1
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Westhoff KM, Fetzer A, Schwan Z, Büttner K, Lang J, Lierz M. Refining animal welfare of wild boar (Sus scrofa) corral-style traps through behavioral and pathological investigations. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303458. [PMID: 38771820 PMCID: PMC11108160 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Wild boar trapping has been used as a management tool to control wild boar populations. However, it is increasingly criticized due to animal welfare concerns. While cortisol levels have been used to assess trap-related stress in wild boar, data on trap-related injuries and behavioral data are scarce. We aimed to evaluate three different corral-style traps for wild boar according to available mammal trapping standards to investigate and refine animal welfare in wild boar trapping. We examined 138 wild boars captured and killed by head shot in 27 capture events. Traps were closed by remote control only if the complete group were trapped. The behavior of the animals in the trap and during culling was recorded on video. All wild boars were examined and a pathological and radiological examination of the heads for trap- and shot-related injuries followed. Trap-related injuries occurred in 33% of the animals with superficial mild skin defects to skull fractures. One out of three traps met all the set requirements. A wire-meshed trapping system failed all. After installing an incomplete barrier in the center of the trap to slow down trapped animals, the fracture rate in one trap type was significantly reduced by 29% (p < 0.05). Our data showed that the type of trap (p = 0.007) and the number of animals trapped at once (p = 0.002) had a significant influence on the number of escape attempts. Trapping larger groups reduced the escape attempts. We emphasize the importance of an accurate pathological examination to evaluate animal welfare in traps and call for adjusting the injury categories listed in the standards and make a proposal for wild boar live trapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina M. Westhoff
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - André Fetzer
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Zarah Schwan
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Kathrin Büttner
- Unit for Biomathematics and Data Processing, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Johannes Lang
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Michael Lierz
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Hesse, Germany
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2
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Thiel A, Hertel AG, Giroud S, Friebe A, Fuchs B, Kindberg J, Græsli AR, Arnemo JM, Evans AL. The cost of research: Lasting effects of capture, surgery and muscle biopsy on brown bear ( Ursus arctos) movement and physiology. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e75. [PMID: 38510989 PMCID: PMC10951663 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Animal models are a key component of translational medicine, helping transfer scientific findings into practical applications for human health. A fundamental principle of research ethics involves weighing the benefits of the research to society against the burden imposed on the animals used for scientific purposes. The utilisation of wild animals for research requires evaluation of the effects of capture and invasive sampling. Determining the severity and duration of these interventions on the animal's physiology and behaviour allows for refining study methodology and for excluding or accounting for biased data. In this study, 39 Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos) captured either while hibernating in winter or via helicopter in summer and that underwent surgery as part of a human health project had their movement, body temperature and timing of onset of hibernation compared with those of 14 control bears that had not been captured during the same period. Bears captured in winter and summer showed decreased movement from den exit until late summer, compared to those in the control group. Bears captured in summer showed reduced movement and body temperature for at least, respectively, 14 and 3 days, with an 11% decrease in hourly distance, compared to pre-capture levels, but did not differ in the timing of hibernation onset. We reveal that brown bear behaviour and physiology can be altered in response to capture and surgery for days to months, post-capture. This has broad implications for the conclusions of wildlife studies that rely upon invasive sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Thiel
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Anne G Hertel
- Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sylvain Giroud
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Energetics Lab, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, USA
| | - Andrea Friebe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anne Randi Græsli
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alina L Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Biotechnology, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
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3
