Publications
Applying a random encounter model to estimate lion density from camera traps in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
A novel approach using the random encounter model (REM) to estimate lion density from camera trap data, without requiring individual recognition, was applied for the first time in Serengeti National Park. The study found that restricting REM estimates to night-time events significantly reduced bias compared to all photographic events, suggesting that animal movement patterns relative to cameras can impact density estimates. This method offers a promising alternative for large carnivore studies but requires reliable measures of movement speed and camera detection zones for accurate results.
Long‐term trends in carnivore abundance using distance sampling in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
A study analyzing long-term trends in carnivore abundance in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, reveals significant declines in the densities of golden jackals, black-backed jackals, and bat-eared foxes over a span of decades. Using distance-based transect counts from 2002 to 2005 and adjusted historical data from fixed-width transects conducted in 1977 and 1986, researchers were able to detect these changes despite wide confidence intervals. The study highlights the effectiveness of distance-sampling methods for monitoring multiple carnivore species simultaneously, providing critical insights for conservation management. Notably, abrupt declines of up to 20% in frequently observed species like lions, spotted hyenas, and golden jackals can be detected through long-term monitoring, although larger declines may go unnoticed for less common species.
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