Jackal in hide: detection dogs show first success in the quest for golden jackal (Canis aureus) scats

Global and local drivers of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in the western Balkan region

The cestode, Echinococcus multilocularis, is one of the most threatening parasitic challenges in the European Union. Despite the warming climate, the parasite intensively spread in Europe's colder and warmer regions. Little is known about the expansion of E. multilocularis in the Balkan region. Ordinary least squares, geographically weighted and multi-scale geographically weighted regressions were used to detect global and local drivers that influenced the prevalence in red foxes and golden jackals in the southwestern part of Hungary. Based on the study of 391 animals, the overall prevalence exceeded 18% (in fox 15.2%, in jackal 21.1%). The regression models revealed that the wetland had a global effect (β = 0.391, p = 0.006). In contrast, on the local scale, the mean annual precipitation (β = 0.285, p = 0.008) and the precipitation seasonality (β = - 0.211, p = 0.014) had statistically significant effects on the infection level. The geospatial models suggested that microclimatic effects might compensate for the disadvantages of a warmer Mediterranean climate. This study calls attention to fine-scale analysis and locally acting environmental factors, which can delay the expected epidemic fade-out. The findings of our study are suggested to consider in surveillance strategies.

First documentation of golden jackal (Canis aureus) reproduction in Germany

The golden jackal (Canis aureus), a mesocarnivore, is currently expanding from eastern towards western Europe. Reproduction of the species could be confirmed in several areas in central Europe in recent years. This study collects the first records of golden jackal reproduction in Germany in 2021 and 2022. A family group of at least five individuals could be confirmed using camera traps and scat surveys with a trained detection dog and subsequent genetic identification in 2021. In 2022, camera traps confirmed a second reproduction in the same area.

The Use and Potential of Biomedical Detection Dogs During a Disease Outbreak

Biomedical detection dogs offer incredible advantages during disease outbreaks that are presently unmatched by current technologies, however, dogs still face hurdles of implementation due to lack of inter-governmental cooperation and acceptance by the public health community. Here, we refine the definition of a biomedical detection dog, discuss the potential applications, capabilities, and limitations of biomedical detection dogs in disease outbreak scenarios, and the safety measures that must be considered before and during deployment. Finally, we provide recommendations on how to address and overcome the barriers to acceptance of biomedical detection dogs through a dedicated research and development investment in olfactory sciences.

Eyes, ears, or nose? Comparison of three non-invasive methods to survey wolf recolonisation

The development and use of cost-effective and appropriate survey methods to assess species distribution and to monitor range expansion and contraction of wild populations is crucial due to the limited financial resources for conservation. Of particular importance, yet little studied, is the ability to collect information before a wild population is well established, i.e. at the early stages of recolonisation. During 2018 and 2019, we used camera traps, audio recorders, and scat detection dogs simultaneously to investigate composition, detection probability, and territorial extent of a pack of wolves in the Swiss Alps. We compared the efficacy of these survey methods by assessing sampling effort, data obtained, and costs. We show that, under the presented setup, camera traps and scat detection dogs substantially outperformed audio recorders in detecting wolves, representing the packs’ territorial extent, and revealing the number of adult wolves. The detection dogs did not detect pups but, unlike the other methods, allowed the identification of single individuals. The use of four camera traps during 13 weeks, a 24-km-long transect walked with the detection dog, or the use of one audio recorder during 148 weeks were necessary to obtain a comparable wolf detection probability. Our results show that no single method was able to return all information that we hoped to collect. Comprehensive and cost-effective information was best obtained by combining data from camera traps and detection dogs. We suggest both methods to be simultaneously used to successfully investigate wolf recolonisation into historical range.

Distance estimation of howling golden jackals (Canis aureus) using relative sound level

Golden jackals (Canis aureus) display a complex repertoire of calls, utilized in different communication types (e.g., marking territories, attraction of mating partners). Resident golden jackal groups can successfully be detected by active bioacoustic stimulation, as well as with passive recording devices. For monitoring, basic knowledge of the calls of the focal species and potential restrictions and strengths of the monitoring devices should be considered. We therefore tested possible applications of a low-budget autonomous recording unit for bioacoustic golden jackal monitoring and examined the following research questions: How far can group calls be detected? Can the distance to the recording device be estimated? To answer these questions, we placed 11 AudioMoth recording devices in a linear transect to record live imitated and replayed howls. For the estimation of the number of responding animals, the number of howling individuals was determined based on the maximum number of simultaneously visible fundamental frequencies in a spectrogram. To predict the distance of the playback howls to the recording devices, the relative sound level (RSL) of each call was measured and fitted in linear models. Reliable distance estimations using RSL were possible up to 400 m. Estimated number of responding animals showed a negative relationship with distance. Our results present a baseline for future studies and show that AudioMoths can be a helpful asset in distance estimation of golden jackal packs—both in passive but also active monitoring.