scholarly journals Movement of Rehabilitated African Elephant Calves Following Soft Release Into a Wildlife Sanctuary

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shifra Z. Goldenberg ◽  
Nathan Hahn ◽  
Jenna Stacy-Dawes ◽  
Stephen M. Chege ◽  
David Daballen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Factors ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Activity Budgets ◽  
Northern Kenya ◽  
Ecological Conditions ◽  
Human Care ◽  
Natal Family ◽  
Management And Conservation

The ability to locate essential resources is a critical step for wildlife translocated into novel environments. Understanding this process of exploration is highly desirable for management that seeks to resettle wildlife, particularly as translocation projects tend to be expensive and have a high potential for failure. African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) are very mobile and rely on large areas especially in arid environments, and are translocated for differing management and conservation objectives. Thus, research into how translocated elephants use the landscape when released may both guide elephant managers and be useful for translocations of other species that adjust their movement to social and ecological conditions. In this study, we investigated the movement of eight GPS tracked calves (translocated in three cohorts) following their soft release into a 107 km2 fenced wildlife sanctuary in northern Kenya and compared their movement with that of five tracked wild elephants in the sanctuary. We describe their exploration of the sanctuary, discovery of water points, and activity budgets during the first seven, 14, and 20 months after release. We explored how patterns are affected by time since release, ecological conditions, and social factors. We found that calves visited new areas of the sanctuary and water points during greener periods and earlier post-release. Social context was associated with exploration, with later release and association with wild elephants predictive of visits to new areas. Wild elephants tended to use a greater number of sites per 14-day period than the released calves. Activity budgets determined from hidden Markov models (including the states directed walk, encamped, and meandering) suggested that released calves differed from wild elephants. The first two cohorts of calves spent a significantly greater proportion of time in the directed walk state and a significantly lower proportion of time in the encamped state relative to the wild elephants. Our results represent a step forward in describing the movements of elephant orphan calves released to the wild following a period of profound social disruption when they lost their natal family and were rehabilitated with other orphan calves under human care. We discuss the implications of the elephant behavior we observed for improving release procedures and for defining success benchmarks for translocation projects.

scholarly journals Migration routes and habitat use of a highly adaptable salmonid (sea trout, Salmo trutta) in a complex marine area

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Lykke Kristensen ◽  
Martin Wæver Pedersen ◽  
Uffe Høgsbro Thygesen ◽  
Diego del Villar-Guerra ◽  
Henrik Baktoft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salmo Trutta ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Movement Ecology ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Marine Area ◽  
Sea Trout ◽  
Marine Areas ◽  
Electronic Tags ◽  
Management And Conservation

Abstract Background Understanding fish movements and migrations are paramount for management and conservation efforts. By applying Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) on records from electronic tags, migration routes of tagged fish can be reconstructed and new insights to the movement ecology of a species can be gained. We demonstrate the usability of HMMs on a widespread, iteroparous salmonid (sea trout, Salmo trutta) in a complex marine area with highly variable temperatures and salinities within small geographic distances. Understanding how the highly adaptable sea trout cope with these complex conditions could shed new light on factors driving the movement ecology of salmonids. Migration tracks of fish migrating at sea are reconstructed by applying an HMM on temperature and depth records from eight wild post-spawned sea trout from four Danish rivers. Results The fish migrated at sea for 47–142 days. Estimated positions of all fish were close to the coast (< 100 km) throughout the marine period, but migrations along coastlines up to 580 km away from the natal river occurred. Seven of eight individuals resided in or actively migrated into stratified or shallow marine areas that heat up fast during spring, while all eight individuals resided in deeper and more heterogeneous areas that heat up slow during summer. All fish entered the Skagerrak (located between Denmark and Norway) at some stage during summer. Migrations were directed into less saline areas during the first 15 days at sea for all individuals. Mean linear progression of the fish was 16 km day−1 (range 0–58 km day−1). Conclusions The results corroborate the expectation that sea trout are more coastally orientated than other salmonids, but also suggest that longer migrations occur in the seas surrounding Denmark compared to elsewhere. This could be a consequence of the fish seeking out habitats with optimal conditions (e.g. salinity, temperature, predation and foraging options) for growth in different parts of the year. The coinciding movement from shallow or stratified marine areas that heat up fast during spring to deeper, more well-mixed areas that heat up slow during summer suggested that some habitat selection had occurred. These results shed new light on factors influencing marine migrations in salmonids and demonstrate how HMMs can expand our knowledge on behaviour and movement ecology of marine fishes.

scholarly journals How Roads Affect the Spatial Use of the Guanaco in a South American Protected Area: Human Connectivity vs Animal Welfare

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio M. Cappa ◽  
Carlos E. Borghi ◽  
Stella M. Giannoni
Keyword(s):  
Camera Traps ◽  
South American ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Lama Guanicoe ◽  
Unpaved Road ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Spatial Use ◽  
Paved Road ◽  
Management And Conservation ◽  
Density Population

Roads can affect animals as well as their habits at different levels. Avoidance behavior is a common response of animals to this type of perturbation, preventing access to areas rich in resources. The effects of roads on ungulates have not been studied in South America extensively, especially in arid environments. We have studied the space use by ungulates in relation to roads, using a dung heap count and camera traps. The aim was to evaluate whether paved road and unpaved road may have an effect on the spatial use of a low density population of guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in Ischigualasto Provincial Park, Argentina. We observed an increase in dung heap abundance in unpaved road as respect to paved road, this difference was larger for both. Besides, we recorded less individuals in paved road zones than in unpaved road zones. This showed that roads, especially paved roads, negatively affect the space used by guanacos. Our results are relevant to the management and conservation of animal populations in protected areas since spatial segregation due to the presence of roads may lead to the isolation of individuals. It is important to pay attention and further assess the effects that roads can have in the native fauna.

scholarly journals Does the Community Conservancy Model Work for Pastoralists? Insights from Naibunga Conservancy in Northern Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7772
Author(s):  
Ken Ogao Oburah ◽  
Clement Lenachuru ◽  
Wilfred O. Odadi
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Socioeconomic Outcomes ◽  
Northern Kenya ◽  
Socioeconomic Changes ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Management And Conservation ◽  
Socioeconomic Benefits

Community conservancies are increasingly being established across African pastoral rangelands to help bolster wildlife conservation and livelihoods. Enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of such conservancies requires better understanding of local community participation and perceptions of their socioeconomic outcomes. Working in Naibunga Community Conservancy in northern Kenya, we evaluated: (1) local community members’ perceptions of conservancy-related socioeconomic outcomes; (2) their involvement in conservancy management and conservation activities; and (3) association between these factors (perceptions and involvement) and various demographic factors. We conducted surveys in 358 households, selected using multi-stage sampling, and additionally interviewed key informants. Large proportions (65–90%) respondents perceived conservancy-related improvements in their overall socioeconomic status, security, household income, livestock numbers, and accessibility to grazing resources, schools, and health facilities. Over 75% of respondents indicated that they were involved in conservancy management and conservation activities. Involvement in these activities was positively associated with perception of socioeconomic improvements. In addition, various demographic factors shaped both perceptions of socioeconomic changes and involvement in conservancy activities. Our findings suggest that community conservancies can improve local pastoralists’ socioeconomic wellbeing. Such conservancies can achieve far greater outcomes with greater focus on maximizing socioeconomic benefits for local pastoralists and enhancing their participation in conservancy activities.

scholarly journals Markov models of territory occupancy: implications for the management and conservation of competing species

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1389-1402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascual López-López ◽  
Alvaro Soutullo ◽  
Clara García-Ripollés ◽  
Vicente Urios ◽  
Luis Cadahía ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Markov Models ◽  
Competing Species ◽  
Management And Conservation ◽  
Territory Occupancy

scholarly journals The Frequency of Solitary Behaviors in Captive Odontocetesis Modulated by Environmental and Social Factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agathe Serres ◽  
Yujiang Hao ◽  
Ding Wang
Keyword(s):  
Social Factors ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Social Grouping ◽  
Solitary Play ◽  
Human Care ◽  
Neophocaena Asiaeorientalis Asiaeorientalis

The number of welfare-oriented studies is increasing in animals under human care, including odontocetes. However, validated welfare indicators are lacking for captive odontocetes. We studied the effect of several conditions (moment of the day, social grouping, public presence) and stimuli (enrichment, perturbations) on the solitary behaviour of Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis), East-Asian finless porpoises (N. a. sunameri) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The frequency of solitary play increased in the three groups in positive conditions and decreased in negative contexts, which confirms that play is a useful indicator of welfare for captive odontocetes. Jumping seem to be indicative of stress for finless porpoises but could be ambiguous for bottlenose dolphins: indicating both positive and negative excitation. Stereotypical behaviours for Yangtze finless porpoises and environment hitting behaviours for bottlenose dolphins could indicate mild stress or frustration. Vigilant behaviours are not clear indicators since a high frequency could reflect boredom, but a low frequency was observed in poor social conditions. Finally, we suggest that environmental rubbing should be investigated further since our results for this behaviour were not clear.

scholarly journals Seasonal Daytime Activity Budget of Mongolian Gobi Argali Sheep (Ovis ammon)

