Using camera trap data to assess the impact of bushmeat hunting on forest mammals in Tanzania

AbstractBushmeat hunting is a pantropical threat to rainforest mammals. Understanding its effects on species richness, community composition and population abundance is of critical conservation relevance. As data on the pre-hunting state of mammal populations in Africa are not generally available, we evaluated the impacts of illegal bushmeat hunting on the mammal community of two ecologically similar forests in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. The forests differ only in their protection status: one is a National Park and the other a Forest Reserve. We deployed systematic camera trap surveys in these forests, amounting to 850 and 917 camera days in the Forest Reserve and the National Park, respectively, and investigated differences between the two areas in estimated species-specific occupancies, detectabilities and species richness. We show that the mammal community in the Forest Reserve is degraded in all aspects relative to the National Park. Species richness was almost 40% lower in the Forest Reserve (median 18 vs 29 species, highest posterior density intervals 15–30 and 23–47, respectively). Occupancy of most species was also reduced significantly and the functional community appeared significantly altered, with an increase in rodents, and loss of large carnivores and omnivores. Overall, our results show how ineffective reserve management, with almost absent law enforcement, leads to uncontrolled illegal hunting, which in turn has a significant impact on the mammal fauna of globally important sites for conservation.

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Improved Confidence Intervals in Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping by Permutation Bootstrapping

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/160.4.1673 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 160 (4) ◽

pp. 1673-1686

Author(s):

Jörn Bennewitz ◽

Norbert Reinsch ◽

Ernst Kalm

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Trait Loci ◽

Confidence Intervals ◽

Quantitative Trait ◽

Bootstrap Method ◽

Posterior Density ◽

Nonparametric Bootstrap ◽

Trait Loci ◽

Large Width ◽

The Impact ◽

Highest Posterior Density

Abstract The nonparametric bootstrap approach is known to be suitable for calculating central confidence intervals for the locations of quantitative trait loci (QTL). However, the distribution of the bootstrap QTL position estimates along the chromosome is peaked at the positions of the markers and is not tailed equally. This results in conservativeness and large width of the confidence intervals. In this study three modified methods are proposed to calculate nonparametric bootstrap confidence intervals for QTL locations, which compute noncentral confidence intervals (uncorrected method I), correct for the impact of the markers (weighted method I), or both (weighted method II). Noncentral confidence intervals were computed with an analog of the highest posterior density method. The correction for the markers is based on the distribution of QTL estimates along the chromosome when the QTL is not linked with any marker, and it can be obtained with a permutation approach. In a simulation study the three methods were compared with the original bootstrap method. The results showed that it is useful, first, to compute noncentral confidence intervals and, second, to correct the bootstrap distribution of the QTL estimates for the impact of the markers. The weighted method II, combining these two properties, produced the shortest and less biased confidence intervals in a large number of simulated configurations.

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Ansorge’s cusimanse in Angola: 100 years apart, new records contribute to the species known range

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mammalia-2020-0091 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

David Elizalde Castells ◽

Sara R. F. F. Elizalde ◽

Luis M. P. Ceríaco ◽

Rosemary Joy Groom

Keyword(s):

Similar Pattern ◽

National Park ◽

New Records ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Type Locality ◽

Single Specimen ◽

African Species ◽

South West ◽

Forested Areas ◽

The Impact

Abstract Ansorge’s cusimanse, Crossarchus ansorgei Thomas, 1910, has until recently been known in Angola only from a single specimen collected in 1908, the holotype. During a camera trap survey conducted in Quiçama National Park (Angola) in 2017, we recorded the presence of the species 115 km south-west of the type locality – 40 km from the edge of the current known distribution range, – extending it south of the Cuanza river and possibly following the woodlands along the Angolan Escarpment. We combine our records of Ansorge’s cusimanse with the available published and unpublished records from Angola and compare with other vertebrate taxa that follow a similar pattern, in which Central African species extend their southern distribution into Angola, through the more forested areas in northwestern Angola and further south along the Escarpment. Furthermore, we discuss the urgent need for more research on this species and the impact bushmeat harvesting may have on its conservation.

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Medium and large sized mammals of the Boqueirão da Onça, North of Bahia State, Brazil

Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia ◽

10.11606/1807-0205/2019.59.12 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 ◽

pp. e20195912 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cláudia Bueno de Campos ◽

Carolina Franco Esteves ◽

Douglas De Matos Dias ◽

Flávio Henrique Guimarães Rodrigues

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

National Park ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Management Plan ◽

Sampling Effort ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Wild Mammals ◽

The North ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Few Data

The mosaic of protected areas of Boqueirão da Onça (8.636 km²), created in the north of Bahia state, is located in the Caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, but exposed to a range of anthropic impacts that threaten its species and natural resources. Few data are available for various zoological groups in Caatinga, including mammals. In order to characterize the community of mammals of this region, considering species richness, we installed 80 camera-trap stations. With a sampling effort of 10,370 camera-days we recorded 28 species (22 wild and six domestic). Opportunistically, we recorded four mammals, resulting in a total richness of 32 species, five of which are included in the global list of endangered species, and seven in the national list. The results are significant, since the richness of wild mammals of the Boqueirão da Onça (S = 26) presented a high value when compared to other Caatinga localities. During the study we found evidence of human activities threatening the conservation of the region, such as poaching and deforestation. Therefore, there is an urgent need in the publication of the Management Plan of the recently created Boqueirão da Onça National Park, to minimize negative impacts on biodiversity and ensure the maintenance of ecological processes.

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A camera trap assessment of the forest mammal community within the transitional savannah-forest mosaic of the Batéké Plateau National Park, Gabon

African Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1111/aje.12497 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 777-790 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Daniela Hedwig ◽

Ivonne Kienast ◽

Matthieu Bonnet ◽

Bryan K. Curran ◽

Amos Courage ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Forest Mosaic ◽

Mammal Community

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A camera trap record of Asiatic Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii (Vigors & Horsfield, 1827) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in State Land Forest, Merapoh, Pahang, Malaysia

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.6492.13.6.18651-18654 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 18651-18654

Author(s):

Lukman Ismail ◽

Syafiq Sulaiman ◽

Muhammad Izzat Hakimi Mat Nafi ◽

Muhammad Syafiq Mohmad Nor ◽

Nur Izyan Fathiah Saimeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Area ◽

National Park ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Area Network ◽

Single Camera ◽

Wildlife Corridors ◽

Forest Reserve ◽

Wildlife Corridor

The Asiatic Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii is poorly studied in Peninsular Malaysia. We deployed 12 camera traps to assess the wildlife diversity in the unprotected State Land Forest of Merapoh, Pahang State. During the period from August to October 2019, one Asiatic Golden Cat was photographed at a single camera trap station. This record outside the protected area network emphasizes the importance of wildlife corridors. This State Land Forest is located between Forest Reserve and Taman Negara National Park. Therefore, appropriate conservation measures must be taken in order to maintain this site as a wildlife corridor.

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Dynamics and Socioeconomic Drivers of Illegal Hunting of Wildlife Animal for Consumption in Oba Hills Forest Reserve in Southwest Nigeria

Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management ◽

10.4314/jasem.v24i2.15 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 287-298

Author(s):

O.A. Akinsorotan ◽

O.E. Olaniyi ◽

B.G. Oguntuase ◽

T. Raheem

Keyword(s):

Protected Area ◽

Wildlife Conservation ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Household Survey ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Forest Reserve ◽

