Dear Felid Researcher and Conservationist

October 31, 2008

Dear Felid Researcher and Conservationist:

Thank you for agreeing to contribute to the Small Felid Conservation Database (SFCD). The SFCD is a geographic database of localities (points) where scientists may have directly attempted to detect small or medium-sized felids (e.g., clouded leopards) or have indirectly noted their presence or absence through photo trapping (or other means) during research on other organisms during the past ten years. The basic data item is the point observation, defined below. These instructions and definitions are to clarify certain questions within the survey. Please use these definitions when answering the questions. If you have any questions regarding the data form or the database, please e-mail David Reed at .

The data gathered will be used at the upcoming Clouded Leopard and Small Felid Conservation Summit to assess population status and threats and help guide future conservation action. It is hoped that the data might also be of high enough quality to eventually become part of the peer-reviewed scientific literature. Those who provide information will receive an electronic version of the workshop final report, which will include a summary of all data collected.

Instructions for Submission of Observations to the SFCD

Please provide your name, as well as postal and electronic mail (e-mail) addresses. At your option, please also provide the name and addresses of your institutional affiliation. If you complete multiple forms, you need only provide your address and contact information on the first form. However for each new primary observer, please provide full name and contact information. Every piece of information you provide will be attributed with your name and institution in the database. If you do not wish your information shared broadly with the felid community for any reason, please indicate so on the form. The version of the Excel sheet attached to the e-mail is for the clouded leopard. For other species, simply replace the species name on the form with the species you are providing information for.

To email an electronic contribution to the SFCD (which we would prefer), email the completed MS Excel data form and questionnaires to David Reed (), writing your name and SFCD in the subject line of your email message.

Forms can also be completed by hand and mailed to:

Dr. David H. Reed

Department of Biology

University of Mississippi

University, MS, 38677-1848

Fax: +1-622-915-5144

Thank you very much for your help!

Definition of a point observation

For the purposes of the database a “point observation” is defined as the collection of all observations made within a one-year period and with a circular area of 2.5 km radius of the location center, whether or not an individual of the focal species was sighted. The focal species does not need to be observed for the observation to be recorded in the database; only that the focal species or its sign has been searched for using standard scientific methods, as described below. All individual observations made within the one-year period and within 2.5 km of the center coordinates should be compiled as a single observation in the database. The point observation represents the basic analytical unit of the database.

Data Sheet Identification Information

Researcher:

The person identified should be the primary observer of all the observations recorded on the data sheet. If you are reporting observations made by others, they should all be labeled as “reports” under observation method.

Institutional Affiliation: Any institutional affiliation you would like to recognize. Each institution will receive an acknowledgement letter recognizing your contribution to the database.

Contact Information: Please provide full mailing address including all relevant postal codes for the researcher and any institutions and funding sources you designate. Please also provide your email address.

SFCD Database Fields

Space for use of Researcher: This field is to allow space for any internal coding systems used by the researcher. This field is optional.

Dates of first and last observation: For observations compiled over a period of time not exceeding one year, the dates of the first and last observation should be recorded dd/mm/yyyy format. If only observation is made on a single day, then the dates of the first and last observation should be the same.

Estimated number of days in active search: During the review period, how many days were spent actively searching using the given observation methods. This field is meant as an index of search effort (e.g., trap nights).

Longitude and Latitude: Recall that each point observation represents all observations with a 2.5 km radius of the center specified by the longitude and latitude. Longitude and latitude should be expressed in decimal degrees to at least two decimal places and using the standard positive/negative conventions to indicate the appropriate hemisphere. The conversion from Degrees-Minutes-Seconds to Decimal Degrees is to calculate DD = D + M/60 + S/3600. Since clouded leopards and the other small felids, in the wild, are only found in the Eastern hemisphere, all longitude values should be positive between 0 – 180. Latitudes in the northern hemisphere should be signed positive, and latitudes in the southern hemisphere should be signed negative. For example, a point observation centered in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, in Sumatra south of the Equator, would be indicated as longitude = 104.51, latitude = -5.84. If you know the location of your point observation in some other map projection coordinates (for example, UTM), contact your local GIS expert or for assistance to convert your coordinates to latitude/longitude.

