# Density and Coexistence Patterns of an Apex Carnivore (Panthera pardus) and a Mesocarnivore (Caracal aurata) in Northern Congo Forests

## TL;DR

Leopards and African golden cats in Congo coexist mainly by eating different prey sizes, despite sharing similar habitats and activity times.

## Contribution

This study provides the first leopard density estimates in northern Congo and identifies trophic partitioning as the key coexistence mechanism.

## Key findings

- Leopard densities in northern Congo are higher than in other Central and East African regions.
- Leopards and golden cats show significant dietary differences, with leopards eating larger prey and golden cats smaller prey.
- Fine-scale avoidance near rivers and roads suggests some spatial partitioning, but overall coexistence is driven by diet.

## Abstract

Carnivores interact with one another and reduce competition by partitioning space, time, and/or food. In Central African rainforests, leopards are the dominant carnivore, while African golden cats are a subordinate medium-sized carnivore. Until now, little was known about how these two species manage to coexist. Using camera traps and genetic scat analyses from two sites in northern Congo, this study provided the first leopard density estimates for the region and examined how these two wild cats share space, time, and food. Leopards were found at relatively high densities compared to other regions of Central and East Africa. The two species often used the same areas and were active at similar times, showing little evidence of avoiding each other. However, along rivers and roads where both species were most common, they were less likely to be detected together, suggesting some fine-scale avoidance. In contrast, their diets differed significantly: leopards mainly consumed larger animals (>20 kg), such as red river hogs, while golden cats fed on smaller prey (≤5 kg), like rodents. This dietary difference appears to be the main way they reduce competition. Maintaining diverse prey and minimizing human disturbance are essential to maintaining both species and the ecological balance they support.

Understanding how carnivores coexist is central to ecological theory and conservation. Coexistence among sympatric species arises through niche partitioning across spatial, temporal, and trophic dimensions, yet these mechanisms remain poorly explored in Central African forests where leopards (Panthera pardus) and African golden cats (Caracal aurata) act as dominant and subordinate carnivores. Using camera trap data and molecular scat analyses from two sites in northern Congo, we provided the first robust leopard density estimates for the region (i.e., semideciduous forests in Central Africa) and assessed coexistence mechanisms between the two felids across spatial, temporal, and trophic axes. Spatially explicit capture–recapture models revealed comparable leopard densities across sites (5–6 individuals/100 km2), exceeding the regional average for Central and East Africa. Spatiotemporal occupancy models indicated spatial and temporal overlap, with no evidence of predictive or reactive temporal avoidance, though fine-scale co-occurrence declined near linear forest features (i.e., main rivers and roads) where both species’ marginal occupancy was highest. Conversely, dietary analyses showed trophic segregation: leopards consumed medium- to large-sized ungulates (>20 kg), whereas golden cats relied on smaller prey (≤5 kg), identifying trophic partitioning as the main axis facilitating coexistence in this prey-rich system. Maintaining prey diversity and minimizing disturbance are key to sustaining both species and their coexistence mechanisms. Such multidimensional approaches are essential to understand intraguild interactions and anticipate community shifts under increasing pressure.