|
|
- Predator-friendly ranching, use of electric fences, and creole cattle in
the Colombian savannas-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Livestock ranching overlaps extensively with jaguar and puma distribution in the Casanare Department of east-central Colombia. Conservation programs prioritize large carnivores in the region. Ranchers retaliate by killing them in response to economic losses or fear related to their presence. Reducing retaliatory hunting is a top priority in the conservation of feline species. Predation mitigation methods (PMMs) are necessary to reduce depredation and increase tolerance for large felines. In a prospective cohort study, 16 ranches between 2017 and 2019 used electric fences (n = 14) and introduced creole cattle (n = 2) as PMMs. There was a significant difference in the risk and odds ratios between the control and treatment groups. Livestock depredation was 14.78 times higher outside PMM areas (OR, 14.78; RR, 0.069; p < 0.001) than inside such areas. The losses caused by depredation were much higher than the investments made in PMMs.
PubDate: 2023-12-05
- Towards standardising the collection of game statistics in Europe: a case
study-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract In order to monitor wildlife populations in a manner that supports policy makers and natural resource managers, data must be collected using frameworks and methodologies that allow for comparisons between projects and across time. Though hunting statistics may represent a reliable data source for monitoring population trends in game species, a standardised framework for collecting and analysing this data has never been established in Europe, even within countries. Here we describe a case study on the use of hunting statistics in Spain in order to (i) describe the variability in big game statistics collection frameworks across mainland regions of Spain and (ii) propose a minimum common denominator for a standardised approach at the country level. The main differences in methodologies identified are that each region collects different variables, uses different spatial and temporal resolution, and follows different methodologies. We described spatial patterns by grouping regions based on similarities in the hunting data collection system and identified socio-economic factors as a potential driver of differences in methodologies among regions. Hunting effort-related variables and improved temporal resolution (to the event level) must be incorporated in order to achieve country-level standardisation of methodologies. The use of application software to collect information from the field in a standardised way is recommended, which necessitates engaging stakeholders as part of the monitoring process. Applications software should be designed intentionally, and only after clear objectives for the monitoring program have been defined. Making hunting data open access will improve collaboration and information transfer to scientific and professional sectors. Our recommendations can be adapted to other European countries, which would make hunting data more useful for population monitoring and wildlife policy-making at large spatial scales. Initiatives such as the “European Wildlife Observatory” (www.wildlifeobservatory.org), a network of wildlife observation and monitoring points in Europe, may improve data exchange and standardise protocols, leading to better utilisation of hunting statistics for European wildlife population monitoring.
PubDate: 2023-11-29
- Foraging fidelity and individual specialisation in a temperate bat Myotis
nattereri-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract This study explores whether Natterer’s bats exhibit fidelity to their foraging sites and individual specialisation in their use of habitat types. The research tracked 34 individual bats in two different landscapes, with some bats tracked twice over varying time intervals. The study found that Natterer’s bats show consistency in their fidelity to foraging sites across different landscapes and intervals between observations. The bats repeatedly exploited specific foraging areas, and some showed individual specialisation in their habitat use. The study also found considerable variation in individual behaviour. The research suggests that a single full night of radio-tracking data can serve as a useful proxy for longer periods and contribute to more robust descriptions of resource requirements by Natterer’s bats in their breeding seasons. This study emphasises the importance of maximising the number of individuals from which movement data is obtained to inform conservation and management of temperate bats, whilst ensuring that the data represent a meaningful measure of behaviour. The results also suggest that protecting a mosaic of habitats rather than a single habitat may be important for Natterer’s bats, given their individual specialisation in habitat use.
PubDate: 2023-11-27
- Proxy variables of the closeness between humans and wildlife associated
with public interest in bird species in Japan-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Human–nature interactions are gaining increasing attention, as evidence accumulates on the health and well-being benefits of interacting with nature. Since public interest in wildlife affects support for biodiversity protection, it is important to elucidate and quantify the relevant factors in conservation efforts. However, the factors that affect public interest are highly abstract proxies for the closeness between humans and species. Therefore, more detailed variables that represent familiarity with humans (e.g., habitat type) and their relationship with public interest need to be identified. In the present study, we examined the factors influencing public interest in 391 bird species in Japan using Wikipedia pageviews as a proxy. Daily view data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2021 were obtained to explore statistical models explaining Wikipedia pageviews for birds using a generalized linear model and the corrected Akaike information criterion. We used habitat type, nesting place, body size, food use, and conservation status as independent variables. In this study, the Ministry of the Environment Red List was used as a conservation status data source, and other independent variables were obtained from the JAVIAN Database. Our results revealed that species that are ecologically and culturally close to humans attract high public interest. Furthermore, species related to an urban habitat type and food use were particularly associated with high public interest. The results showed that people were highly interested in birds that were physically and culturally close to humans. Although cities are historically novel environments, a variety of species have successfully colonized the urban environment, and cities have already been key interaction sites between people and wildlife. Therefore, planning for a highly biodiverse city owns the potential to increase public interest in these species and generate broad public support for conservation.
