Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Raj Kumar Sijapati, Hari Prasad Sharma, Sandhya Sharma, Janak Raj Subedi, Jerrold L. Belant
Summary: Livestock depredations by large carnivores, such as leopards and tigers, are increasing in rural Nepal. Factors influencing livestock depredations include carnivore species, animal husbandry practices, season, and deterrent techniques. Wildlife attacks on livestock near human settlements are severe and affecting livelihoods, with leopards killing more livestock than tigers.
Article
Ecology
Igor Khorozyan, Marco Heurich
Summary: Recovery of the wolf population in Germany has led to conflicts arising from livestock depredation, particularly sheep losses. However, the primary factors influencing these losses are the state, year, and available sheep numbers, rather than the actual wolf population size. The study recommends focusing on non-lethal interventions, monitoring enforcement, and promoting wolf tolerance as part of Germany's wolf conservation policy.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Oksana Grente, Thibault Saubusse, Olivier Gimenez, Eric Marboutin, Christophe Duchamp
Summary: This study focused on the hotspots of wolf depredation on sheep in France and found that the omission of livestock availability in previous analyses led to flawed inference about the depredation pattern and resulted in the identification of numerous unidentified hotspots. The methodology used in this study provides reliable information for managers to understand the depredation pattern and allocate resources.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
D. Lham, G. Cozzi, S. Sommer, S. Wangchuk, K. Lham, A. Ozgul
Summary: This study in Bhutan used snow leopard scat samples and prey hair structure analysis to reveal the snow leopard's diet and ecological determinants of livestock depredation, finding that snow leopards mainly prey on wild ungulates, and that livestock depredation is more common in summer and varies among protected areas with different wildlife densities. These findings will help in developing site-based management plans to ensure the long-term survival of snow leopards in Bhutan.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James P. Kilfoil, Thomas P. Quinn, Aaron J. Wirsing
Summary: Humans can significantly alter the temporal activity of wildlife, and the ecological consequences of such shifts can lead to reduced fitness, increased competition, and trophic cascades. This study examined the potential of human disturbance as a temporal-shield for brown bears foraging on sockeye salmon in southwestern Alaska. The results showed that all bears avoided peak times of human activity, but socially-subordinate subadult bears had higher overlap with humans compared to females with cubs and single adults. The findings suggest that human-disturbance can have complex effects on large carnivores and may provide increased foraging opportunities for socially subordinate, but more human-tolerant individuals.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Marcello Franchini, Mirco Corazzin, Stefano Bovolenta, Stefano Filacorda
Summary: Large carnivores and husbandry practices are important for biodiversity integrity, but conflicts may arise when they share the same areas. Rural inhabitants and hunters showed the most negative attitude towards carnivores, while urban inhabitants and conservationists were more positive. Monitoring changes in attitudes over time relative to carnivore population dynamics is recommended to encourage coexistence.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Briana Abrahms, Kasim Rafiq, Neil R. Jordan, J. W. McNutt
Summary: Understanding how animals adjust their physiological processes to track optimal conditions in response to climate change is crucial for predicting ecological responses. A study on endangered African wild dogs found that their birthing time has been delayed by 7 days per decade in response to long-term warming, leading to temperature changes in their reproductive process.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jacalyn M. Beck, Remington J. Moll, Bernard M. Kissui, Robert A. Montgomery
Summary: The study in Northern Tanzania showed that pastoralist cattle exhibit varying anti-predator behaviors, such as vigilance and grouping, depending on the level of risk. Different strategies were observed spatially and temporally, indicating an optimal trade-off between costs and benefits for livestock in response to predation risk.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Naomi X. Louchouarn, Adrian Treves
Summary: Given the ecological importance of top predators, societies are adopting non-lethal methods, such as low-stress livestock handling (L-SLH), for coexistence. A randomized controlled experiment in Southwestern Alberta evaluated the effectiveness of L-SLH in deterring grizzly bears, gray wolves, cougars, black bears, and coyotes. The study found that inexperienced range riders, trained and supervised by an experienced rider, did not increase or decrease the risk to cattle. Furthermore, predators did not shift to the cattle herds with fewer range riders, suggesting that L-SLH was effective in deterring predators.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aimee Tallian, Andres Ordiz, Barbara Zimmermann, Hakan Sand, Camilla Wikenros, Petter Wabakken, Goran Bergqvist, Jonas Kindberg
