Temporal and spatial scarcity of water in semi-arid and seasonal ecosystems often leads to changes in movements and behaviour of large vertebrates, and in the neotropics this dynamic is poorly understood due to logistical and methodological limitations. Here we used camera trapping to elucidate variation in patterns of seasonal use of waterholes and pathways by 10 large-mammal and four large-bird species in the dry forest of north-western Costa Rica. From 2011 to 2015, we deployed trail cameras at 50 locations, including waterholes and three types of pathway (roads, human trails and animal paths). We used Generalized Linear Models to evaluate the effect of location and seasonality on the rates at which independent photographs were taken. We found interacting effects of location and seasonality for the capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus), the tiger heron (Trigrisoma mexicanum), the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the tapir (Tapirus bairdii) suggesting that these species were the most influenced by waterholes during the dry season. Comparison of waterhole sites and specific types of pathways (roads, animal paths and human trails) showed that location influenced photo-capture rates of almost all species, suggesting a useful insight to avoid and account for bias in camera trap studies. Furthering our ecological understanding of seasonal water regimes and large vertebrates’ behaviours allow for better understanding of the consequences of climate change on them.

The use of camera‐trap methods, though important, has pitfalls and inconsistencies such as factors and interactions that may influence species photo rates. Jaguar ( Panthera onca ) camera‐trap studies place cameras at sites where jaguar detections are likely greater (e.g., sites with previous evidence such tracks, feces, and other presence signs), but do not account for potential placement biases. Our study evaluated methodological implications of a paired camera‐trap design at trail and off‐trail locations, and climate seasonality, on photo rates of jaguars, their prey, and competitors. From June 2016 to June 2017, camera traps were deployed at 58 different sites in a hexagon grid array of 3 km ² each in the Sector Santa Rosa (SSR) of Área de Conservación Guancaste in Costa Rica. Half of the cameras were located at a trail location that jaguars were likely to use, and the other half at an off‐trail location closest to each hexagon centroid. We estimated a photographic relative abundance index (RAI; no. of independent photos/100 trap nights) and used Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) to assess statistical evidence of trail location and climate seasonality. With a total effort of 19,408 trap nights, we recorded 12,678 independent photo events of 64 species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. For the 3 bird species and 14 mammal species we focused on, most species‐specific RAIs were greater at trail locations ( n = 8 species, including jaguars and pumas [ Puma concolor ]), some were greater at off‐trail locations ( n = 2 species, including collared peccaries [ Pecari tajacu ]), and there was no discernable location effect for others ( n = 7 species, including tapirs [ Tapirus bairdii ] and white‐tailed deer [ Odocoileus virginianus ]). For jaguars, sex ratio data showed a smaller proportion of males at off‐trail locations. Analysis of competitor and prey interaction data indicated temporal segregation at trail locations. Further jaguar camera‐trap studies should highlight camera placement as important source of bias that might influence results; hence, conservationists must be aware of this to avoid erroneous decisions.

Corcovado National Park (CNP) in Costa Rica is an important destination for ecotourism. However, the effects of increasing human visitation on wildlife needed evaluation and the global COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown provided a scenario to test the effects of tourist activity on wildlife presence and activity. We performed a camera trap survey initiated during the COVID‐19 lockdown and continuing when tourism resumed (Oct 2020–May 2021). We deployed camera traps on walking trails, including those that remained closed to tourists at all times (control) and those open to tourists after the lockdown was lifted (experimental). With an effort of 2312 trap nights, we assessed the photo rates and diel activity patterns of humans, 11 other species of mammals, and two species of birds. Our results suggest that wildlife species were already habituated to tourists in this area, and thus their behavior and activity did not change after the lockdown was lifted.

Jaguars (Panthera onca) are a landscape species of conservation importance and our understanding of environmental and anthropogenic drivers of jaguar occurrence is necessary to improve conservation strategies. We reviewed available literature to simply describe environmental and anthropogenic variables used and found to be significant in occurrence modeling. We reviewed 95 documents published from 1980 to 2021 that focused on jaguar occurrence and that used 39 variable types (21 anthropogenic, 18 environmental) among different techniques, scales, and approaches. In general, these variables included both anthropogenic (roads, land use, human activities, and population) and environmental (climate, vegetation, ecological interactions, topographic, water, and others) factors. Twelve variables were identified as affecting jaguar occurrence overall, eleven at local scale and seven at broad scales (regional and continental). Focusing more specifically on the variables that correlate with occurrence should help researchers to make better predictions in areas without quantitative jaguar data.

Herbivores obtain nutrients mostly from the vegetation they consume, but may obtain additional minerals during periods of nutritional stress by consuming bones (osteophagia), a behavioral strategy that has been reported for many wild ungulate species, including the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Here we document multiple records (n = 183 camera-trap records) of osteophagia by white-tailed deer chewing sea turtle remains (resulting from jaguar [Panthera onca] predation) near a nesting beach in Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica during January-September 2017. Females with fawns, males with hard and velvet-covered antlers, and non-spotted fawns reached a peak of sea turtle bone consumption during June to August. We hypothesize that seasonality, sex, age, and individual growth stage influence the frequency of osteophagy as a strategy to cope with environmental changes and food resource scarcity. Finally, these observations highlight the role of an apex predator as indirectly influencing rare but important ecological processes.