PubDate: 2023-11-24
- Potential connectivity for sloth bear habitats in Western India’s
landscape-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Ecological corridors have been identified as an important tool in the conservation of sloth bears by providing the structural and functional connectivity between isolated habitats. We evaluated possible connectivity linking five protected habitats in Gujarat state (India). The resistance score was developed for layers impeding the movement of sloth bears using the Analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Maximum resistance was shown by areas with human–bear conflict locations followed by land use/land cover. Based on the resistance scores, we mapped six potential corridors amongst protected habitats through least-cost path corridor analysis. Our results show the two links with minimum resistance between Ratanmahal–Shoolpaneshwar and Balaram Ambaji–Jambughoda. In the latter linkage, a large Euclidean distance tends to lower the quality of the corridor. A single link identified connecting Jessore and Balaram is potentially an important path to conserve the habitat in the north. We estimated the centrality flow along with the least cost path (LCP) assessing the importance of each node representing protected habitats in developing connectivity. Analysis revealed Balaram Ambaji as an important link in developing the connectivity through all the habitats for sloth bears in Gujarat state. The present study allows conserving potential habitats with less density of sloth bears by connecting them with highly dense habitats through ecological corridors. Developing the ecological corridors once validated on ground level can lead to long-term conservation of wildlife residing across the disconnected areas in the state, this, in turn, will assist in improving the quality of habitats while promoting co-existence amongst the humans and bears.
PubDate: 2023-11-22
- Hematology and biochemistry of South American coatis Nasua nasua
(Carnivora: Procyonidae) inhabiting urban fragments in Midwest Brazil:
differences according to intrinsic features and sampling site-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Evaluation of free-living mammal physiological responses to natural and anthropogenic stressors constitutes a valuable tool for conservation, especially when it comes to wild mammal species living in anthropized environments. However, studies addressing “normal” physiological parameters are still limited in Brazilian wildlife. In this sense, we accessed the hematology and serum biochemistry of South American coatis inhabiting urban forested fragments and observed the influence of intrinsic factors and sampling sites on these variables. We analyzed the hematological and biochemical variables of 103 Southern coatis sampled from March 2018 to April 2019 in a conservation unit and in a residential area. Generalized linear model analysis was performed to access the influence of intrinsic factors (sex, age, the presence of clinical findings, and body condition) and two sampling sites as variables. Mean, median, standard deviation, and range were calculated for the hematological and biochemical values that were or were not influenced by intrinsic factors and studied areas. Age influenced mean corpuscular volume (MCV), platelet, creatinine, glucose, and cholesterol; sex influenced hemoglobin (Hb), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), total serum proteins (TSP), cholesterol, and glucose; clinical findings influenced red blood cell counts (RBC), Hb, MCV, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, globulins, and cholesterol; body condition only influenced LDH; sampling site influenced neutrophil, lymphocyte, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, globulins, TSP, and triglycerides. Stress seems to be more accentuated in coatis from the residential area than from the conservation unit, and this may be attributed to their continuous exposure to the presence of humans and domestic animals.
PubDate: 2023-11-22
- Examining vertebrate road mortality on highways passing through protected
areas of eastern Ethiopia-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Highways bisecting protected areas can have adverse impacts on wild animals. Many studies around the world have investigated the intensities of roadkill resulting from such highways and the subsequent conservation impacts. However, there have been limited studies undertaken in developing countries in this regard. We investigated road-related mortality of three taxonomic groups (birds, mammals, and reptiles) on six roads in eastern Ethiopia that bisect four protected areas. We collected roadkill occurrence data in both dry and wet seasons by undertaking 34 systematic driven road surveys over a 5-month period. A total of 128 roadkill were recorded comprising 44 species belonging to 24 families. We recorded more bird and mammal roadkills, making up 46.9.% and 45.3% of the total samples, respectively. Out of the 44 species detected, 79.6% were of least concern, while 18.1% were vulnerable, i.e., near threatened and endangered species, while 2.3% were critically endangered. Diurnal species constituted the majority of roadkill detected (75%), followed by nocturnal (18.2%) and crepuscular (6.8%). Most records of roadkill (64.8%) were encountered in roads adjacent to protected areas, highlighting the potential threat that roads pose on wildlife within protected areas of Eastern Ethiopia. Our study is aimed at adding to the baseline of impacts of roads on wildlife in developing countries. Further study of spatial and temporal patterns of roadkill on the current study roads and other roads in the country will assist with a greater understanding of the impacts of roads in Ethiopia and allow appropriate mitigation measures to be proposed.
