Using automatically triggered cameras to individually identify bobcats

This study evaluated whether bobcats (Lynx rufus) could be photographed effectively using automatically triggered cameras and whether adult bobcats could be individually identified by their natural markings. Active, infrared-triggered cameras were placed randomly along improved and unimproved ranch roads in south Texas at a density of 1/130 ha. We obtained 76 photographs of bobcats, of which 88% contributed to individual identification. The ability to identify bobcats was influenced by the position in which they were photographed. The most common positions enabled the identification of unique pelt and facial markings. Though not symmetrically marked, bobcats were identified using body characteristics and natural markings. The ability to identify bobcats by natural markings can provide an alternative to physical capture for mark-recapture experiments.

Using automatically triggered cameras to individually identify bobcats Academic Article