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Evaluating the effectiveness of protected area management in Indonesia Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-03-18 Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, Wenda Yandra Komara, Peggy Awanti Nila Krisna, Oktafa Rini Puspita, Muhamad Muslich, Ulfah Mardhiah, William Marthy
Protected areas worldwide are strongholds for safeguarding biodiversity, natural habitats, ecosystem services and cultural values. Yet despite their importance, the effectiveness of protected area management varies greatly. Indonesia is a biodiversity hotspot, with 554 protected areas that cover 27 million ha across the archipelago. To assess and improve the management effectiveness of these protected
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Partnerships between private landowners and conservationists to protect one of the most evolutionarily distinct amphibians Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez, Sebastián Miranda, Ricardo Moreno-Gonzalez, Julio Gerding, Rayen Catrileo, Jules Guillemot, Soledad Delgado-Oyarzún, Maricela Núñez, Andrew A. Cunningham, María Belén Zapararte
Wildlife conservation on private land is an important approach that is increasingly utilized to protect biodiversity and can help contribute to the 30 by 30 target of the Global Biodiversity Framework. In 2018, a Chilean non-profit conservation organization launched a land conservation programme aiming to build long-term partnerships with private landowners to protect critical habitat for threatened
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Rediscovery of the Neotropical orchid Porroglossum parsonsii and recommendations for its conservation Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Edicson Parra-Sanchez, Juan Sebastián Moreno, Sebastián Vieira-Uribe, Luis Baquero, David P. Edwards
Understanding the distribution and habitat requirements of species is crucial for designing conservation actions, yet this information is not available for many plant species. We report the first confirmed wild populations of Porroglossum parsonsii, which, because of its horticultural value, is commercialized in national and international markets, from where it was first described to science. Our large-scale
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Reassessment of the conservation status of Crocidura fingui, a shrew endemic to Príncipe Island, Gulf of Guinea Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-21 João C.T. Alves, Yodiney dos Santos, Patrícia Guedes, Ricardo Rocha
The Fingui white-toothed shrew Crocidura fingui, categorized as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List, is endemic to Príncipe Island, Central Africa. It is currently known from < 10 sites and its ecology and any threats are largely unknown. We review its distribution and ecology, and any potential threats, based on camera-trap data, field observations and previously published and unpublished sightings
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Rediscovery of the waterlily Nymphaea thermarum Eb. Fisch. in Rwanda Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-21 Thomas Abeli, Sarah Marie Müller, Siegmar Seidel
Nymphaea thermarum Eb. Fisch. (family Nymphaeaceae) is a small waterlily endemic to Rwanda that has been categorized as Extinct in the Wild since 2010. We report the rediscovery of N. thermarum in July 2023, not far from its locus classicus, identify the current and potential threats to the wild population (mining and overharvesting by collectors, respectively) and recommend the urgent conservation
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Using local ecological knowledge to determine the status of Cantor's giant softshell turtle Pelochelys cantorii in Kerala, India Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-19 Ayushi Jain, V.A. Akshay, V. Deepak, Abhijit Das, Paul Barnes, Benjamin Tapley, Francoise Cavada-Blanco
The Critically Endangered Cantor's giant softshell turtle Pelochelys cantorii is a freshwater turtle found in South and Southeast Asia. Its population is declining because of habitat destruction and alteration, and hunting for its meat. Data on the species’ ecology, behaviour, population size, distribution and threats are limited, and previous surveys undertaken in India have failed to detect individuals
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Mapping the Ophiocordyceps sinensis value chain: actors, profits and social institutions in south-west China Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-09 Ben Fan, Jun He
Commercial use of wildlife is booming. However, knowledge of trade, price structure and benefit distribution mechanisms remain limited for many endemic, threatened and economically valuable species, impeding efforts to develop conservation intervention schemes in line with sustainable objectives. We illustrate the nature of commercialization of the caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis, collected
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Using power analysis and spatial prioritization to evaluate the design of a forest bird monitoring programme Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-02-01 Darren M. Southwell, Adam Smart, Samuel D. Merson, Katherine E. Selwood, Nicholas A. Macgregor