Summary: Studying the effects of recovering wolf and bear populations on moose survival in Sweden revealed a negative correlation between wolf and bear densities and calf/cow ratios. In areas where wolves and bears were allopatric, calf/cow ratios decreased by 7% and 17%, while in sympatric areas, the decrease was 18%.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tru Hubbard, Michael V. Cove, Austin M. Green, Fabiola Iannarilli, Maximilian L. Allen, Summer H. LaRose, Chris Nagy, Justin A. Compton, Diana J. R. Lafferty
Summary: This study investigates the ecological role of bobcats in carnivore communities in the continental USA. The results show that bobcats exhibit the greatest flexibility in their diel activity among the carnivores sampled. The co-occurrence of bobcats with dominant or subordinate carnivores is influenced by human and environmental factors. Bobcats perceive humans as the apex predator on the landscape.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
T. J. Clark, Mark Hebblewhite
Summary: Predator removal experiments have shown a 13% increase in ungulate demographic responses, particularly in young individuals, but the effects on adult survival and abundance are less clear. Experimental design factors play a role in the uncertainty of ungulate responses to predator removal, and there is evidence of publication bias favoring studies with positive results. More rigorous experimental practices are recommended, especially for endangered species where predator removal may have a more significant impact.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Manjari Malviya, Ramesh Krishnamurthy
Summary: Understanding the factors associated with human/livestock-large carnivore conflict and predicting conflict risk are important for effective prevention and mitigation. This study used spatial modelling to analyze the ecological correlates of human-tiger conflict and predict livestock predation risk. The results showed that prey and shrub cover were key determinants of conflict, and the spatial risk map can guide conflict prevention measures.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Arjun Srivathsa, Aditya Banerjee, Soumya Banerjee, Malaika Mathew Chawla, Anshita Das, Divyajyoti Ganguly, Ryan G. Rodrigues, Tiasa Adhya, Saloni Bhatia, Aritra Kshettry, Iravatee Majgaonkar, Girish A. Punjabi, Mahi Puri, Priya Singh, Nikit Surve
Summary: This study investigated all carnivore studies published in India post-independence (1947-2020), examining the academic impacts of journal articles and the roles of institutions and collaborative research. It analyzed thematic patterns, trends, and biases in carnivore research, discussing the importance of ecological research in shaping litigation, policy, and conservation. The study also emphasized the need for reorienting research efforts towards lesser-known species and enhancing synergy between researchers.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Igor Khorozyan
Summary: The study introduces a novel method based on false positive risk to differentiate true and untrue effectiveness of anti-predator interventions. It found that truly effective interventions can reduce damage by 75-90%, while interventions with untrue effectiveness only reduce damage by 44-65%.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Manuel Puettmanns, Laura Boettges, Tim Filla, Franziska Lehmann, Annika Sophie Martens, Friederike Siegel, Anna Sippel, Marlene von Bassi, Niko Balkenhol, Matthias Waltert, Eckhard Gottschalk
Summary: The study investigated foraging habitat selection by chick-raising Eurasian Skylarks, focusing on seasonal dynamics of habitat use and food availability. Skylarks mainly selected foraging habitats based on proximity to nests, and the importance of various habitats within home ranges changed over time. Feeding frequency increased throughout the breeding season, contrary to expectations of decreased food availability. The findings suggest that the diverse farmland composition in the study area supported Skylarks in raising offspring, highlighting the importance of crop diversity in their conservation.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Igor Khorozyan, Marco Heurich
Summary: Recovery of the wolf population in Germany has led to conflicts arising from livestock depredation, particularly sheep losses. However, the primary factors influencing these losses are the state, year, and available sheep numbers, rather than the actual wolf population size. The study recommends focusing on non-lethal interventions, monitoring enforcement, and promoting wolf tolerance as part of Germany's wolf conservation policy.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mahmood Soofi, Ali T. Qashqaei, Jan-Niklas Trei, Shirko Shokri, Javad Selyari, Benjamin Ghasemi, Pooriya Sepahvand, Lukas Egli, Bagher Nezami, Navid Zamani, Gholam Hosein Yusefi, Bahram H. Kiabi, Niko Balkenhol, Andrew Royle, Chris R. Pavey, Steve M. Redpath, Matthias Waltert
Summary: Poaching is a major driver of wildlife population decline globally, and accurately quantifying its scale and intensity, as well as understanding its drivers, is crucial for its reduction. This study developed a model using data from Iran to accurately estimate annual poaching of ungulates and identified the relationship between poaching intensity and economic conditions, law enforcement, and other factors.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Arash Ghoddousi, Corinna Van Cayzeele, Pegah Negahdar, Mahmood Soofi, Amirhossein Kh. Hamidi, Benjamin Bleyhl, Guillermo Fandos, Igor Khorozyan, Matthias Waltert, Tobias Kuemmerle