PubDate: 2023-11-20
- Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in blood samples of turtles
(Testudo graeca) and their associated ticks-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Coxiella burnetii can cause the zoonotic disease of Q fever, which has been observed in various species. Hyalomma aegyptium is a hard tick that undergoes its life cycle through three hosts. The spread of pathogens by Hyalomma aegyptium between different hosts can have significant epidemiological implications. The objective of this study was to detect the presence of C. burnetii in blood samples from turtles and H. aegyptium ticks attached to them in the northwest of Iran (Oshnavieh). A total of 500 engorged mature ticks and 100 blood samples were collected from 100 tortoises. Nested-PCR, using specific primers targeting the IS1111 and icd genes, was employed to diagnose C. burnetii. Out of the 100 tick pool samples, 10 were found to be infected with C. burnetii based on the IS1111 gene (10%; 95% CI, 5.5–17.4). The infection rate of C. burnetii in tick samples, as determined by the icd gene, was 6% (95% CI, 2.8–12.5). Furthermore, the infection rate of turtle blood with C. burnetii based on the IS1111 gene was 5% (95% CI, 2.2–11.2). The infection rate of the blood, as determined by the icd gene, was 3% (95% CI, 1–8.5). In conclusion, infected tortoises and H. aegyptium ticks carrying C. burnetii may play a role in transmitting this pathogenic agent to both humans and other animals. Therefore, it is essential to implement appropriate public health measures to reduce the circulation of the pathogen between various hosts.
PubDate: 2023-11-08
- Comparison of dietary diversity and niche overlap of sympatric sika
deer and roe deer based on DNA barcoding in Northeast China-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract To investigate the food composition and overlap in trophic niches of sympatric sika deer (Cervus nippon hortulorum) and roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), we used plant DNA barcoding to qualitatively assess winter food composition in their feces. We collected feces from sika deer and roe deer in the southern Laoyeling and extracted fecal DNA, amplified it using primers for the rbcL gene region of the plant, and sequenced it using high-throughput sequencing techniques. We analyzed 40 valid fecal samples in winter (20 from sika deer and 20 from roe deer). The results showed 56 families, 84 genera, and 84 species of plants for sika deer and 51 families, 83 genera, and 84 species for roe deer. Unlike traditional methods, using DNA barcoding revealed a large number of herbage plants in the winter food composition (43.90% for sika deer and 51.50% for roe deer). NMDS plot reveals significant ecological niche differentiation (R = 0.3062, P < 0.05) between sika deer and roe deer. Our study successfully applied DNA barcoding to the study of ungulates’ feeding habits.
PubDate: 2023-11-07
- The costs of living in the city: influence of urbanization on the trophic
niche and body condition of the African rainbow lizard Agama picticauda-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Trophic niche is a fundamental aspect of the ecology and natural history of animals, influencing their behavior, health, survival, and population dynamics. Although urbanization can strongly affect the trophic niche of wildlife by altering prey availability, abundance, and distribution, this effect remains understudied in tropical reptiles. Here, we assessed the influence of urbanization on the trophic niche and body condition of the West African rainbow lizard Agama picticauda in the Accra Plains of Ghana. Gastrointestinal content analysis of 98 lizards sampled from urban, suburban, and rural areas revealed 1088 prey items belonging to 14 orders and ~47 families of arthropods. Generally, the lizards consumed insects, with Hymenoptera (Formicidae) and Coleoptera (Carabidae) being the most frequently consumed prey orders. Multinomial regression modeling indicated that sex and site strongly affected the diet and body condition of the lizards, with suburban and rural lizards scoring the highest and lowest on both trophic niche breadth and body condition, respectively. We found a weak positive association between body condition and the diversity of ingested prey orders. Our data indicated that urbanization negatively influenced the trophic niche and body condition of A. picticauda. Although the differences in body condition among sites were not statistically significant, these could have important biological ramifications. The negative body condition of the urban female lizards suggests that the city could be an ecological trap, which can reduce the long-term fitness of lizards living in the urban area. Our findings can inform urban land use planning and effective conservation of urban habitats. We caution, however, that the findings of this study may not necessarily reflect the long-term trophic dynamics of rainbow lizards in the Accra Plains of Ghana and other cities.
