IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Warren, R.J.; Jordan, J.D.; Griffin, J.C. | |
| Ecology of bobcats on Kiawah Island, South Carolina | |
| 1999 Full Book | |
To gather baseline biological and ecological data on the island's deer herd, the Town of Kiawah Island supported a University of Georgia deer research project that was conducted from 1996-1998. This project (Jordan 1998) determined that the Kiawah Island deer herd was in excellent nutritional and reproductive condition. Jordan (1998) determined deer densities on the island were about 90 deer/mi2. He also determined that bobcat predation on fawns was one ecological force helping to remove deer from the herd. However, he noted that bobcats were more abundant in the less-developed eastern portion of the island than in the more-developed western portion. In addition, he showed that bobcats ate fewer deer fawns in the eastern versus western parts of Kiawah Island. One recommendation from the previous research was to gather more specific data on the behavior and ecology of bobcats on Kiawah Island. There was concern that bobcats might be avoiding the greater level of development and human activity on the western portion of the island, in which case they may be preying less on deer in this portion of the island. A radio-telemetry study designed to specifically compare movement behavior, home range dharacteristics, and survival of bobcats on the western versus eastern portions of Kiawah Island will help predict the future status of bobcats on the island after it is fully developed. |
|
 |
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) |