Abundance of the exploited red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina Rodentia: Dasyproctidae) on the island of Trinidad

Despite their economic, ecological and cultural importance, few studies have examined the population size, distribution and trends of the red-rumped agouti ( Dasyprocta leporina ) on the island of Trinidad. This study reports densities of agouti on Trinidad during a three-year period, including two years of a moratorium on hunting. Diurnal transect surveys were conducted and density estimates were calculated using the DISTANCE programme and King’s Estimator. Density varied between 7 and 44 individuals/km 2 between different sites, 19–28 individuals/km 2 island-wide, and with two of four sites showing a potential decline in estimated density in the final year of sampling after hunting resumed.