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Thailand Small Carnivore and Clouded Leopard Workshop, 24-27 November 2009
Kasetsart University, Faculty of Forestry
Sponsored by:The Clouded Leopard Project
Biodiversity Research and Training Program Thailand
Following the Clouded Leopard and Small Felid Summit held in Bangkok in January 2009, a group of researchers became interested in an analysis of the meta-data that had been
gathered from photo-trapping in Thailand, for
understanding the current status and distribution of small carnivores
exploring the possibility of improving and standardizing ecological survey methods across Thailand
prioritizing research needs within Thailand
integrating conservation efforts within Thailand with efforts in neighboring Laos and Myanmar.
In November 2009, an international workshop was held, bringing together forty individuals with relevant field-collected datasets
to address the following goals:
Review the current status and distribution of small carnivores in Thailand and create a scientific report to the IUCN Small Carnivore Conservation Working Group
The current status and distribution of small carnivores has not been adequately described as in some neighboring countries. This can readily be accomplished during the
workshop. Further, attention must be drawn to the plight of small carnivores in Thailand. A scientific report will help accomplish this.
Compile and prepare existing data for analysis of small carnivores in Thailand
The invitation list to the workshop included all those that are known to have photo-trapped small carnivores in Thailand over the past decade (1999-2009). This extensive
data set, covering surveillance being conducted over multiple reserves, provides a way of updating our knowledge on the status and distribution of small carnivores.
Additionally, it will be a powerful tool for making inferences about habitat use of multiple small carnivores (including clouded leopards), possible effects of densities
of larger carnivores (e.g., leopards and tigers) on densities of smaller carnivores. The data set will also provide a baseline from which to monitor changes in densities
of small carnivores in the future, in particular in response to habitat changes (e.g., edge effects, fragmentation, and habitat restoration).
Identify research needs, including ranking species and regional priorities
Conservation is much more effective when there is a comprehensive plan that all researchers are aware of and in agreement with. Thus, instead of potentially repetitive and
fragmented efforts, cooperation and a multi-regional planning is accomplished. We hope to be able to identify knowledge gaps (e.g., species and regions), rank research priorities
nationally (e.g., photo-trapping in smaller reserves not yet sampled or move towards estimating densities in largest parks), and decide future directions in small carnivore
conservation in Thailand during this meeting. It is important that resources be spent efficiently. For example, various individuals and groups are planning to conduct surveys
and ecological monitoring using camera-traps in Thai reserves. It would be of great value to have high priority species or regions already identified and to be aware of the
studies already conducted or planned so as not to duplicate those efforts.
Develop standard protocols for research projects conducted in Thailand
Several field and analytical methods exist for designing studies and dealing with the data. During the workshop we will explore these methods. Our goal is to both educate
one another about potential methodologies and also to standardize methods to the extent possible to allow for easier integration of data into a data base from which meta-analyses
can be performed.
Expected outputs
A report on the distribution, status, trends, as well as produce an action plan for small mammalian carnivore conservation in Thailand>
Produce an agreement to standardize methods for the study of small carnivores
Initiate a web-based Thailand Small Carnivore Forum to facilitate and encourage discussion and sharing of information among field researchers and experts
Workshop Summary
According to one of the workshop organizers, Dr. David Reed Associate Professor, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, the meeting was even more successful than.
There were some excellent discussions and the data set was quite impressive. Participants are currently working on papers to be published in the near future concerning
what was learned about the status and distribution of all the mammalian carnivore species.
Based on the data, detailed habitat models are being constructed for dhole; clouded leopard, leopard, and tiger; and for numerous other small carnivores. The clouded
leopard, leopard, and tiger are being modeled together. Preliminary analysis suggested very strongly that clouded leopard and tiger are found almost exclusively together
and that leopard densities are strongly negatively correlated with tiger densities. Thus, researchers hypothesize that tigers deter leopards and that leopards depress
clouded leopard densities, so that the presence of tigers and clouded leopards are strongly positively associated with each other. To fully document this, the species
are being modeled together and researchers hope to tease apart whether the correlation is due to direct interaction between the species or if it is partly due to leopards
having a preference for different habitat types.
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