Scientists using camera traps to count larger mammals in the isthmus of Central America have captured images of the rarely seen bush dog, Speothos venaticus. The canid's small size and nocturnal habits make sightings rare, but conservationists suspect that habitat loss is causing the species to decline in number rapidly. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates bush dogs have declined by about 25% over the last twelve years. It needs large tracts of uninterrupted forest floor where it hunts for rodents and other prey. So far there is no evidence that bush dogs suffer from human predation or persecution, although they may compete for the same prey species. No conservation measures exist for the bush dog and a lack of scientific information about the species' requirements in different biomes hampers development of conservation strategies. A video below gives some basic facts about the cute little jungle dog: