Limitations of recreational camera traps for wildlife management and conservation research: A practitioner’s perspective

Camera traps are being used increasingly for wildlife management and research. When choosing camera models, practitioners often consider camera trigger speed to be one of the most important factors to maximise species detections. However, factors such as detection zone will also influence detection probability. As part of a rabbit eradication program, we performed a pilot study to compare rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) detections using the Reconyx PC900 (faster trigger speed, narrower detection zone) and the Ltl Acorn Ltl-5310A (slower trigger speed, wider detection zone). Contrary to our predictions, the slower-trigger-speed cameras detected rabbits more than twice as often as the faster-trigger-speed cameras, suggesting that the wider detection zone more than compensated for the relatively slower trigger time. We recommend context-specific field trials to ensure cameras are appropriate for the required purpose. Missed detections could lead to incorrect inferences and potentially misdirected management actions.

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Feeding for a Purpose

The Birds at My Table ◽

10.7591/cornell/9781501710780.003.0007 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Darryl Jones

Keyword(s):

Conservation Biology ◽

Wildlife Management ◽

Supplementary Foods ◽

Management And Conservation

The use of supplementary foods is a widely employed technique in wildlife management and conservation biology. Here, many well-studied examples are described as a further way to understand the possible implications of feeding birds in gardens.

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Occupancy, detectability, and density of crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) in two protected areas of restinga habitats in Brazil

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2018-0322 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (10) ◽

pp. 952-959

Author(s):

Priscila Stéfani Monteiro-Alves ◽

Débora Molino Helmer ◽

Atilla Colombo Ferreguetti ◽

Juliane Pereira-Ribeiro ◽

Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Total Abundance ◽

Nocturnal Activity ◽

Starting Point ◽

Cerdocyon Thous ◽

Future Work ◽

Mammal Communities ◽

Management And Conservation

Crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766)) are frequently recorded in lists of mammal communities. However, studies quantifying aspects of the ecology of the species are uncommon in the literature. Thus, we aimed to quantify the density, activity, habitat use, and potential threats of C. thous in two protected areas (PAs) in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We used data derived from camera traps and sand plots to model occupancy, detectability, activity; we also used random encounter models (REMs) to model density and abundance. We also estimated the activity of the species. Density of C. thous was 0.82 individuals/km2 with a total abundance of 119 individuals. We concluded that in the PAs studied, C. thous had bimodal, twilight–nocturnal activity patterns and was associated with water sources. Although the species in the area has a relatively high density compared with that from other areas in Brazil, it could be locally threatened by the highway that crosses the two PAs, promoting roadkill events, and by domestic dogs (Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758) recorded in these areas. Results presented herein can be a starting point to support future work in the region and to make predictions regarding the management and conservation of C. thous, a widely distributed species.

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Exploring Studbooks for Wildlife Management and Conservation

10.1007/978-3-319-50032-4 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

F.P.G. Princée

Keyword(s):

Wildlife Management ◽

Management And Conservation

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Camera Trapping

10.1071/9781486300402 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Keyword(s):

Wildlife Management ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Camera Trapping ◽

Biological Knowledge ◽

Design Standards ◽

Future Directions ◽

Private And Public ◽

Selection Of ◽

Sydney Australia

Camera trapping in wildlife management and research is a growing global phenomenon. The technology is advancing very quickly, providing unique opportunities for collecting new biological knowledge. In order for fellow camera trap researchers and managers to share their knowledge and experience, the First International Camera Trapping Colloquium in Wildlife Management and Research was held in Sydney, Australia. Camera Trapping brings together papers from a selection of the presentations at the colloquium and provides a benchmark of the international developments and uses of camera traps for monitoring wildlife for research and management. Four major themes are presented: case studies demonstrating camera trapping for monitoring; the constraints and pitfalls of camera technologies; design standards and protocols for camera trapping surveys; and the identification, management and analyses of the myriad images that derive from camera trapping studies. The final chapter provides future directions for research using camera traps. Remarkable photographs are included, showing interesting, enlightening and entertaining images of animals 'doing their thing', making it an ideal reference for wildlife managers, conservation organisations, students and academics, pest animal researchers, private and public land managers, wildlife photographers and recreational hunters.

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Contraception of prepubertal young can increase cost effectiveness of management of overabundant koala populations

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr18109 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 317

Author(s):

Emily F. Hynes ◽

Geoff Shaw ◽

Marilyn B. Renfree ◽

Kathrine A. Handasyde

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Population Growth ◽

Wildlife Management ◽

Sexual Maturation ◽

Limited Resources ◽

Management Scenarios ◽

Structured Population ◽

Population Reduction ◽

Contraceptive Implants ◽

Management And Conservation

Context With limited resources for wildlife management and conservation, it is vital that the effectiveness of management programs is maximised and costs reduced. Koala populations need to be reduced in locations where they are locally overabundant and over-browsing their food trees. Subcutaneous contraceptive implants containing levonorgestrel are currently used to control koala fertility to assist in reducing population densities. Dependent young are caught with their mothers, so are also available for contraception. Aims The overall aim was to investigate whether the effectiveness of koala contraception programs can be improved by administering levonorgestrel implants to female young along with their mothers. This was achieved by: (1) determining if implanting females before sexual maturation affects their fertility, growth and pouch development; and (2) developing a stage-structured population growth model to compare two management scenarios. Methods Juvenile female koalas (11–17 months old) were treated with either a control (n = 5) or 70 mg levonorgestrel implant (n = 5). Koalas were caught every 4 to 6 weeks for 15 months, then every 3 to 12 months for 5 years. Koalas were weighed and head length measured. Pouches were checked for young. Pouch development was assessed as a proxy for sexual maturation. A stage-based population model simulating koala population growth was developed to compare different management scenarios: no treatment; treatment of adults only; and treatment of adults plus their dependent young. Key results Levonorgestrel implants prevented births with no effect on growth, survival or timing of sexual maturation. Population growth simulations indicate that treating dependent young with their mothers results in earlier population reduction. Conclusions The treatment of prepubertal female koalas with levonorgestrel implants is a safe and effective method that increases the effectiveness of koala contraception programs. Implications Development of novel strategies may provide opportunities to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of management programs with constrained resources.

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