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Mattaliano G, Heberlein M, Cruz Benedetti I. Unanticipated hyperkalaemia and associated perioperative complications in three captive grey wolves (
Canis lupus
) undergoing general anaesthesia. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Mattaliano
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Intensive‐Care Medicine, Vetmeduni Vienna Vienna Austria
| | | | - Inga‐Catalina Cruz Benedetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Université de Montréal Saint‐Hyacinthe Quebec Canada
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4
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Combrink L, Humphreys IR, Washburn Q, Arnold HK, Stagaman K, Kasschau KD, Jolles AE, Beechler BR, Sharpton TJ. Best practice for wildlife gut microbiome research: A comprehensive review of methodology for 16S rRNA gene investigations. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1092216. [PMID: 36910202 PMCID: PMC9992432 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1092216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive research in well-studied animal models underscores the importance of commensal gastrointestinal (gut) microbes to animal physiology. Gut microbes have been shown to impact dietary digestion, mediate infection, and even modify behavior and cognition. Given the large physiological and pathophysiological contribution microbes provide their host, it is reasonable to assume that the vertebrate gut microbiome may also impact the fitness, health and ecology of wildlife. In accordance with this expectation, an increasing number of investigations have considered the role of the gut microbiome in wildlife ecology, health, and conservation. To help promote the development of this nascent field, we need to dissolve the technical barriers prohibitive to performing wildlife microbiome research. The present review discusses the 16S rRNA gene microbiome research landscape, clarifying best practices in microbiome data generation and analysis, with particular emphasis on unique situations that arise during wildlife investigations. Special consideration is given to topics relevant for microbiome wildlife research from sample collection to molecular techniques for data generation, to data analysis strategies. Our hope is that this article not only calls for greater integration of microbiome analyses into wildlife ecology and health studies but provides researchers with the technical framework needed to successfully conduct such investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Combrink
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.,School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Ian R Humphreys
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Quinn Washburn
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Holly K Arnold
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Keaton Stagaman
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Kristin D Kasschau
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Anna E Jolles
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.,Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Brianna R Beechler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Thomas J Sharpton
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.,Department of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
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5
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LaSharr TN, Dwinnell SPH, Wagler BL, Sawyer H, Jakopak RP, Ortega AC, Wilde LR, Kauffman MJ, Huggler KS, Burke PW, Valdez M, Lionberger P, Brimeyer DG, Scurlock B, Randall J, Kaiser RC, Thonhoff M, Fralick GL, Monteith KL. Evaluating risks associated with capture and handling of mule deer for individual‐based, long‐term research. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tayler N. LaSharr
- Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Samantha P. H. Dwinnell
- Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Brittany L. Wagler
- Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Hall Sawyer
- Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc. 1610 Reynolds Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Rhiannon P. Jakopak
- Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Anna C. Ortega
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Luke R. Wilde
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Matthew J. Kauffman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Katey S. Huggler
- Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Patrick W. Burke
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department 351 Astle Avenue Green River WY 82935 USA
| | - Miguel Valdez
- Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Field Office 280 US‐191 Rock Springs WY 82901 USA
| | - Patrick Lionberger
- Bureau of Land Management Rock Springs Field Office 280 US‐191 Rock Springs WY 82901 USA
| | - Douglas G. Brimeyer
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Department Headquarters 5400 Bishop Boulevard Cheyenne WY 82006 USA
| | - Brandon Scurlock
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department Pinedale Regional Office 432 Mill Street Pinedale WY 82941 USA
| | - Jill Randall
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department Pinedale Regional Office 432 Mill Street Pinedale WY 82941 USA
