Abstract:
The ability to determine the prey-specific biomass
intake of large predators is fundamental to their conservation.
In the absence of actual prey data, researchers
generally use a “unit mass” method (estimated as 3/4 adult
female mass) to calculate the biomass intake of predators.
However, differences in prey preference and range across
geographic regions are likely to have an influence on biomass
calculations. Here we investigate the influence of
estimated prey mass on leopard biomass calculations, and
subsequent carrying capacity estimates, in an understudied
mountain population. Potential leopard feeding sites were
identified using global positioning system (GPS) location
clusters obtained from GPS collars. We investigated 200
potential leopard feeding sites, of which 96 were actual
feeding sites. Jaw bones, horns, hooves, and other indicative
bones were used to determine gender and age of prey items,
which were subsequently used to calculate mass of each
prey item based on previously published values. There were
significant differences in the biomass values calculated using
the traditional unit mass method and the calculated prey
masses obtained from leopard feeding sites. However, there
were no considerable differences in the carrying capacity
estimates using the preferred prey species model and
leopard density estimates calculated using a non-biased
spatial approach, which suggests that estimating carnivore
carrying capacity based on 3/4 adult female masses is a
reliable method also for the mountain population in this
study.
