Critters of the Carolinas: A team of researchers and community scientists use trail cameras to study wildlife

Roads and highways are 1 of the most significant obstacles affecting wildlife movement by fragmenting habitat, altering wildlife migration and use of habitat, while also being a danger to wildlife and humans caused by wildlife-vehicle interactions. To mitigate wildlife mortality on highway sections and to minimize death and injury to motorists as well, road ecologists have proposed structures adapted for the safe passage of wildlife across roads. In this study, photographic sampling was conducted using trail cameras to quantify wildlife activity and use of existing culverts, bridges, and drainages within 2 separate sections of Mexico Federal Highway 2 where previous field assessment had observed high levels of activity. These sections are important areas for the conservation of wildlife, and they are known to be biological corridors for rare species of concern such as jaguar, black bear, and ocelot. The trail cameras were operated for 1 year to document the annual cycle of wildlife movement through the area. With the photographs obtained, a database was created containing the information from each wildlife-culvert interaction. Prior to sampling, an inventory of existing culverts was conducted that measured height, width, volume, and surrounding habitat to assign a hypothesized use quality index. After testing for significant differences in use index among culverts, we recognized that all culverts were equally important for moving wildlife, and that there were no significant differences in the use of culverts by the quality index.

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Potential of Small Culverts as Wildlife Passages on Forest Roads

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13137224 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 7224

Author(s):

Hsiang-Ling Chen ◽

Erin E. Posthumus ◽

John L. Koprowski

Keyword(s):

Animal Movement ◽

Small Dimension ◽

Lynx Rufus ◽

Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽

Red Squirrels ◽

Forest Roads ◽

Alternative Pathways ◽

Slow Moving ◽

Trail Cameras ◽

Spermophilus Variegatus

Roads and traffic can cause animal mortality. Specifically, roads serve as barriers by impeding animal movement, resulting in demographic and genetic consequences. Drainage structures, such as culverts, can provide linkages between habitat patches. However, the potential of small culverts with diameters of <60 cm (e.g., wildlife passages that facilitate movement on forest roads) are relatively unknown. In this study, we used trail cameras to monitor the use of 14 small culverts, by mammals, along forest roads on Mt. Graham, home of the critically endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis), in southeastern Arizona, USA. From 2011 to 2013, we only recorded 20 completed road crossings through culverts. More than half of culvert uses were by striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), followed by the rock squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) and the bobcat (Lynx rufus). The Mt. Graham red squirrel was the only species that was common along the roads, but never crossed the roads. Culverts with higher usages were characterized by shorter culvert lengths and absence of accumulated soil inside the culverts. Our study shows that small-dimension drainage systems may provide alternative pathways for wildlife crossing roads, especially for slow moving and ground dwelling species. However, the potential of small culverts assisting wildlife crossings can only be maximized when culverts are accessible year-round.

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COVID-19 Restrictions in a Nature Reserve Reveal the Costs of Human Presence for the Threatened Nubian Ibex (Capra nubiana)

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.3389/fevo.2021.751515 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Yuval Zukerman ◽

Zehava Sigal ◽

Oded Berger-Tal

Keyword(s):

Water Source ◽

Nature Reserves ◽

Water Pool ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Human Presence ◽

Wildlife Species ◽

Trail Cameras ◽

The Impact ◽

Preferred Hours ◽

Rare Opportunity

The increasing pressure of ecotourism on wildlife in their natural habitats leads many wild animals to alter their behaviors. The restrictions issued in many places due to COVID-19 provide a rare opportunity to examine wildlife behavior in nature reserves with reduced human presence, and to reveal the impact of human visitation on the behaviors and fitness of local wildlife species. In 2019 and 2020 we placed trail cameras next to two natural springs in the Israeli Negev Desert, Ein-Avdat and Ein-Shaviv, located 9 km apart. Both sites serve as the main water source for local Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) populations, but Ein-Avdat is situated within a popular national park into which visitors’ entrance was restricted due to COVID-19 regulations in 2020, while Ein-Shaviv is more remote and thus attracts only few visitors regardless of COVID-19 regulations. Our study revealed that during 2020, ibex in Ein-Avdat arrived to drink earlier in the day and the population’s Female:Kids ratio more than doubled. These changes were not observed in Ein-Shaviv. We found that the daily number of visitors in Ein-Avdat affected the arrival time of ibex to the water pool. We conclude that the reduced number of visitors to Ein-Avdat in 2020 compared to 2019 may have allowed ibex to arrive in preferred hours, and may have contributed to the increased kid-to-females ratio. Our study shows that behavioral adaptions to human visitation in nature reserves might carry a high fitness cost.