Biodiversity monitoring programmes should be designed with sufficient statistical power to detect population change. Here we evaluated the statistical power of monitoring to detect declines in the occupancy of forest birds on Christmas Island, Australia. We fitted zero-inflated binomial models to 3 years of repeat detection data (2011, 2013 and 2015) to estimate single-visit detection probabilities
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Challenges and possible conservation implications of recolonizing dholes Cuon alpinus in Nepal Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-01-31 Yadav Ghimirey, Raju Acharya, Kaushal Yadav, Jeevan Rai, Rishi Baral, Utsav Neupane, Binod Basnet, Martin Gilbert, Shashank Poudel, Berndt J. van Rensburg
The Endangered dhole Cuon alpinus is a medium-sized canid that was historically distributed widely across East, Central, South and Southeast Asia. In Nepal, following heavy persecution during the 1970s and 1980s, the species was locally extirpated across large parts of the country. After decades of near absence, the dhole is reportedly showing signs of recovery in various areas of Nepal. We carried
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Threatened or poorly known? The case of the Mediterranean narrow endemic Valeriana amazonum in Sardinia Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-01-31 Giuseppe Fenu, Giulia Calderisi, Donatella Cogoni
The Mediterranean flora is characterized by a high number of narrow endemic plant species that are often restricted to a few small populations. One of these species, Valeriana amazonum, a perennial plant occurring only in the Supramontes region of central eastern Sardinia, is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List because of its restricted range, small population size and an inferred
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Human–crocodile interactions in the western Solomon Islands: the importance of local data for reducing attacks on people Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-01-24 Shankar Aswani, Joshua Matanzima
Interactions between people and the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus frequently occur on islands and in coastal regions. Saltwater crocodiles impact people's lives and livelihoods by attacking them, resulting in minor or serious injuries, and by interfering in people's foraging activities. Retaliation may include killing the crocodiles involved. To reduce such human–crocodile interactions, data
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Reproductive populations of the Critically Endangered bat Phyllonycteris aphylla at two new locations in Jamaica Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-01-15 Phillip J. Oelbaum, Ronald P. Hall, Damion L. Whyte, Ronald S. Stewart, Jan Pauel, Silvia Kouwenberg, Elizabeth R. Dumont, Kenneth C. Welch
The Jamaican flower bat Phyllonycteris aphylla is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is endemic to Jamaica and formerly known only from Stony Hill Cave, where there are an estimated c. 500 individuals. Previously declared extinct twice, its rediscovery in 2010 at Stony Hill Cave marked new hope for the conservation of this important species. Although little is known about
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Reptiles and their conservation in south-west Ukraine Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-01-15 Oleksandra Oskyrko, Roman Lysenko, Daryna Obikhod, Maksym Yakovliev, Oleksandr Haidash
Knowledge of the spatial distribution of reptiles is essential for decision-making in conservation under future climate change scenarios. We present a new compilation of reptile records for Odesa Oblast (i.e. province), south-west Ukraine. We compiled 662 records: 200 from our own research during 2012–2022, 362 from the published literature, 73 from public databases and 27 from museum collections.
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Two decades of community-based conservation yield valuable insights into marine turtle nesting ecology Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-01-12 Casper H. van de Geer, Annette C. Broderick, Matt I.D. Carter, Athuman Abdallah Irei, Fikiri Kea Kiponda, Joseph Kiptum, Joe Ngunu Wandiga, Mohamed Omar, Nicola Parazzi, Hannah Sawyer-Kerr, Sam B. Weber, Ricardo Zanre, Brendan J. Godley
For the Western Indian Ocean region, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding marine turtle nesting on the continental coast of East Africa. Here we present results from a long-term (2000–2020) community-based monitoring programme in and around Watamu Marine National Park, Kenya, covering 30 km of coastline (c. 6% of the national total). Conservation actions effectively protected nesting turtles
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A systematic survey of online trade in the caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2024-01-10 Reshu Bashyal, David L. Roberts
Although wildlife trade has received considerable research and conservation attention, much of it has been focused on charismatic species, with taxa such as fungi receiving little or no attention despite being highly sought after. The caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis is highly valued as an ingredient in cosmetics and medicines, and as an aphrodisiac and dietary supplement. Despite its livelihood
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Status of the Critically Endangered gharial Gavialis gangeticus in the upper Ghaghara River, India, and its conservation in the Girwa–Ghaghara Rivers Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-12-22 Gaurav Vashistha, Vivek Ranjan, Devvrat Singh, Shantanu S. Ugemuge, Akash Deep Badhawan, Pulkit Gupta
