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Hill JE, Helton JL, Chipman RB, Gilbert AT, Beasley JC, Dharmarajan G, Rhodes OE. Spatial ecology of translocated raccoons. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10447. [PMID: 37369730 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37323-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are routinely translocated both legally and illegally to mitigate conflicts with humans, which has contributed to the spread of rabies virus across eastern North America. The movement behavior of translocated raccoons has important ramifications for disease transmission yet remains understudied and poorly quantified. To examine the spatial ecology of raccoons following experimental translocation, we performed reciprocal 16 km-distance translocations of 30 raccoons between habitats of high and low raccoon density (bottomland hardwood and upland pine, respectively) across the Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, South Carolina, USA (2018-2019). Translocation influenced patterns of raccoon space use, with translocated animals exhibiting a 13-fold increase in 95% utilization distributions (UDs) post- compared to pre-translocation (mean 95% UD 35.8 ± 36.1 km2 vs 1.96 ± 1.17 km2). Raccoons originating from upland pine habitats consistently had greater space use and larger nightly movement distances post-translocation compared to raccoons moved from bottomland hardwood habitats, whereas these differences were generally not observed prior to translocation. Estimated home ranges of male raccoons were twice the area as estimated for female raccoons, on average, and this pattern was not affected by translocation. After a transient period lasting on average 36.5 days (SD = 30.0, range = 3.25-92.8), raccoons often resumed pre-experiment movement behavior, with 95% UD sizes not different from those prior to translocation (mean = 2.27 ± 1.63km2). Most animals established new home ranges after translocation, whereas three raccoons moved > 16 km from their release point back to the original capture location. Four animals crossed a 100-m wide river within the SRS post-translocation, but this behavior was not documented among collared raccoons prior to translocation. Large increases in space use combined with the crossing of geographic barriers such as rivers may lead to elevated contact rates with conspecifics, which can heighten disease transmission risks following translocation. These results provide additional insights regarding the potential impacts of raccoon translocation towards population level risks of rabies outbreaks and underscore the need to discourage mesocarnivore translocations to prevent further spread of wildlife rabies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob E Hill
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA.
| | - James L Helton
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green St, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Richard B Chipman
- National Rabies Management Program, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, Concord, NH, 03301, USA
| | - Amy T Gilbert
- National Wildlife Research Center, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, 4101 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 E Green St, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
| | - Olin E Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E Green St, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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Doublet DD, Abadi F, Johnson DH, Desmond MJ. Survival and fidelity of translocated and resident burrowing owls in Arizona. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dejeanne D. Doublet
- New Mexico State University, 2980 South Espina, Knox Hall 132 Las Cruces NM 88003 USA
| | - Fitsum Abadi
- New Mexico State University, 2980 South Espina, Knox Hall 132 Las Cruces NM 88003 USA
| | | | - Martha J. Desmond
- New Mexico State University, 2980 South Espina, Knox Hall 132 Las Cruces NM 88003 USA
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Sex difference in homing: males but not females return home despite offspring mortality in Ikakogi tayrona, a glassfrog with prolonged maternal care. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03107-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Matykiewicz BR, Windels SK, Olson BT, Plumb RT, Wolf TM, Ahlers AA. Assessing translocation effects on the spatial ecology and survival of muskrats Ondatra zibethicus. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R. Matykiewicz
- B. R. Matykiewicz (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3677-576X) ✉ and A. A. Ahlers, Dept of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Steve K. Windels
- S. K. Windels, B. T. Olson and R. T. Plumb, National Park Service, Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, Minnesota, USA. BTO also at: Ressurs Consulting LLC, Fertile, Minnesota, USA
| | - Bryce T. Olson
- S. K. Windels, B. T. Olson and R. T. Plumb, National Park Service, Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, Minnesota, USA. BTO also at: Ressurs Consulting LLC, Fertile, Minnesota, USA
| | - Reid T. Plumb
- S. K. Windels, B. T. Olson and R. T. Plumb, National Park Service, Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, Minnesota, USA. BTO also at: Ressurs Consulting LLC, Fertile, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tiffany M. Wolf
- T. M. Wolf, Veterinary Population Medicine Dept, College of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Adam A. Ahlers
- B. R. Matykiewicz (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3677-576X) ✉ and A. A. Ahlers, Dept of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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Andreychev AV, Kiyaykina OS. Homing in the Forest Dormouse (Dryomys nitedula, Rodentia, Gliridae). BIOL BULL+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359020090022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Gooley AC, Bluett RD, Schauber EM. Evaluating Large-Scale Reintroductions of a Locally Imperiled Rodent. SOUTHEAST NAT 2019. [DOI: 10.1656/058.018.0409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron C. Gooley
- Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901
| | - Robert D. Bluett
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702
| | - Eric M. Schauber
- Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901
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Oginah SA, Ang’ienda PO, Onyango PO. Evaluation of habitat use and ecological carrying capacity for the reintroduced Eastern black rhinoceros (
Diceros bicornis michaeli
) in Ruma National Park, Kenya. Afr J Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Home Range, Survival, and Activity Patterns of the Southeastern Pocket Gopher: Implications for Translocation. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2017. [DOI: 10.3996/032017-jfwm-023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The southeastern pocket gopher Geomys pinetis is absent from a large portion of its historical range. Translocation may represent a viable management technique to reestablish populations into suitable habitat. However, several aspects of the species' ecology are poorly understood, making development of an effective translocation approach challenging. Therefore, we used radiotelemetry to examine home range, survival, dispersal, and daily activity patterns of the southeastern pocket gopher in southwestern Georgia. We measured soil and vegetation characteristics within individual home ranges and examined relationships between home range size, habitat variables, and body mass. Mean home range size of 17 radio-tagged pocket gophers was 921.9 m2 (range = 43.4–2246.8 m2). Home range size was positively related to body mass, percent silt at a depth of 25 cm, and soil carbon content at 75 cm and was negatively related to percent sand at 25 cm, percent clay at 50 cm, and ground cover of grasses other than wiregrass Aristida beyrichiana. Survival rate was 0.78 (range = 0.50–1.00) over the 51-wk study, and we documented predation, likely by avian predators, on two individuals. Three individuals dispersed, with a maximum dispersal distance of 319.1 m (range = 143.2–319.1 m), the farthest known southeastern pocket gopher dispersal. Pocket gophers exhibited greater activity from 0000 to 0400 hours and from 1600 to 2000 hours, contrasting previous research that southeastern pocket gophers were equally active throughout the diel period. Our home range size estimates for southeastern pocket gophers are the first determined using radiotelemetry and are considerably smaller than previous estimates. Although we documented dispersal distances more than 300 m, the fragmented nature of current and restored habitats likely will prevent large-scale natural colonization. Our results provide information important for maximizing success in future southeastern pocket gopher translocation efforts.