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Use of a Public Fishing Area Determined by Vehicle Counters with Verification by Trail Cameras

Natural Resources ◽

10.4236/nr.2018.95012 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 09 (05) ◽

pp. 188-197

Author(s):

Greg Simpson

Keyword(s):

Trail Cameras ◽

Fishing Area

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Assessing arrays of multiple trail cameras to detect North American mammals

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0217543 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. e0217543 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bryn E. Evans ◽

Cory E. Mosby ◽

Alessio Mortelliti

Keyword(s):

North American ◽

Trail Cameras

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Seasonal use of waterholes and pathways by macrofauna in the dry forest of Costa Rica

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467418000457 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 68-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Victor H. Montalvo ◽

Carolina Sáenz-Bolaños ◽

Luis D. Alfaro ◽

Juan C. Cruz ◽

Flavio H. Guimarães-Rodrigues ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Costa Rica ◽

Linear Models ◽

Bird Species ◽

Dry Forest ◽

Ecological Understanding ◽

Large Bird ◽

Temporal And Spatial ◽

Trail Cameras ◽

Almost All ◽

North Western

AbstractTemporal and spatial scarcity of water in semi-arid and seasonal ecosystems often leads to changes in movements and behaviour of large vertebrates, and in the neotropics this dynamic is poorly understood due to logistical and methodological limitations. Here we used camera trapping to elucidate variation in patterns of seasonal use of waterholes and pathways by 10 large-mammal and four large-bird species in the dry forest of north-western Costa Rica. From 2011 to 2015, we deployed trail cameras at 50 locations, including waterholes and three types of pathway (roads, human trails and animal paths). We used Generalized Linear Models to evaluate the effect of location and seasonality on the rates at which independent photographs were taken. We found interacting effects of location and seasonality for the capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus), the tiger heron (Trigrisoma mexicanum), the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the tapir (Tapirus bairdii) suggesting that these species were the most influenced by waterholes during the dry season. Comparison of waterhole sites and specific types of pathways (roads, animal paths and human trails) showed that location influenced photo-capture rates of almost all species, suggesting a useful insight to avoid and account for bias in camera trap studies. Furthering our ecological understanding of seasonal water regimes and large vertebrates’ behaviours allow for better understanding of the consequences of climate change on them.

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Non-Trapping, Non-Invasive, Rapid Surveillance Sampling Using Tracking Tunnels, Trail Cameras, and eDNA to Determine Presence of Pest Predator Species

Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference ◽

10.5070/v42811055 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

Author(s):

Aaron , B. Shiels ◽

Antoinette, J. Piaggio ◽

Tyler Bogardus ◽

Claudia, D. Lombard ◽

Nicole , F. Angeli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Predator Species ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Trail Cameras ◽

Tracking Tunnels

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Estimating Leopard Panthera pardus fusca (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) abundance in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.4774.11.5.13531-13544 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 13531-13544 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Devavrat Pawar ◽

Howard P. Nelson ◽

Divya R.L. Pawar ◽

Sarika Khanwilkar

Keyword(s):

Madhya Pradesh ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Sampling Effort ◽

Panthera Pardus ◽

Apex Predators ◽

Wildlife Sanctuary ◽

Closed Population ◽

The Poor ◽

Capture Recapture ◽

Trail Cameras

Reliable population estimate of apex predators, such as the Leopard Panthera pardus fusca, is important as they indicate ecosystem health, enable evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation efforts and provide a benchmark for future management decisions. The present study is the first to estimate abundance of Leopard along with possible prey profile in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), in central Madhya Pradesh (M.P.), India. For systematic sampling, two study habitats, 15km² each, were identified, one close to the park entrance and the other away from the park entrance. Sampling was carried out between March and April 2017, for a period of 18 days in each of the two study habitats, ‘good’ and ‘poor’, initially based on situation in reference to park-entry. Each habitat was divided into five blocks each, and each block subdivided into three, 1km² observation units. In all, 16 trail cameras were placed in pairs, one set at a time in five of the blocks, over a six–day period. The total sampling effort was 180 trap-nights. The trigger speed was set to 3 frames per 10 seconds, and repeated only after 20 minutes interval on infra-red detection of object. The data was analysed using closed population capture–recapture analyses in Program MARK, to estimate Leopard abundance. Seventy-eight Leopard detections representing eight unique individuals were found in the 30km² study site. Seven Leopards were detected in the good habitat and one in the poor habitat. The estimate for Leopard abundance for the good habitat was 11 Leopards (SE 4.6, 95% CI = 8 – 31 individuals). Due to limited captures/recaptures in the poor habitat, abundance could not be estimated for this habitat class.

