Habitat loss and degradation are a major threat to the persistence of wildlife, especially for animals with specific habitat requirements. We performed population surveys on wild glossy grass skinks in southern Victoria (Australia), which revealed that this rare wetland lizard is sensitive to vegetation being disturbed by mowing or grazing. Our study highlighted the importance of protecting habitat-specialised wetland fauna in Australia and globally. Photographs by Jules Farquhar.
Non-lethal repellents are needed to protect agricultural crops and valued resources from damages caused by some wild birds worldwide. We systematically searched scientific publications, patents and product registrations to develop a current review and synthesis regarding chemical bird repellents for wildlife researchers, ecologists, managers and conservationists. We then developed a comparative ‘index of success’ associated with each tested bird repellent for the future research and development of chemical bird repellents. Photograph by Dr Scott Werner (USDA National Wildlife Research Center).
In North America, climate change and habitat loss are leading to increased interspecific contact between northern and southern flying squirrels. Both species use tree cavities for denning, and we assessed the seasonal selection of these nest trees by the two flying squirrel species at a site where they both occur. We found that both species used larger trees in winter than in summer, and that southern flying squirrels used larger trees than did northern flying squirrels. Photo by Jacob Bowman.
Ten years of arboreal camera trapping for the cryptic and critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum has enabled surveys with higher reliability and at a greater spatial scale than previously possible, clarifying range limits and greatly increasing our knowledge of occupancy patterns in forests impacted by logging and bushfire. An important caveat is that detection/non-detection data from camera trapping may be insensitive at detecting population declines for communally denning species for whom abundance fluctuates more than occupancy. Photograph by Dan Harley.
Fallow deer in Tasmania exhibit remarkable dietary adaptability, a critical factor in their expanding range. This study compared their diets in established grassy woodlands and newer highland habitats, revealing a broad dietary niche. These findings underscore the urgency of robust management strategies to curb further range expansion and mitigate potential impacts on areas with high conservation values. Photograph by Thomas Guy.
The spot-tailed quoll is difficult to detect owing to its rarity, remote habitat and large home ranges. In this study, environmental DNA (eDNA) soil analysis was evaluated as an alternative to traditional monitoring methods for spot-tailed quoll detection. We designed an eDNA assay that showed high sensitivity at quoll latrine sites but performed poorly in non-latrine habitat due to low concentrations of quoll DNA in soil samples. We thus conclude that eDNA analysis of soil is unlikely to improve current monitoring methods for this species. Photograph by Jemma Cripps (ARI).
Conducted electrical weapons, commonly referred to as TASERs®, are used on wildlife without species-specific knowledge about overall efficacy or animal welfare impacts. Our study was designed to estimate physiological effects of short-term exposure to a conducted electrical weapon on white-tailed deer. Our data suggest conducted electrical weapons can be used safely on white-tailed deer for short-term immobilisation in place of other immobilisation techniques and to create a safer atmosphere for humane killing by gunshot. Photo courtesy of Emma Kring and used with permission.
Unowned cats are common in urban regions, and it is possible they carry pathogens with significant implications for public health and/or domestic cat populations. We aimed to establish baseline prevalence data for key pathogens and found that gastrointestinal parasites are common (76.8% prevalence), Toxoplasma gondii prevalence was 7% and Feline Influenza Virus prevalence was 12%. These results show that unowned cats do carry pathogens of human and companion animal concern. This knowledge is essential to inform both unowned and owned cat management in urban regions. Image by Lana Harriott, Biosecurity Queensland..
The greater bilby has been successfully reintroduced to several exclosures and offshore islands free of feral predators, but there are few published studies examining the establishment of these critical subpopulations. In this 3-year study, we monitored the reintroduction of bilbies to such an exclosure. We demonstrate that bilbies are a model species for reintroductions to feral predator exclosures, due to their highly adaptable nature and capability for rapid population growth. Photograph by Neil Bloem.
Public interest in fertility control to manage economic and environmental impacts of wildlife is increasing. This special issue of Wildlife Research presents studies showcasing fertility control applications for a wide range of species. These studies also illustrate new methods to deliver contraceptives, models on the impact of fertility control on populations, feasibility, cost of fertility control, and discussions on the human dimension of this approach.
This article belongs to the Collection Fertility Control for Wildlife in the 21st Century.
Understanding how a species uses the landscape is an important factor for the management of any species. This study aimed to assess mule deer summer range distribution in relation to competition from feral horses and occurrence of wildfire. Our results showed that mule deer had lower occupancy at sites with increased feral horse use and higher occupancy at sites that were within a previous wildfire perimeter. These findings suggest that increased management of feral horse populations and the inclusion of fire into forest restoration projects could benefit mule deer populations. Photograph by Ryan Platte.
Increased populations of wild boar (Sus scrofa) have raised concern regarding the impacts of this species on ecosystems and biodiversity. This study aimed to assess the effects of the wild boar on the temporal resource utilisation of the silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera), and showed that wild boars significantly impact the temporal resource utilisation of silver pheasants. This study provides useful information for understanding the relationship between wildlife and wild boar. Photograph by Shuping Xiao.
Information on the abundance of nest predators and the effect their removal has on nest success is needed for endangered-turtle recovery. We found that removal was effective in reducing raccoon abundance&#x003B; however, impacts on Blanding’s turtle nest success were obscured by differences in nesting habitat between removal and control sites. Removal can most benefit endangered species if it occurs in areas of greatest predator impact. Raccoon image by Margot Michaud, map by Yang et al. (2018).
Through citizen-science and remotely sensed data, we found no overall decrease in species richness of frogs after the 2019/2020 megafires, or with increased fire severity. Our results instead provide evidence that species richness and its response to fire is site-specific, and we explore possible explanations for this, while emphasising the need to monitor threatened and less-common frog species. Photograph by Jodi Rowley.
Comparatively few resources are devoted to the detection of rare small-bodied cryptic fish species. The extent of decline of many of these species is therefore often unknown. We found significant clustering of eDNA of such a species towards the outlets of lakes, suggesting that sampling for detection (presence/absence) in such environments should be undertaken at outlet channels to minimise cost and maximise opportunities to detect rare aquatic species. Photograph by Doug Gimesy, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change.
An accurate wildlife roadkill rate is essential to effectively plan and monitor roadkill mitigation. We applied an open-population model (widely used to estimate living animal population dynamics) to a roadkill estimation context that allowed us to account for observation error. The approach can be used to guide roadkill mitigation efforts by understanding variation among sampling designs, species, and spatiotemporal variation in roadkill rates. Photograph by Talita Menger.
Boa constrictor is a key vertebrate biosecurity risk species in Australia. This study aimed to develop rapid presumptive trace DNA detection methods for the detection of B. constrictor in biosecurity and compliance contexts. We successfully designed and tested a colourimetric and fluorescence-based test with appropriate sensitivity and specificity, advancing preparedness and surveillance. Image created in Canva.
Attractants are widely used to draw carnivores to remote camera traps, but questions remain about how this practice can affect animal behaviour. Our study aimed to assess the effects of a sardine attractant on detection and diel activity patterns of a diverse carnivore suite in the Appalachian Mountains, showing that changes in detection and temporal activity patterns were species-specific. Therefore, using attractants at camera traps can be a useful method in increasing detections for certain carnivore species without altering these species’ natural behaviours. Photograph by Clemson University/North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Wildlife cameras have been proposed as a method to efficiently monitor herpetofauna&#x003B; however, estimates of detection rates and factors affecting detection by cameras are generally lacking and therefore limiting their application. We estimated the effects of body size and surface-temperature differential on the detection of snakes and frogs by passive infrared (PIR) wildlife cameras, then compared cameras with traditional survey techniques. We demonstrated PIR wildlife cameras to be highly effective for monitoring large, diurnal herpetofauna, but ineffective at detecting small and nocturnal species unless time-lapse is employed. Photograph by Ally Brown.
Disease risk is an important consideration for wildlife translocations. This study aimed to reduce uncertainty surrounding the risk posed by Chlamydia for a translocation of native Australian rodents, and showed despite widespread detection of Chlamydia, the risks were likely low. Our results highlight knowledge gaps surrounding Australian rodent health and opportunities to address these to inform future conservation planning. Photographs by Fiona Knox.
Wildlife-detection dogs are a fast, efficient tool for detecting animals, animal sign, and wildlife diseases, but their potential is under-utilised. We explore how management outcomes can be improved by combining dogs’ ability to detect targets with handlers’ ability to mount a rapid response. Applications range from conserving endangered species to eradication of invasive species. Photograph by A. S. Glen.
The introduction of non-native herbivores into new environments can threaten the long-term survival of plant species and communities. We assessed the diet of sambar deer in alpine communities of Australia and observed significant variation in diet over a 3-month period. We emphasise the importance of monitoring vegetation community changes in the presence of novel wildlife to protect at-risk plant species. Photograph by Matthew Quin.
Wildlife roadkill can lead some species to suffer local extinctions throughout their distribution. The objectives of this study were to identify and describe black bear crossing and roadkill sites in Mexico in order to propose sites and short-term mitigation strategies to increase bear conservation and driver safety. Image by Karla Estephanía Zarco González.
We assessed the foraging behaviour of blue sheep (naur) under the predation risk of several predators (snow leopards and wolves) versus a single predator (the snow leopard only) in rugged mountain terrain. This study provided valuable information but presented major challenges. We examine empirical evidence-based information and highlight the adaptive behaviour of naur under the predation risk of several predators versus that of a single predator in Nepal. Photograph by Kamal Thapa.
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). This study aimed to quantify and compare the morphometrics and body condition of the two populations. Although we found no morphometric differences between the populations, our results indicated that sexually mature reproductive classes on the west coast were in significantly poorer body condition than were their east coast counterparts. Our study highlighted the need to assess populations individually to develop appropriate conservation monitoring and management. Phototgraph by Grace Russell.