| | - Rusty C. Kaiser
- United States Forest Service Big Piney Ranger District, 10418 South US Highway 189 Big Piney WY 83113 USA
| | - Mark Thonhoff
- Bureau of Land Management Pinedale Field Office 1625 West Pine Street Pinedale WY 82941 USA
| | - Gary L. Fralick
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department Jackson Regional Office 420 North Cache Jackson WY 83001 USA
| | - Kevin L. Monteith
- Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
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6
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Powell RA, Mansfield SA, Rogers LL. Comparison of behaviors of black bears with and without habituation to humans and supplemental research feeding. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Humans interact with wildlife regularly, mostly without conflict. Interactions between humans and bears, however, have a history of conflict. Using data from female black bears in two populations, we compared behaviors related to a series of hypotheses about habituation and food supplementation via research feeding. We livetrapped bears in the southern boreal forests and cove forests of the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, in barrel traps or modified leg-hold snares and outfitted them with very high frequency (VHF) transmitters, for 95 bear-years of data. In the southern boreal forests of Superior National Forest, Minnesota, we habituated bears and outfitted them with VHF collars supplemented with GPS units, for 42 bear-years. Some human residents of the Superior study area fed local black bears and we established a research feeding site. Bears in both populations avoided roads and habituated: Superior bears avoided houses where they were not fed; the study site for Pisgah bears (no habituation or feeding) had too few houses to test for avoidance. Bears in both populations gained weight faster during their active seasons when wild foods were abundant. Habituated, supplemented Superior bears averaged a smaller proportion of a day active, longer activity bouts, and less sinuous movements than did not-habituated or supplemented Pisgah bears. The bears in the two populations did not differ with respect to distances traveled per 2 h or mean lengths of activity bouts. The abundance of wild foods affected time active, distance traveled, and sinuosity of travel by not-habituated or supplemented Pisgah bears. Females in breeding condition in both populations were more active, had longer activity bouts, traveled further, and had more linear travel in spring and early summer while females with cubs pushed these activities into late summer and autumn. This timing pattern for bout length, distance moved, and sinuosity was less pronounced for habituated and research-fed Superior bears than for not-habituated or supplemented Pisgah bears. Thus, habituation to a small number of researchers appeared to not affect many behaviors of bears in our habituated and research-fed Superior population; research feeding appeared to affect some behaviors in a manner consistent with a food supply that had low annual variance. Because we have samples of one for each treatment (one site with habituation and feeding, one site without), our results do not establish that differences documented between the populations were caused by the differences in habituation and feeding. The effects of habituation, research feeding, or other forms of food supplementation on backcountry behaviors of black bears need broader testing across the range of black bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger A Powell
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7617 , USA
| | | | - Lynn L Rogers
- Wildlife Research Institute , Ely, Minnesota 55731 , USA
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7
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Abstract
While capture-mark-recapture studies provide essential individual-level data in ecology, repeated captures and handling may impact animal welfare and cause scientific bias. Evaluating the consequences of invasive methodologies should be an integral part of any study involving capture of live animals. We investigated short- and long-term stress responses to repeated captures within a winter on the physiology, behaviour, and reproductive success of female Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus). Short-term responses were evaluated using serum concentrations of glucocorticoids and catecholamines during handling, and post-release recovery times in heart rate and activity levels. Repeated captures were associated with an increase in measured catecholamines and glucocorticoids, except cortisone, and delayed recovery in heart rate but not activity. Four months later, in summer, individuals captured repeatedly in winter exhibited a small increase in behavioural response to human disturbance and had a lower probability of being observed with a calf, compared to animals not captured, or captured only once. Our findings imply that single annual capture events have no significant negative consequences for Svalbard reindeer, but repeated captures within a season may impact offspring survival in the same year. Such unanticipated side effects highlight the importance of addressing multiple indicators of animal responses to repeated captures.
