Uso de Catnip (Nepeta cataria) como atrayente para felinos silvestres en la Reserva Ecológica Comunal Loma Alta, Santa Elena- Ecuador

Abstract

The study and monitoring of wild felines in their natural habitat are complicated due to their cryptic nature. The use of Nepeta cataria, or "catnip," has been shown to be effective as a lure in approximately 70% of the sampled felines, both domestic and wild. This research was conducted in the Loma Alta Community Ecological Reserve (RECLA) where three types of felids were studied: ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), margay (Leopardus wiedii), and jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), classified as near-threatened species on the Ecuador Mammal Red List. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Nepeta cataria as an attractant for wild felines, using camera trapping. For this purpose, 10 camera traps were installed at specific stations for monitoring wildlife, keeping them active from December 2023 to February 2024. The results showed no significant difference in any of the studied feline species, achieving an equal capture rate compared to previous works where no attractant was used. These results could have been affected by the concentration and presentation of Nepeta cataria (dehydrated) and its perishability under adverse climatic conditions, differing from other studies where similar attractants have been used, achieving positive effects on feline capture. It is recommended to improve the concentration and presentation of the plant, making it more attractive to wild felines, along with an increase in monitoring time and the implementation of other attraction methods to evaluate the effectiveness of catnip. Keywords: Nepeta cataria, Catnip, wild felines, camera trapping