Summary: Poaching is threatening species with extinction, and reducing poaching pressure is crucial for conservation efforts. Analyzing ranger patrol data can help understand and map the patterns of poaching pressure. In the case of Golestan National Park in Iran, poaching distribution is mainly determined by prey availability.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mahmood Soofi, Ali T. Qashqaei, Marzieh Mousavi, Ehsan Hadipour, Marc Filla, Bahram H. Kiabi, Benjamin Bleyhl, Arash Ghoddousi, Niko Balkenhol, Andrew Royle, Chris R. Pavey, Igor Khorozyan, Matthias Waltert
Summary: Illegal killing and habitat modification are causing population declines in large mammalian carnivores. Using data from Iran, a single-visit N-mixture model was applied to understand the magnitude and drivers of leopard killing events. The study found a positive relationship between protected area size, livestock density, wild prey abundance, and the intensity of leopard killing.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Manuel Puettmanns, Franziska Lehmann, Fabian Willert, Jasmin Heinz, Antje Kieburg, Tim Filla, Niko Balkenhol, Matthias Waltert, Eckhard Gottschalk
Summary: The lack of suitable nesting sites is a key driver behind the decline of farmland birds in Europe. Crop diversification is believed to be a potential solution to this problem. This study found that in heterogeneous farmland, Skylarks responded to the decreasing suitability of winter cereals by switching nesting habitats, but overall nest success did not decrease throughout the breeding season.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marc Filla, Rinzin Phunjok Lama, Tashi Rapte Ghale, Tim Filla, Marco Heurich, Matthias Waltert, Igor Khorozyan
Summary: Large carnivores like the snow leopard face challenges in their protection due to conflicts with human interests. A study conducted in Nepal revealed that the density of blue sheep, a wild prey, had a strong positive effect on the relative abundance of snow leopards, while increasing livestock and human population density had a negative effect. The size of livestock holdings influenced the depredation events of large livestock, while the presence of marmots and higher human population density decreased the depredation events of sheep and goats. The study suggests the need to improve intervention strategies, such as predator-proofing corrals and optimizing daytime herding practices, to reduce conflicts between snow leopards and livestock.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Christian Kiffner, Richard A. Giliba, Pascal Fust, Jacqueline Loos, Matthias Waltert
Summary: In many parts of East Africa, wildlife populations have declined over the past decades. This study focuses on two areas in Tanzania, Rukwa Game Reserve and Katavi National Park, to assess the relative performance of different management strategies in conserving wildlife populations. The researchers compared densities and group sizes of large mammal populations between 2004 and 2021 and found no significant declines, suggesting a possible stabilization phase after earlier declines. This highlights the importance of considering appropriate temporal baselines and historical contexts when assessing conservation effectiveness.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
A. Laux, K. Mayer, W. Beeke, M. Waltert, E. Gottschalk
Summary: Predation and habitat deterioration are the main reasons for the decline in ground-nesting farmland birds. Flower blocks can reduce predator activity, and the surrounding landscape affects predator activity in flower blocks. Distance to the edge of the nesting habitat is the most important predictor for nest predation, and increasing habitat diversity and coverage of extensive vegetation types can minimize nest predation. These measures can also benefit other ground-nesting farmland birds.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Biographical-Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthias Waltert
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tim Caro, Andrew Dobson, Christian Kiffner, Matthias Waltert
Article
Ecology
Marc Filla, Rinzin Phunjok Lama, Tim Filla, Marco Heurich, Niko Balkenhol, Matthias Waltert, Igor Khorozyan
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various intervention strategies to protect snow leopards and livestock. The results suggest that the current main intervention strategies were not effective in reducing livestock losses, while the use of dogs, deterrents, and multiple interventions showed some potential. Controlled experiments should be conducted to further investigate and promote the most effective measures.
Article
Ecology
Margaretha Pangau-Adam, Marlina Flassy, Jan-Niklas Trei, Matthias Waltert, Mahmood Soofi
Summary: This study aims to assess the population status of introduced rusa deer in West Papua and investigate hunting practices. The study found a high density of rusa deer and highlighted the socioeconomic importance of hunting for rural communities, while also emphasizing the potential adverse effects on native flora and fauna. The study also emphasizes the importance of traditional knowledge and wildlife taboos in wildlife management.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2022)