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Effects of trap confinement on personality measurements in two terrestrial rodents

10.1101/723403 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Allison M. Brehm ◽

Sara Tironi ◽

Alessio Mortelliti

Keyword(s):

Standardized Tests ◽

Small Mammal ◽

Linear Models ◽

Behavioral Observation ◽

Deer Mice ◽

Wild Populations ◽

High Definition ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Live Trapping ◽

Trail Cameras

AbstractIn recent years individual differences in the behavior of animals, or personalities, have been shown to influence the response of individuals to changing environments and have important ecological implications. As researchers strive to understand and predict the responses of individuals and populations to anthropogenic changes, personality studies in wild populations will likely continue to increase. Studies of personality in wild populations often require that animals are live-trapped before behavioral observation can occur; however, it is unknown what impact live trapping may have on the behavior of trapped individuals. Specifically, if the duration of trap confinement directly influences behavior, then by obtaining wild animals through live-trapping are we confounding the very measurements we are most interested in? To investigate this question, we performed a study using two small mammal species. We positioned high-definition trail cameras on Longworth small mammal traps in the field to observe capture events and record the time of capture. We then measured personality in captured deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) using three standardized tests. With a repeatability analysis, we confirmed which behaviors could be considered personality traits, and through linear and generalized linear models, we found that the time an animal had spent confined to a trap before testing did not affect the majority of behaviors exhibited. Our results showed two weak behavioral effects of confinement duration on boldness and docility depending on whether an individual had been trapped previously. Our results suggest that personality measurements of wild, trapped small mammals are not determined by trapping procedures, but that researchers should control for whether an animal is naïve to trapping during analysis.

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Visiting of mineral licks by moose (Alces Alces L.) in spring-summer period on the territory of Leningrad region

Известия СПбЛТА ◽

10.21266/2079-4304.2018.222.50-65 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

В.В. Масайтис ◽

Н.В. Седихин

Keyword(s):

Alces Alces ◽

Mass Scale ◽

Leningrad Region ◽

Vital Activity ◽

Summer Period ◽

Important Species ◽

Average Maximum ◽

Mineral Licks ◽

Trail Cameras ◽

Maximum Minimum

Дистанционные способы изучения популяций, а именно – установка автоматических фотокамер в местах концентрации животных, способствует получению более достоверной информации о процессах жизнедеятельности тех или иных видов, по сравнению с другими методами. В России лось (Alces alces L.) является одним из важнейших видов охотничьих ресурсов. Применение фотоловушек способно дополнить и приумножить имеющуюся информацию об этом виде. Сегодня сведения о посещаемости солонцов лосями довольно скудны. Представлены результаты изучения литофагиальной активности лося на территории Ленинградской области на примере трех районов. Наблюдения проводились в весенне-летний период (май–июль) с помощью пяти различных типов фотокамер с разными режимами работ и техническими особенностями. Приведены основные характеристики посещаемости солонцов: средняя, максимальная, минимальная продолжительности посещений по полу, возрасту. Представлены графики зависимости посещаемости по декадам месяцев и времени суток. Установлены особенности посещения животными разных солонцов. Проанализированы основные причины различного посещения. Выделены категории объектов по характеру посещаемости. Сделаны выводы о перспективности использования охотничьих камер для изучения численности и особенности биологии лося, а также проанализированы разные экспериментальные режимы работ камер. Приведены аргументы для внедрения и массового целевого использования камер в охотхозяйственной сфере. В дальнейшем планируется создание специализированной «лосиной» номенклатуры, описывающей морфологические и экстерьерные особенности, для анализа полученных данных и разработки методов предпромыслового учета лосей на солонцах. Remote methods of studying populations, namely the installation of trail cameras in places of animal concentration, help to obtain more reliable information about the processes of vital activity of certain species, in comparison with other methods. In Russia, moose (Alces alces L.) is one of the most important species of hunting resources. Using photo traps can supplement and multiply existing information about that species. Today, information about the attendance of mineral licks by mooses is rather meager. In this article, the results of studying the lithofagial activity of moose in the territory of the Leningrad Region are presented using the example of three regions. Observations were conducted in the spring-summer period (May-July). The main characteristics of licks attendance are given: average, maximum, minimum duration of visits by sex, age. Dependencies of attendance for ten-month periods and time of the day are presented. The peculiarities of visiting various mineral licks by animals have been established. The main reasons for different attendance are analyzed. The categories of objects are distinguished by the nature of attendance. Conclusions are made about the prospects of using hunting cameras for studing the abundance and features of the moose biology, and also analyzed the various experimental modes of camera work. Arguments are presented for the introduction and mass-scale use of cameras in the hunting area. In the future, authors plan to create a specialized «moose» nomenclature that describes the morphological and exteriors features, to analyze the data obtained and to develop methods for pre-harvesting of moose on mineral licks.

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