IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Tewes, M.E.; Hornocker, M.G.; Grassman, L.; Caso, A.; Janecka, J.; Blankenship, T. | |
| Effects of Drought on Wild Cats | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Drought can have significant impacts on the population ecology of wild cats in arid and semi-arid environments. We used long-term studies of ocelot (_Leopardus pardalis_; 25 years) and bobcat (_Lynx rufus_; 8 years) to illustrate a precipitation-prey-cat model and the biological consequences of moderate to severe drought on wild cats. Drought can reduce prey abundance, which can yield insufficient energy, protein, and possibly vitamin A for wild cats. These reduced nutritional levels can be manifested in changes of optimal foraging patterns (e.g., prey switching, functional and numerical responses) of wild cats and changes in spatial patterns, habitat use, health, reproduction, and survival. The potential mechanistic trigger of insufficient vitamin A also will be identified. Conservation strategies derived from application of this drought-prey-cat model will be examined, including management of prey habitat and possible prey supplementation in selective situations. Finally, the potential application of this model to other felids in arid and semi-arid environments will be described, including tiger (_Panthera tigris_) in southwest Asia, serval (_Leptailurus serval_) in Africa, cougar (_Puma concolor_) in North America, and pampas cat (_Oncifelis colocolo_) in South America, with suggestions for future research. |
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