The gharial Gavialis gangeticus is a Critically Endangered crocodilian endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Habitat modification by river damming and water extraction has caused a severe decline in its population. The status of the gharial is known within protected areas, but there have been few surveys for this species in unprotected areas. In Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, a breeding gharial population
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Cheetahs in Tanzania's Selous–Nyerere ecosystem: lack of evidence for current persistence, and reflections on historical status Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-12-15 Charlotte E. Searle, Paolo Strampelli, Leonard Haule, Singira N. Parsais, Kandey Olesyapa, Nasri Dadi Salum, Dennis Ikanda, Samuel Mtoka, Germanus Hape, Daniel Mathayo, Manase Elisa, Alex L. Lobora, Amy J. Dickman
The cheetah Acinonyx jubatus has suffered considerable range contractions in recent decades. Despite the importance of up-to-date information on distribution to guide conservation, such information is lacking for large areas within the species’ remaining potential range. In Tanzania, the largest tract of potential cheetah habitat without such data is the Selous–Nyerere ecosystem. Although the cheetah
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Living with leopards: an assessment of conflict and people's attitudes towards the common leopard Panthera pardus in a protected area in the Indian Himalayan region Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-12-14 Muzaffar A. Kichloo, Asha Sohil, Neeraj Sharma
Protected areas are important for wildlife conservation but they are also used by many local communities for livelihood activities. This often leads to conflicts and erodes the tolerance of local people for wildlife, particularly towards carnivores that prey on livestock. To enhance conservation success and improve the social carrying capacity of carnivores, it is essential to understand the factors
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Genetic insights to assist management of the Critically Endangered hangul Cervus hanglu hanglu in the Kashmir Himalaya Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-12-13 Sneha Narayan, Tanushree Srivastava, Gayathri Sreedharan, Bapin K. Panda, Javaid Hameed, Karthikeyan Vasudevan, P. Anuradha Reddy
The hangul Cervus hanglu hanglu, a Critically Endangered mountain ungulate of Jammu and Kashmir, India, faces the imminent threat of population loss and extinction. Effective management of its largest viable population in Dachigam National Park in the Kashmir Himalaya requires reliable demographic information. Using 14 microsatellite markers we identified 293 individuals (208 females and 85 males)
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Release trial of captive-bred variable harlequin frogs Atelopus varius shows that frogs disperse rapidly, are difficult to recapture and do not readily regain skin toxicity Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-12-13 Blake Klocke, Orlando Garcés, Elliot Lassiter, Jorge Guerrel, Andreas Hertz, Estefany Illueca, Eric Klaphake, Luke Linhoff, Kevin Minbiole, Heidi Ross, Julia A. Tasca, Douglas C. Woodhams, Brian Gratwicke, Roberto Ibáñez
Variable harlequin frogs Atelopus varius have declined significantly throughout their range as a result of infection with the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). The Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project maintains an ex situ population of this Critically Endangered species. We conducted a release trial with surplus captive-bred A. varius individuals to improve our ability
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Linking crop availability, forest elephant visitation and perceptions of human–elephant interactions in villages bordering Ivindo National Park, Gabon Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-12-07 Walter Mbamy, Christopher Beirne, Graden Z.L. Froese, Medard Obiang Ebanega, John R. Poulsen
Feeding by Critically Endangered forest elephants Loxodonta cyclotis in rural plantations is a conservation issue in Gabon, but studies characterizing drivers of spatiotemporal patterns of human–elephant interactions remain sparse, hindering mitigation. In this study, we use GPS tracking data from two elephants to characterize temporal patterns of village visitation, and surveys of 101 local farmers
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Viability of ‘ōhai Sesbania tomentosa seeds after 3 decades of ambient conditions Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-30 Emily Saling, Dustin Wolkis
The plant species Sesbania tomentosa (‘ōhai; Fabaceae) is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, federally listed as endangered in the USA and has been proposed for categorization as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. In 2021, c. 12,000 seeds from 12 seed lots collected during 1990–1992 from across the Hawaiian Islands were discovered in ambient herbarium conditions (55% relative humidity (RH) at 20 °C). International
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Breeding in an agricultural landscape: conservation actions increase nest survival in a ground-nesting bird Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-29 Ádám Kiss, Zsolt Végvári, Vojtěch Kubelka, Ákos Monoki, István Kapocsi, Szilvia Gőri, Tamás Székely
