Mammal Monitoring at Chiricahua National Monument—2024
McIntyre CL , Zylstra E , Callie G , McGeverly J . 2026. Mammal Monitoring at Chiricahua National Monument—2024. Science Report. NPS/SR—2026/506. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2319322
The National Park Service Sonoran Desert Network uses passively triggered remote wildlife cameras to conduct long-term monitoring of large and medium-sized mammals at Chiricahua National Monument. In May–June 2024, network field crews deployed 41 wildlife cameras, which captured a total of 961 photos of mammals. We limited our analyses to the six weeks when most cameras were active. During those six weeks, we obtained 953 photos of eight mammal species plus other mammals we could only identify to genus or family, including cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.). Our cameras also captured small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, but this report does not address those species. We use data from wildlife cameras to estimate how likely a mammal species is to use certain areas of the park, how that use varies over space, and what factors may be driving those patterns. In late spring of 2024, white-tailed deer were more likely to use low-elevation areas in the western portion of the park. White-nosed coatis were more likely to use areas near roads and areas that burned at high severity in the 2011 Horseshoe 2 fire. Cottontails were more likely to occur in low-slope areas of the park. Gray foxes were more likely to use areas near park points of interest where visitors tend to congregate, such as interpretive signs, parking lots, and named rock formations. These points of interest are concentrated along Bonita Canyon Drive. Understanding how landscape features may influence the probability of use by various mammal species can help managers decide how to best manage and protect these species.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- McIntyre, Cheryl; Zylstra, Erin; Callie, Graham; McGeverly, Jessica
- Date of Issue
- 2026-09
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2319322
- Units
- CHIR , SODN
- Keywords
- mammal monitoring, mammals, monitoring, monitoring report, occupancy, terrestrial wildlife, wildlife, wildlife cameras, wildlife monitoring
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals