Wildlife Research最新文献

{"title":"Carcass use by mesoscavengers drives seasonal shifts in Australian alpine scavenging dynamics","authors":"James Vandersteen, Christopher Fust, M. Crowther, Matt Smith, Benjamin Viola, Philip Barton, T. Newsome","doi":"10.1071/wr22100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr22100","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Context. Carrion is a high-energy and nutrient-rich resource that attracts a diverse group of vertebrate scavengers. However, despite the carrion pool being highly seasonal in its availability, there is little understanding of how scavengers utilise carcasses across all four seasons. Aims. To assess how season influences carcass-detection times by vertebrate scavengers and their rates of scavenging. Methods. We used remote cameras to monitor vertebrate scavenging at 15 eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) carcasses in four consecutive seasons (summer, autumn, winter, and spring; total 58 carcasses) in the Australian Alps. Key results. In total, 745 599 remote-camera images were captured, within which 34 vertebrate species were identified, nine of which were recorded to actively scavenge. Time to first detection of carcasses by vertebrate scavengers was 5.3 and 9.6 times longer during summer (average 144 h) than during spring (average 34 h) and winter (average 24 h) respectively. Rates of vertebrate scavenging were highest in winter and spring, with brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) accounting for 78% of all scavenging events during winter, and ravens (Corvus spp.) accounting for 73% during spring. High rates of carcass use by these mesoscavengers may reflect a scarcity of other food sources, the demands of their breeding season, or a relative absence of scavenging by larger dominant species such as dingoes (Canis dingo) and wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax). Conclusions. These findings demonstrate the highly seasonal nature of vertebrate scavenging dynamics in an alpine ecosystem, and that mesoscavengers, not apex scavengers, can dominate the use of carcasses. Implications. Accounting for the effects of season is integral to understanding the way animals utilise carcasses in alpine and other strongly seasonal environments; and for developing further our knowledge of ecosystem processes linked to decomposition.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76671905","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 influencing the adaptability and habitat use of rescued Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) released in Peninsular Malaysia","authors":"Kamaruddin Z. Abidin, M. S. Mansor, I. Husna, Nabilah Nazri, Farah Ayuni Farinordin, Nur Amalina Mohd Izam, D. Magintan, S. M. Nor","doi":"10.1071/WR21108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/WR21108","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Context. The lack of documentation and detailed assessment of previous sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) release programs raises concerns about bears’ capacity to adapt to their new habitats and key elements of release success. AimsWe evaluated the influence of the sun bears’ individual profiles and environmental factors on their adaptability, and investigated their habitat use and movements in the wild. Methods. We released 13 rescued sun bears (four wild-caught and nine rehabilitated) to natural habitats between December 2015 and August 2017, and inferred adaptability process by analysing their pre- and post-release data. Key results. Post-release monitoring showed that sun bears required at least a month to acclimatise to their release area. No nuisance cases were reported, and bears were observed avoiding monitoring teams in a series of encounters. Principal-component analysis identified a previous history of ill health (e.g. malnutrition), low avoidance of humans prior to release and low potential of release sites as significant factors associated with poor adaptability of released bears. Rehabilitated bears also showed lower adaptability to hilly topography with an average elevation of more than 500 m. Individual profiles of adult physically fit wild-caught bears with high avoidance of humans prior to release were associated with high adaptability. Binary logistic regression indicated that habitat type was the main factor influencing bear movement. Bears had a high affinity for oil palm plantations adjacent to the forest edge. Most habitat use of released bears was close to the forest edge. Conclusions. In terms of competition, predation, food availability, and adaptability, the selection of forest edges adjacent to other favourable habitats is perceived as a more opportunistic survival strategy, as long as the bears do not rely on humans to survive and endure with the natural interactions in the wild. Implications. This study emphasises the importance of improving the likelihood of survival of rehabilitated bears, especially in the early release phase. Reducing human–bear interaction in rehabilitation centres by practising a buddy system and minimal human contact in captivity considerably enhances release effectiveness.