scholarly journals Developing methods for measuring national distributions and densities of wild mammals using camera traps: A Kosovo study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Elizabeth Beatham ◽  
Alastair Ian Ward ◽  
David Fouracre ◽  
Anthony J Wilsmore ◽  
Besim Zogu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Brown Bear ◽  
Classical Swine Fever ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Moderate Amount ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Local Stakeholders

Understanding the distributions and density of wild mammals is integral to the implementation of wildlife management strategies, particularly for controlling diseases and conservation management. Recent advances in camera trap technology together with the development of the Random Encounter Model have provided a non-invasive method for estimating mammal densities. In addition, the development of citizen science initiatives have advanced ecological data collection. This study describes a national camera trap survey delivered by local stakeholders in eleven forest sites in Kosovo from 2014 to 2015 to measure the distributions and abundance of medium to large wild mammals as part of the Control and/or eradication of animal diseases project. The Random Encounter Model was used to calculate density data for each species, which appear realistic when compared to densities found in other European countries. The study particularly focussed on the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the grey wolf (Canis lupus) as potential vectors of rabies and wild boar (Sus scrofa) as a vector of classical swine fever. These species were found to be three of the most widely distributed species in Kosovo and were present at the majority of sites at high densities. The camera survey also provided information on species of conservation concern such as the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos) and provided the first physical evidence of a live Eurasian golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Kosovo. Although sources of bias were identified, these estimates are likely to be more accurate than those devised from methods such as hunting bags and the findings of this study suggest that, with a moderate amount of development, camera trapping implemented by local stakeholders can be used as an effective and practicable method to estimate national distributions and population sizes of medium to large sized wild mammals.

scholarly journals Using Landscape Change Analysis and Stakeholder Perspective to Identify Driving Forces of Human–Wildlife Interactions

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Mihai Mustățea ◽  
Ileana Pătru-Stupariu
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Change ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Brown Bear ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Change Analysis ◽  
Local Stakeholders ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective ◽  
Forested Ecosystems ◽  
Forest Habitats

Human–wildlife interactions (HWI) were frequent in the post-socialist period in the mountain range of Central European countries where forest habitats suffered transitions into built-up areas. Such is the case of the Upper Prahova Valley from Romania. In our study, we hypothesized that the increasing number of HWI after 1990 could be a potential consequence of woodland loss. The goal of our study was to analyse the effects of landscape changes on HWI. The study consists of the next steps: (i) applying 450 questionnaires to local stakeholders (both citizens and tourists) in order to collect data regarding HWI temporal occurrences and potential triggering factors; (ii) investigating the relation between the two variables through the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA); (iii) modelling the landscape spatial changes between 1990 and 2018 for identifying areas with forest loss; (iv) overlapping the distribution of both the households affected by HWI and areas with loss of forested ecosystems. The local stakeholders indicate that the problematic species are the brown bear (Ursus arctos), the wild boar (Sus scrofa), the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the grey wolf (Canis lupus). The number of animal–human interactions recorded an upward trend between 1990 and 2018, and the most significant driving factors were the regulation of hunting practices, the loss of habitats, and artificial feeding. The landscape change analysis reveals that between 1990 and 2018, the forest habitats were replaced by built-up areas primarily on the outskirts of settlements, these areas coinciding with frequent HWI. The results are valid for both forest ecosystems conservation in the region, wildlife management, and human infrastructures durable spatial planning.

Remote observation of animals by camera traps (example of the Vishersky reserve)

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47
Author(s):  
S.V. Zimin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Area ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Brown Bear ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Observation Point ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Western Slope ◽  
The North ◽  
Remote Observation

In 2016-2020 in the FSBI «State Reserve «Vishersky» (Perm Territory, Russia), observations of game animals were carried out, including the brown bear – Ursus arctos, the elk - Alces alces, the wild reindeer – Rangifer tarandus using camera traps. Camera traps of following models were user Keep Guard CK 076 HD Boskon Guard BG 520 Suntek (Owl 120), Scoutguard SG 562-BW (Boly Guard), Scoutguard SG - 2060-k, Bushnell Natureview Cam HD Essential mainly on animal paths. The total number of camera s was 4097 traps/day. On the basis of the results of remote sensing, the indices of the abundance of species were calculated, the seasonal and daily activity of animals was assessed, and the features of their behavior were revealed. According to the camera traps, the population density of brown bear does not correspond to the indicator for the optimal habitats of this species [8]. The western slope of the North Ural taiga in general and for the Upper Visher population of brown bears in particular such low this density is probably optimal. In total, 227 photolocations were obtained, of which 11 species of mammals and 2 spesies of grouse birds were recorded. The most frequently recorded species is the elk. It has been confirmed that with the formation of a deep snow cover, it leaves the protected area, whist was noted in the second half of the 19 th century [5]. Information on the age and sex composition of the moose group was obtained. The sex ratio was 1.8 in favor of males. Brown bear and elk are most active during daylight hours. To determine the indicator of the abundance of animal throughout the reserve additional data from camera traps installed in the main biotopes of the protected area required. At the same time, a network of camera traps is desirable following the example of the Central Forest Reserve [6] of the Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve and the Land of the Leopard National Park [11] with a network size of 5x5 km, where at least one observation point should be located.