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8
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Beaver JT, Grantham C, Lucas Cooksey M, Skow K, Pierce BL, Lopez RR. Effectiveness, economics, and safety of drop nets and helicopters with net‐gunning for capturing white‐tailed deer. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jared T. Beaver
- Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute College Station TX 77843 USA
| | - Chad Grantham
- Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute College Station TX 77843 USA
| | - M. Lucas Cooksey
- U.S. army Environmental Command, Fort Sam Houston San Antonio TX 78234 USA
| | - Kevin Skow
- Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute College Station TX 77843 USA
| | - Brian L. Pierce
- Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute College Station TX 77843 USA
| | - Roel R. Lopez
- Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute College Station TX 77843 USA
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9
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Shimozuru M, Jimbo M, Adachi K, Kawamura K, Shirane Y, Umemura Y, Ishinazaka T, Nakanishi M, Kiyonari M, Yamanaka M, Amagai Y, Ijuin A, Sakiyama T, Kasai S, Nose T, Shirayanagi M, Tsuruga H, Mano T, Tsubota T, Fukasawa K, Uno H. Estimation of breeding population size using DNA-based pedigree reconstruction in brown bears. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9246. [PMID: 36091344 PMCID: PMC9448969 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Robust estimates of demographic parameters are critical for effective wildlife conservation and management but are difficult to obtain for elusive species. We estimated the breeding and adult population sizes, as well as the minimum population size, in a high-density brown bear population on the Shiretoko Peninsula, in Hokkaido, Japan, using DNA-based pedigree reconstruction. A total of 1288 individuals, collected in and around the Shiretoko Peninsula between 1998 and 2020, were genotyped at 21 microsatellite loci. Among them, 499 individuals were identified by intensive genetic sampling conducted in two consecutive years (2019 and 2020) mainly by noninvasive methods (e.g., hair and fecal DNA). Among them, both parents were assigned for 330 bears, and either maternity or paternity was assigned to 47 and 76 individuals, respectively. The subsequent pedigree reconstruction indicated a range of breeding and adult (≥4 years old) population sizes: 128-173 for female breeders and 66-91 male breeders, and 155-200 for female adults and 84-109 male adults. The minimum population size was estimated to be 449 (252 females and 197 males) in 2019. Long-term continuous genetic sampling prior to a short-term intensive survey would enable parentage to be identified in a population with a high probability, thus enabling reliable estimates of breeding population size for elusive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michito Shimozuru
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Mina Jimbo
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan.,Hokkaido Research Organization Sapporo Japan
| | - Keisuke Adachi
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Kei Kawamura
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Yuri Shirane
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan.,Hokkaido Research Organization Sapporo Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Toshio Tsubota
- Laboratory of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Keita Fukasawa
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies National Institute for Environmental Studies Tsukuba Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Uno
- Faculty of Agriculture Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Tokyo Japan
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10
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Westing CL, Skinner JP, Burcham MG. Efficacy of ground‐based trapping of coastal American black bears in Prince William Sound, Alaska. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1344] [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)
| | - John P. Skinner
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game 333 Raspberry Road Anchorage AK 99518 USA
| | - Milo G. Burcham
- United States Forest Service, Cordova Ranger District 612 Second Street Cordova AK 99574 USA
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11
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Johansson Ö, Kachel S, Weckworth B. Guidelines for Telemetry Studies on Snow Leopards. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131663. [PMID: 35804562 PMCID: PMC9264895 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal-borne tracking devices have generated a wealth of new knowledge, allowing us to better understand, manage and conserve species. Fitting such tracking devices requires that animals are captured and often chemically immobilized. Such procedures cause stress and involve the risk of injuries and loss of life even in healthy individuals. For telemetry studies to be justifiable, it is vital that capture operations are planned and executed in an efficient and ethical way. Project objectives must be clearly articulated to address well-defined knowledge gaps, and studies designed to maximize the probability of achieving those goals. We provide guidelines for how to plan, design, and implement telemetry studies with a special emphasis on snow leopards that are typically captured using foot snares. We also describe the necessary steps to ensure that captures are conducted safely, and with minimal stress to animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Örjan Johansson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 73993 Riddarhyttan, Sweden
- Snow Leopard Trust, 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Shannon Kachel
- Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA; (S.K.); (B.W.)
| | - Byron Weckworth
- Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA; (S.K.); (B.W.)