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85492202","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":"Do high recapture rates indicate representative sampling? The relationship between recapture probability, risk-taking, and personality","authors":"K. C. Johnstone, C. Mcarthur, Peter B. Banks","doi":"10.1071/wr22046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr22046","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Context. Monitoring programs provide valuable information on wildlife populations, thereby underpinning strategies for conservation and control. For threatened species, where every animal represents a substantial portion of the population, representative sampling is vital. One fundamental challenge during sampling is understanding drivers of survey bias; for instance, behavioural heterogeneity in trap response. Methods such as capture–mark–recapture have long been used to estimate capture and recapture heterogeneity; yet, this method, like many others, is able to gather data only from the trappable and re-trappable portion of the population; a problem that presents a particular challenge for small or vulnerable populations. A greater understanding of why biases arise can result in improved survey methods, more reliable survey data and increased modelling accuracy. Aims. We focus on an endangered species with unusually high recapture probabilities (0.78–0.92), namely, the mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus). Specifically, we examine whether, within a single trapping session, a recapture bias exists either as a function of past trapping experience or personality. Methods. We tested whether recapture probability differs among cohorts with different capture histories (‘known’ animals captured during trapping sessions in previous years vs ‘new’ animals trapped for the first time in this study). We also tested for individual personality, general risk-taking behaviour during foraging, and subsequent links to recapture probability. Key results. Recapture probability was significantly affected by cohort. New animals had lower probabilities of recapture and took fewer risks during foraging than did known animals. Although personality did not significantly influence recapture probability, it did influence risk-taking during foraging. Conclusions. Despite high recapture probability within the populations, captures were significantly skewed towards a subset of the population, likely being due to different perceptions of risk among individuals. Implications. Understanding potential sources of bias during live-capture surveys is the initial step towards modifying and improving surveys to reduce sampling biases and to ensure representative population sampling.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82723864","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 lion (Panthera leo) scat as a wild dog (Lycaon pictus) deterrent on game farms","authors":"Ronja D. Haring, Grant Beverley, P. Thompson, A. Taylor, J. O'Dell","doi":"10.1071/wr22084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr22084","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Context. The conservation of the Endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) poses a major challenge to conservationists because outside the boundaries of protected areas, wild dogs are prone to conflict with farmers. Mitigation measures appropriate for game farmers are scarce, leaving them with limited options to reduce wild dog impact. As a result, targeted persecution is a common occurrence. However, wild dogs are subject to intraguild competition with dominant competitors, often resulting in their suppression and spatial displacement. Therefore, olfactory cues of lion presence may trigger an adverse reaction in wild dogs, and could be a means to manage wild dog movements across the landscape to prevent conflict with farmers. Aims. We aimed to evaluate whether wild dogs can be deterred by simulating lion presence. Methods. By using translocated scent cues in the form of lion scat deployed along the perimeter of plots, lion presence was simulated on game farms where lions were absent. The rate and duration of incursions by wild dogs, collared with GPS trackers, into control and treatment plots (‘group’) were evaluated. Key results. Wild dog incursion rate dropped by 55.5%, and duration of incursion events dropped by 72.7%, after lion scat was deposited. Control and treatment plots were equally affected with no significant effect of the grouping on wild dog movement. The magnitude of the treatment effect differed between packs. Conclusion. The significant decline of wild dog movement after implementation of treatment suggests a deterrence effect. The insignificant effect of group on wild dog movement indicates large-scale avoidance triggered by a change in the wild dogs’ risk perception across the landscape following treatment. The fact that the magnitude of the treatment effect differed between packs indicates that the response to predator cues is likely to be context-dependent. Implications. The findings present a novel approach to managing free-roaming wild dogs by utilising biologically relevant cues, which may benefit wild dog conservation. There is a need for further research to develop the emerging field of scent studies to provide non-lethal solutions and progress towards evidence-based large carnivore management practices.