Missing shots: has the possibility of shooting wolves been lacking for 20 years in France

The Rangeland Journal, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 42(6), P. 401 - 401

Published: Jan. 1, 2020

Wolves were exterminated in France the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore, livestock breeders herders unprepared when wolves arrived from Italy 1993, year after committed to European Union (EU) protect wolves. Today, ~580 wolves, whose numbers are growing exponentially, present over one-third of France. During last 10 years, deaths have grown linearly 3215 2009 12451 2019, despite implementing extensive damage protection measures since 2004, including reinforced human presence, guard dogs, secured pasture fencing electrified night pens. The failure prevent is clear. enter mosaic landscapes where grazing abundant easy prey. intelligent opportunistic. As a strictly protected species, it seems they no longer associate with humans danger. Half successful attacks now occur during day, notwithstanding presence dogs humans. Considering high costs unsatisfactory protection, recently modified its wolf management policy. In addition non-lethal means that suffered several by permitted, derogation law, defensively shoot Based upon evidence other countries, we suggest re-establishing reciprocal relationship Breeders should be allowed defend their herds against attacks, not predation events. Defence shooting would also upgrade efficiency means, as warning signals for respect. Rather than passive coexistence, need embrace dynamic ever-evolving process coadaptation between relying on adaptive capacities both.

Language: Английский

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Spatial and temporal overlaps between leopards (Panthera pardus) and their competitors in the African large predator guild

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 311(4), P. 246 - 259

Published: April 15, 2020

Abstract Understanding the mechanisms facilitating coexistence within species assemblages is a key consideration for conservation as intact are necessary maintaining full ecosystem function. The African large predator guild represents one of few remaining functionally on Earth, and such, unique study system to understand competitive interactions. Yet, relatively little known between some its intermediately sized members, particularly leopards ( Panthera pardus ). Here, we use overlapping spatio‐temporal activity GPS data lions leo ), leopards, wild dogs Lycaon pictus ) cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus examine spatial interactions temporal partitioning other members in northern Botswana. We found that at population level, male leopard space patterns were largely unaffected by intraguild competitors. Leopards showed minimal movement coherence with competitors (avoidance or attraction) when moving through areas home ranges shared species. Moreover, evidence support hypothesis species’ primarily driven light availability rather than avoidance. Our results suggest avoidance has limited impact broad‐scale niches, aspects leopards’ ecology life history likely ability thrive close proximity Considered alongside studies, our landscape‐level approaches may be suitable aiding conservation.

Language: Английский

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Recreation and hunting differentially affect deer behaviour and sapling performance

Oikos, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2022(1)

Published: Dec. 2, 2021

Humans are increasingly acknowledged as apex predators that shape landscapes of fear to which herbivores adapt their behaviour. Here, we investigate how humans modify deer space‐use and effects on vegetation at two spatial scales; zones with different types human use (largescale risk factor) and, nested within that, trails (fine‐scale factor). In three contrasting activities: 1) no recreation, hunting, 2) hunting 3) recreation linked (dropping counts) browsing intensity, relative growth survival planted saplings. Plots were located distances (20 versus 100 m) test affect sapling performance. Additionally, plots distributed over forest heathland habitat‐dependent. Deer was highest in the zone without or resulting higher levels lower survival, but only heathland. contrast, performance did not differ between hunting. dropping counts near used for this associated impact Our results show recreational modifies is woody vegetation, while seasonal activities have additive year‐round effects. Yet, observed larger scale trails. Furthermore, open heathland, where high visibility presumably increases avoidance behaviour because it detectability decreases escape possibilities. This suggests creates behaviourally mediated cascading influence development, yet these context‐dependent. We advocate incorporating human‐induced conservation, management research.

Language: Английский

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Lions do not change rivers: Complex African savannas preclude top-down forcing by large carnivores

Journal for Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 56, P. 125844 - 125844

Published: May 16, 2020

Language: Английский

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Terrestrial mesopredators did not increase after top-predator removal in a large-scale experimental test of mesopredator release theory

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Sept. 14, 2021

Abstract Removal or loss of top-predators has been predicted to cause cascading negative effects for ecosystems, including mesopredator release. However, reliable evidence these processes in terrestrial systems mixed and equivocal due, large part, the systemic continued use low-inference study designs investigate this issue. Even previous large-scale manipulative experiments strong inferential value have limited by experimental design features (i.e. failure prevent migration between treatments) that constrain possible inferences about presence absence release effects. Here, we build on strong-inference report outcomes additional eradicate Australian dingoes from two fenced areas where dingo was restricted theory would predict an increase extant European red foxes, feral cats goannas. We demonstrate removal suppression undetectable levels over 4–5 years with no corresponding increases relative abundances, which remained low stable throughout experiment at both sites. further widespread relationships predators, indicating mechanism underpinning releases not present. Our results are consistent all long-term mensurative studies collectively (1) do suppress goannas population level, (2) repeated, temporary open does create effects, (3) sustained closed either. add similar reports North America, Asia, Europe southern Africa indicate only is there a processes, but also continually growing body many systems. conclude although sympatric predators may interact negatively each other smaller spatiotemporal scales, interactions always scale-up nor they enough

Language: Английский

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