Estimation of the growth rate of wild ungulate populations in the territory of the Saratov region by the dynamic series of their numbers

The present paper is devoted to the study of the possibility of estimating the reproductive potentials of wild ungulate populations, and possibly other large mammals, by the time series of their numbers. We have found out that this is possible, which is confirmed by the high quality of approximation of the time series of abundance by logistic curves, and the corresponding coefficients of their determination for different species ranged from 75 to 96%. For such calculations, one circumstance is necessary, which is that the population of the studied species has been briefly exposed to some unfavorable factor causing a significant reduction in its numbers with subsequent restoration to the previous level, or the time series should contain a well-expressed and extended section of the transition of the population from some lower level to the upper level of the population, passing into a stationary state. The values of the maximum exponential growth rates of ungulate populations that we obtained do not fundamentally differ from the data available in other researchers’ works. In addition, it should be borne in mind that our method for assessing the reproductive potentials of ungulates is statistical, with features accompanying all such methods, for example, in the presence of statistical errors in all determined parameters. However, the evaluation of the magnitude of these errors is a topic for a separate study.

Cattle Grazing Effects on Vegetation and Wild Ungulates in the Forest Ecosystem of a National Park in Northeastern China

There is evidence that cattle grazing in forests limits big cat abundance. There is concern, too, about competition with wild ungulate prey through bottom-up effects on vegetation. Hence, there have been calls to remove or control forest livestock grazing in aid of restoring endangered large carnivores and their prey. To help inform scientific debate and decision making, we explored cattle-vegetation-prey dynamics in Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park, northeast China and present a reappraisal of livestock grazing in the context of coexistence and an integrated approach to land use in China. Inside long-term forest grazing enclosures, wild boar (Sus scrofa) density increased with cattle density. Roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) density and occurrence probability of wild boar and roe deer were not influenced by cattle density. Wild ungulate densities were not related with the number of annual shoots, i.e., forage plant abundance. The presence/absence and abundance of annual shoots was not related with cattle density. Wild ungulate density had mixed associations with vegetation structure; arbor tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and habitat “openness” increased with cattle density. Finally, inside and outside enclosures had different vegetation characteristics and wild boar densities, while roe deer densities were equal. We conclude that cattle density and associated changes to vegetation have positive, negative, and neutral effects on two wild ungulate prey species. Each of these factors warrant consideration in evidence-based management decisions in regard to regulating ungulate community composition to support different large predators as preferred prey in core areas and corridors of habitats.

The Use of Organic Acids (Lactic and Acetic) as a Microbial Decontaminant during the Slaughter of Meat Animal Species: A Review

Wild ungulate species provide a much-needed protein source to many communities in developed and developing countries. Frequently, these game meat animals are slaughtered, and the meat is unknowingly contaminated by microorganisms and released to the unsuspecting public. This review investigates the global usage of organic acids (lactic and acetic acids) as microbial decontamination strategies during slaughter. The results show that there is a more open-minded approach to adopting possible decontamination plans as a tool to improve meat safety during slaughter. Developed countries continue to adopt these strategies, while developing countries are lagging behind. While decontamination of carcasses can lead to a reduction of microbial load on these carcasses, this strategy must not be seen as a replacement of hygiene management during the animals’ slaughter.