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77949549","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":"Reducing koala roadkill: a social marketing formative study","authors":"Bo Pang, Anran Zhang, Tori Seydel, Patricia David, Murooj Yousef, S. Rundle‐Thiele","doi":"10.1071/WR21172","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/WR21172","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Context. Koalas are an Australian icon and their numbers are seriously declining. In some regions, a key threat to koalas is vehicle strikes. Therefore, understanding what might convince people to be more vigilant and willing to slow down in areas with high koala numbers is an important research undertaking. Aims. This study aims to use the wildlife value orientation (WVO) framework, a value-based segmentation process, to extend conservation insight. It will do this by demonstrating the application of social cognitive theory (SCT), to investigate how wildlife beliefs can help in identifying worthwhile groups to target with wildlife conservation interventions. The findings of this study can be used to benefit koalas by assisting conservation planning efforts to decrease driving speed and promote positive changes in driving behaviour. Methods. Data collection through intercept surveys was employed by convenience sampling in 2019. A total of 661 responses were collected from residents of a koala priority conservation area in Queensland, Australia. Respondents were asked about their wildlife values, beliefs, attitudes, norms, barriers, and intentions to slow down, while driving in a koala area. Four key groups were identified based on respondents’ WVO (i.e. mutualists, pluralists, traditionalists and distanced) and multigroup structural equation modelling was conducted to understand group differences. Key results. The analysis identified several significant psychographic factors that influenced people’s intentions to protect koalas dependent on what wildlife value respondents held. Injunctive norms were important, positively influencing the intention of traditionalists and pluralists to slow down while driving in a koala area. Individual attitude positively influenced safe driving intention for pluralists, while perceived barriers negatively influenced mutualists’ intention to slow down. Other groups did not show similar results. Conclusions. A person’s WVO can influence their intention to protect koalas by modifying their driving behaviour. Various social marketing approaches can benefit conservation strategies aimed at different WVO groups with targeted messages and interventions for each group. Implications. This paper demonstrates the value of SCT in explaining people’s intention to slow down to protect koalas. The identification of group differences demonstrates that varied approaches are required to deliver behavioural change to benefit koalas.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88896777","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":"Remote sensing shows south-east Queensland koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) prefer areas of higher tree canopy height within their home ranges","authors":"D. Mitchell, M. Soto‐Berelov, S. Jones","doi":"10.1071/wr22093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr22093","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Context. Home range studies allow investigation of faunal habitat use within a well-defined area, and for some species, the concept of ‘core’ and ‘non-core’ home ranges provides the means to examine how resource use varies within home ranges. Taking this approach, we investigated whether koalas preferentially used areas of taller forest canopy within home ranges. After an extensive examination of data quality and home range estimation methods, we used remote sensing techniques to provide canopy height information at high resolution. Aims. In many areas, koalas prefer taller individual trees at the plot scale; our aim was to investigate whether koalas prefer forest areas with higher canopy height within their home ranges. Methods. In our southeast Queensland study area, we developed a canopy height model (CHM) from airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. Existing radio telemetry and GPS data from 135 koalas were used to generate home ranges using 95% kernel density estimators, and 50% kernels represented core home ranges. Some home ranges occupied more than one forest type (Regional Ecosystem – RE); we treated each RE as an individual patch, and used 225 patches in our analysis. We intersected the 95% kernels with the CHM, and used hierarchical spatial clustering to derive four categorical canopy height classes within each patch. We then compared differences in height class area proportions between core and non-core areas for each patch. Key results. The highest of the four canopy height classes comprised a significantly higher proportion of core areas (42.3%) than non-core areas (30.7%). Classes 2 and 3 were evenly distributed, and the proportion of Class 4 (lowest canopy height) was 20.3% of non-core areas and 11.0% in core areas. Results were similar for REs grouped by Land Zone and individual REs. Conclusions and implications We conclude that areas of higher canopy are an important habitat resource for koalas. We have, for the first time, examined resource variability within entire koala home ranges using remote sensing, and our methods demonstrate an avenue for further research using other forms of remote sensing. Classified canopy height models could also be used for strategic conservation planning, and at population-level koala habitat management when combined with other relevant habitat factors.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88958233","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":"Stable dingo population structure and purity over 11 years of lethal management","authors":"D. Stephens, M. Kennedy, T. Kreplins","doi":"10.1071/wr22110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr22110","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Context. Interaction between predators and humans is a key driver of human–wildlife conflicts, and can underpin management of predator populations. Management of the impacts of dingoes on livestock and native species is a prime example of a persistent and contentious predator management issue with potential impacts on the integrity of dingo populations. To manage the potential impacts of dingoes and their control, it is imperative to understand the effects of control approaches on their populations in the short and long term. Hybridisation of dingoes with domestic dogs also threatens the genetic integrity of pure dingoes. It has been hypothesised that lethal control of dingoes can facilitate hybridisation through disrupting pack social structures leading to increased dingo–domestic dog interactions. Aims. We aimed to to investigate how dingo population structure and genetic purity have changed, assessing dingo purity, individual relatedness, population clustering and gene flow, particularly across land use types and barrier fences, in the context of ongoing lethal control within the Murchison Regional Vermin Cell area in Western Australia (WA). Methods. We tested dingo genetic samples from three distinct sampling periods (2009, 2014 and 2020) for changes in population summary statistics and dingo ancestry. Barriers and corridors to gene flow were also examined. Key results. We identified three genetically distinct populations in the study area, consistent with previous genetic studies in WA. We did not find any evidence of change in dingo purity or population characteristics; however, barrier fencing may be influencing recent gene flow. Conclusions. The metapopulation of dingoes in the southern rangelands of WA appears to be stable over the 11 years assessed. Implications. Because we were unable to demonstrate that lethal control has accelerated hybridisation between dingoes and domestic dogs in the study area over the last 11 years, we have no evidence that lethal control to reduce losses to livestock production and for conservation of native wildlife in the southern rangelands of WA is putting dingo purity at risk. Fencing appears to be an effective management tool because there is some evidence it is congruent with reduced gene flow in areas where the fences are well maintained.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86340662","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":"Wildlife Research turns 50","authors":"Andrea C. Taylor, Aaron J. Wirsing","doi":"10.1071/wr22191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr22191","url":null,"abstract":"Our most loyal readers might be thinking that Wildlife Research (WR) has been around For full list of author affiliations and declarations see end of paper longer than 50 years. Strictly speaking, they are correct if you include its original incarnation and title as CSIRO Wildlife Research. However, it is the half-century of the journal in its current form as a vibrant and impactful contributor to the international *Correspondence to: Andrea C. Taylor School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3800, Australia Email: andrea.taylor@monash.edu research landscape that we are celebrating with this introduction to Issue 1 of Volume 50. Notably, this volume sees the journal move from publishing 8 to 12 issues per year, reflecting its ongoing success and growth. We begin with a brief history of WR to highlight its evolution into a trusted source of high-quality research providing an evidence base for wildlife scientists, managers, and policy makers on the world stage, as Handling Editor: Phil Stevens well as where we see it heading in the future. Andrew Stammer, Director of Publishing at CSIRO Publishing, reminded us recently of the main driver for establishment of an Australian publishing house around the middle of last century. Consider for a moment the experience of post war Australian scientists having to publish in British and American journals, which required each of the associated processes – submission, review, receipt of reviews, resubmission, and then receipt and return of proofs – to be conducted via sea mail. The significance for local scientists of establishing an Australian-based publisher cannot be overstated. In 1956, CSIRO Wildlife Research was one of a group of journals introduced by CSIRO operating in partnership with the newly established Australian Academy of Science, with quality oversight by the Board of Standards and regulation by the Science and Industry Research Act 1949 (Cth). Australian wildlife research in those early days had a strong focus on the biology, impacts and control of invasive vertebrates, particularly the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), with much of this work being done by CSIRO scientists (e.g. Mykytowycz 1956). However, by 1974 the author base and content had diversified substantially to include contributions from a wide pool of research institutes and universities – from across the country at first and then increasingly internationally. Renaming of the journal as Australian Wildlife Research and then WR reflected this broadening of research involvement. The journal has continued to grow and provide more content from international collaborations and research groups, as is fitting given that the issues faced by wildlife and natural resource researchers and managers are shared globally and more effectively tackled with an outward-looking research focus. Another key moment in the journal’s development was a switch in the late 2000s from in-house editorial oversight – in the latter yea","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75642619","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 influencing the activity ranges of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) across four sites in eastern Australia","authors":"C. Wilson, M. Gentle, D. Marshall","doi":"10.1071/wr22095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr22095","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Context. Understanding the home-range size and the ecological drivers that influence the spatial distribution of feral pigs is of paramount importance for exotic-disease modelling and the improvement of pest management programs. Aims. To investigate various factors affecting home- and core-range size and test selection of habitat, to better inform disease modelling and pest management programs. Methods. In this study, 59 GPS-collared feral pigs were tracked over four sites in eastern Australia between 2017 and 2021. Using minimum convex polygon (MCP) and the nearest-neighbour–local convex hull (k-LoCoH) as home-range estimators and foliage projective cover (FPC) as an estimator of landscape-scale shelter, we investigated the influence of sex, site, season, year and body weight on range size and tested selection of habitat by using chi-squared and Jacob’s index tests. Key results. Home-range sizes were highly variable, with k-LoCoH90 (home) ranges between 0.08 and 54.97 km2 and k-LoCoH50 (core) ranges between 0.01 and 7.02 km2. MCP90 ranged between 0.15 and 242.30 km2, with MCP50 being between 0.07 and 60.61 km2. Sex and site both significantly (P < 0.001) influenced home-range size, but season and year did not. Home-range size was shown to increase with body mass for both sexes (P = 0.001). Importantly, the data indicated that feral pigs prefer habitat within 20–40% FPC (woodland), whereas open forests (51–80% FPC) and closed forests (>80% FPC) were actively avoided. Typically, use of open vegetation (1–10% FPC) was also avoided, but this behaviour varied and was dependent on site. Conclusion Feral pig ranges are influenced by sex, site and body mass but not by season and year. Broad-scale selection for shelter indicated that feral pigs prefer habitat between 20% and 40% FPC. Implications. Targeting or avoiding such areas respectively for control or monitoring tool placement may result in improved, efficient outcomes to monitor or manage feral pig populations. Feral pig distribution modelling may also find benefit in the consideration and further study of the above factors and the influence of food and water sources on the activity ranges and behaviour of feral pigs.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89417553","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":"Effects of helicopter net gunning on the survival and movement behaviour of nilgai antelope","authors":"Jeremy A. Baumgardt, A. Foley, K. Sliwa, R. Deyoung, J. A. Ortega-S., D. Hewitt, T. Campbell, J. Goolsby, K. Lohmeyer","doi":"10.1071/wr22049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wr22049","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Context. Research on large, terrestrial mammals often requires physical captures to attach tags or collars, collect morphological data, and collect biological samples. Choice of capture method should minimise pain and distress to the animal, minimise risk to personnel, and consider whether the method can achieve study objectives without biasing results. Aims. We studied how capture via helicopter net-gunning affected survival, post-capture movement patterns, and space use of exotic nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in southern Texas, USA. Methods. We estimated daily survival rates for 101 collared nilgai over 28 days, following 125 captures. We calculated mean daily movement rates and net-squared displacement for 21 recaptured nilgai for 60 days, starting 30 days before capture. Key results. The survival probability of 125 nilgai individuals was 0.97 (95% CI = 0.92–0.99) over the 28 days following capture, with the lowest daily survival for the day after capture (x̄ = 0.99; 95% CI = 0.96–1.00). We observed an increase of ~65% in the mean daily movement rate of 134 m/h on the first 2 days since capture, followed by a period of reduced movement out to the 5th day before returning to pre-capture levels. Analysis of net-squared displacement for 21 nilgai showed that 17 resumed pre-capture space-use patterns within a week, whereas four individuals did not return to the pre-capture range for ≥1 month. Conclusions. Capture-related mortality rates for nilgai using helicopter net-gunning in our study (3%) were similar or lower than those reported for similar species captured using the same method. While we were able to detect a period of elevated movement rates, followed by a recovery period of diminished movement as a result of capture, nilgai appeared to return to typical behaviour ~6 days post-capture. Most nilgai in our study also resumed typical space-use patterns within a week of capture; however, our results suggest high individual variability in their response. Implications. We recommend using net-gunning from a helicopter as a method for capturing nilgai when conditions and where vegetation and topography allow. We suggest censoring data for a minimum of 7 days following capture for analyses related to survival and movement rates. For analyses relating to space use, we suggest inspecting net-squared displacement or some similar displacement analysis for each animal separately to account for individual variation in response and exclude data accordingly.","PeriodicalId":23971,"journal":{"name":"Wildlife Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88745433","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}