and adjacent Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary (PPWS). We also investigated sexual and individual differences in diet based on DNA analysis of 83 scats. In 2016 we camera trapped at both sites, and preliminary results showed the leopard population in MPF decreased ca. 50% from 2014 and ca. 85% from 2009, indicating this population is rapidly declining. Camera trapping in PPWS is still underway, and results will be compared to that obtained in 2013. Overall, the leopard diet was diverse, but surprisingly the main prey (40% of biomass consumed) was banteng (Bos javanicus; 600-800 kg), making this the only known leopard population in the world whose main prey was >500 kg. There were significant differences in diet between sexes, as males consumed mostly banteng (62% of biomass consumed) and few muntjac (_Muntiacus muntjak_; 6%), whereas females consumed mostly muntjac (54%) and few banteng (<1%). Among individual males, amount of banteng in diets ranged from 0-72%, indicating some males specialized in preying on banteng, whereas other males avoided banteng. We conclude that the leopard is an important apex predator in eastern Cambodia, and it likely has expanded its dietary niche after the recent extirpation of tiger (_Panthera tigris_). However, this important population of Indochinese leopard is heading towards extinction, so better enforcement needs to be immediately provided in these areas.

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