Effect of seasonal differences in dietary meat intake on changes in body mass and composition in wild and captive brown bears

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 1623-1630 ◽  
Author(s):  
G V Hilderbrand ◽  
S G Jenkins ◽  
C C Schwartz ◽  
T A Hanley ◽  
C T Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Lean Body Mass ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Brown Bear ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Meat Intake ◽  
Brown Bears ◽  
Time Required

The influence of seasonal dietary meat intake on changes in body mass and composition in wild and captive brown bears (Ursus arctos) was investigated because the importance and availability of meat to brown bear populations is currently an important management consideration in several North American ecosystems. Adult female brown bears on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, utilized meat heavily in both spring and fall. Meat accounted for 76.2 ± 26.0% (mean ± 1 SD; primarily moose carrion and calves) of assimilated carbon and nitrogen in the spring and 80.4 ± 22.2% (primarily salmon) in the fall. Mass increases in the spring (71.8 ± 28.2%) were mostly lean body mass, but increases in the fall (81.0 ± 19.5%) were primarily fat. Daily intake by captive brown bears fed meat ad libitum during 12-day trials was positively related to body mass. Mass change was positively related to intake in both seasons, but the composition of the gain varied by season, with spring gains primarily lean body mass (64.2 ± 9.4%), while fall gains were 78.8 ± 19.6% lipid. Absolute rates of gain by wild bears occasionally equaled, but were usually much less than, those of captive bears. This was likely due to a combination of factors, which included the time required to locate and handle meat resources, the limited availability of or access to meat resources, and (or) the duration of meat resource availability. Estimated intake by bears not feeding selectively on high-energy components of moose and salmon were 8.5 ± 1.5 kg/day and 541 ± 156 kg/year and 10.8 ± 4.6 kg/day and 1003 ± 489 kg/year, respectively. Intake would drop by as much as 58% for bears feeding exclusively on salmon roe. Management strategies for areas with brown bears that consume significant amounts of meat should address the perpetuation and availability of these meat resources.

Spatiotemporal habitat use by a multitrophic Alaska alpine mammal community

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (8) ◽  
pp. 713-723
Author(s):  
Jeremy S. Dertien ◽  
Calvin F. Bagley ◽  
John A. Haddix ◽  
Aleya R. Brinkman ◽  
Elizabeth S. Neipert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Brown Bear ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Gray Wolf ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Multiple Groups ◽  
Mammal Community

Evaluating sympatric habitat use of a mammal community can help determine intra- and inter-guild interactions and identify important habitats, potentially improving the management of these communities with a changing climate. Increasingly variable climatic patterns in Alaska, USA, are raising concerns of mismatched phenologies and altered ecosystem structures. We studied the occupancy of 10 mammal species over 15 months, via camera traps, occupying alpine areas of the Alaska Range in interior Alaska, from 2013 to 2014. We tested hypotheses about how habitat use of these species within and between groups varied by spatial and temporal covariates. Furthermore, we modeled two-species occupancy of brown bears (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758) and gray wolves (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) against different potential prey species. Our results suggest that medium-sized and large herbivore use was positively correlated with fine-scale covariates including rock, forb, and graminoid coverage. Large herbivore habitat use was also correlated with abiotic landscape covariates. Detection probabilities of predators and Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli dalli Nelson, 1884) was improved by camera traps on wildlife trails. Two-species models suggested co-occurrence of habitat use between brown bear – caribou (Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758)) and gray wolf – caribou. Results demonstrate the sympatric habitat use by multiple groups of mammals within Alaskan alpine ecosystems and the importance of incorporating multiple groups and spatial scales when making management decisions.

