scholarly journals Post-release Movement Behaviour and Survival of Kulan Reintroduced to the Steppes and Deserts of Central Kazakhstan

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Kaczensky ◽  
Albert Salemgareyev ◽  
John D. C. Linnell ◽  
Steffen Zuther ◽  
Chris Walzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Mass ◽  
Movement Data ◽  
Equus Hemionus ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Cohesive Group ◽  
Wild Ass ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
State Nature Reserve ◽  
Source Populations ◽  
Free Ranging

Asiatic wild ass, or kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) were once a key species of the Eurasian steppes and deserts. In Kazakhstan they went extinct by the 1930s. Early reintroductions have reestablished the species in two protected areas, but the species has reclaimed <1% of their former range and remained absent from central Kazakhstan. To initiate restoration in this vast region, we captured and transported a first group of nine wild kulan to a large pre-release enclosure in the Torgai region in 2017, and two more in 2019. We used direct observations and post-release movement data of four kulan equipped with GPS-Iridium collars to document their adaptation process in a vast novel habitat without conspecifics. For comparison with movements in the source populations, we additionally equipped two kulan in Altyn Emel National Park and six in Barsa Kelmes State Nature Reserve. The nine transported kulan formed a cohesive group with very high movement correlation in the enclosure. After release, the group initially stayed tightly together but started to break up by mid-May and all kulan travelled independently by mid-August. With 48,680–136,953 km2, the 95% Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimation ranges of the reintroduced kulan were huge and about 10–100 times larger than those in the source populations. The reintroduced mares never reconnected, there was no evidence of successful reproduction, and two of the four collared mares were killed by poachers and one died of natural causes. At least one stallion survived in the wild, but the fate of the other uncollared animals remains unclear. We speculate that the fission-fusion dynamics and low movement correlation of kulan societies and the need for migratory movements harbours the risk that animals released into a novel environment loose contact with each other. This risk is likely enhanced in steppe habitats where movement constraining factors are absent. Further kulan reintroductions to the steppes and deserts of central Kazakhstan should aim to release larger groups and build up the free-ranging population quickly to reach a critical mass, increasing the chance of kulan encountering conspecifics to successfully breed and increase their chances of survival.

scholarly journals Wild ungulates in Jordan: past, present, and forthcoming opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 19338-19351
Author(s):  
Ehab Eid ◽  
David Mallon
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Capreolus Capreolus ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Equus Hemionus ◽  
Wild Ass ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Arabian Oryx

Twelve species of ungulates are reported from the wild in Jordan. Three of these, Addax nasomaculatus (Addax), Bos primigenius (Aurochs), and Cervus elaphus (Red Deer) are known only from archaeological excavations. Dama mesopotamica (Mesopotamian Fallow Deer), Oryx leucoryx (Arabian Oryx) and Equus hemionus hemippus (Syrian Wild Ass) have been regionally extirpated in the wild. A semi-captive population of Persian Onager (E. h. hemionus) is held in Shumari Wildlife Reserve. The Arabian Oryx is also managed in semi-captive conditions in two reserves. Except the commonly occurring Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), other surviving ungulate species continue to be under serious threat. Gazella gazella (Palestinian Mountain Gazelle), Capreolus capreolus (European Roe Deer), Gazella marica (Arabian Sand Gazelle), and Gazella dorcas (Dorcas Gazelle) are Critically Endangered, and Capra nubiana (Nubian Ibex) is Endangered in the region. This paper provides a review of the historical and current status of wild ungulates in Jordan, listing the threats and conservation measures and provides recommendations for management and conservation in the future.

scholarly journals Study of haematological reference intervals for Asiatic Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 1332-1333
Author(s):  
R.G. Jani ◽  
R.H. Sabapara ◽  
C.N. Bhuva ◽  
R.D. Katatra
Keyword(s):  
Reference Intervals ◽  
Equus Hemionus ◽  
Wild Ass ◽  
Asiatic Wild Ass

scholarly journals Estimating abundance of the Endangered onager Equus hemionus onager in Qatruiyeh National Park, Iran

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud-Reza Hemami ◽  
Moslem Momeni
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
National Park ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Equus Hemionus ◽  
Wild Ass ◽  
Semi Arid

AbstractHistorically, the onager or Persian wild ass Equus hemionus onager, endemic to Iran, was widespread on the arid and semi-arid central steppes but only two natural populations remain. We estimated the population density of the onager in Qatruiyeh National Park using line transect distance sampling. Transects were surveyed on three plains in the Park and the results compared with total counts conducted by the Department of Environment. Our estimate (109 onagers per 100 km2; 95% confidence interval 67–179) is similar to that obtained by the total counts (137 onagers per 100 km2). Distance sampling is therefore a promising method for estimating the abundance of the onager. Using the annual censuses performed by the Department of Environment over the last 13 years we estimated that the population has a growth rate of 0.09. During the same period the onager population in the Touran Protected Complex has experienced a severe decline. The high density of onagers within the National Park indicates the unsuitability of adjacent habitats, including Bahram-e-Goor Protected Area, for this species. Lack of sufficient security and poorly distributed water sources appear to be the main reasons discouraging onagers from entering the Bahram-e-Goor Protected Area. We recommend and describe management interventions that could potentially assist in maintaining the last surviving onager populations in Iran.

