Estimating occupancy of a data deficient mammalian species living in tropical rainforests: Sun bears in the Kerinci Seblat region, Sumatra

Tropical mammals represent some of the most threatened species, but also the least known because they tend to be difficult to study. To objectively evaluate the conservation status of these species, standardized methods are urgently required. The sun bear Helarctos malayanus is a case in point: it is cryptic, difficult to detect and consequently classified on the IUCN Red List as Data Deficient, and the highest priority for bear conservation research. In this study, we apply a detection/non-detection sampling technique using camera trap data with environmental covariates to estimate sun bear occupancy from three tropical forest study areas with different levels of degradation and protection status in Sumatra. Sun bear detections, and encounter rates, were highest in one of the primary forest study areas, but sun bear occupancy was highest in the degraded forest study area. Whilst, sun bears were recorded at a greater proportion of camera placements in degraded forest, these records were often on only one occasion at each placement, which greatly increased the final occupancy estimate. Primary forests with their large fruiting trees undoubtedly represent good sun bear habitat, but our results indicate that degraded forest can also represent important habitat. These forests should therefore not be considered as having limited conservation value and assigned to other uses, such as oil palm production, as has previously happened in Sumatra. Estimating occupancy between years will yield information on the population trends of sun bears and other tropical mammals, which can be used to provide more reliable conservation assessments.     

CASE REPORT: Medical and surgical management of severe inflammation of the nictitating membrane in a Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

A 10‐year‐old male giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) presented for severe, acute swelling and protrusion of the right nictitating membrane, unresponsive to topical therapy. Excisional biopsy of the nictitating membrane and its associated lacrimal gland was elected due to necrosis and friability of the tissue. Histopathology revealed suppurative, necrotizing conjunctivitis and dacryoadenitis. Culture grew Stenotrophomonas maltophila and Enterococcus spp with extensive antibiotic resistance. Treatment with topical and systemic antibiotics based on sensitivity results was initiated. All treatments were well tolerated. Healing was uncomplicated with no recurrence of the lesion and no clinical evidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Ophthalmic exams and Schirmer tear tests performed opportunistically during postoperative anesthetic procedures were unremarkable, confirming that excision of the nictitating membrane had not caused clinically significant detrimental effects. The etiology of this lesion remains undetermined, but trauma is suspected. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of nictitating membrane pathology and excision in the giant panda.