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12
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Keiter DA, Stoddart TR, Jackson DH. Use of cellular‐linked cameras to monitor live‐trapping of wildlife. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Keiter
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 1495 E. Gregory Road, Central Point OR 97502 USA
| | - Tiffany R. Stoddart
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 1495 E. Gregory Road, Central Point OR 97502 USA
| | - DeWaine H. Jackson
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 4192 N. Umpqua Highway Roseburg OR 97470 USA
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13
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Seward AT, Facchini J, Reynolds‐Hogland MJ, Vieira M, Ramsey AB, Franczyk N, Muench C, Mchugh D, Ramsey PW. Remotely triggered door and real‐time monitoring for bear cage traps. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesse Facchini
- MPG Ranch 19400 Lower Woodchuck Road Florence MT 59833 USA
| | | | - Mark Vieira
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife 317 W. Prospect Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - Alan B. Ramsey
- MPG Ranch 19400 Lower Woodchuck Road Florence MT 59833 USA
| | | | - Carly Muench
- MPG Ranch 19400 Lower Woodchuck Road Florence MT 59833 USA
| | - Daniel Mchugh
- MPG Ranch 19400 Lower Woodchuck Road Florence MT 59833 USA
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14
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Wagler BL, Smiley RA, Courtemanch AB, Anderson G, Lutz D, McWhirter D, Brimeyer D, Hnilicka P, Massing CP, German DW, Stephenson TR, Monteith KL. Effects of helicopter net‐gunning on survival of bighorn sheep. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L. Wagler
- Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Rachel A. Smiley
- Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | | | - Gregory Anderson
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department 260 Buena Vista Drive Lander WY 82520 USA
| | - Daryl Lutz
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department 260 Buena Vista Drive Lander WY 82520 USA
| | - Doug McWhirter
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department 420 N Cache Street Jackson WY 83001 USA
| | - Doug Brimeyer
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department 5400 Bishop Boulevard Cheyenne WY 82006 USA
| | - Patrick Hnilicka
- US Fish and Wildlife Service 170 N First Street Lander WY 82520 USA
| | - Cody P. Massing
- Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 787 N Main Street, Suite 220, Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - David W. German
- Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 787 N Main Street, Suite 220, Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - Thomas R. Stephenson
- Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery Program California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 787 N Main Street, Suite 220, Bishop CA 93514 USA
| | - Kevin L. Monteith
- Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 E Fremont Street Laramie WY 82071 USA
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15
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Evaluating likelihood-based photogrammetry for individual recognition of four species of northern ungulates. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00223-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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16
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van der Meer E, Dullemont H, Chen W, Chang A, Chen C, Pei KJ, Lai Y. Live capture and handling of Taiwanese leopard cats
Prionailurus bengalensis
: an evaluation of trap designs and capture protocol. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Esther van der Meer
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Hans Dullemont
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Wen‐Li Chen
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Ai‐Mei Chang
- Inst. of Animal Vaccine Technology, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Chen‐Chih Chen
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Kurtis Jai‐Chyi Pei
- Inst. of Wildlife Conservation, National Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Ching Lai
- Dept of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, Huafan Univ. New Taipei City Taiwan
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17
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Woodruff SP, Andersen EM, Wilson RR, Mangipane LS, Miller SB, Klein KJ, Lemons PR. Classifying the effects of human disturbance on denning polar bears. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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18
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Mansfield SA, Rogers LL, Robison S, Powell RA. Bed site selection by female North American black bears (Ursus americanus). J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Sleep is important for memory consolidation and maintaining metabolic homeostasis, but sleep can expose animals to inclement weather and predators. Consequently, selection of sleeping sites is important. We tested three sets of hypotheses related to selection of bed sites by female American black bears (Ursus americanus) at two study sites. During 2009–2013, we outfitted 14 female black bears west of Ely, Minnesota, with Global Positioning System collars that reported bear locations every 10 min. We visited 101 bed sites, each identified from clusters of estimated locations where a bear was on site for ≥4 h on two or more occasions, and recorded bed characteristics, forest composition, canopy closure, and ground cover. We matched each bed site with a control site where we collected the same data. During 1987–1991, we outfitted three female black bears south of Ely with very high-frequency transmitter collars and walked with the bears to collect detailed behavioral data. We used the written data records to identify 62 bed sites where bears slept ≥2 h and where bed characteristics were documented. We matched each bed site with a control site approximately 6 h different when the bear was active. Of the bed sites, 132 were used during night and 31 during day. The two study areas differed in the amount of lowland habitats. At both sites, female bears chose bed sites disproportionately in lowland sites with high canopy cover and next to a tree, especially a white pine. