The effect of exclusion of terrestrial predators on short-term survival of translocated European wild rabbits

Many translocation methods have been tested in southern Europe in recent decades to increase the translocation success of the European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) for both conservation and game purposes. The main problem experienced during such translocations is the high short-term (7 days) mortality attributed to predation during the days immediately following rabbit release. In this study, we test the effect of the exclusion of terrestrial predators on the survival of translocated rabbits for recovery purposes. Four translocation plots (4 ha with 18 artificial warrens each) were constructed, two of them with a fence to exclude terrestrial predators. In all, 724 rabbits were released to the translocation plots in five batches and forced to remain inside warrens for 7 days. Following liberation, exclusion of predators did not increase rabbit survival in the short term. Contrary to expectations, three months after release, survival of rabbits in the unfenced plot was slightly, but not significantly, higher than in the fenced plot (0.57 and 0.40 respectively). Although predator control is a frequent management practice associated with rabbit translocations, our results suggest that it may not favour rabbit survival rate as much as the adaptation of rabbits to the release site.

Geographical and environmental correlates of big and small game in Andalusia (southern Spain)

In Andalusia, southern Spain, each game estate applies its own rules and presents its results in annual hunting reports, which have been mandatory for Spanish game estates since 1989. We used the information about hunting yields, included in 32 134 annual hunting reports produced during the period 1993/94 to 2001/02 by 6049 game estates, to determine the current distribution of hunting yields of big and small game species in Andalusia. Using generalised linear models and a geographic information system, we determined the most favourable municipalities to big and small game, respectively, and delimited potential areas to attain good hunting yields for big and small game at a 1-km2 resolution. Municipalities and areas favourable to big game are mainly located in the Sierra Morena and the westernmost fringe of the Betic Range, while those favourable to small game occupy the upper Guadalquivir River valley. There is a clear segregation between big and small game species according to the physiography and land uses of the territory. Big game species are typical of Mediterranean woodland areas, while the most emblematic small game species prefer agricultural areas. Our results provide a territorial ordination of hunting yields in southern Spain and have several potential applications in strategic planning for hunting activities and biodiversity conservation in Andalusia that can be extrapolated to other regions.