Wildlife Research最新文献

{"title":"Using detection dogs for surveillance of invasive dama wallaby (Notamacropus eugenii) in North Island, New Zealand","authors":"A. D. M. Latham, M. Latham, Jo Peace, Andrew M. Gormley","doi":"10.1071/wr24026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr24026","url":null,"abstract":"Context Dama wallabies (Notamacropus eugenii) were introduced into the Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand, in the early 1900s. They subsequently became an invasive pest, damaging pasture, silviculture, and native vegetation. One key management strategy is the eradication of isolated populations. Aims First, we empirically determined the detection probabilities of detection dogs and handlers searching for faecal pellet groups of dama wallaby in pasture and forested habitats. Second, we used detection probabilities to derive surveillance system sensitivity (SSe) and estimate the cost per hectare required to have a high confidence (95%) that a targeted wallaby population has been eradicated. Methods We collected and deployed faecal pellet groups in an area with no naturally occurring wallabies. Following faecal pellet surveys by detection dogs and handlers, we estimated the probability of a dog–handler team detecting a pellet group and derived SSe. We derived SSe for a single faecal pellet group and, using simulation, upscaled this estimate to multiple pellet groups voided by a single surviving individual. Key results The detection probability of dogs searching for a single faecal pellet group that was within the detection swathe was relatively high (minimum of 45%). Scaling this instantaneous probability of detection for a single pellet group to the multiple pellet groups voided by a single wallaby around its home range resulted in 30–33-fold increases in SSe compared to the sensitivity of searching for a single faecal pellet group. The costs of surveillance for confirming eradication using detection dogs and handlers are NZ$54–NZ$72 for a 100-ha area. Conclusions Detection dogs and handlers are an efficacious and cost-effective surveillance method for confirming eradication of dama wallaby in open and forested habitats. Implications Detection dogs and handlers are an important surveillance tool for the management of wallabies in New Zealand. The data from this study enable managers to determine the required surveillance effort to have high confidence (e.g. 0.95) that a wallaby population has been eradicated, or that a suspected new population is actually absent if no wallabies are detected. Additionally, it enables per hectare costs of surveillance to be estimated and compared to alternative methods.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141658229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The decline, fall, and rise of a large urban colonising bird","authors":"Matthew J. Hall, John M. Martin, Alicia L. Burns, Dieter F. Hochuli","doi":"10.1071/wr23156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr23156","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Context</strong><p>The process of urbanisation results in dramatic landscape changes with long-lasting and sometimes irreversible consequences for the biota as urban sensitive species are eliminated. The Australian brush-turkey (<i>Alectura lathami</i>) is a recent urban colonist despite atypical traits for an urban adapter. Contrary to observed range declines and initial reports of decreased reproductive success in cities, Australian brush-turkeys have increased their range in urban areas.</p><strong> Aims</strong><p>Historical atlas and present citizen science data were used to examine the changing distribution of the Australian brush-turkey at continental and city scales, and the changing land use in urban areas occupied by the species. We assess which environmental and landscape features are driving observed distribution changes over time.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>We describe and map changes at the continental scale between 1839–2019. We then assessed colonisation of the cities of Brisbane and Sydney (located 900 km apart) over the period 1960–2019. At the city scale, we quantified the changing land use within Australian brush-turkey occupied areas over time using classification of satellite imagery.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>The Australian brush-turkey’s geographical range has shifted over the last century, with the species receding from the western and southwestern parts of their range, while expanding in the northwest. Areas occupied in the cities of Brisbane and Sydney have expanded, with more recently occupied areas containing less vegetation and more developed land than previously occupied areas.</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>Our results confirm that Australian brush-turkeys are successfully colonising urban areas, including major cities, and are likely to continue moving into urban areas, despite declines elsewhere in their natural range. The species is not limited to suburbs with a high proportion of greenspace, as Australian brush-turkeys are increasingly occurring in highly developed areas with limited vegetation.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>This study highlights that species which were locally extirpated from urban areas, and thought to be unlikely candidates for recolonisation, can successfully occupy human modified habitats. Successful expansion is likely to be associated with key behavioural traits, urban greening, and legal protection from human persecution.</p>","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141611509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of genetic markers for the metabarcoding of Australian marsupials from predator scats","authors":"Catriona D. Campbell, Anna J. MacDonald, Stephen D. Sarre","doi":"10.1071/wr23134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr23134","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Context</strong><p>DNA recovered from predator faeces (scats) can be used to determine the presence of fauna and shed light on their life histories and inter-species interactions. DNA metabarcoding, which involves concurrent amplification and sequencing of DNA from multiple taxa, represents an important advance by enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple species from such samples. Although an attractive proposition, metabarcoding requires ‘universally’ applicable genetic markers that can discriminate among a broad range of taxa, while also targeting sequences that are sufficiently short to be amplified from degraded DNA.</p><strong> Aims</strong><p>To identify, evaluate, and test metabarcoding DNA markers suitable for the detection of marsupials and other Australian fauna from terrestrial predator scats found in nature.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>We apply a bioinformatic approach using publicly available DNA databases and a locally derived and marker-specific reference-DNA database to evaluate the diagnostic ability and likelihood of amplification of candidate metabarcoding markers for marsupials and other taxa that may be consumed by predators.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>We identify two markers (12SV5 and 16SMam) that are suitable for use and successfully identify marsupial sequences at a high level of resolution. These markers work best in combination because they bring complementary levels of primer specificity and diagnostic ability in detecting multiple prey species as well as the predator. We also show that these samples work well in predator scats sampled from the wild in Tasmania.</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>These markers provide a useful tool for surveying mammalian predators and their prey and could also be applied to eDNA analyses from other sample types. Improvements to the reference database and further development of markers targeting different taxonomic groups will improve the resolution and usefulness of this approach.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>Metabarcoding of predator scats provides a potent approach to non-invasive wildlife survey that offers the opportunity for the detection of multiple species across all vertebrates.</p>","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141548711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors affecting wild boar (Sus scrofa) distribution in Uruguay","authors":"N. Zambra, R. Ungerfeld","doi":"10.1071/wr23125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr23125","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Context</strong><p><i>Sus scrofa</i> is a species that easily adapts to diverse environments and climatic zones. In urban and suburban spaces, its presence negatively impacts soil, crops, and animal production, posing health risks for other animals and even humans. Declared a national pest in Uruguay, it is one of the main predators of sheep. A deeper knowledge of its habitat, current distribution, and the environmental factors that influence its locations is required to develop an adequate programme to control its population.</p><strong> Aims</strong><p>To determine the spatial distribution of wild boars in Uruguay and its association with environmental factors concerning livestock production, on the basis of a survey administered to farmers.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>The survey was completed by 2360 farmers, gathering information on the presence of wild boars and other wildlife animals on their farms, methods used for wild boar control, economic damages caused by the species, number of sheep, and types of land-cover besides pastures (native woodlands, shelter forests, pine plantations, and eucalyptus plantations).</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>Farms located in the Northeast region, with native woodlands and/or pine plantations, and larger than 500 ha were more likely to report the presence of wild boars. The presence of eucalyptus plantations did not affect the presence of wild boars in any region of the country. While the presence of sheep, free- ranging dogs, or wild boars on neighbouring farms affected the presence of wild boars, the existence of eucalyptus plantations showed no effect across any region of the country. On the other hand, the presence of wild boars increased in association with the presence of pampas foxes (<i>Lycalopex gymnocercus</i>).</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>These results provide valuable information regarding the current distribution of an invasive exotic ungulate, and factors influencing the probability of reporting its presence.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>This information will serve as a starting point for future research analysing additional ecological and farm characteristics, as well as management strategies in sheep farms aimed at detecting, evading, dissuading and/or controlling this predatory species on the basis of its behaviour and environmental preferences.</p>","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141526437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insuring woylies (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) against extinction: establishment of Perup Sanctuary","authors":"Natasha D. Harrison, Sian M. Thorn, Marika A. Maxwell, Colin G. Ward, Julia C. Wayne, Adrian F. Wayne","doi":"10.1071/wr23056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr23056","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Context</strong><p>Predator free havens are increasingly relied upon to preserve populations of imperilled species, yet despite their substantial cost, the success of these ventures is rarely critically evaluated.</p><strong> Aims</strong><p>Based on 12 years of population monitoring data, we report on the translocation of woylies (<i>Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi</i>) to Perup Sanctuary, a 423 ha predator-free haven in the south west of Western Australia.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>We built spatially explicit capture–recapture models to estimate population density, population growth rates, and survivorship of woylies inside the sanctuary. Using these estimates, and additional demographic information, we aimed to show key drivers of population density, evaluate the establishment of the sanctuary population against predetermined translocation success criteria, and run simulations of different sampling designs to determine a robust sampling design for future monitoring of this population.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>The population rapidly increased in the first 3 years (2010–2013), and then fluctuated around a density of ~0.9 woylies ha⁻¹ before declining slightly in recent years to ~0.6 woylies ha⁻¹. All translocation success criteria evaluated were met. The previous 3 months’ rainfall was a key driver of population density and body weight declined over time, indicating that the population may be regulated by food resources.</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>Woylies have established and persisted in Perup Sanctuary, and against the criteria, the translocation of woylies into Perup sanctuary is a success. Harvests from this population appear to have been sustainable. We discuss these findings in the context of the Perup Sanctuary, and recommend ongoing monitoring continue to ensure that the population remains viable and well managed.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>We describe important considerations for the supplementation and harvest of fenced populations, including: the source of animals (selecting free-living individuals over captive ones); the timing of release (releasing more individuals early on may improve establishment probabilities); and rates of harvest (&lt;30% of adults harvested per generation seemeded to be sustainable for woylies in this case). The results from this study can inform the ongoing management of this and other havened populations, to ensure they continue to benefit mammal conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141503179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Citizen science delivers high-value biosecurity surveillance and reporting capability","authors":"Erin Roger, Andrew Turley, Callum Waite, Shandiya Balasubramaniam, Cameron Slatyer, J. Andrew Pearce","doi":"10.1071/wr24046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr24046","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Context</strong><p>Early surveillance and the detection of incursions of species of biosecurity concern are a crucial component of an effective biosecurity system. Citizen science represents an opportunity to engage communities in biosecurity, and to provide mechanisms for citizen scientists to contribute to both monitoring the spread of species already present in country, and reporting new incursions.</p><strong> Aims</strong><p>To present an example of how citizen science is being used for environmental biosecurity surveillance in Australia and showcase the value of large data services such as the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), as a connector between citizen science and management.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>We detail how the alert email system was set up, using a bespoke solution implemented in the R programming language. The system works by querying the ALA database for species that match lists provided by management authorities. Alerts can be sent out at national, state/territory and local government scales, as well as defined spatial areas such as national park estates.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>Twelve months in, the top source for alerts comes from iNaturalist (a popular global biodiversity citizen-science platform), with other contributions from a set of biodiversity-reporting applications. Over a 12-month period, the alerts service has provided notifications for over 150 species, including the first public record of an invasive species in Australia.</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>Systems such as the Biosecurity Alerts Service, provide impact through the connection between communities and decision-making.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>Our findings showed how the advancement of citizen science is interconnected with the advancement of research infrastructure and will ultimately lead to greater scientific and management value of citizen-science data.</p>","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141503112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Habitat features important for the conservation of the endangered Sloane’s Froglet (Crinia sloanei) in peri-urban environments","authors":"Alexandra R. Knight, Robyn J. Watts, Catherine Allan, Simon McDonald, Natasha Lappin","doi":"10.1071/wr23032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr23032","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Context</strong><p>Determining and quantifying habitat selection of endangered species in peri-urban environments assists planners and managers to develop strategies and alternative conservation measures in the face of urban expansion and development. Sloane’s Froglet (<i>Crinia sloanei</i>), listed nationally as endangered in Australia, is a little-known species distributed within peri-urban environments, where foundational ecological information and the development of adequate conservation responses has been lacking.</p><strong> Aims</strong><p>(a) To determine a core calling period for Sloane’s Froglet and detection probabilities for occupancy surveys. (b) To understand and characterise the habitat that Sloane’s Froglet uses at the wetland and microhabitat scale.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>We used generalised linear modelling and the information-theoretic approach to model habitat preferences for this species at two scales: the waterbody scale, and the microhabitat scale. We quantified the habitat characteristics of waterbodies occupied by Sloane’s Froglet in winter, its peak breeding period, by measuring the biophysical characteristics of 54 occupied and 40 unoccupied waterbodies. The microhabitat and relative spatial positioning of Sloane’s Froglet within waterbodies was examined at 54 calling sites in an area of one m squared around individual male Sloane’s Froglets and 57 randomly selected unused sites. Wetlands were surveyed multiple times to determine detection probabilities.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>Model selection indicated that Sloane’s Froglet is 450 times more likely to occupy a waterbody when an adjacent ephemeral shallow overflow is present; and are more likely to be present when there is greater cover of small stem-diameter emergent vegetation and less bare ground on the bank. The microhabitat investigation of one m squared sites showed that Sloane’s Froglet’s calling sites are predominantly inundated, and at significantly shallower water depths, than unused sites. Sloane’s Froglet was found to always call from within the waterbody, distinguishing them from other sympatric <i>Crinia</i> species.</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>The habitat characteristics detailed provide information necessary for the management of Sloane’s Froglet and its habitat.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>Housing and industrial development is occurring rapidly in Sloane’s Froglet habitat. The information provided here can be used to refine local and state government planning and better design appropriate responses. Indeed, results from this study are currently being used by agencies and environmental consultants when developing conservation plans and in the design of stormwater retention ponds in rapidly urbanising environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141526438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Better to bluff than run: conservation implications of feral-cat prey selectivity","authors":"John L. Read, K. Moseby, Hugh W. McGregor","doi":"10.1071/wr23138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr23138","url":null,"abstract":"Context Predators typically select prey on the basis of their availability and traits such as body size, speed, camouflage and behaviour that influence ease of capture. Such selectivity, particularly by invasive predators, can disproportionately affect the conservation status of prey. Control of top-order predators can also trigger trophic cascades if subordinate predators have different prey preference. Aims We aimed to document prey selectivity of feral cats by comparing their diet with prey availability over a 27-year study in an Australian desert. Methods Stomach-content and demographic data were recorded from 2293 feral cats, showing 3939 vertebrate prey. These were compared with vertebrate-prey availability estimated from 224,472 pitfall-trap nights, 9791 Elliott-trap nights and opportunistic sampling that accumulated 9247 small mammal and 32,053 herptile records. Potential bird availability was assessed through 2072 quantitative counts amounting to 29,832 bird records. We compared cat selectivity among species, guilds, and physical and behavioural traits of potential prey. Key results Prey guild selectivity from two quantitative subsets of these data indicated that cats preferentially selected medium-sized rodents, snakes and ground-nesting birds over other prey guilds, and also preyed extensively on rabbits, for which selectivity could not be assessed. Species that froze or responded defensively to predators were less favoured than were prey that fled, including fast-evading species. Species inhabiting dunes were hunted more frequently relative to their abundance than were closely related species on stony plains. Conclusions The size, habitat preference and response to predators of potential prey species affect their targeting by feral cats. Implications Our results assist assessment of risk to wildlife species from cat predation and suggest that cat control will trigger changes in the relative abundance of prey species depending on their size, habitat use and behaviour.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141359659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Increasing the target specificity of the canid-pest ejector for red fox (Vulpes vulpes) control by using a collar to exclude larger canids","authors":"Lauren I. Young, Kirsten Skinner, John Tyne, Glenn Edwards","doi":"10.1071/wr23147","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr23147","url":null,"abstract":"Context Canid-pest ejectors (CPEs) offer a compromise between broadscale free-baiting programs that can have non-target impacts and more target-specific methods such as trapping and shooting, which are inefficient across larger scales. CPEs target wild canids, such as red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and wild dogs (Canis spp.). However, there are situations where red fox control is required, but the risk to non-target canids, such as dingoes and other dogs, prevents the use of broadscale baiting. Aims We field-trialled and refined a collar for the CPE that was designed to allow red foxes to trigger CPEs, but prevent dingoes and medium–large-sized dogs from doing so. Methods We deployed uncollared and collared CPEs paired with camera-traps across two study areas in central Australia, and assessed which taxa triggered CPEs and whether the activity rates, behaviour and CPE triggering rates of five taxa (red foxes, wild dogs, feral cats (Felis catus), corvids (Corvus spp.), and varanids (Varanus spp.)) differed between CPEs with and those without collars. Key results With a simple modification to our original collar design, a red fox was able to trigger collared CPEs. Collared CPEs were triggered by wild dogs when they were set with the bait head 1 cm below the rim of the collar, but not when they were set with the bait head at 2 cm below the rim. Uncollared CPEs were triggered by wild dogs (97.03% of triggers), red foxes (1.98%) and corvids (0.99%). Activity rates of the study taxa towards CPEs did not differ between collared and uncollared CPEs. However, behavioural analyses suggested that red foxes and wild dogs showed more caution around collared CPEs. Conclusions We present proof-of-concept that deploying CPEs inside a collar increases the target specificity of this device by excluding wild dogs, while allowing red foxes to access the bait head. However, our data suggest that the addition of a collar may reduce interaction rates of red foxes and wild dogs with CPEs. Implications The collared CPE provides a control method for red foxes that reduces the risk to dingoes and other medium–large-sized dogs and may allow for greater landholder participation in red fox management.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141372552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leopards at large: population density, habitat utilisation and spatio-temporal overlap of leopards (Panthera pardus) with competitors and prey in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, northern India","authors":"Shashank Yadav, Manu Mohan, Aditi Sharma, Sanatan Sonker, Ramesh Krishnamurthy","doi":"10.1071/wr23082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr23082","url":null,"abstract":"Context In the vicinity of the western Rajaji Tiger Reserve, a significant rise in conflicts between humans and leopards has occurred. These conflicts have resulted in a substantial number of human deaths, with 60% attacks resulting in deaths over a 4-year period. Aims This study aims to examine any potential connection among the non-breeding tigers, leopards, prey, humans and the increased occurrence of conflicts. Methods To address this objective, we conducted an analysis to evaluate the density of leopards, as well as their spatial and temporal behaviour with respect to tigers, prey and humans through on-site habitat use, circular statistics, diel-overlap as well spatial niche breadth and spatial-niche overlap. Key results Our findings showed one of the highest leopard-density estimates (excluding cubs) (mean ± s.e.) of 23.7 ± 4.8 per 100 km2. When examining on-site habitat use by leopards, we found three variables that had a negative influence, namely, human presence, slope, and the presence of tigers. The presence of a large prey (sambar) had a positive influence. Leopards, exhibiting the highest spatial-niche breadth, demonstrated a small overlap with both tigers and humans, while displaying a significant diel overlap with sambar. The niche overlap was notably high with sambar, but very low with humans and tigers. Conclusions Although tigers locally created a zone of spatial and temporal avoidance, at the population level the leopards experienced a surge in numbers in response to the reduced tiger numbers, indicated by their high density. This could be a cause of high leopard movement into nearby human settlements. This unique scenario could have contributed to conflict. Implications Understanding the coexistence among different species and the impact of transient animals is crucial to develop effective management strategies to mitigate conflict. This approach would facilitate and ensure the long-term survival of diverse large carnivores in the tropical forests of southern Asia through sustained support for conservation from local communities.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141267908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}