PubDate: 2023-10-25
- The DeepFaune initiative: a collaborative effort towards the automatic
identification of European fauna in camera trap images-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Camera traps have revolutionized how ecologists monitor wildlife, but their full potential is realized only when the hundreds of thousands of collected images can be readily classified with minimal human intervention. Deep learning classification models have allowed extraordinary progress towards this end, but trained models remain rare and are only now emerging for European fauna. We report on the first milestone of the DeepFaune initiative (https://www.deepfaune.cnrs.fr), a large-scale collaboration between more than 50 partners involved in wildlife research, conservation and management in France. We developed a classification model trained to recognize 26 species or higher-level taxa that are common in Europe, with an emphasis on mammals. The classification model achieved 0.97 validation accuracy and often > 0.95 precision and recall for many classes. These performances were generally higher than 0.90 when tested on independent out-of-sample datasets for which we used image redundancy contained in sequences of images. We implemented our model in a software to classify images stored locally on a personal computer, so as to provide a free, user-friendly, and high-performance tool for wildlife practitioners to automatically classify camera trap images. The DeepFaune initiative is an ongoing project, with new partners joining regularly, which allows us to continuously add new species to the classification model.
PubDate: 2023-10-20
- Lack of detection of Mycobacterium microti infection in wild rodents from
a free-ranging wild boar outbreak area-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Wild small rodents are considered the natural reservoirs of Mycobacterium microti, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) that can cause tuberculosis (TB) in humans and animals, as well as interfere with current tuberculosis eradication plans in livestock. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Catalan Pyrenees (Iberian Peninsula) in an area where M. microti was previously isolated from wild boars, to evaluate the role of micromammals in the epidemiology of this outbreak. A total of 350 wild rodents were necropsied (306 Murinae and 44 Arvicolinae) in spring and autumn during two consecutive natural years. Tissues were analyzed by histopathology to look for TB-like lesions and by qPCR and culture to detect MTBC. Sera were analyzed by MTBC-specific ELISA. No evidence of TB infection in wild rodents was confirmed. Results suggest that small rodents did not play a role in the epidemiology of M. microti in the area. The source of this mycobacterium remains unknown, but previous detections of M. microti in various species in southern France suggest the movements of wild boars across the French Pyrenees as the most likely origin of the outbreak detected in the Iberian Peninsula.
PubDate: 2023-10-18
- Health risks associated with argasid ticks, transmitted pathogens, and
blood parasites in Pyrenean griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) nestlings-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract There is a knowledge gap in the study of Argasidae soft ticks and the pathogens they can transmit. These hematophagous arthropods are widely distributed and are often considered typical bird ectoparasites. Tick-parasitized birds can act not only as a reservoir of pathogens but also can carry these pathogen-infected arthropods to new areas. Seven griffon vulture nestlings were sampled in northeastern Spain, collecting ticks (n = 28) from two individuals and blood from each vulture (n = 7). Blood samples from griffon vultures tested PCR positive for Flavivirus (7/7), Anaplasma (6/7), piroplasms (4/7), and Rickettsia (1/7). A total of 27 of the 28 analyzed ticks were positive for Rickettsia, 9/28 for Anaplasma, 2/28 for piroplasms, and 5/28 for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFv). Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of Rickettsia spp., Babesia ardeae, and zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum in vultures and Rickettsia spp., B. ardeae, and CCHFv genotype V in ticks.
