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Wildlife Monitoring at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, 2021

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Wildlife detections (photographs) collected from 61 remote cameras at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, March 11–April 25, 2021.
Class Common name Scientific name Number of detections
Mammal unknown jackrabbit Lepus sp. 198
Mammal black-tailed jackrabbit Lepus californicus 115
Mammal mule deer Odocoileus hemionus 90
Mammal coyote Canis latrans 63
Mammal desert cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii 61
Mammal unknown canid Canidae 61
Mammal javelina Pecari tajacu 52
Mammal unknown mammal Mammalia 49
Mammal gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus 43
Mammal bobcat Lynx rufus 16
Mammal unknown fox Urocyon or Vulpes sp. 11
Mammal antelope jackrabbit Lepus alleni 10
Mammal white-tailed deer Ococoileus virginianus 6
Mammal kit fox Vulpes macrotis 5
Mammal American badger Taxidea taxus 4
Mammal bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis 4
Mammal rock squirrel Spermophilus variegatus 3
Mammal Sonoran pronghorn Antilocapra americana sonoriensis 3
Mammal Harris's antelope squirrel Ammospermophilus harrisii 2
Mammal unknown deer Odocoileus sp. 2
Mammal western spotted skunk Spilogale gracilis 1
Total mammals -- -- 799
Bird Gambel's quail Callipepla gambelii 4
Bird common raven Corvus corax 3
Bird unknown bird Aves 2
Bird red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis 1
Total non-mammals -- -- 10
Total -- -- 809


At 24 camera locations, at least one species was detected that had not been previously detected at those sites, indicating an increase in wildlife activity at site-specific locations. Notable detections included American badger (Taxidea taxus), antelope jackrabbit (Lepus alleni), bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis), western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). These species were all detected at new locations during the 2021 sampling window. It is an encouraging sign that these species are active within Organ Pipe Cactus NM, because they are generally uncommon or even rare to observe at the monument.

The number of statistically significant wildlife photos (i.e., photos containing an animal) collected from sampling at Organ Pipe Cactus NM has ranged from 575 to 3,738 annually. We currently have five years of data (2016–2021, excluding 2019 due to the federal government shutdown).

Chart showing occupancy decreasing with increasing slope
Occupancy probability of black-tailed jackrabbit in response to slope at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Occupancy probability decreased with increasing slope within the monument (the average is illustrated in green and the standard error is illustrated in gray).

Single-season, single species analysis example

At left is the output for a single-season, single-species occupancy model for black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) in Organ Pipe Cactus NM, based on SODN’s terrestrial mammal data collected in 2021. This model illustrates the significant influence of slope on the occupancy probability of black-tailed jackrabbit. More specifically, the model shows occupancy of black-tailed jackrabbit decreasing as slope increases. In the flatter areas of Organ Pipe Cactus NM, occupancy probability of black-tailed jackrabbit is high (60–87% occupied). However, the occupancy probability of black-tailed jackrabbit drops significantly (less than 25%) in steep areas (above 12 degrees incline) within the monument.

The model suggests that black-tailed jackrabbit prefer to inhabit flatter areas over steeper areas in Organ Pipe Cactus NM. This is likely because the flatter areas provide easier access to food, water, and cover compared to the monument’s steeper areas that are more barren, rugged, and harder to traverse. This outcome provides park managers with insight into how black-tailed jackrabbit utilize different areas of the monument. The model also illustrates how data from a single sampling period can provide useful information.

Information prepared by Elise Dillingham and Alex Buckisch, Sonoran Desert Network.

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Last updated: February 13, 2023