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Habitat loss and degradation reduce the abundance of the glossy grass skink, Pseudemoia rawlinsoni Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-15 Jules E. Farquhar, Lucy Wotherspoon, Hilary Porter, David G. Chapple
Context Habitat loss and degradation are major drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide. In particular, wetland environments are being removed and degraded faster than any other terrestrial habitat on earth. The loss and degradation of wetlands has been particularly pronounced in south-eastern Australia. Aims Here we investigated the impact of habitat loss and degradation on the Data Deficient glossy
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Seasonal nest use of sympatric North American flying squirrels Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-13 Rosemary Minns, Rebekah Persad, Laurelie Menelon, Sasha L. Newar, Paul P. O’Brien, Samantha M. Stead, Jeff Bowman
Context Nest or roost sites are important for social thermoregulators – not only because the locations provide shelter from harsh climates, but also because they provide sites for social aggregations. Nest use can therefore be informative about selection pressures facing social thermoregulators. Aims The aim of this study was to assess seasonal changes in nest use of sympatric northern (Glaucomys sabrinus)
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Ten years of camera trapping for a cryptic and threatened arboreal mammal – a review of applications and limitations Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-09 Dan Harley, Arabella Eyre
For many cryptic mammal species, limited distributional data restrict the scope or effectiveness of conservation actions, particularly in relation to habitat protection and/or management. The critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum illustrates this, with wet forests throughout its range impacted by logging and bushfire. The possum’s habitat has been subject to major disturbance and degradation over
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Diet of fallow deer suggests potential for invasion of novel habitats in Tasmania Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-05 Thomas R. Guy, Jamie B. Kirkpatrick, Calum X. Cunningham, Tina E. Berry, Kathryn L. Dawkins, Michael M. Driessen, Chris N. Johnson
Context Understanding the diet of invasive species can inform the potential for their distribution into novel habitats. Fallow deer are well established in the grassy woodlands of central Tasmania, Australia, in environments generally considered to be their optimum habitat. They are also increasing their range. The potential range of fallow deer in Tasmania will depend on their ability to vary their
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Environmental DNA detection of spot-tailed quoll from soil is unlikely to be useful for routine monitoring Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-19 Lauren C. White, Jenny L. Nelson, Maria Cardoso, Carlo Pacioni
Context Accurate monitoring data on species presence and distribution are crucial for effective conservation management. Environmental DNA (eDNA)-based techniques, in which species are detected from trace amounts of DNA found throughout the environment, are promising tools that may complement traditional monitoring methods and improve detection. However, imperfect detection is a feature of all survey
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Prevalence of pathogens important to human and companion animal health in an urban unowned cat population Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-11 Tamar Michaelian, Lana Harriott, Matthew Gentle, Tatiana Proboste, Ian Kei Ho, Rowland Cobbold
Context The deleterious impacts of cat predation on wildlife have been well documented. Additionally, unowned cats may act as reservoirs of disease important to public and companion animal health and their proclivity for roaming and fighting enables effective disease transmission. Urban environments support the highest human populations and companion animal densities, increasing the potential for disease
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Immobilisation efficacy of conducted electrical weapons on captive white-tailed deer Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-11 Patrick J. Grunwald, Mark G. Ruder, David A. Osborn, Lisa I. Muller, Kaitlin O. Goode, Gino J. D’Angelo
Context Wildlife emergencies (e.g. injured animals) often require capture or humane dispatch of animals to resolve the situation. Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) have the potential to immobilise white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for a short duration to avoid potential risks of extended immobilisation (e.g. chemical immobilisation) and increase safety for managers and the public during
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Influence of wildfire and feral horse use on mule deer summer range occupancy Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-05 Ryan C. Platte, Ryan E. Torland
