Population density of the Leopardus wiedii “tigrillo” in the Botanical Garden and Research Center Lancetilla, Tela, Atlántida, Honduras, C.A

Abstract

The present study was carried out at the Jardín Botánico y Centro de Investigación Lancetilla (JBL) de la Universidad Nacional de Ciencias Forestales, with the objective of estimating the population density of Leopardus wiedii by implementing the direct observation methodology using photo trapping with the installation of five (5) camera traps. Results obtained showed a relative population density of 0.008%, which represents that this species is found in very low density in the Lancetilla Botanical Garden. The hours of activity of the prey fauna species were between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.; coinciding with the photo trapping obtained in the third sampling where the Leopardus wiedii was observed because the species on which it feeds showed activity at this time of the morning; among the species that serve as food are the Cuniculus paca “tepezcuintle”, Pecari tajacu “mount pig”, confirming that there is a trophic network that sustains it and that the JBL serves as a refuge and is important for its conservation.