PubDate: 2023-10-18
- Predation of young brown hares (Lepus europaeus) by common buzzards (Buteo
buteo) in western Poland-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract The recovery of some predator species in recent decades has intensified conflicts between humans and predators. To mitigate these conflicts, knowledge of predator-prey relationships is needed. The aim of this study was to estimate the predation rate of common buzzards Buteo buteo on young brown hares Lepus europaeus and to compare the magnitude of this predation between two areas that differ in the type of agricultural landscape, i.e. the size of crop fields. In the years 2005–2014, the composition of buzzard diet was studied in western Poland by analysing pellets and prey remains of nestlings and adult birds (7971 prey items identified) and estimating the abundance of buzzards (searching for and observing their nests) and hares (spotlight counts) in two adjacent areas (75 km2 in total) with small and large fields. The diet of common buzzards was dominated by common voles Microtus arvalis, and the frequency of hares ranged from 1.1% of prey items in the nestling diet to 0.2% in the diet of post-breeding individuals. The total number of hares consumed by buzzards during the spring-summer season in the whole study area amounted to 2.94 per km2, which is equal to 7.8–15.3% of the young hares born per km2. However, the predation rate estimated based on the nestling food was 2.6 times lower in small fields than in large fields. Thus, this study suggests that reducing buzzard predation on young hares can be achieved by habitat management, i.e. the creation of agricultural landscapes with numerous field boundaries.
PubDate: 2023-10-17
- A comparison of genetic and field methods for assessing capercaillie
abundance-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus abundance was estimated from genetic and field methods in a forest in Strathspey, Scotland. Genetic methods prior to application of capture-mark-recapture techniques over-represented males by 6–15% relative to lek attendance, gave contrasting results between years relative to males seen on brood counts, and under-represented females by 82% and 173% at leks and on brood counts, respectively. A CMR genetic-based model for males only estimated about twice as many males as on lek or brood counts. Of the 33 males identified by genetic methods in 2014, only four (12%) were detected 2 years later. We conclude that our genetic sampling effort needed doubling to provide accurate population estimates.
PubDate: 2023-10-12
- Relative abundance and distribution of black-and-white colobus monkey
(Colobus guereza guereza) in northwestern Ethiopia-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Forest loss, fragmentation, and degradation are major threats to primates. In areas that have been heavily deforested, it is critical to identify the distribution and abundance of remaining primate populations to inform conservation actions. The Ethiopian Highlands have lost most of its original forest cover and the remains are highly fragmented. The black-and-white colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza guereza) are a subspecies of the Colobus guereza endemic to Ethiopia. Their restricted distribution in fragmented forest habitats along with further habitat loss renders them vulnerable to local extirpation. To date, the population size and distribution of black-and-white colobus monkeys are unknown along the Ethiopian Highlands. Therefore, we aimed to determine the relative abundance of black-and-white colobus monkeys and their distribution pattern in northwestern Ethiopia. We conducted population surveys using line transects between Oct 2020 and Sep 2021 in 27 forest patches that ranged between 1859 and 2557 m asl in elevation (mean = 2164.9, SD = 178.6). We recorded 328 groups of black-and-white colobus monkeys, and they were observed in all 27 forest patches. We counted a total of 2897 individuals ranging from 5 to 16 individuals per group (mean = 8.8, SD = 2.5) within the sampling transects. Overall, the sighting encounter frequency of this monkey was 5.5 groups/km, while the relative mean population abundance was 48.2 individuals/km. Our study offers the first baseline information for future absolute abundance and population density estimates of black-and-white colobus monkeys and the forest patches they inhabit in northwestern Ethiopia. The establishment of protected areas, improved law enforcement, population monitoring, and engagement with adjacent local communities are imperative to secure the long-term survival and conservation of black-and-white colobus monkeys and their habitats in the region. In addition, conservation measures like educational awareness programs, modern beekeeping, and alternative biofuel use should be initiated to stop further deforestation.
PubDate: 2023-10-07
- Dog in sheep’s clothing: livestock depredation by free-ranging dogs may
pose new challenges to wolf conservation-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Livestock depredation is a common cause of human-carnivore conflicts. In Portugal, free-ranging dogs are increasingly abundant and overlap endangered Iberian wolf territories, with reports of livestock depredation. However, the lack of awareness about dogs’ possible role as predators leads to bias against wolves in cases of damages. Our goal was to assess and compare wolf and free-ranging dog’s diet composition at southern wolf range in Portugal, to offer insights on dogs’ predatory role on livestock and its implications for the conservation of an endangered wolf subpopulation. We assessed diet composition from 107 to 95 genetically confirmed wolf and dog scats, respectively, and complemented the analysis with data from 40 attacks on livestock with successful genetic predator assignment. Scat analysis highlighted goats as the most consumed dog prey in all analysed regions, with lagomorphs, small mammals, and wild boars as second most consumed in each region, respectively. Wolves mainly relied on goats and wild boars in the west, whereas in the central region they mostly fed on birds. The dietary overlap between both canids was very high (Pianka’s index O = 0.93), showing potential for competition. Additionally, we found that dogs were the sole predators detected in most attacks (62%). Our findings highlight dogs’ role as predators of livestock, and possibly also wild species, posing a further challenge to wolf conservation. Alongside adequate husbandry practices, we emphasise the need for a stronger enforcement of the legislation on dog ownership and an effective management of the stray population to reduce human-wolf conflict.