Agricultural intensification has affected wildlife across Europe, triggering steep declines and regional extinctions of farmland birds. Effective conservation activities are essential for the preservation of biodiversity in an agricultural landscape, but current efforts have not succeeded in halting these declines. Here we investigate a ground-nesting shorebird, the collared pratincole Glareola pratincola
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Searching for spots: a comprehensive survey for the Arabian leopard Panthera pardus nimr in Saudi Arabia Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-27 Carolyn E. Dunford, J. Philip B. Faure, Michael D. Ross, J. Andrew Spalton, Marine Drouilly, Kai J.P. Pryce-Fitchen, Ross De Bruin, Alexander E. Botha, Abdullah Alshehri, Nikki Le Roex, Guy Balme, Ahmed Almalki, Emma Gallacher, Mesfer Alhlafi, Saleh Alaamri, David R. Mills, Gareth Mann
The Arabian leopard Panthera pardus nimr is categorized as Critically Endangered, with < 200 individuals estimated to remain in the wild. Historically the species ranged over an extensive area of western Saudi Arabia but, with no confirmed sightings since 2014, investigating potential continued presence and distribution is of critical conservation importance. We present the results of a comprehensive
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Local community characteristics and potential conflicts around Asian tapir habitat in Batang Gadis National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-23 Wanda Kuswanda, Freddy Jontara Hutapea, Titiek Setyawati, Agus Purwoko
The Asian tapir Tapirus indicus population has decreased as a result of habitat destruction and degradation, illegal hunting and negative human–tapir interactions. Although this species is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a protected species in Indonesia, where it occurs on Sumatra, studies of its ecology and behaviour and of interactions with people remain limited. We investigated
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Recommendations for the establishment of a trans-island canopy bridge network to support primate movement across Langkawi Island, Malaysia Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-20 Benjamin Galea, Irshad Mobarak, Nur Afiqah Izzati, May Yin Fong, Muhammad Firdaus Dev Abdullah, Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari, Chen Kim Lim, Nadine Ruppert
The expansion of transportation and service corridors has numerous, well-documented adverse effects on wildlife. However, little research on this topic has been translated into mitigating the effects of habitat fragmentation caused by road development on primates. The establishment of canopy bridges has proven to be an effective conservation intervention. Of the completed primate canopy bridge projects
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The road to recovery: conservation management for the Critically Endangered Bali myna shows signs of success Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-20 Thomas M. Squires, Agus N.K. Kepakisan, Hery Kusumanegara, Nigel J. Collar, Luh P.E.K. Yuni, Andrew Owen, Andri Nugroho, Mas U. Sarmawi, S. Sunny Nelson, Nurul L. Winarni, Stuart J. Marsden
The Bali myna Leucopsar rothschildi has long suffered heavy trapping, leading to its near extinction in the wild and categorization as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Decades of conservation breeding, release of birds and post-release management at Bali Barat National Park have, until recently, failed to secure a viable wild population. However, over the past decade, population increases
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Threats to the Critically Endangered yellow-headed tortoise Indotestudo elongata in Jalthal Forest, eastern lowland Nepal Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-16 Asmit Subba, Laxman Khanal
Jalthal Forest (62.6 km2) is a remnant forest patch of a once continuous, lush and dense area of sal Shorea robusta and mixed deciduous vegetation in eastern lowland Nepal that is now surrounded by a dense human population. The forest is one of the last remnants of suitable habitat for the Critically Endangered yellow-headed tortoise Indotestudo elongata. This study explored the distribution of and
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Population monitoring of a Critically Endangered antelope, the mountain bongo, using camera traps and a novel identification scheme Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-13 Tommy Sandri, Mike Prettejohn, Fred Omengo, Bradley Cain, Martin Jones, W. Edwin Harris
Conservation monitoring is paramount for the gathering of information on species and populations in need of conservation actions. However, monitoring of the mountain bongo Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci, a Critically Endangered antelope endemic to Kenya, has hitherto been limited to surveillance (i.e. focused on persistence of the species in particular areas), thus limiting the information that could
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Projecting forest cover in Madagascar's protected areas to 2050 and its implications for lemur conservation Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-10 Serge C. Rafanoharana, F. Ollier D. Andrianambinina, H. Andry Rasamuel, Patrick O. Waeber, Lucienne Wilmé, Jörg U. Ganzhorn