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Cannella EG, Henry J. A case of homing after translocation of chuditch, Dasyurus geoffroii (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae). AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/am16023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Fauna translocations are often used for conservation purposes. This has been especially prevalent in the translocation of threatened species in south-west Western Australia. Translocations can fail for several reasons such as stress, disease and predation and, less frequently, homing behaviours of translocated individuals. We report on one of eight chuditch, Dasyurus geoffroii, that was recaptured near the original point of capture 12 days after release at the designated translocation site in George State Forest Block, 14 km to the south. During that period she had lost 12.5% of her body weight, but was otherwise in good condition. It is possible that this event was unique to this individual and the other seven chuditch remained within the translocation site of George Block. However, this species is known to travel long distances and have large home ranges. It is important to determine the propensity of this species to attempt homing after translocation in an effort to determine whether a minimum release distance is necessary.
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Bannister HL, Lynch CE, Moseby KE. Predator swamping and supplementary feeding do not improve reintroduction success for a threatened Australian mammal, Bettongia lesueur. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/am15020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Broad-scale Australian mammal declines following European settlement have resulted in many species becoming regionally or globally extinct. Attempts to reintroduce native mammals are often unsuccessful due to a suboptimal number of founders being used, high rates of predation and a lack of knowledge of the reintroduction biology for the species concerned. We trialled predator swamping and supplementary feeding in an attempt to offset predation and improve reintroduction success for the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) in arid South Australia. We compared population longevity of a large release group (1266 animals) with five releases of smaller groups (~50 animals at each). We compared release sites with (n = 5) and without (n = 1) supplementary food to determine whether site fidelity, body condition and reproduction were affected, and whether these traits aided population establishment. Predator swamping did not facilitate reintroduction success, with no bettongs detected more than 122 days after release. While supplementary food increased site fidelity and persistence at release sites, bettongs failed to establish successfully at any site. Neither predator swamping nor supplementary feeding enhanced reintroduction success at our sites but results suggested that supplementary feeding should be explored as an aid to reintroduction success for Australian mammals.
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Escobar MAH, Uribe SV, Chiappe R, Estades CF. Effect of clearcutting operations on the survival rate of a small mammal. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118883. [PMID: 25748217 PMCID: PMC4352083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Clearcutting is a common timber harvesting technique that represents a significant and abrupt change in habitat conditions for wildlife living in industrial forests. Most research on this type of impact has focused on comparing populations or communities in mature forests/plantations and the resulting clearcut stands. However, this approach does not separate the effect of changes in habitat attributes from direct mortality produced by the intensive use of heavy machinery required for cutting down trees and dragging them to a road. Because knowing the fate of individuals after a disturbance is important for modelling landscape-scale population dynamics in industrial forests, we conducted a study in South-Central Chile to understand the short-term response to clearcutting operations of the long-haired Akodont (Abrothrix longipillis), a forest specialist mouse. Between 2009 and 2013 we radiotracked a total of 51 adult male Akodonts, before, during and after the clearcutting of the pine plantations in which they lived. A minimum of 52.4% of the individuals died as a direct cause of the timbering operations, being crushed by vehicles or logs during logging operations. Our observations suggest that, instead of fleeing the area, the response of long-haired Akodonts to the approaching machinery is to hide under the forest litter or in burrows, which exposes them to a serious risk of death. The real mortality rate associated to clearcutting may be higher than that estimated by us because of some methodological biases (i.e. individuals with crushed radiotransmitters not recorded) and the fact that additional mortality sources may affect the population in the weeks following logging operations (e.g., higher exposure to predation, effects of site preparation for the new plantation, etc).
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín A. H. Escobar
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Vida Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Conservación de la Naturaleza, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sandra V. Uribe
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Vida Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Conservación de la Naturaleza, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Romina Chiappe
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Vida Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Conservación de la Naturaleza, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristián F. Estades
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Vida Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Conservación de la Naturaleza, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
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