Meeting Abstract

P1.19  Sunday, Jan. 4  New photographic evidence of the African golden cat (Profelis aurata Temminck, 1827) at Mainaro, Kibale National Park, Uganda. ARONSEN, G. P.; Yale University gary.aronsen@yale.edu

The African golden cat (Profelis aurata Temminck, 1827) is one of the least known felid species. Conflicting data on habitat preferences exist, and scat analyses suggest it prefers small to medium mammalian species as prey. In June 2008, multiple camera traps were placed at the site of Mainaro, within the Kibale National Park of Uganda. A single digital infrared camera trap recorded three images of a golden cat. The cat, presumably the same individual, used the same trail over different nights, suggesting the camera was within the cat’s core range. The Mainaro site consists of a mosaic forest habitat, including mature, disturbed, and colonizing patches. The images were recorded in the mature forest. Duikers and primates are common at Mainaro, which are preferred prey items for the golden cat. The occurrence of the golden cat within this disturbed habitat is a hopeful sign that this species can persist even in small fragmented forests. Continued management and monitoring, combined with new research on golden cat biology and behavior, will maintain and support both the cat population and the park. This research was supported by the Leakey Foundation, the Iowa Great Ape Trust, and the Department of Anthropology, Yale University. This research followed all regulatory and permit requirements of IACUC, Yale University, and the Ugandan government.