Predicting future conservation needs can help inform conservation management but is subject to uncertainty. We measured deforestation rates during 2015–2017 for 114 protected areas in Madagascar, linked deforestation to the status of protection according to IUCN categories I–VI, used recent deforestation rates to extrapolate forest cover over 2017–2050 and linked the size of forest blocks to the projected
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Developing a framework to improve global estimates of conservation area coverage Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-07 Rachel E. Sykes, Helen M.K. O'Neill, Diego Juffe-Bignoli, Kristian Metcalfe, P.J. Stephenson, Matthew J. Struebig, Piero Visconti, Neil D. Burgess, Naomi Kingston, Zoe G. Davies, Robert J. Smith
Area-based conservation is a widely used approach for maintaining biodiversity, and there are ongoing discussions over what is an appropriate global conservation area coverage target. To inform such debates, it is necessary to know the extent and ecological representativeness of the current conservation area network, but this is hampered by gaps in existing global datasets. In particular, although
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Using SMS surveys to understand songbird ownership and shark product consumption in Indonesia Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-11-06 Nuruliawati, Ulfah Mardhiah, Ade Indah Muktamarianti, Efin Muttaqin, Sheherazade, Selly Surya, Agung Nugroho, Cahyo Rahmadi, Daniwari Widiyanto, Matthew Leggett, Sofi Mardiah, Diogo Veríssimo
The unsustainable use of wildlife increases the risk of species extinction. In biodiversity-rich Indonesia, information on the scale of wildlife use is limited and requires further study. To address this, we explored the potential of text messaging (short message service; SMS) surveys to investigate levels and spatial patterns of domestic wildlife use, using songbird keeping and shark consumption as
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Analysis of a 131-year longitudinal dataset of the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Hong Kong: implications for conservation Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-10-17 Michael Ka Yiu Hui, Bosco Pui Lok Chan
Hong Kong is one of the busiest metropolises, and the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra is one of its most threatened species. We collected published data for 1890–2020 to document changes in local otter abundance and distribution over time. The 108 records revealed new distribution data and showed that decline began as early as the 1930s. The local Eurasian otter is strongly associated with coastal and alluvial
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Local perceptions, hunting and export of the Endangered Goliath frog Conraua goliath in Cameroon Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-10-11 Geraud C. Tasse Taboue, Branly C. Ntene Soh, Ursla B. Koumbo Tagagoum, Arnaud M. Tchassem Fokoua, Jules R. Ngueguim, Nono L. Gonwouo, Eric B. Fokam, Thomas M. Doherty-Bone
Official protection of an exploited species sometimes precedes any quantitative understanding of its use, including any dependence of local residents on it for food and livelihood. Conservation initiatives could suffer without this information. The Goliath frog Conraua goliath is iconic globally because of its large size, and is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The main threat to this
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From pets to plates: network analysis of trafficking in tortoises and freshwater turtles representing different types of demand Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-09-21 Ramya Roopa Sengottuvel, Aristo Mendis, Nazneen Sultan, Shivira Shukla, Anirban Chaudhuri, Uttara Mendiratta
Despite being protected under the law, illegal trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles is common in India, with different species being trafficked for different markets. Indian species of tortoises and hard-shell turtles are predominantly trafficked for the pet trade and soft-shell turtles for the meat trade. Given their distinct markets, the operation of trade may vary between these different groups
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A systematic survey of the online trade in elephant ivory in Singapore before and after a domestic trade ban Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-09-13 Hazelina H.T. Yeo, Sean J.W. Ng, Janelle S.R. Lee, Malcolm C.K. Soh, Anna M.S. Wong, Adrian H.B. Loo, Kenneth B.H. Er
The illegal online trade in wildlife has increased significantly over the last 2 decades. Applying a systematic survey approach, we examined the online trade in elephant ivory before and after the implementation of a domestic trade ban in Singapore, to understand the forms of elephant ivory offered for sale, the e-commerce sites used and the effect of the domestic trade ban. Using elephant ivory and
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Recent studies on Indian primates show declining population trends, even in protected areas Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-09-11 Shahid Hameed, Tawqir Bashir, Mohammad Niamat Ali, Munib Khanyari, Ajith Kumar
Population size and geographical range are the key quantitative criteria used by the IUCN to assess the conservation status of a species. However, such information is often incomplete and inconsistent, even for seemingly abundant species. To assess the population and conservation status of Indian primates, we conducted a systematic review of recent research using the searching, appraisal, synthesis