Illegal Hunting ◽

Socioeconomic Drivers ◽

Southwest Nigeria ◽

Bushmeat Hunting

This study investigated the dynamics and socioeconomic drivers of illegal hunting of wildlife animal commonly called bushmeat in Oba Hills Forest Reserve (OHFR) in Southwest Nigeria. Two hundred and thirty-four households in 8 host communities were subjected to direct household survey using a multi-stage sampling technique. The results revealed that mainly young and middle-aged men engaged in group and seasonal bushmeat hunting, mostly during the dry season. Also, the scale of daily illegal bushmeat hunting is high in the protected area. Non-selective hunting has increased over the last five years with traditional means of hunting still prominent during the hunting expedition. Thus, the socioeconomic drivers (age, ethnicity and household size) had a strong relationship with illegal bushmeat hunting, and their odds ratio ranged between 2.11 and 3.73. Failure to provide stakes for the host communities’ inhabitants and weak penal system influenced illegal bushmeat hunting in OHFR. We conclude that the aforementioned factors need to be addressed for illegal bushmeat hunting to be tackled effectively. However, in the absence of political and economic stability, controlling illegal bushmeat hunting will remain extremely difficult and the future of wildlife conservation will remain bleak. Keywords: Protected area, bushmeat hunting, conservation, seasonal employment

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Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus Bennett, 1833 (Carnivora: Felidae) distribution and habitat characteristics in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.3426.10.11.12451-12458 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 12451-12458 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rama Mishra ◽

Khadga Basnet ◽

Rajan Amin ◽

Babu Ram Lamichhane

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Buffer Zone ◽

Camera Trap ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Oxbow Lakes ◽

River Floodplains ◽

Independent Events ◽

Awareness Programs ◽

Chitwan National Park ◽

Threaten Species

The Fishing Cat is a highly specialized and threatened felid, and its status is poorly known in the Terai region of Nepal. Systematic camera-trap surveys, comprising 868 camera-trap days in four survey blocks of 40km2 in Rapti, Reu and Narayani river floodplains of Chitwan National Park, were used to determine the distribution and habitat characteristics of this species. A total of 19 photographs of five individual cats were recorded at three locations in six independent events. Eleven camera-trap records obtained during surveys in 2010, 2012 and 2013 were used to map the species distribution inside Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone. Habitat characteristics were described at six locations where cats were photographed. The majority of records were obtained in tall grassland surrounding oxbow lakes and riverbanks. Wetland shrinkage, prey (fish) depletion in natural wetlands and persecution threaten species persistence. Wetland restoration, reducing human pressure and increasing fish densities in the wetlands, provision of compensation for loss from Fishing Cats and awareness programs should be conducted to ensure their survival. We also recommend studying genetic diversity of sub-populations, as well as habitat use by radio-tagging.

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Social media reveal ecoregional variation in how weather influences visitor behavior in U.S. National Park Service units

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82145-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emily J. Wilkins ◽

Peter D. Howe ◽

Jordan W. Smith

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

National Park Service ◽

Spatial Behavior ◽

Maximum Temperature ◽

Daily Maximum Temperature ◽

Daily Maximum ◽

Daily Weather ◽

Visitor Behavior ◽

Park Service ◽

The Impact

AbstractDaily weather affects total visitation to parks and protected areas, as well as visitors’ experiences. However, it is unknown if and how visitors change their spatial behavior within a park due to daily weather conditions. We investigated the impact of daily maximum temperature and precipitation on summer visitation patterns within 110 U.S. National Park Service units. We connected 489,061 geotagged Flickr photos to daily weather, as well as visitors’ elevation and distance to amenities (i.e., roads, waterbodies, parking areas, and buildings). We compared visitor behavior on cold, average, and hot days, and on days with precipitation compared to days without precipitation, across fourteen ecoregions within the continental U.S. Our results suggest daily weather impacts where visitors go within parks, and the effect of weather differs substantially by ecoregion. In most ecoregions, visitors stayed closer to infrastructure on rainy days. Temperature also affects visitors’ spatial behavior within parks, but there was not a consistent trend across ecoregions. Importantly, parks in some ecoregions contain more microclimates than others, which may allow visitors to adapt to unfavorable conditions. These findings suggest visitors’ spatial behavior in parks may change in the future due to the increasing frequency of hot summer days.

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