Total Area Searched: The total area (in km2) that was actively searched and where evidence for the focal species might have been gathered. Please provide the longitudes and latitudes of the outside perimeter of the area searched in the notes.

Number of Individuals Cited: In the total area searched (see above), how many individuals of the focal species exist in that area.

Evidence of Breeding: Is there any evidence of breeding? 1 = Yes, 0 = No. Positive evidence of breeding includes evidence of cubs, pregnant females, or finding a breeding den. Indicate the type of breeding evidence in the notes field.

Observation Method: Clouded leopards and other small felids can be observed in a variety of different ways, including direct sighting or photography, or indirect evidence like scat or tracks or a kill, and reports from other reliable observers. Standard observation methods are specified on the data form and defined below. In each case, “the researcher” refers to the primary observer who should be identified at the top of the data form. If one or more observation methods are used, indicate the approximate number of observations with each method that applies; if confirmed observations are made with a more reliable method (e.g. photo), the details of less reliable methods (e.g. second hand reports) should be omitted. Note observation method types are ordered in approximate order of reliability. If some other observation method is used, check the “other” box and provide a full definition on the back of the form or in an additional note.

Method Name / Definition
First hand Sighting / The researcher personally saw the focal species and can vouch for its proper identification.
Radiotelemetry / The researcher placed a radiotelemetry or satellite collar on the animal and followed it using standard techniques.
Photograph / The researcher obtained a photograph of the focal species, for example with a camera trap.
Tracks / The researcher observed one or more tracks for the focal species and can vouch for their proper identification.
Scat / The researcher observed one or more scats from the focal species and can vouch for their proper identification.
Heard / The researcher personally heard a clouded leopard or other small felid and can vouch for its proper identification.
Small Felid Mortality / The researcher observed the remains of one of the focal species and can vouch for their proper identification. The type of remains and putative cause is noted in the Observation Method Table.
Prey Kill / The researcher observed the remains of an animal killed by a small felid and can vouch for kill being made by the focal species.
Report (high confidence) / The researcher was told that another person had observed an individual of the focal speices in a reliable way and the researcher places high confidence in the veracity of that observation.
Report (low confidence) / The researcher was told that another person had observed an individual of the focal species in a reliable way, but the researcher is unsure about of the reliability of the observation.
Other / The animal was observed in some other manner which is described fully by the researcher.

Location Method: Similarly there are a variety of standard methods for determining your geographic location. If you use some other method of locating your observation, please check the “other” box and provide a full definition.

Method Name / Definition
Non-differential GPS / The researcher used a global positioning system device without differential correction. Prior to June 2000, the accuracy of such a device was typically 0.1 km. After June 2000, the accuracy of such a device is typically 0.01 km.
Differential GPS / The researcher used a global positioning system device with differential correction.
Satellite collar / The researcher fitted the animal with a satellite collar
Telemetry Fix / The researcher fitted the animal with a VHS type telemetry collar.
Map and Compass / The researcher used a map and compass in the field.
GIS / The researcher used a geographic information system.
Dead Reckoning / The researcher used a map without a compass and after returning from the field.
Second hand Report / The researcher was told where the animal was observed by the person who made the observation.
Third hand Report / The researcher was told where the animal was observed by the some one other than the person who made the observation.
Other / The researcher used a different method which is fully defined in a separate note.

Notes: Any additional note about the observation that you would like to include about this particular observation. Additional information might be about the number of clouded leopards or other small felids you believe you observed at the point, the sex and ages of the animals observed observed, comments about the reliability of the observation, publications or reports resulting from this observation, or any other information you would assist someone else in interpreting your observation. If necessary, attach additional pages of notes, clearly labeling each observation in the note field.

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Instructions and definitions for SFCD Point Locations