Free-ranging European bisons accumulate more cadmium in the liver and kidneys than domestic cattle in north-eastern Poland

The critically endangered yellow-tailed woolly monkey (Oreonax flavicauda) is endemic to the cloud forests of north-eastern Peru and one of the least studied of all primate species. We conducted fifteen months of group follows using focal animal sampling techniques to gather the first behavioural data on free ranging O. flavicauda. Group follows took place in an area of disturbed primary and regenerating secondary forest near the village of La Esperanza, Amazonas department. Yellow-tailed woolly monkey activity budgets at La Esperanza average: 29.8% feeding, 26.3% resting, 29.0% travelling, 2.3% in social and 12.8% in other activities. Significant differences were observed in the frequency of behaviours between age/sex classes as well as on temporal scales. Our findings are similar to those of other woolly monkey species although yellow-tailed woolly monkeys were found to be more vocally active then other species. We recommend further study of this species at other sites with different forest types to better understand its behavioural ecology and conservation needs. Particular emphasis should be given to studying this species at different altitudes.

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Estimating the density of free-ranging wild horses in rugged gorges using a photographic mark - recapture technique

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr07126 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 36 (5) ◽

pp. 361 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Karl Vernes ◽

Melissa Freeman ◽

Brad Nesbitt

Keyword(s):

Large Mammals ◽

Estimation Model ◽

Density Estimates ◽

Mark Recapture ◽

South Wales ◽

North Eastern ◽

Line Transects ◽

Landscape Scales ◽

Free Ranging ◽

Study Species

Estimating the density of large, feral species such as wild horses at landscape scales can present a logistical hurdle for wildlife managers attempting to set density-based management targets. We undertook aerial surveys of wild horses by using a helicopter in Guy Fawkes River National Park in north-eastern New South Wales across 3 years to determine whether meaningful density estimates could be obtained efficiently by a mark–recapture technique based on recognition of individual horses. Horse groups photographed from the air on the first of two surveys conducted each year were ‘marked’ on the basis of a unique combination of colours and natural markings, and ‘recaptured’ if they were photographed and identified on the second survey. Population size was estimated with the program MARK using a range of population estimators; however, because horses appeared to be evading detection on the second survey of each year, we chose a final estimation model that accounted for detection shyness in the study species. In 2005, the density estimate was 3.8 horses per km2 (upper and lower 95% CL = 3.5–5.7 horses per km2). Following horse control in these catchments, the estimate in 2007 was 2.3 horses per km2 (upper and lower 95% CL = 2.1–3.4 horses per km2), and this change in density can be accounted for by the known number of horses removed from the survey area between survey periods. Overall, the technique proved useful for estimating densities of wild horses in deeply dissected gorge country where other estimation techniques (such as line transects) are not practical; however, low recapture rates in one of the years of the study shows that the technique may not always be applicable. Our technique should also be suitable for surveying other large mammals with broad ranges in open environments, provided recognition of individuals from unique marks is possible.

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Environmental Exposure of Wild Carnivores to Zoonotic Pathogens: Leptospira Infection in the First Free Living Wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) Found Dead in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052512 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2512

Author(s):

Marco Bregoli ◽

Stefano Pesaro ◽

Martina Ustulin ◽

Denis Vio ◽

Paola Beraldo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Canis Lupus ◽

Pathological Changes ◽

Predisposing Factor ◽

The Road ◽

Carnivore Species ◽

North Eastern ◽

Liver Enlargement ◽

Gingival Mucosa ◽

Free Ranging

Leptospirosis is a worldwide-spread zoonosis causing disease and death in dogs and in humans. A Leptospiral infection has been recorded in several wild carnivore species in Europe, but tissue pathological changes were not commonly described. The Grey wolf (Canis lupus) has been expanding its distribution range in north-eastern Italy during the last decade. A young wolf, representing the first individual handled in the region, was found road-killed and then submitted to necropsy. Pathological changes included erosive lesions of gingival mucosa, mild liver enlargement, and multifocal degenerative-necrotic areas along with hyperemic reactive lesions; multifocal interstitial nephritis and multifocal lung hemorrhages were observed. A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) able to detect pathogenic species of Leptospira performed on a kidney sample was positive. Serological reactions for serogroup Gryppotyphosa (1:6400), Pomona (1:800), and Icterohaemorrhagiae (1:200) were evidenced by MAT. Genotyping by Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) performed on detected Leptospira characterized it as belonging to Sequence Type (ST) 117, which refers to L. kirschneri, serogroup Pomona, serovar Mozdok. Regardless of the role of Leptospira infection as an eventual predisposing factor to the road killing of this wolf, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of Leptospira-induced pathology in a wolf in Europe. Surveys on Leptospira infection in free-ranging wildlife species should be pursued in order to achieve further epidemiological knowledge on the circulation of the Leptospira strain.

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Rabies virus spread in central and north-eastern regions of Ukraine

Medycyna Weterynaryjna ◽

10.21521/mw.6605 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 78 (01) ◽

pp. 6605-2022

Author(s):

HANNA O. OMELCHENKO ◽

NATALIA O. AVRAMENKO ◽

SIERGIEJ M. KULYNYCH ◽

ANATOLIJ A. POLISHCHUK ◽

MAKSYM O. PETRENKO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Statistical Data ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Red Fox ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Oral Immunization ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Animal Populations ◽

North Eastern ◽

Using Data ◽

Free Ranging

Annually, 30,000-45,000 cases of rabies in animals and humans are reported worldwide. The aim of the study was to present data on the incidence of rabies among humans and animals in central and north-eastern regions of Ukraine (Poltava and Sumy) between the years 2007 and 2020. The statistical data were obtained from the anti-epizootic measures division at the Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine of the State Food and Consumer Service in the Poltava and Sumy regions of Ukraine. Between 2012 and 2020, the largest number of bite cases in the Poltava region were recorded in 2012 (4,234 cases), and the lowest in 2018 (1,951 cases). The vast majority of bites were caused by dogs and cats that had an owner. During the successive years, the number of rabies cases increased. Between 2017 and 2019, over 50% of rabies cases in the Sumy region occurred in domestic animals. Although combating rabies among dogs through vaccination, as well as extermination of homeless animals, may reduce the incidence of rabies in humans, rabies in dogs is still not uncommon in the Poltava and Sumy regions of Ukraine. Moreover, rabid dogs in these two regions still account for over 90% of rabies cases and 99% of deaths due to rabies among humans. The red fox was the leader in the incidence of rabies among wild animals between 2009 and 2019. In the Poltava region, the highest number of rabies cases occurred in 2017 (10 cases), whereas in the Sumy region the peak if infections was observed in 2010 (42 cases). Rabies in animals tended to decrease due to the oral immunization of free-ranging animals. It is difficult, however, to assess the overall global situation of rabies using data solely on human mortality. Rabies is not a purely human disease. It is rather a disease that occurs in wild and domestic animals, from which it may be transferred to humans. Therefore, a more accurate prediction of its impact should include an assessment of its prevalence in animal populations, especially pets, and the costs associated with preventing the spread of rabies from animals to humans. Effective measures for prevention and eradication of rabies, as well as better knowledge, are crucial to check further spread of the disease. Obligatory preventive measures should include vaccination of pets and oral immunization of red foxes.

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