Southeast Asian Felids

APPROACH

Landscape connectivity Decision Support System

WildCRU, in partnership with University of Arizona and supported by NASA, has facilitated the development of a web-based Decision Support System (DSS) that uses cutting edge modelling to quantify landscape connectivity for a wide range of priority species. Currently the functionality of the DSS relies upon existing species distribution models or habitat suitability models. Existing models are either uploaded by end-users, or alternatively demonstration models based on WildCRU research from the region are available. The automated software calculates connectivity and ranks core areas and corridors that are most important for target species under current and proposed land use scenarios. For example, connectivity and rank of core areas and corridors can be re- calculated to assess the impact of an additional protected area, or a new infrastructure development. These results are displayed on a map window in the DSS and can be downloaded as spatial files. Spatially explicit population genetic modelling is also available in the dashboard. The system is expected to enhance inter-agency collaboration and improve geographical prioritization of existing and planned activities related to protected areas and other land use change scenarios. The modelling approach developed by our Southeast Asia felid team is being applied in other WildCRU programmes, including for the Trans Kalahari Predator Programme and Scottish wildcat Programme.

Simulating species recovery

While viable populations of clouded leopards may remain in some regions, others have undergone catastrophic declines and the mainland species has probably been extirpated from Vietnam, most of China, and Taiwan. However, with decades-long hunting restriction and forest restoration, many of Taiwan’s large mammals are thought to be recovering, which highlights the possibility of reintroducing the clouded leopard to Taiwan. Research led by our DPhil student, Yi-Feng Wang, represents the first comprehensive effort to explore the feasibility of their recovery. Building out from our  camera survey data across the existing range, our habitat models indicate that 38% of Taiwanese territory is potentially suitable habitat for the clouded leopard, of which 46% is under protection. We are simulating recovery of other species including tigers, Arabian leopards and Indochinese leopards using population genetic and connectivity modelling approaches.

Behavioural ecology

In our long term study on Sabah, Malaysian Borneo in addition to camera trapping, we live-trap Sunda clouded leopard so that we can fit satellite collars and sample their blood to inform our understanding of their behavioural ecology and genetics. We have employed state-of-the-art genomic sequencing technology and have produced the first genomic assemblies of wild-caught Sunda clouded leopards led by doctoral student, Chrishen Gomez. We survey little known species from the region such as Bornean ferret badger in the Western mountain massif and the flat-headed cat in Brunei. We are using our extensive camera trap database from across the whole Southeast Asia region, which has amassed more than 2 million images, to understand the habitat relationships for small felids such as golden cat, marbled cat and leopard cat, other carnivores and also prey communities.