Male reproductive input, breeding tenure, and turnover in high-density brown bear (Ursus arctos yesoensis) populations on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michito Shimozuru ◽  
Yuri Shirane ◽  
Mina Jimbo ◽  
Masami Yamanaka ◽  
Masanao Nakanishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Brown Bear ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Litter Production ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Wildlife Protection ◽  
Protection Area ◽  
Male Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Conservation And Management

Male reproductive behavior has not been thoroughly investigated in large, non-social mammals. We studied male reproductive input using field observations and microsatellite DNA data for the brown bear (Ursus arctos yesoensis Lydekker, 1897) population in a special wildlife protection area on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, Japan. We identified the father of 82 offspring born between 2006 and 2018 from 54 litters produced by 20 females and revealed that they were sired by a total of 19 males. Overall, paternity was distributed relatively evenly among different males, although litter production tended to be skewed to a few bears in some years. Male breeding tenure varied among individuals, but most tenures were within the range of 1 to 6 years. Human-caused mortality, mostly occurring near human residential areas, induced male turnover, indicating that the special wildlife protection area located in the inner part of the Shiretoko Peninsula is not free from human impact. The frequency of successful reproduction was highest in 10- to 14-year-old bears, which is consistent with the period when males reach physical maturity. These results contribute to an understanding of breeding systems in large solitary mammals and to appropriate conservation and management strategies for brown bear populations.

Multiple cameras required to reliably detect feral cats in northern Australian tropical savanna: an evaluation of sampling design when using camera traps

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Stokeld ◽  
Anke S. K. Frank ◽  
Brydie Hill ◽  
Jenni Low Choy ◽  
Terry Mahney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Camera Trap ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Tropical Savanna ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Trapping Method

Context Feral cats are a major cause of mammal declines and extinctions in Australia. However, cats are elusive and obtaining reliable ecological data is challenging. Although camera traps are increasingly being used to study feral cats, their successful use in northern Australia has been limited. Aims We evaluated the efficacy of camera-trap sampling designs for detecting cats in the tropical savanna of northern Australia. We aimed to develop a camera-trapping method that would yield detection probabilities adequate for precise occupancy estimates. Methods First, we assessed the influence of two micro-habitat placements and three lure types on camera-trap detection rates of feral cats. Second, using multiple camera traps at each site, we examined the relationship between sampling effort and detection probability by using a multi-method occupancy model. Key results We found no significant difference in detection rates of feral cats using a variety of lures and micro-habitat placement. The mean probability of detecting a cat on one camera during one week of sampling was very low (p = 0.15) and had high uncertainty. However, the probability of detecting a cat on at least one of five cameras deployed concurrently on a site was 48% higher (p = 0.22) and had a greater precision. Conclusions The sampling effort required to achieve detection rates adequate to infer occupancy of feral cats by camera trap is considerably higher in northern Australia than has been observed elsewhere in Australia. Adequate detection of feral cats in the tropical savanna of northern Australia will necessitate inclusion of more camera traps and a longer survey duration. Implications Sampling designs using camera traps need to be rigorously trialled and assessed to optimise detection of the target species for different Australian biomes. A standard approach is suggested for detecting feral cats in northern Australian savannas.

Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Habitat Use and Food Resources on Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean D. Farley ◽  
Herman Griese ◽  
Rick Sinnott ◽  
Jessica Coltrane ◽  
Chris Garner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Brown Bear ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Air Force Base

scholarly journals Leopard Density Estimation within an Enclosed Reserve, Namibia Using Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture Models

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 724
Author(s):  
Noack ◽  
Heyns ◽  
Rodenwoldt ◽  
Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
New Class ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Wildlife Populations ◽  
Effective Conservation

The establishment of enclosed conservation areas are claimed to be the driving force for the long-term survival of wildlife populations. Whilst fencing provides an important tool in conservation, it simultaneously represents a controversial matter as it stops natural migration processes, which could ultimately lead to inbreeding, a decline in genetic diversity and local extinction if not managed correctly. Thus, wildlife residing in enclosed reserves requires effective conservation and management strategies, which are strongly reliant on robust population estimates. Here, we used camera traps combined with the relatively new class of spatially explicit capture-recaptured models (SECR) to produce the first reliable leopard population estimate for an enclosed reserve in Namibia. Leopard density was estimated at 14.51 leopards/100 km2, the highest recorded density in Namibia to date. A combination of high prey abundance, the absence of human persecution and a lack of top-down control are believed to be the main drivers of the recorded high leopard population. Our results add to the growing body of literature which suggests enclosed reserves have the potential to harbour high densities and highlight the importance of such reserves for the survival of threatened species in the future.

Plasma ochratoxin A in the European brown bear ( Ursus arctos L.) from Croatia

2017 ◽  
Vol 280 ◽  
pp. S198
Author(s):  
Dubravka Rašić ◽  
Maja Lazarus ◽  
Đuro Huber ◽  
Slaven Reljić ◽  
Maja Peraica
Keyword(s):  
Ochratoxin A ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Brown Bear
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