Data from: Collaborative camera-trap data set for evaluating the status of a rangewide carnivore in Latin America

Methods

Camera-trap detection data for pumas (Puma concolor) across Latin America were compiled from a network of over 200 contributors recruited through systematic literature review and snowball sampling. Potential contributors were identified via Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus using keywords including "puma," "Puma concolor," and "camera trap," and contacted by email in September 2020. Contributors submitted data in a standardized occupancy modeling format: each row represents a camera-trap station with latitude, longitude, and country, and each column represents a survey day, coded as 1 (puma detected), 0 (no detection), or NA (camera inactive).

Data were also obtained from Panthera's internal repository (PantheraIDS). All data underwent coordinate validation and correction, date format standardization, and removal of records with missing or invalid locations. Two datasets unavailable for public sharing were excluded.

The final dataset is in long format, with one row per camera-station and date with confirmed sampling effort, and a binary puma detection variable (1/0). Files are provided in .csv, .Rdata, .shp and JSON formats.