Context Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are a species of social, economic and cultural importance that are experiencing a population decline throughout much of their range. Factors such as disease, landscape-level changes in nutritional output of forage species, winter habitat degradation, habitat fragmentation, competition for resources with both domestic and wild ungulates, and predation have all
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High survivorship and rapid population growth of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) reintroduced to a feral predator exclosure Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-05 Cassandra M. Arkinstall, Sean I. FitzGibbon, Kevin J. Bradley, Katherine E. Moseby, Peter J. Murray
Context The distribution of the threatened greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) has significantly contracted since the introduction of feral cats and foxes. To counteract these threats, bilbies have been reintroduced to multiple feral predator exclosures and offshore islands across Australia. Aims The aims of this study were to monitor the reintroduction of bilbies to the feral predator exclosure at Currawinya
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Fighting the flames: site-specific effects determine species richness of Australian frogs after fire Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-19 Brittany A. Mitchell, Simon B. Z. Gorta, Corey T. Callaghan, Richard T. Kingsford, Jodi J. L. Rowley
Context Fire has played an integral role in regulating patterns of biodiversity for millions of years. However, anthropogenic disturbance and climate change has altered fire activity – driving increases in both fire severity and scale. The effect fire now has on the persistence of biodiversity is poorly known, especially for frogs. Studies examining frog responses to fire usually have small sample
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Raccoon abundance indexing and removal: implications for Blanding’s turtle nest success Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-19 Andrew U. Rutter, John P. Vanek, Gary A. Glowacki, Callie K. Golba, Richard B. King, Craig K. Pullins, Wesley E. Smith
Context Elevated mesopredator populations can pose a threat to species of conservation concern. Aims We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of raccoon removal on their abundance and on Blanding’s turtle nest success. Methods We used an index of raccoon abundance generated from camera-trap data and information on the success of Blanding’s turtle nests to compare adjacent control and raccoon-removal
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The impact of wild boars on the temporal resource utilisation of silver pheasants in South China Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-19 Wei Liu, Xinhang Song, Ruge Wang, Lingying Shuai, Shuping Xiao, Yanzhen Bu
Context Increased populations of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in many ecosystems have raised concern regarding the impacts of this species on ecosystems and biodiversity. The relationship between other wildlife and wild boars is not yet fully understood, due to a lack of studies on whether and how other wildlife avoid wild boar interference. Aims This study aimed to investigate the impact of wild boars on
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Estimating roadkill rates while accounting for carcass detection and persistence using open-population capture–recapture models Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-30 Talita Menger, Andreas Kindel, Ismael Verrastro Brack
Context Accurately estimating wildlife roadkill is necessary to compare different roads, periods, and species, and to plan and assess mitigation effectiveness. We must account for the two main sources of errors associated with carcass sampling – carcass detection and persistence. Open-population models are used to estimate abundance, survival probabilities, and recruitment in living animal populations
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Developing Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assays for rapid, presumptive DNA detection of an invasive reptile (Boa constrictor) Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-26 Nathan Deliveyne, Jeremy J. Austin, Phillip Cassey
Context Wildlife trade is a prominent pathway for invasive species introductions into novel environments. Deliberate or accidental release of exotic pets can result in the establishment of alien populations, with damaging impacts for native species and environmental assets. This process is well documented for reptiles globally and is of considerable biosecurity concern in Australia. Boa constrictor
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Effects of sardines as an attractant on carnivore detection and temporal activity patterns at remote camera traps Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-10-17 Anna C. Siegfried, Stephen N. Harris, Colleen Olfenbuttel, David S. Jachowski
Context Adding an attractant to remote camera traps has become a popular method to increase detections of cryptic carnivores. However, there is ongoing debate about whether this practice can bias the behaviour and activity patterns of these species. Aims Our aim was to determine how using a popular attractant at camera traps could affect carnivore detection probabilities and temporal activity. Methods
