27/03/2026
Back-to-back research publications! 🎉📚
Our latest study titled “Jungle Cats and Leopard Cats: Distribution, Occupancy Modeling, and Activity Patterns in Bardia National Park, Nepal” has been published in Ecology and Evolution.
Using extensive camera trap data from Bardia National Park, this research explores the distribution, habitat use, and daily activity patterns of two sympatric small felids—jungle cat (Felis chaus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). The study applied occupancy modeling and activity pattern analysis to understand how environmental factors and predator presence influence these species. Findings highlight that both species are largely nocturnal with high temporal overlap, while showing spatial segregation across habitats, contributing important baseline knowledge for small cat conservation in western Nepal.
Congratulations to all the authors and collaborators for this valuable contribution to small carnivore ecology and conservation in Nepal. 👏
Jyoti Sharma Rabin KC Narayan Gautam Morten Odden Bed Kumar Dhakal Ajit Tumbahangphe Naresh Subedi
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73305
Camera trap captured photographs from the study area, on the left is the jungle cat, and on the right is the leopard cat.