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Insights from the media into the bird trade in India: an analysis of reported seizures Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-09-11 Sharda Kalra, Alisa Davies, Rowan O. Martin, Asha Poonia
India has an extensive bird trade that provides income and livelihoods for many people but involves considerable unregulated and illegal activity, threatening both native and exotic species and posing potential health risks to people and wildlife. Action to curb illegal trade is vital, but there is currently a lack of information on trade routes and the species involved to inform the development of
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Giant panda loan exhibitions in China underdeliver on educating visitors: insights and recommendations for improvements Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-09-04 Xuemei Yao, Wei Li, Wenhao Hu, Ling Zhang, Dingzhen Liu
Giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca exhibits are popular attractions for zoos and wildlife parks. However, it remains to be investigated whether such exhibits enhance visitor knowledge about pandas and broader conservation issues. We conducted questionnaire surveys at giant panda exhibits at three city zoos and five wildlife parks in China. Although visitors were generally interested in the giant panda
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Is the hangul Cervus hanglu hanglu in Kashmir drifting towards extinction? Evidence from 19 years of monitoring Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-08-31 Khursheed Ahmad, Marco Mirelli, Samina Charoo, Parag Nigam, Qamar Qureshi, Rashid Y. Naqash, Stefano Focardi
The Tarim red deer Cervus hanglu has been recently recognized as a separate deer species with populations in China, Central Asia and Kashmir. These populations are few, isolated and at risk of extinction. The documented range of the Kashmir population of the hangul, now recognized as Cervus hanglu hanglu, is restricted to c. 808 km2 and comprises < 200 individuals, confined mainly to the 141 km2 Dachigam
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African Forest elephants persist in Guinea-Bissau but require an emergency conservation plan Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-08-25 Luís Palma, Raquel Godinho, Quebá Quecuta, Tomé Mereck, João Mandeck, Teli Uri Só, Juan Pablo Cancela, Pedro Beja
The status of the forest elephant Loxodonta cyclotis in Guinea-Bissau has been in doubt since the last assessment in 2006. In 2020–2022 we carried out field surveys to update the species' status. We found elephant signs within an area of c. 1,000 km2. Microsatellite genotyping of faeces identified four males. Females could not be individually identified but their presence was confirmed by molecular
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Bird diversity in the forests and coconut farms of Sulawesi, Indonesia Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-08-11 Nurul L. Winarni, Simon L. Mitchell, Bhisma G. Anugra, Nicolas J. Deere, Khaleb Yordan, Boas Immanuel, Zuliyanto Zakaria, Muhajir A.W. Gaib, Jatna Supriatna, Matthew J. Struebig
Coconut farming contributes to the livelihoods of millions of people in tropical countries but is less frequently considered as a threat to biodiversity compared to other palm commodities such as oil palm. The expansion of coconut farming alongside other smallholder agriculture in Sulawesi, Indonesia, is of potential concern as the region is a centre of species endemism. We studied bird diversity and
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Status of the snow leopard Panthera uncia in the Qilian Mountains, Gansu Province, China Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-08-10 Changzhi Zhang, Teng Ma, Duifang Ma
Population density estimation is integral to the effective conservation and management of wildlife. The snow leopard Panthera uncia is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and reliable information on its density is a prerequisite for its conservation and management. Little is known about the status of the snow leopard in the central and eastern Qilian Mountains, China. To address this, we
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Support for wildlife consumption bans and policies in China post-Covid-19 Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-08-09 Jessica Bell Rizzolo, Annah Lake Zhu, Ruishan Chen
The Covid-19 pandemic, which probably arose from zoonotic sources, has provoked wide-ranging discussion on which wildlife policies can best prevent future pandemics. More work needs to be done to investigate support for regulatory frameworks in China post-Covid-19 and specifically to model how perceptions of the relationship between wildlife consumption and risk of zoonotic diseases combine with other
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New records of the Endangered Helan Shan pika Ochotona argentata, with notes on its natural history and conservation Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-08-08 Joseph P. Lambert, Jingyao Li, Yibin Li, Xuehan Hou, Kun Shi
The Helan Shan pika Ochotona argentata is an Endangered pika endemic to Ningxia Helan Shan National Nature Reserve in China. Little is known about the species, including regarding its population status, distribution, habitat requirements and even basic natural history. We conducted camera trapping in the Reserve during 13 January 2020–25 January 2022 and obtained two new records for this species. These