PubDate: 2023-10-06
- Bear trade in Poland: an analysis of legal and illegal international trade
from 2000 to 2021-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Commercial trade is one of the leading threats to bears as they are targeted for trophies, food and medicines. While the threat from illegal trade and trafficking has been extensively studied in Asia, understanding of bear trade dynamics outside this region is limited. Poland is an end use destination for wildlife products such as trophies and wildlife-based traditional medicines. To gain an understanding of the bear trade in Poland, we conducted an analysis of (1) seizure data, (2) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) trade data and (3) online surveys of Polish websites. We found that the trade of bears in Poland predominantly involves a demand for traditional bear-based medicines and, to a lesser extent, trophies. While trade in bear-based medicines and trophies is permissible with appropriate permits, illegal trade in such commodities is occurring in violation of CITES and European Union Wildlife Trade Regulations and in case of brown bear specimens—also national laws. This may possibly be due to a lack of public awareness regarding laws governing the import and export of bear parts and derivatives in which case education and awareness raising programmes might prove beneficial in eradicating trafficking of bear-based medicines and trophies. The use of bear bile for traditional medicine in Eastern Europe has not been previously documented and merits further research as to its scale, the source of bears used for these purposes and the potential impacts to bear populations.
PubDate: 2023-10-06
- Effect of CITES Appendix I listing on illegal pangolin trade as gauged
from seizure reports in Indonesia-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Pangolins, one of the most heavily trafficked animals, have become the poster child for the illegal wildlife trade. Pangolins are protected throughout their range and their international trade has been regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Assessing the effectiveness of trade regulations, such as the listing of all pangolins on CITES Appendix I in 2016 precluding all international trade, can be done by analysis of seizure reports. I report 81 large seizures within Indonesia over the last 12 years, the equivalent of 18,024 pangolins representing a value of USD9.42 million. In Indonesia, the number of seizures remained stable at around seven a year. There was a significant decrease in the number of seized pangolin equivalents, from 3000 to 4000 in 2011 and 2012 to 400 to 600 in 2021 and 2022. A break point analysis showed that any changes in this trend did not coincide with changes in international trade regulations. Seizures were made in 17/22 provinces where pangolins occur. At the provincial level seizures or the number of confiscated pangolins was not linked to minimum wage, area, human population, or international connectiveness. Despite the international nature of the pangolin trade, where reported, suspects that were arrested were Indonesian nationals. Over time the proportion of seizures comprising solely of scales has increased from ~ 5 to 100%. These observations of seizures of large amounts of pangolin scales, in the absence of bodies, carcasses, or meat, suggest there is a hidden trade in these parts, in Indonesia and/or elsewhere. There is no clear support that the CITES Appendix I listing had a direct effect on the pangolin trade within Indonesia.
PubDate: 2023-10-05
- STKDE+ approach reveals wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots at
broken fence locations-
Free pre-print version: Loading...
Rate this result:
What is this?
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating.
A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Abstract Road fencing is considered one of the most effective traffic safety measures to avoid wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC). Construction errors during fence installation, intrinsic defects and other inconsistencies allow, however, for wildlife to enter the roads. WVC thus occur even at many fenced places. We analysed WVC, from fenced D10 and D11 motorways in Czechia, which took place between 2009 and 2019. We applied the spatial-temporal KDE+ method (STKDE+) in order to determine both spatial and temporal WVC hotspot patterns. We further compared the WVC temporal pattern before and after the installation of fences. Three hotspot patterns were described: hotspot disappearance (after proper design and construction of a fence), emergence of a new hotspot (at places with fence gaps or improper fence ends) and stability of a hotspot over time (non-effective fences). We found that improper design of fencing induced WVC occurrence. We further concluded that the STKDE+ method can be used to effectively determine the effectiveness of safety measures. The STKDE+ analysis revealed 32 WVC hotspots, which contained 46% of all WVC. The fence-end effect and fence gaps caused WVC in 20 and 5 cases, respectively.
PubDate: 2023-10-03
|
Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