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Spatial and temporal variation in the diet of introduced sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in an alpine landscape Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-09-26 Matthew J. Quin, John W. Morgan, Nicholas P. Murphy
Context In south-eastern Australia, the abundance and distribution of non-native sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) has increased dramatically in alpine environments. As a result, significant concern surrounds the potential for the species to impact rare plant species and vegetation communities through browsing. Aims We aimed to determine the diversity of the plant species eaten by sambar deer in the Alpine
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What can wildlife-detection dogs offer for managing small mammalian predators? Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-09-26 Alistair S. Glen, Patrick M. Garvey, John Innes, Finlay Buchanan
Small mammalian predators can have low population densities, as well as cryptic and highly mobile behaviours, making these species challenging to manage. Monitoring tools such as camera traps, hair traps and footprint tracking devices can help detect cryptic species, but they require an animal to approach and, in most cases, interact with a device. They also have limited capacity to help capture animals
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Comparisons of morphometrics and body condition between two breeding populations of Australian humpback whales Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-09-21 Grace Russell, Fredrik Christiansen, Andrew Colefax, Kate R. Sprogis, Daniele Cagnazzi
Context: The east and west coasts of Australia form the breeding grounds for two of the world’s largest and fastest-growing populations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). These populations show differences in mean lipid content, fatty acid profiles, and stable isotope values. Aims: To determine whether these differences result in variation in nutritional health and physiology between populations
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Anti-predator strategies of blue sheep (naur) under varied predator compositions: a comparison of snow leopard-inhabited valleys with and without wolves in Nepal Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-09-21 Kamal Thapa, Santosh Rayamajhi
Context: In Nepal, naur are usually the staple wild prey for the snow leopard, a solitary stalker hunter, and in some cases, for the wolf who hunts in a pack. We assumed that naur would adapt their anti-predatory responses to the presence of chasing and ambushing predators in the Manang Valley, where there are snow leopards and wolves, and in the Nar Phu valley, an area where there is only the snow
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Water scarcity exacerbates feral ungulate use of ephemeral savanna waterholes in northern Australia Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-09-18 Helenna Mihailou, Dale G. Nimmo, Melanie Massaro
Context: Australian savannas evolved in the absence of hooved mammals and are therefore prone to disturbance from exotic ungulates. Several ungulate species have established feral populations in Australia’s northern savannas. Because most ungulate species have high water requirements, seasonal and interannual changes in water availability are likely to affect their behaviour and the extent of their
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Novel acoustic lure methodology facilitates detection of the cryptic ghost bat at a landscape scale Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-09-18 Laura Ruykys, Nicola Hanrahan, Danielle Stokeld
Context: The conservation of the threatened ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) is currently hampered by a lack of standardised survey methodology for detecting the species away from known roosts. The low amplitude of the species’ echolocation call, together with only sporadic production of social calls while foraging, means that acoustic detection is unreliable. However, the ghost bat is known to be physically
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Evaluating predator control using two non-invasive population metrics: a camera trap activity index and density estimation from scat genotyping Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-09-12 Jessica L. Keem, Bronwyn A. Hradsky, Joe Benshemesh, Mark Le Pla, Abigail Watkins, Andrew R. Weeks, Anthony van Rooyen, John Black, Darren Southwell
Context: Invasive mammalian predators are a threat to biodiversity and agriculture globally, yet management outcomes for lethal predator control remain difficult to monitor and evaluate. Understanding whether changes in activity indices correspond to true changes in population density will help inform effective monitoring and management programs. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect
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Modelling the management of an invasive species at landscape scale: are oral contraceptives the missing ingredient for success? Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-09-12 S. Croft, G. Massei
Context: Invasive non-native species are on the rise worldwide, exacerbating already significant environmental and economic impacts. Concurrently, public attitudes towards methods of controlling these species are changing, with greater demand for non-lethal solutions. This has fostered research into developing new, effective technologies and strategies for wildlife management. Aims: On the basis of
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Effects of multiple aspects of anthropogenic landscape change on mesopredator relative abundance Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-08-29 Robert L. Emmet, Kirk W. Stodola, Thomas J. Benson, Maximilian L. Allen
Context: Anthropogenic landscape changes have substantial effects on biodiversity and animal populations worldwide. However, anthropogenic landscape change can take a variety of forms, and its effects on wildlife species can vary by landscape context and scale. It is therefore critical that studies of the effects of anthropogenic landscape change on wildlife consider landscape context and model effects
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Movement and ranging behaviour of long-nosed potoroos (Potorous tridactylus) in south-west Victoria, Australia Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-08-29 Mark Le Pla, Bronwyn A. Hradsky, Julian Di Stefano, Tamika C. Farley-Lehmer, Emma K. Birnbaum, Jack H. Pascoe
Context: A comprehensive understanding of movements and space use can underpin the effective management of threatened species. GPS dataloggers can collect large amounts of high-quality movement data, and recent advances in statistical approaches allow for robust estimates of home range size to be generated. Until recently, technological and practical constraints have generally restricted the collection
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Managing conflict between nesting common terns and herring gulls Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-08-14 Jeffery D. Sullivan, Amy W. O’Donnell, Lauren M. Lescure, Andrew J. Rapp, Carl R. Callahan, Peter C. McGowan, Tim Carney, Diann J. Prosser
Context: Due to the frequent depredation of eggs and chicks by herring gulls (Larus argentatus), numerous approaches to reduce their impact on tern colonies have been tested by wildlife managers. Previous studies have shown that the use of overhead lines presents a promising method to prevent gull nesting in tern colonies, but little work has evaluated if this approach is suitable for excluding both
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Adaptive protocols identify sources of post-capture mortality in radio-marked wild turkeys Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-08-03 Matthew Gonnerman, Stephanie A. Shea, Kelsey Sullivan, Pauline Kamath, Erik Blomberg
Context: Stress or injury resulting from capture and marking of animals is a potential cause of mortality following release. Multiple methods have been developed to identify sources of post-capture mortality, but these are most often applied following completion of field work to identify an appropriate censor window for other analyses. Aims: Following unacceptable levels of post-capture mortality (13
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Diet and impacts of non-native fallow deer (Dama dama) on pastoral properties during severe drought Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-31 Naomi E. Davis, David M. Forsyth, Andrew J. Bengsen
Context: There is concern about potential competition between non-native fallow deer (Dama dama) and livestock for food, particularly during times of low rainfall when pasture is scarce. Aims: We aimed to estimate the extent to which a high-density fallow deer population (~37 deer per km2) competed with livestock for food during a severe drought on pastoral properties on the Liverpool Plains, New South
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Decline in semi-arid reptile occurrence following habitat loss and fragmentation Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-24 R. E. L. Simpson, D. G. Nimmo, L. J. Wright, S. Wassens, D. R. Michael
Context: Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading causes of biodiversity decline worldwide. In Australia, woodland habitat has been extensively cleared and fragmented yet there has been limited research on the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on semi-arid reptiles, impeding conservation planning and recovery efforts. Aims: We aimed to investigate factors influencing the distribution and
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Origins and population genetics of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) introduced to Australia and New Zealand Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-20 Lee A. Rollins, Daniel Lees, Andrew P. Woolnough, Andrea J. West, Michael Perry, David M. Forsyth
Context: Some populations of introduced species cause significant undesirable impacts but can also act as reservoirs for genetic diversity. Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) are ‘Vulnerable’ in their native range and invasive in Australia and New Zealand. Genetic data can be used to determine whether these introduced populations might serve as genetic reservoirs for declining native populations and to
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Immunocontraception of the female African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) in South Africa: from pipe dream to policy Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-21 A. K. Delsink, J. J. van Altena, M. L. Schulman, H. J. Bertschinger
Globally, African savanna elephants have been assessed as ‘endangered’. Consequently, additional threats and losses due to human–elephant conflict (HEC) could further exacerbate the species’ decline. In stark contrast, South Africa’s elephant populations are mostly confined within fenced-in reserves that impede natural processes such as migration. As ecosystem engineers, elephant population growth
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Implementing implants: delivery efficiency, contraceptive efficacy and population outcomes in two overabundant kangaroo populations Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-18 Graeme Coulson, Michelle E. Wilson
Context: Overabundant native wildlife can pose serious challenges for managers. The most direct, immediate way to reduce density-dependent impacts is by culling, but lethal control often lacks public support. Fertility control offers a non-lethal management alternative. Aims: We conducted two fertility-control projects on eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), a common and widespread species
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Habitat, connectivity, and roadkill of Korea’s apex predator, the yellow-throated marten Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-18 Wanmo Kang, Taeyoung Choi, GoWoon Kim, Donggul Woo
Context: The yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), an endangered species in South Korea, is an important apex predator of that country’s temperate forest ecosystem. Human impacts on the landscape continue to threaten marten populations, for which there is insufficient understanding of critical habitats and areas required for population connectivity. Aims: In this study, our aim was to develop
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Genetic analysis reveals spatial structure in an expanding introduced rusa deer population Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-10 Scarlett Li-Williams, Katarina C. Stuart, Sebastien Comte, David M. Forsyth, Michelle Dawson, William B. Sherwin, Lee A. Rollins
Context: Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis), originally introduced in the 1860s, are still spreading in eastern Australia. The expanding peri-urban rusa deer population in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia is having undesirable impacts on human and ecological communities, but the spatial structure of this population has not been investigated. Genetic information on invasive species is potentially
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A review of viral and parasitic infections in wild deer in Australia with relevance to livestock and human health Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-11 Jose L. Huaman, Karla J. Helbig, Teresa G. Carvalho, Mark Doyle, Jordan Hampton, David M. Forsyth, Anthony R. Pople, Carlo Pacioni
Wild animals harbour a diverse range of pathogens. In Europe and North America, cervids (Family Cervidae) can act as reservoirs for viral, prion, bacterial, and parasitic infections. Wild deer often inhabit agricultural land, therefore representing a biosecurity risk due to their potential ability to transmit diseases to livestock. Multiple studies have investigated the infection status of wild deer
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Factors influencing fine-scale occupancy and detectability of an insular Atlantic Forest frog Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-11 Caroline Norén Flynn, Átilla Colombo Ferreguetti, Luciana Ardenghi Fusinatto, Marlon Almeida-Santos, Fernanda Dias-Silva, Helena Godoy Bergallo, Carlos Frederico D. Rocha
Context: Species of the tropical frog Family Hylodidae tend to be restricted to streams and, hence, have a small occupancy area. Hylodes fredi (Canedo and Pombal 2007), a diurnal stream-dwelling species endemic to the Atlantic Forest in Ilha Grande, south-eastern Brazil, is one such species. Because of scarce population studies, it is also categorised as Data Deficient (DD) in the IUCN Red List. Previous
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Pampas fox spatial and temporal variation in Argentinean agroecosystems Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-11 Antonella Gorosábel, María Paula Barral, Lucía Bernad, Sebastián Darío Muñoz, Jaime Bernardos, Julieta Pedrana
Context: Agricultural activities have reduced wildlife natural habitats and increased the spatial overlap between animals’ distribution and human activities. However, carnivores with a broad diet and flexible habitat requirements can tolerate human-induced environmental changes. Thus, identifying changes in their densities and spatial distribution are important factors to take into consideration when
