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1 March 2013 Evaluation of Camera Trap Surveys for Estimation of Sika Deer Herd Composition
Takashi Ikeda, Hiroshi Takahashi, Tsuyoshi Yoshida, Hiromasa Igota, Koichi Kaji
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Abstract

Camera trap method has been developed for monitoring wildlife, however, most studies using camera trap depend on baited camera sites to attract target wildlife. This is likely to bias estimates of population structure. We evaluated the use of non-baited camera trap for the estimation of herd composition of sika deer (Cervus nippon). Camera trap showed a distinct seasonal pattern in sex ratios (males/100 female), which remained lowest between May and October but increased in November. Sex ratios were influenced by the number of observed males, because the ratios were positively correlated with the number of males but not females. The number of males increased in autumn during rutting season. Fawns/100 female ratios showed a distinct seasonal pattern. Highest and lowest fawns/100 female ratios were obtained in November and May, respectively. The decrease of fawns/100 female ratios in May comparing with that in November may be because of the overwinter mortality of fawns. Camera trap method is superior in term of continuously conduct in long-term, collect reasonable seasonal patterns, automatically record large numbers of sample sizes and useful in all weather conditions.

© The Mammal Society of Japan
Takashi Ikeda, Hiroshi Takahashi, Tsuyoshi Yoshida, Hiromasa Igota, and Koichi Kaji "Evaluation of Camera Trap Surveys for Estimation of Sika Deer Herd Composition," Mammal Study 38(1), 29-33, (1 March 2013). https://doi.org/10.3106/041.038.0103
Received: 10 May 2012; Accepted: 1 November 2012; Published: 1 March 2013
KEYWORDS
Camera trap
fawn/100 female ratio
herd composition
sex ratio
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