IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Steinmetz, R.; Seuaturien, N.; Srirattanaporn, S.; Poonnil, B. | |
| Experimental approaches towards tiger recovery in Kuiburi National Park, Thailand | |
| 2010 Full Book | |
Kuiburi National Park in Thailand is part of the Tenasserim Tiger Conservation Landscape, a globally significant region for tigers. This project, ongoing since 2006, combines field research, outreach, and adaptive management directed towards the recovery of tigers and their prey in the park. This report covers the period 2006-2010. We assessed and monitored the status of tigers, other large predators, and their prey, using occupancy and density (derived from sign transects and camera-trapping). We trained and equipped 20 park staff to conduct research, monitoring, and outreach. Tigers use about 50% of the park's area, centered on the central portion of the park, where the abundance and diversity of major prey species (gaur, sambar, pigs, and muntjacs) is highest. This tiger distribution has been stable since 2006, neither expanding nor retracting noticeably. The tiger population is small: estimated abundance in the park is 10 individuals, with a density of 1.0 adult tiger per 100 km2. Tiger abundance has been stable since 2006. Tigers are breeding in the park - 3 cubs have been photographed since 2006. Leopard density is 4.8/100 km2, about five times higher than tiger. Scat analysis indicated that tigers mainly eat small and medium-sized prey, particularly wild pig and stump-tailed macaque; this reflects the relative scarcity of large prey (i.e., gaur). Leopard and dhole also target small and medium prey, so there is strong potential for interspecific competition, which might constrain tiger reproduction. Low prey abundance is the main threat to tiger conservation in Kuiburi - the result of decades of hunting for the wildlife trade, for sport, and for food, that predate park establishment. There is no evidence of tiger poaching, and tiger-human conflict (i.e., killing livestock) is uncommon. Thus, prey recovery is the most important action. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |