Havens for threatened Australian mammals: the contributions of fenced areas and offshore islands to the protection of mammal species susceptible to introduced predators

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 45(7), P. 627 - 627

Published: Jan. 1, 2018

Context Many Australian mammal species are highly susceptible to predation by introduced domestic cats (Felis catus) and European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). These predators have caused many extinctions driven large distributional population declines for more species. The serendipitous occurrence of, deliberate translocations of mammals to, ‘havens’ (cat- fox-free offshore islands, mainland fenced exclosures capable excluding foxes) has helped avoid further extinction. Aims aim this study was conduct a stocktake current island havens in Australia assess the extent their protection threatened taxa that most cat fox predation. Methods Information collated from diverse sources document (1) locations (2) populations predator-susceptible (naturally occurring or translocated) those havens. list (67 taxa, 52 species) based on consensus opinion >25 experts. Key results Seventeen 101 contain 188 38 (32 species). Island cover larger cumulative area than (2152km2 versus 346km2), reach sizes (largest 325km2, with another 628km2 becoming available 2018; largest fence: 123km2). Islands similar numbers (27 each), because usually per haven. Populations within fences mostly translocated (43 49; 88%). (30 139; 22%); but also protect situ (109) populations. Conclusions Havens used increasingly safeguard mammals. However, 15 such occur only one two havens, 29 (43%) not represented any taxon at greatest risk extinction predation, need haven, is central rock-rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus). Implications Future investment should focus favour no (or low) existing haven representation. Although can be critical avoiding short term, they minute proportion species’ former ranges. Improved options controlling impacts landscape scales must developed implemented.

Language: Английский

---

How many birds are killed by cats in Australia?

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 214, P. 76 - 87

Published: Aug. 9, 2017

Language: Английский

---

Habitat suitability and movement corridors of grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Northern Pakistan

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 12(11), P. e0187027 - e0187027

Published: Nov. 9, 2017

Habitat suitability models are useful to understand species distribution and guide management conservation strategies. The grey wolf (Canis lupus) has been extirpated from most of its historic range in Pakistan primarily due impact on livestock livelihoods. We used non-invasive survey data camera traps genetic sampling develop a habitat model for C. lupus northern explore the extent connectivity among populations. detected suitable using maximum entropy approach (Maxent ver. 3.4.0) identified movement corridors Circuitscape 4.0 tool. Our showed high levels predictive performances, as seen values area under curve (0.971±0.002) true skill statistics (0.886±0.021). main predictors were distances road, mean temperature wettest quarter distance river. predicted ca. 23,129 km2 areas Pakistan, with much remote inaccessible that appeared be well connected through vulnerable corridors. These suggest potentially can expand Pakistan's Northern Areas. However, managing protected stringent restrictions is challenging part heavy dependence people natural resources. map provided by this study inform future strategies helping authorities identify key areas.

Language: Английский

---

How many reptiles are killed by cats in Australia?

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 45(3), P. 247 - 247

Published: Jan. 1, 2018

Context Feral cats (Felis catus) are a threat to biodiversity globally, but their impacts upon continental reptile faunas have been poorly resolved. Aims To estimate the number of reptiles killed annually in Australia by and list Australian species known be cats. Methods We used (1) data from >80 studies cat diet (collectively >10 000 samples), (2) estimates feral population size, model map Key results Australia’s natural environments kill 466 million yr–1 (95% CI; 271–1006 million). The tally varies substantially among years, depending on changes driven rainfall inland Australia. is highest arid regions. On average, 61 km–2 year–1, an individual kills 225 year–1. take per higher than reported for other continents. Reptiles occur at incidence main introduced predator, European red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Based smaller sample we 130 year–1 highly modified landscapes, 53 pet cats, summing 649 all Predation 258 (about one-quarter described species), including 11 threatened species. Conclusions Cat predation exerts considerable ongoing toll reptiles. However, it remains challenging interpret impact this terms viability or conservation concern reptiles, because size unknown most species, mortality rates due will vary across there likely marked variation capability sustain any particular rate. Implications This study provides well grounded numbers intensive required contextualise consequences such predation.

Language: Английский

---

Identifying knowledge gaps for gene drive research to control invasive animal species: The next CRISPR step

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 13, P. e00363 - e00363

Published: Jan. 1, 2018

Invasive animals have been linked to the extinctions of native wildlife, and significant agricultural financial losses or impacts. Current approaches control invasive species require ongoing resources management over large geographic scales, often result in short-term suppression populations. New innovative are warranted. Recently, RNA guided gene drive system based on CRISPR/Cas9 is being proposed as a potential editing tool that could be used by wildlife managers non-lethal addition alternative help reduce pest animal While regulatory social acceptance crucial issues must addressed, there an opportunity now identify knowledge research gaps exist for some important species. Here we systematically determine which drives potentially applied. We apply conceptual ecological risk framework within context Australian environment key requirements undertaking work seven exemplar Australia. This allows evaluation interest context. consider currently available biological, genetic information house mouse, European red fox, feral cat, rabbit, cane toad, black rat starling evaluate candidate future research. discuss these findings thematic areas worth pursuing preparation more formal assessment use novel strategy other

Language: Английский

---

Hunting behaviour in domestic cats: An exploratory study of risk and responsibility among cat owners

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 1(1), P. 18 - 30

Published: Jan. 8, 2019

Abstract The potential impact of domestic cats on wildlife is the subject growing international interest and concern. While feral are often primary focus research debate, in many societies a substantial proportion owned by private individuals. We present typology that classifies relation to varying degrees human control over their reproduction, movement, provisioning. Understanding perceptions practices cat owners will be key identifying mitigating any negative ecological effects hunting behaviour. To investigate how perceive (a) pets’ behaviour, (b) responsibilities for managing this, (c) mitigation strategies available, we conducted detailed interviews with diverse sample United Kingdom. identified spectrum views from who perceived as positive (for pest control, or healthy behaviour) those were deeply concerned about its consequences wild animals, populations, welfare. However, was widely understood normal, natural component rarely strong individual responsibility preventing reducing it. Those did wish manage several barriers including concern they unable behaviour effectively without compromising welfare, doubt efficacy practicality popular measures, unfamiliarity alternative options. recommend initiatives directed at changing owners’ consider multiple factors competing priorities inform decision‐making (particularly health welfare cost interventions); researchers work collaboratively veterinary, conservation organizations identify effective solutions, some degree accountability problematic should promoted part “responsible pet ownership” initiatives. A plain language summary available this article.

Language: Английский

---

Interactions among threats affect conservation management outcomes: Livestock grazing removes the benefits of fire management for small mammals in Australian tropical savannas

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 1(7)

Published: May 22, 2019

Abstract Conservation scientists and practitioners usually focus on understanding managing individual threats to biodiversity. However, may interact, making management outcomes unpredictable. Here, we investigated whether interactions between fire regimes introduced livestock affect the conservation goal of population recovery for small mammals in Australia's tropical savannas, using a long‐term landscape‐scale study. Mammal richness abundance increased as reduced average annual extent frequency at large medium scales. these relationships were only evident areas where removed. This interaction arise because predation by feral cats is amplified with vegetation ground cover, cover over longer periods when have access burnt areas, they selectively graze regenerating grass. Fire receives substantial investment across northern Australia, savannas worldwide; this study shows that without appropriate other factors, be ineffective. More broadly, single biodiversity compromised if are not explicitly considered. provides an example how such can evaluated improved conservation.

Language: Английский

---

Our Wild Companions: Domestic cats in the Anthropocene

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 35(6), P. 477 - 483

Published: Feb. 22, 2020

Cats share a long history with humans but are remarkable among domesticated species in largely retaining behavioural and reproductive independence from people. In many societies, the cat maintains liminal status as both domestic wild animal. An adaptive push-and-pull between traits corresponds dual roles companions pest controllers, conflicted treatment husbandry, management, law, public discourse. To move forward, we must proceed by understanding that cats not exclusively pets or pests, central component of human societies an important, often adverse, influence on ecosystems. Developing collaborative 'companion animal ecology', which human-animal relations link to ecological processes, will enable sustainable management this companionship.

Language: Английский

---

Review and synthesis of the global literature on domestic cat impacts on wildlife

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 91(7), P. 1361 - 1372

Published: May 20, 2022

A vast global literature documents that free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) have substantial negative effects on wildlife, including through predation, fear, disease and competition-related impacts contributed to numerous wildlife extinctions population declines worldwide. However, no study has synthesized this cat evaluate its overarching biases major gaps. To direct future research conservation related we conducted a review entailed evaluation synthesis of patterns gaps in the geographic context, methods types studied. Our systematic search compiled 2245 publications. We extracted information from 332 these meeting inclusion criteria designed ensure relevance studies analysed. This highlights focus oceanic islands, Australia, Europe, North America, rural areas, unowned cats, at species levels. Key advances needed better understand manage include more underrepresented, highly biodiverse regions (Africa, Asia, South America), other than reduce wildlife. The identified areas into will be critical further clarifying role implementing science-driven policy management benefit efforts.

Language: Английский

---

A global synthesis and assessment of free-ranging domestic cat diet

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Dec. 12, 2023

Free-ranging cats (Felis catus) are globally distributed invasive carnivores that markedly impact biodiversity. Here, to evaluate the potential threat of cats, we develop a comprehensive global assessment species consumed by cats. We identify 2,084 eaten which 347 (16.65%) conservation concern. Islands contain threefold more concern than continents do. Birds, reptiles, and mammals constitute ~90% consumed, with insects amphibians being less frequent. Approximately 9% known birds, 6% mammals, 4% reptile identified in cat diets. 97% <5 kg adult body mass, though much larger also eaten. The accumulation curves not asymptotic, indicating our estimates conservative. Our results demonstrate extreme generalist predators, is critical for understanding their on ecological systems developing management solutions.

Language: Английский

---