Communicating information about the psychology of a wild carnivore, the red fox, influences perceived attitudinal changes but not overall tolerance in people DOI Creative Commons
F. Blake Morton, Dominic C. Henri, Kristy A. Adaway

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 14, 2023

Abstract Studies on wild animal psychology are growing in popularity due to the important role they play understanding how wildlife is responding human-driven environmental changes. However, communicating psychological information general public could undermine specific conservation objectives by encouraging greater persecution of a species (e.g., “bold” predators). Through national-level survey (n = 1,364 participants), we tested whether about boldness and problem-solving abilities carnivore, red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ), influences people’s tolerance them. Half participants were given (either video or press release problem-solving), other half content related ecology habitat use). Afterwards, all completed same 24-item questionnaire evaluating their foxes. Although more likely report perceived attitude change given, attitudes relating remained unaffected regardless format. We encourage further research understand different types might influence, either positively negatively, as studies published, public’s awareness relates human-wildlife interactions becomes widespread. Highlights The impact unclear if People reported This did not overall foxes

Language: Английский

Animal cognition and culture mediate predator–prey interactions DOI
Eamonn I. F. Wooster, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Alexandra J. R. Carthey

et al.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 39(1), P. 52 - 64

Published: Oct. 14, 2023

Language: Английский

Citations

13
The frequent five: Insights from interviews with urban wildlife professionals in Germany DOI Creative Commons
Simon Moesch, Jonathan M. Jeschke, Sophie Lokatis

et al.

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(5), P. 2091 - 2108

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Wildlife in cities divides people, with some animals bringing positive benefits and others causing conflict, for example due to property damage. Urban wildlife professionals from municipal administration, nature conservation, hunting associations have a crucial role shaping human‐wildlife relationships fostering conflict‐free coexistence. While many studies on urban focused the views of citizens, few investigated perspectives experts date. To address this knowledge gap, we interviewed 36 giving guidance context management, either one four largest German by population (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich Cologne) or at national level. Red foxes, wild boars, raccoons, stone martens Eurasian beavers were five mammal species most frequently highlighted interviews cause conflicts. The interviewees saw boars raccoons as controversial mammals but emphasized need create refuges better inform public about foxes. Management terms outreach, planning control, well establishing official contact points stricter fines activities violating regulations important elements toolkit manage Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Human densities, not pollution, affect urban coyote boldness and exploration DOI Creative Commons
Cesar O. Estien, Lauren A. Stanton, Christopher J. Schell

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Abstract Comparative studies show that urban coyotes behave differently from their rural counterparts. However, these often treat cities as homogeneous. Cities feature diverse pressures for wildlife, such variable human densities and environmental hazards, two factors are known to drive increased risk-taking. Thus, this heterogeneity creates a shifting landscape of risk, which may locally adapted behavioral strategies within cities. Yet, the influence on coyote behavior is not well understood. To investigate this, we conducted novel object testing at 24 sites across gradients density pollution. We recorded detections responses object, focusing time spent alert, close, total exploration. found varied with both pollution, being markedly lower in areas high Coyote boldness (time alert close) exploration were uniformly associated density, human-dense displaying elevated heightened Our results suggest impacts apex predator behavior, potentially having downstream consequences human-carnivore coexistence.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Citizen science project on urban canids provides different results from camera traps but generates interest and revenue DOI Creative Commons

Neville F. Taraporevala,

Jon P. Beckmann, Julie K. Young

et al.

Wildlife Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 7, 2025

As urbanization increases, wildlife increasingly encounters people. Coyotes Canis latrans and red foxes Vulpes vulpes are two canid species that have readily adapted to urban environments. Citizen science has emerged as a low‐cost method of collecting data on urban‐adapted can benefit management agencies but may provide different results than traditional methods. We analyzed collected by citizen scientists via motion‐triggered camera traps see how each related the anthropogenic features distance roads, building density, median household income natural feature water. also investigated potential benefits advertising project social media. used occupancy models analyze from grid 67 cameras across Wichita, Kansas, USA, March 2023 February 2024. generalized linear evaluate simultaneously website we created advertised media where members public could report sightings canids. The camera‐trap suggested fox occurrence was only positively density coyote negatively income. sighting reports both were more likely closer at intermediate densities, in high neighborhoods. most be detected people during crepuscular periods night. found advertisements increased generated six times much revenue for agency spent. Our study suggests differ tracking human activity patterns distribution, projects other such generating interest agencies.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Urbanization does not affect red foxes’ interest in anthropogenic food, but increases their initial cautiousness DOI Creative Commons
Martina Lazzaroni, Rudy Brogi, Valentina Napolitano

et al.

Current Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 70(3), P. 394 - 405

Published: May 8, 2024

Abstract Human presence and activities have profoundly altered animals’ habitats, exposing them to greater risks but also providing new opportunities resources. The capacity effectively navigate strike a balance between benefits is crucial for their survival in the Anthropocene era. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), adept urban dwellers, exhibit behavioral plasticity human-altered environments. We investigated variations detection frequency on trail cameras responses (explorative, bold, fearful) of wild red living along an urbanization gradient when exposed metal bin initially presented clean then filled with anthropogenic food. All fox populations displayed increased interest similar explorative toward food source, irrespective gradient. Despite no impact behaviors, more urbanized areas showed heightened fear empty bin, indicating apprehension novel objects. However, this diminished over time, food, slightly reduced compared less counterparts. Our results highlight foxes’ potential adaptability human landscapes, additionally underscoring nuanced interplay response

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Communicating information about the psychology of a wild carnivore, the red fox, influences perceived attitudinal changes but not overall tolerance in people DOI Creative Commons
F. Blake Morton, Dominic C. Henri, Kristy A. Adaway

et al.

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 296, P. 110653 - 110653

Published: June 14, 2024

Studies on wild animal psychology are growing in popularity due to the important role they play understanding how wildlife is responding human-driven environmental changes.However, communicating psychological information general public could undermine specific conservation objectives by encouraging greater persecution of a species (e.g., "bold" predators).Through national-level survey (n = 1364 participants), we tested whether about boldness and problem-solving abilities carnivore, red fox (Vulpes vulpes), influences people's tolerance them.Half participants were given (either video or press release problem-solving), other half content related basic ecology habitat use).Afterwards, all completed same 24-item questionnaire evaluating their foxes.Although more likely report perceived attitude change given, this effect was relatively small did not impact foxes than ecological information.We encourage further research understand different types might influence, either positively negatively, as studies published, public's awareness relates human-wildlife interactions becomes widespread.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Expanding through the Emerald Isle: exploration and spatial orientation of non-native bank voles in Ireland DOI Creative Commons
Valeria Mazza, Jana A. Eccard

Current Zoology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 70(3), P. 320 - 331

Published: Aug. 23, 2023

Abstract Whether introduced into a completely novel habitat or slowly expanding their current range, the degree to which animals can efficiently explore and navigate new environments be key survival, ultimately determining population establishment colonization success. We tested whether spatial orientation exploratory behavior are associated with non-native spread in free-living bank voles (Myodes glareolus, N = 43) from accidentally Ireland century ago. measured navigation radial arm maze, behaviors tendencies risk-taking repeated open-field tests, at expansion edge source population. Bank re-visited unrewarded arms of maze more, waited longer before leaving it, took start exploring both open field, were more risk-averse compared conspecifics Taken together, results suggest that for this small mammal under heavy predation pressure, careful thorough exploration strategy might favored when environments.

Language: Английский

Citations

3
Are comparable studies really comparable? Suggestions from a problem-solving experiment on urban and rural great tits DOI Creative Commons
Ernő Vincze, Ineta Kačergytė, Juliane Gaviraghi Mussoi

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 12, 2024

Abstract Performance in tests of various cognitive abilities has often been compared, both within and between species. In intraspecific comparisons, habitat effects on cognition a popular topic, frequently with an underlying assumption that urban animals should perform better than their rural conspecifics. this study, we tested problem-solving ability great tits Parus major, string-pulling plug-opening test. Our aim was to compare performance tits, previously published problem solving studies. perfomed conspecifics previous studies (solving success: 54%), close relative, the mountain chickadee Poecile gambeli, test 70%). Solving latency became shorter over four repeated sessions, indicating learning abilities. However, did not differ types either test, showed only weak among-individual correlation two tests. Somewhat unexpectedly, found marked differences study years even though tried keep conditions identical. These were probably due small changes experimental protocol years, for example unavoidable observers size material devices. This important implication: if otherwise identical set-up can have strong effects, meaningful comparisons different labs must be extremely hard. wider perspective highlights replicability present animal behaviour

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Adaptive Divergence and Radiations: Insights From Evo-Devo DOI
Matthew K. Brachmann, Kieran Parsons

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Increasing the target specificity of the canid-pest ejector for red fox (Vulpes vulpes) control by using a collar to exclude larger canids DOI
Lauren I. Young,

Kirsten Skinner,

John Tyne

et al.

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(6)

Published: June 7, 2024

Context Canid-pest ejectors (CPEs) offer a compromise between broadscale free-baiting programs that can have non-target impacts and more target-specific methods such as trapping shooting, which are inefficient across larger scales. CPEs target wild canids, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) dogs (Canis spp.). However, there situations where fox control is required, but the risk to dingoes other dogs, prevents use of baiting. Aims We field-trialled refined collar for CPE was designed allow trigger CPEs, prevent medium–large-sized from doing so. Methods deployed uncollared collared paired with camera-traps two study areas in central Australia, assessed taxa triggered whether activity rates, behaviour triggering rates five (red foxes, feral cats (Felis catus), corvids (Corvus spp.), varanids (Varanus spp.)) differed those without collars. Key results With simple modification our original design, able CPEs. Collared were by when they set bait head 1 cm below rim collar, not at 2 rim. Uncollared (97.03% triggers), (1.98%) (0.99%). Activity towards did differ behavioural analyses suggested showed caution around Conclusions present proof-of-concept deploying inside increases specificity this device excluding while allowing access head. data suggest addition may reduce interaction Implications The provides method reduces greater landholder participation management.

Language: Английский

Citations

0