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Translocation as a tool for the conservation of the jaguar Panthera onca: a case study in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-08-08 Fernando C.C. Azevedo, Pedro H. Nobre, Giovanne A. Ferreira, Ronaldo Morato, Rogério C. de Paula, Paulo R. Amaral, Eduardo Eizirik, Caroline C. Sartor, Artur Andriolo
The success of translocation as a management tool is based on reversing the factors that led to a population becoming threatened or locally extinct. We assessed whether translocating a jaguar Panthera onca into the surroundings of a protected area in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest with a resident jaguar population was effective. We captured a male jaguar in an urban area where there were no substantiated
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From terra incognita to hotspot: the largest South Pacific green turtle nesting population in the forgotten reefs of New Caledonia Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-08-01 Jacques Fretey, Tyffen C. Read, Léa Carron, Christophe Fontfreyde, Aurélie Fourdrain, Julie-Anne Kerandel, Vincent Liardet, Marc Oremus, Morgane Reix-Tronquet, Marc Girondot
The green turtle Chelonia mydas is a large marine turtle present in tropical and subtropical seas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List based on the trend of nesting populations at 32 sites, of which only three are in the Pacific Ocean. New Caledonia is a sui generis overseas territory of France in the south-west Pacific Ocean c. 1,210 km east
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Environmental education in the classroom: pilot study in Cabo Verde suggests differing impacts on local knowledge and environmental attitudes Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-07-31 Romy Rice, Momna Hejmadi, Herval Silva, Robert N. Kelsh, Janete Agues, Noémie Engel, Tamás Székely
To execute environmental education effectively, the success and impacts of educational activities must be assessed. In areas of high biodiversity there is generally a lack of evaluation of the impact of environmental education. In this study we investigate the effect of a one-time classroom activity on student knowledge of local environmental issues, environmental attitudes and aspirations. The project
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Black-bellied pangolin Phataginus tetradactyla documented in Deng Deng National Park, Cameroon, using camera traps Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-07-25 Ghislain F. Difouo, Franklin T. Simo, Sévilor Kekeunou, David Olson, Daniel J. Ingram
Information on pangolin life history and ecology is becoming increasingly available in African countries through community-based surveys and camera-trapping. However, there is a paucity of information on the largely arboreal black-bellied pangolin Phataginus tetradactyla, which is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. By targeting fallen trees or logs with camera traps we recorded the black-bellied
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Living on the edge: forest edge effects on microclimate and terrestrial mammal activity in disturbed lowland forest in Sumatra, Indonesia Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-07-24 Helen D. Slater, Phillipa K. Gillingham, Victoria Pratt, Ben Eaton, Simon Fletcher, Abdullah Abdullah, Supriadi, Amanda H. Korstjens
Species–environment relationships are often studied at large spatial scales, but effective conservation requires an understanding of local-scale environmental drivers and pressures. Widespread degradation and fragmentation of forests have increased the proportion of tropical mammal habitat that is affected by edge effects. Edge effects include greater exposure to anthropogenic disturbance and abiotic
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Secrets of the clouded leopard: abundance, habitat use and carnivore coexistence in tropical forest of Manas National Park, Assam, India Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-07-21 Urjit Bhatt, Salvador Lyngdoh
The mainland clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and considered at high risk of extinction in the wild. Despite this, knowledge of its ecology and population status remains limited. We investigated the population density, habitat utilization and spatial and temporal ecology of the clouded leopard in Manas National Park, north-east India. We deployed camera
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Finance and biodiversity conservation: insights from rhinoceros conservation and the first wildlife conservation bond Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-07-13 Claire Medina, Ivan R. Scales
The Rhino Bond is the first financial instrument dedicated to protecting a species. The Bond allows investors to invest in the conservation of the black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis, with the amount of money returned by the investment depending on whether rhinoceros numbers increase (and by how much). In this paper we focus on how the Bond was brought into being. We draw on an analysis of organizational
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Binturong ecology and conservation in pristine, fragmented and degraded tropical forests Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-07-04 Arata Honda, Zachary Amir, Calebe P. Mendes, Jonathan H. Moore, Matthew Scott Luskin
The persistence of seed-dispersing animals in degraded habitats could be critical for ensuring the long-term conservation value and restoration of forests. This is particularly important in Southeast Asia, where > 70% of the remaining forest areas are within 1 km of a forest edge, and many are degraded (e.g. logged). We synthesized information on the habitat associations of the binturong Arctictis
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Predicting suitable habitat for the Critically Endangered African wild ass Equus africanus in the Danakil Desert of Eritrea Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-07-04 Redae T. Tesfai, Francesca Parrini, Patricia D. Moehlman, Nicholas E. Young, Paul H. Evangelista
The Critically Endangered African wild ass Equus africanus is one of the most threatened equids, with fewer than 400 individuals persisting in the Danakil Desert (Eritrea), and fewer than 600 globally. To effectively conserve the species, it is essential to determine the extent of available suitable habitats and understand the environmental factors that most influence its current distribution. During
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Satellite-monitored movements of the Amazon River dolphin and considerations for their conservation Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-07-03 Elizabeth Campbell, Joanna Alfaro-Shigueto, Jeffrey C. Mangel, Jose Luis Mena, Ruth H. Thurstan, Brendan J. Godley, David March
The Amazon River dolphin Inia geoffrensis occurs throughout the basins of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Using satellite tracking data from eight dolphins (one female and seven males) in the Peruvian Amazon, we demonstrate that these dolphins inhabit a variety of habitat types and have core areas and home range areas of variable magnitudes. To gain
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Going over the wall: insights into the illegal production of jaguar products in a Bolivian prison Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-06-28 Angie Elwin, Eyob Asfaw, Roberto Vieto, Neil D'Cruze
As the largest felid in the Americas, the jaguar Panthera onca has both ecological and cultural significance in Bolivia. Yet jaguar populations are declining because of multiple pervasive anthropogenic pressures, including domestic and international demand for their body parts. Since 2013, Bolivia has become a centre of the illegal trade of jaguar body parts, driven by demand from Chinese markets.
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Status of vertebrate species in Danial Cave, northern Iran Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-06-23 Pouria Ghelich Khani, Ali T. Qashqaei, Heidi Kolkert
Cave biodiversity and ecosystems are underexplored. To guide conservation needs for visitor management, we surveyed the 2,158 m long Danial Cave in northern Iran for vertebrate fauna. We identified four mammalian and two amphibian species in the cave: the greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Blasius's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus blasii, the lesser mouse-eared myotis Myotis blythii, the Hyrcanian
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Population dynamics and conservation status of the white-headed langur in the Chongzuo forest fragments, Guangxi, China Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-06-14 Hua Xing Tang, Heng Lian Huang, Zen Xing Wang, Jian Bao Wu, Ai Long Wang, Deng Pan Nong, Paul A. Garber, Qi Hai Zhou, Cheng Ming Huang
We present the results of two population surveys conducted 10 years apart (December 2010–February 2011 and December 2020–January 2021) of the Critically Endangered white-headed langur Trachypithecus leucocephalus in the Chongzuo White-Headed Langur National Nature Reserve, Guangxi Province, China. In the first survey, we recorded 818 individuals in 105 groups and 16 solitary adult males. In the second
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UAV-assisted counts of group size facilitate accurate population surveys of the Critically Endangered cao vit gibbon Nomascus nasutus Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-06-12 Oliver R. Wearn, Hoang Trinh-Dinh, Quyet Khac Le, Tho Duc Nguyen
Gibbons are often difficult to observe in dense forest habitats using traditional ground-based methods. This makes it challenging to estimate group sizes and, in turn, population sizes. This has proven to be a key constraint on accurate monitoring of the last remaining population of the Critically Endangered cao vit gibbon Nomascus nasutus. However, new technologies are beginning to circumvent the
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A tale of two species: the importance of native ecosystems for long-term conservation on Príncipe Island, Gulf of Guinea Oryx (IF 2.7) Pub Date : 2023-06-09 Guilherme R.V. Rebelo, Filipa C. Soares, Martina Panisi, Yodiney dos Santos, Tania L.F. Bird, Frazer Sinclair, Jorge Palmeirim, Ricardo Faustino de Lima
Since it was first described in 1901, the Príncipe thrush Turdus xanthorhynchus has been rare and restricted to the native forest in the south of Príncipe Island. The Obô giant land snail Archachatina bicarinata, however, was widespread across the island and at least locally abundant until the 1990s. Since then its population has collapsed, and now, like the thrush, it is also restricted to the native