Register      Login
Wildlife Research Wildlife Research Society
Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
Table of Contents
Wildlife Research

Wildlife Research

Volume 52 Number 8 2025

WR24169Estimating eastern wild turkey productivity using trail camera images

Hannah E. Butkiewicz, Jennifer L. Stenglein, Jason D. Riddle, Shelby A. Truckenbrod and Christopher D. Pollentier 0000-0002-4071-3561

Trail camera photograph of the Snapshot Wisconsin project capturing eastern wild turkey hens (2) and poults (12).

We explored how >2000 trail cameras operated by community scientists could be used to estimate three wild turkey productivity metrics in Wisconsin, USA. We found higher recruitment in northern and eastern Wisconsin, and two metrics increased throughout summer while one decreased. Trail cameras can be used to estimate wild turkey productivity at scales that may not otherwise be possible with traditional field methods. Photograph by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

WR25006Leopard next door: understanding livestock depredation and public attitudes in Surat district of Gujarat, India

Keyur Naria 0000-0002-5068-3626, Hiren Patel, Narendra Chetule, Chandni Valodkar and Geeta Padate

A photograph of a leopard at night.

As leopards have started adapting to decreased wild spaces, their growing presence near human settlements has sparked rising conflicts over livestock losses. The current study shows that communities struggle with negative attitudes in Surat district, although many support conservation when informed about the leopards ecological importance. These findings underline the need for education and better compensation policies to promote harmony. Photograph by GFRF project team.

WR24183Differences in juvenile white sharks’ (Carcharodon carcharias) resource use in southern California waters

Yamilla N. Samara Chacon 0009-0008-8878-620X, Christine R. Whitcraft, James M. Anderson 0000-0002-4900-5916, Emily Spurgeon 0000-0001-9587-7179, Patrick Rex, Elizabeth E. Jahn, Zachariah S. Merson and Christopher G. Lowe

A photograph showing a shark swimming in nearshore water.

Juvenile white sharks in southern California most use neritic habitat from the shoreline to >5 km from shore and water depths to 100 m. Using stable isotope analysis and acoustic tracking, we found that sharks sampled nearshore and offshore exhibit isotopic signatures reflecting the respective habitats where they were encountered. This study showed that juvenile white sharks may rely on resources beyond California State waters as they mature, affecting management strategies. Photograph by Patrick Rex.

This article belongs to the collection: White Sharks Global proceedings and recent advances in white shark ecology and conservation.

WR25016The human and social impacts of an Australian mouse plague

Lucy Carter 0000-0003-2606-1584, Kerry Collins 0000-0001-6508-6640, Aditi Mankad, Walter Okello and Peter R. Brown 0000-0001-5894-8329

A photograph of a community hall in Mullaley NSW where a mouse outbreak caused significant damage to crops and health.

Scientific knowledge of the social and human impacts of mouse plagues is sparse. This research has provided qualitative insights into the impacts of a significant Australian plague event, beyond the usual boundaries of plagues in the context of farming systems or zoonotic disease transmission. The breadth of impacts uncovered, along with their scale and context, signals the existence of a much more complex system. We offer recommendations for agencies and service providers to better support rural communities to prepare for and recover from future outbreaks. Photograph by Kerry Collins.

WR25009Are sutures a pathway to infection? A multidisciplinary assessment of wound healing in sharks following internal acoustic tagging

Brittany Heath 0009-0007-2164-9561, Charlie Huveneers 0000-0001-8937-1358, Ryan D. Hesse, Lewis Vaughan, Ondi L. Crino, Chloe N. Roberts, Xanthe Venn 0000-0002-8557-3857 and Jordan K. Matley

A photograph of Port Jackson shark resting close to seabed.

Tagging animals for acoustic telemetry often involves surgical procedures, which can increase stress and infection risk. This study compared healing outcomes in Port Jackson sharks after internal tagging with and without sutures and found, although while healing was broadly similar, sutures increased bacterial presence but prevented visceral protrusion. We highlight the importance of researchers using practices most appropriate in regard to animal welfare. Photograph by Sergio Madrigal-Mora (Flinders University).

WR24174Habitat use and survival of the endangered northern bettong (Bettongia tropica) after prescribed fire

Christopher A. Pocknee 0000-0002-4435-9571, Sarah M. Legge 0000-0001-6968-2781, Jane McDonald and Diana Fisher

A picture of a northern bettong fitted with a GPS collar as part of this study.

We aimed to test how northern bettongs, an endangered Australian mammal, respond to low-to-medium severity prescribed fires intended to improve habitat structure for the species. Bettongs did not move their home range but shifted their nesting areas following fire to incorporate more unburned grassy habitat. Northern bettongs appear well-adapted to low severity fires, but high severity fire may result in a lack of appropriate nesting areas. Photograph by Nicolas Rakotopare (Threatened Species Recovery Hub).


Western pebble mound mouse at the entrance of a subterranean burrow system holding a pebble in its mouth.

A scoring system based on external mound features was published to allow for quick assessment of whether a western pebble mouse mound was ‘active’ or not. Here, we have shown that the scoring system is not accurate. We provide recommendations on how to adequately assess pebble mouse activity, which will be important in defining the current and future conservation status of this important Pilbara region species. Photograph by Aline Gibson Vega.

Committee on Publication Ethics

Wildlife Research Submissions

Submit in the format of your choice with Format-Free Submission.

Call for Papers

We are seeking contributions for the following Special Issues, More information

Advertisement