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Camera traps show foxes are the major predator of flatback turtle nests at the most important mainland western Australian rookery Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-11 J. King, S. D. Whiting, P. J. Adams, P. W. Bateman, P. A. Fleming
Context: Quantifying marine turtle-nest depredation by daily observer monitoring requires substantial labour. Aims: To quantify nest depredation of the Vulnerable flatback turtle (Natator depressus) at one of its largest rookeries and to compare effectiveness of different monitoring methods. Methods: We used daily observer monitoring and passive infrared-camera traps separately or in combination to
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Still a good dog! Long-term use and effectiveness of livestock guardian dogs to protect livestock from predators in Australia’s extensive grazing systems Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-07 Linda van Bommel, Chris N. Johnson
Context: Livestock predation is a significant problem for livestock producers all over the world. Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) can protect livestock from predators, but little is known about the factors that affect their use over long periods of time. Aims: Our aims were to investigate the long-term use of LGDs in Australia and determine whether their effectiveness remained high over time, and to
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Habitat suitability correlates with mean population fitness of a threatened marsupial predator Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-07 Harry A. Moore, Judy A. Dunlop, Dale G. Nimmo
Context: Measuring the quality of habitats necessary for the survival of threatened species is a priority for conservation management, but traditional metrics are often too costly to implement. As a result, many practitioners rely on proxies such as habitat suitability, which are measured by relating environmental variables to species occurrence data using habitat suitability models. However, little
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Introduced rat assemblage affects feral cat threat to biodiversity in French Polynesian islands Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-06 P. Palmas, J.-Y. Meyer, E. Chailler, H. De Méringo, E. Vidal, J.-C. Gaertner, R. Bambridge, T. Mooroa, I. Hurahutia, G. Teatiu, S. Teatiu, T. Timau
Context: Invasive feral cats strongly threaten native fauna on islands worldwide. The impact of feral cat populations is assumed to be higher in the presence of introduced rodents and may also vary according to an island’s rodent species assemblage. Aims: This study assessed feral cat impacts on island biodiversity in French Polynesian islands harbouring differing assemblages of rat species, by investigating
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Temporal effects of relative hunter activity on adult male white-tailed deer habitat use Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-06 Colby B. Henderson, Stephen Demarais, Bronson K. Strickland, William T. McKinley, Garrett M. Street
Context: Predation risk, whether from large carnivores or humans, is a primary driver of movement and habitat selection for ungulates. Throughout much of the geographical range of white-tailed deer, predation risk during autumn and winter is driven by hunters; however, information about how deer respond to hunting pressure during a long hunting season is lacking. Aims: We aimed to determine how differences
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Hybridisation rates, population structure, and dispersal of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) in south-eastern Australia Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-06 Erin Hill, Nicholas Murphy, Scarlett Li-Williams, Christopher Davies, David Forsyth, Sebastien Comte, Lee Ann Rollins, Fiona Hogan, Faye Wedrowicz, Troy Crittle, Elaine Thomas, Luke Woodford, Carlo Pacioni
Context: Introduced populations of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) and rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) are present across south-eastern Australia and are subject to local population control to alleviate their negative impacts. For management to be effective, identification of dispersal capability and management units is necessary. These species also readily hybridise, so additional investigation of hybridisation
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Dragon detectives: citizen science confirms photo-ID as an effective tool for monitoring an endangered reptile Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-03 John Gould, Chad Beranek, George Madani
Context: Among amphibians and reptiles, traditional methods of capture–mark–recapture (CMR) have relied on artificial marking techniques (in particular, toe clipping), which has raised concerns because it may impact climbing ability, survival, and behaviour. A potential alternative involves the exploitation of natural biometric identifiers that are already present, including scale configuration or
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Activity range and patterns of free-roaming village dogs in a rural Cambodian village Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-07-03 Rachel Ladd, Paul Meek, Jonathan C. Eames, Luke K.-P. Leung
Context: Free-roaming dogs are ubiquitous worldwide and pose a threat to wildlife. An understanding of the roaming behaviour of dogs is useful for developing effective management strategies. Aims: We aimed to assess the activity ranges and patterns of free-roaming dogs in a rural Cambodian village. An adjacent wildlife sanctuary protects populations of threatened species that may be negatively impacted
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Learning from past designs: improving amphibian fences using an adaptive management approach Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-06-30 John Gould, Alex Callen, Gregory Knibb, Rachael Donelly, Kate Schmahl, Cassandra Maynard, Samantha Sanders, Frank Lemckert, Colin McHenry
Fences have been widely used to exclude, manage, or monitor both native and invasive amphibian populations. Given that fences are artificial barriers that impact animal movements within the landscape, it is critical they do not allow for unwanted movement or lead to unintended animal welfare risks. We have carried out a literature review to identify features that have been used for amphibian fences
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Kinship analysis reveals low dispersal in a hog deer (Axis porcinus) population in Wilsons Promontory National Park, Australia Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-06-21 Erin Hill, Nicholas Murphy, Adrian Linacre, Simon Toop, Jan M. Strugnell
Context: A wild population of non-native hog deer has established in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia, and there is particular concern about its impact on native vegetation in Wilsons Promontory National Park (WPNP). Since 2015, there has been annual culling of hog deer at WPNP to reduce deer abundances and impacts. Aims: The aims of this study were to use a kinship approach based on genotyping
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Evaluation of 8 years of fertility control (nicarbazin) to manage urban pigeon populations Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-06-21 Carlos González-Crespo
Context: The common pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica) is a synurbic species widely distributed around the world. High local densities of pigeons have negative impacts on animal and public health. Urban pigeon fouling also damages buildings and infrastructures, resulting in increased maintenance costs. Although the reduction of food and shelter would be the most effective control method, it does
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Population dynamics of chital deer (Axis axis) in northern Queensland: effects of drought and culling Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-06-15 Anthony Pople, Matt Amos, Michael Brennan
Context: Chital deer (Axis axis) are long established in the northern Queensland dry tropics, and at high densities are considered pests by cattle graziers. Cost-effective management is difficult for widespread, fluctuating populations of vertebrate pests such as these deer. Historically, control of chital deer has been limited to recreational and some commercial ground-shooting and trapping. Concerns
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Automated Tasmanian devil segmentation and devil facial tumour disease classification Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-06-05 Fatih Veysel Nurçin, Niyazi Sentürk, Elbrus Imanov, Sam Thalmann, Karen Fagg
Context: Artificial intelligence algorithms are beneficial for automating the monitoring of threatened species. Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is an endemic disease threatening Australia’s Tasmanian devil. The disease is a cancer that can be transmitted from one devil to another during social interactions. Cameras and trapping techniques have been employed to monitor the spread of the disease in
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Acoustic surveys improve landscape-scale detection of a critically endangered Australian bird, the plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-05-18 Karen M. C. Rowe, Katherine E. Selwood, David Bryant, David Baker-Gabb
Context: Monitoring the population dynamics of threatened species requires a landscape-scale understanding of their distribution over time. However, detectability is inherently low for rare, widely dispersed, and cryptic species. For animals that vocalise, passive acoustic recorders allow for efficient and repeated surveys over a large geographic area, increasing inference in relation to detectability
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Satellite-based environmental variables complement traditional variables in spatio-temporal models of purple martin migration Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-05-17 Jason R. Courter, Zhen Liu, Naresh Neupane, Ali Arab, Joe Siegrist
Context: As advanced satellite-based environmental data become widely accessible, emerging opportunities exist to understand avian lifecycle events at continental scales. Although this growing toolbox offers much promise, an abundance of options may appear overwhelming to ecologists and point to the need for interdisciplinary collaborations to develop and interpret complex, spatio-temporal models.