Asian Wild Ass, Kulan — Equus hemionus

2003 ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Leonid Baskin ◽  
Kjell Danell
Keyword(s):  
Equus Hemionus ◽  
Wild Ass

scholarly journals Rapid Detection of Serum Antibody by Dual-Path Platform VetTB Assay in White-Tailed Deer Infected with Mycobacterium bovis

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 907-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantin P. Lyashchenko ◽  
Rena Greenwald ◽  
Javan Esfandiari ◽  
Daniel J. O'Brien ◽  
Stephen M. Schmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Serum Antibody ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Content Type ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Free Ranging

ABSTRACTBovine tuberculosis (TB) in cervids remains a significant problem affecting farmed herds and wild populations. Traditional skin testing has serious limitations in certain species, whereas emerging serological assays showed promising diagnostic performance. The recently developed immunochromatographic dual-path platform (DPP) VetTB assay has two antigen bands, T1 (MPB83 protein) and T2 (CFP10/ESAT-6 fusion protein), for antibody detection. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of this test by using serum samples collected from groups of white-tailed deer experimentally inoculated withMycobacterium bovis,M. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis, orM. bovisBCG Pasteur. In addition, we used serum samples from farmed white-tailed deer in herds with no history of TB, as well as from free-ranging white-tailed deer culled during field surveillance studies performed in Michigan known to have bovine TB in the wild deer population. The DPP VetTB assay detected antibody responses in 58.1% of experimentally infected animals within 8 to 16 weeks postinoculation and in 71.9% of naturally infected deer, resulting in an estimated test sensitivity of 65.1% and a specificity of 97.8%. The higher seroreactivity found in deer with naturally acquiredM. bovisinfection was associated with an increased frequency of antibody responses to the ESAT-6 and CFP10 proteins, resulting in a greater contribution of these antigens, in addition to MPB83, to the detection of seropositive animals, compared with experimentalM. bovisinfection. Deer experimentally inoculated with eitherM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisorM. bovisBCG Pasteur did not produce cross-reactive antibodies that could be detected by the DPP VetTB assay. The present findings demonstrate the relatively high diagnostic accuracy of the DPP VetTB test for white-tailed deer, especially in the detection of naturally infected animals.

Sardar Sarovar Project—a conservation threat to the Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur)

1999 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.P. Goyal ◽  
B. Sinha ◽  
N. Shah ◽  
H.S. Panwar
Keyword(s):  
Equus Hemionus ◽  
Wild Ass ◽  
Sardar Sarovar

Low genetic diversity of the endangered Indian wild ass Equus hemionus khur, as revealed by microsatellite analyses

2017 ◽  
Vol 96 (S1) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Devendra Khaire ◽  
Ashwin Atkulwar ◽  
Sameera Farah ◽  
Mumtaz Baig
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Equus Hemionus ◽  
Wild Ass ◽  
Microsatellite Analyses

Genetic aspects of appetite and feed choice in animals

1992 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Domestic Pig ◽  
Domesticated Animals ◽  
Modern Times ◽  
Nesting Behaviour ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Complex Genome

Body composition in wild animals is regulated within a band that encompasses variations due to seasonal food supply and physiological state (e.g. that of the reproducing, lactating female and the growing juvenile). This body composition is characteristic of the genotype and is notable for the avoidance of obesity (Pitts & Bullard 1968). Urgent behavioural responses are also invoked to minimize weight loss. Figure 1 illustrates this homeostasis diagrammatically for the non-lactating, mature animal.In this integrated complex, both food intake (quantity) and diet choice (quality) play a major role in achieving the required balance between food-energy intake and ‘net output’ of energy in its various forms such as activity, growth, lactation and change in body reserves. The development of such a system, through evolution, to achieve optimum reproductive fitness in a given environment, is consistent with the theory of optimal foraging which is characteristic of many animals in the wild. Newman (1991) has used such an approach in modelling diet selection by sheep.Domesticated animals have inherited the complex genome of their progenitors, albeit modified in certain respects through natural and artificial selection, in their new circumstances. Many aspects of the physiology and behaviour of the domesticated animal still relate to the environment in which they evolved. For example Jensen & Redbo (1987) have demonstrated the complex nesting behaviour retained by the modern domestic pig, under free ranging conditions similar to those of its wild progenitor.Two major non-genetic factors have emerged as major influences on the appetite of domesticated animals and man in modern times.

scholarly journals Development and application of two multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection and speciation of bacterial pathogens in the koala

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyndal S. Hulse ◽  
Danica Hickey ◽  
Jessica M. Mitchell ◽  
Kenneth W. Beagley ◽  
William Ellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Labeled Probe ◽  
Free Ranging

Infectious diseases have contributed to the decline in the health of koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the wild in some regions of Australia. Herein we report the development and validation of 2 multiplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) panels for the simultaneous detection of Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma spp., Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Chlamydia, including speciation and quantification of Chlamydia, in ocular, reproductive, and nasal swab samples in addition to semen and male urogenital and reproductive tissues, from koalas. Each rtPCR panel was developed for use as a single-tube reaction using pathogen-specific primers and fluorescently labeled probe sets. DNA extracted from reference strains and isolates was used for validation of sequence gene targets for the multiplex rtPCR panels. Each panel was shown to be sensitive and specific in detecting and differentiating the bacterial pathogens. The multiplex rtPCR panels were used to screen clinical samples from free-ranging and hospitalized koalas for multiple pathogens simultaneously. The multiplex rtPCR will improve turnaround time compared to individual-pathogen rtPCR methods used, to date, for confirmation of diagnosis and will provide the wildlife clinician with the ability to make treatment decisions more rapidly.

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