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-15
Author(s):  
Barry Rosenbaum ◽  
◽  
Sukh Amgalanbaatar ◽  
Richard P. Reading ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Activity Budget ◽  
Diurnal Activity ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Activity Budgets ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Daytime Activity ◽  
Ovis Ammon ◽  
Management And Conservation ◽  
Insight Into

Activity patterns provide insight into the overall relationship between a species and its environment. Despite declines in populations of argali and some attention on ecological questions, limited information exists on argali behavior. We measured diurnal activity budgets of argali for 12 months by recording behavior (i.e., foraging, bedding, standing, traveling, other) with instantaneous scan sampling at 5-minute intervals. Argali exhibited seasonal differences in activity budgets. The greatest proportion of daytime in winter was spent foraging. The greatest proportion of daytime in summer was spent bedding. Argali reduced all other behaviors in winter in favor of foraging. In summer argali reduced their foraging to a seasonal low and increased bedding. Behavior was constrained by forage in winter and by temperatures in summer. Females fed more than males in all seasons. Other behaviors varied according to season and reproductive periods. Females demonstrated highest vigilance in spring and summer, while males exhibited highest vigilance during the autumn rut. These data are the first regarding detailed behavior of argali and are valuable to their management and conservation by providing information on constraints faced by the species.

scholarly journals Prácticas de manejo, usos y valoración de taxones de Cactaceae en el noroeste de Córdoba, Argentina

Bonplandia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Julieta Karina Torrico Chalabe ◽  
Cecilia Trillo
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Entire Population ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Important Resource ◽  
Vernacular Names ◽  
Botanical Knowledge ◽  
Conservation Plans ◽  
Management And Conservation ◽  
Future Information

<span>In the northwest of Córdoba, taxa of Cactaceae represent an important resource that contributes to the subsistence and daily life of local people, being winter particularly hard for people’s life and animal production, and it is almost impossible to grow rain-fed crops all year round. The aim of this work was to recover and systematize local botanical knowledge, emphasizing the diversity of cactus taxa used, associated management practices, and valorization of these plants by residents of the study area. Here we report a list of 13 native and naturalized taxa, with their vernacular names and their uses. We recorded 12 types of uses and six management practices. Finally, we found that locals valued cacti as important or very important for their usefulness as a subsistence resource (forage and food) and for their ornamental value (aesthetic and economic). Therefore, the botanical knowledge of some people on these taxa represents useful future information for the entire population and for persons dealing with management and conservation plans of arid environments</span>

Transition (markov) models for the analysis of survival times in clinical research

1999 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-176
Author(s):  
Sati Mazumdar ◽  
Kenneth Liu ◽  
Sang Ahnn ◽  
Patricia R. Houck ◽  
Charles F. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Markov Models ◽  
Survival Times

Domestic Integration and Suicide in the Provinces of Canada

Crisis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoon A. Leenaars ◽  
David Lester
Keyword(s):  
Social Factors ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Birth Rates ◽  
Marriage Rates ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Social ◽  
Divorce Rates ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Over Time

Canada's rate of suicide varies from province to province. The classical theory of suicide, which attempts to explain the social suicide rate, stems from Durkheim, who argued that low levels of social integration and regulation are associated with high rates of suicide. The present study explored whether social factors (divorce, marriage, and birth rates) do in fact predict suicide rates over time for each province (period studied: 1950-1990). The results showed a positive association between divorce rates and suicide rates, and a negative association between birth rates and suicide rates. Marriage rates showed no consistent association, an anomaly as compared to research from other nations.

Illness Perception and Its Changes During Six Months After Cardiac Rehabilitation

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 90-100
Author(s):  
Justė Lukoševičiūtė ◽  
Kastytis Šmigelskas
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Nyha Class ◽  
Illness Perception ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Cognitive Representations ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Type D ◽  
New York Heart Association

Abstract. Illness perception is a concept that reflects patients' emotional and cognitive representations of disease. This study assessed the illness perception change during 6 months in 195 patients (33% women and 67% men) with acute coronary syndrome, taking into account the biological, psychological, and social factors. At baseline, more threatening illness perception was observed in women, persons aged 65 years or more, with poorer functional capacity (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III or IV) and comorbidities ( p < .05). Type D personality was the only independent factor related to more threatening illness perception (βs = 0.207, p = .006). At follow-up it was found that only self-reported cardiovascular impairment plays the role in illness perception change (βs = 0.544, p < .001): patients without impairment reported decreasing threats of illness, while the ones with it had a similar perception of threat like at baseline. Other biological, psychological, and social factors were partly associated with illness perception after an acute cardiac event but not with perception change after 6 months.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document