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Movement ecology of adult and juvenile spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) in a seasonally dynamic environment Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-04-20 Ellery V. Lassiter, Jinelle H. Sperry, Brett A. DeGregorio
Context: Understanding the temporal and spatial scales at which wildlife move is vital for conservation and management. This is especially important for semi-aquatic species that make frequent inter-wetland movements to fulfil life-history requirements. Aims: We aimed to investigate the drivers of movement and space-use of the imperilled spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), a seasonal wetland specialist
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Investigating the impact of black rats (Rattus rattus) on the endemic and threatened avifauna of Christmas Island Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-04-20 Rosalie Willacy, Samantha Flakus, Eve McDonald-Madden, Sarah Legge
Context: Invasive mammalian predators are a primary cause of extinctions, especially on islands. Baseline data on the impact of invasive mammalian predators are critical for deciding whether their eradication or control should be attempted, and for monitoring ecosystem changes over time if control does occur. Christmas Island is a tropical island with multiple invasive species, including two mammalian
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The Sentinel Bait Station: an automated, intelligent design pest animal baiting system Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-04-17 G. Charlton, G. Falzon, A. Shepley, P. J. S. Fleming, G. Ballard, P. D. Meek
Context: Ground baiting is a strategic method for reducing vertebrate pest populations. Best practice involves maximising bait availability to the target species, although sustaining this availability is resource intensive because baits need to be replaced each time they are taken. This study focused on improving pest population management through the novel baiting technique outlined in this manuscript
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Invasional meltdown-under? Toads facilitate cats by removing a naïve top predator Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-04-14 J. Sean Doody, David Rhind, Colin M. McHenry, Simon Clulow
Context: Australia has been a battleground of invasive versus native species for ~200 years. Two of the most impactful invasive species to Australian animal communities are the toxic cane toad (Rhinella marina) and the predatory feral cat (Felis catus). Australia’s native fauna is evolutionarily naïve to both invaders because neither’s taxonomic group is native to the continent. Both invaders have
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The toad less travelled: comparing life histories, ecological niches, and potential habitat of Asian black-spined toads and cane toads Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-04-11 C. L. Kelly, L. Schwarzkopf, T. M. Christy, M. S. Kennedy
Context: Invasive vertebrates have significant negative impacts on biodiversity and agricultural production worldwide. Increased connectivity among countries, through trade and tourism, is escalating the rate of introductions of vertebrate species, particularly herpetofauna, across international borders. In Australia, Asian black-spined toads (ABSTs; Duttaphrynus melanostictus) are one of the species
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The role of regular engagement with non-companion animals and proximity to green and blue space for mental health, wellbeing, and loneliness during Covid-19 social-distancing measures: findings from a UK survey study Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-04-13 Emily Shoesmith, Elena Ratschen
Context: The Covid-19 pandemic led to increased use of green/blue space as indoor spaces became frequently inaccessible. These changes affected the direct interactions between humans and nature. Aims: To investigate the links between mental health, loneliness, wellbeing, and interaction with non-companion animals, proximity to and use of green/blue space. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of
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Factors affecting bait uptake by the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the future delivery of oral contraceptives Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-04-13 Sarah E. Beatham, Julia Coats, Philip A. Stephens, Giovanna Massei
Context: Invasive species negatively affect natural communities and human activities. The grey squirrel is an invasive species in the UK, causing damage to forestry and the decline of the native red squirrel. Oral contraceptives have the potential to reduce numbers of grey squirrels; however, to be effective a sufficient proportion of a population must consume a bait containing contraceptives. Aims:
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The dingo (Canis familiaris) as a secondary disperser of mycorrhizal fungal spores Wildlife Res. (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-04-04 Todd F. Elliott, C. E. Timothy Paine, Guy-Anthony Ballard, Heath Milne, Josh Van der Eyk, Kelsey Elliott, Paul Meek, Jeremy J. Bruhl, Karl Vernes
Context: Many mycorrhizal fungi are vital to nutrient acquisition in plant communities, and some taxa are reliant on animal-mediated dispersal. The majority of animals that disperse spores are relatively small and have short-distance movement patterns, but carnivores – and especially apex predators – eat many of these small mycophagists and then move greater distances. No studies to date have assessed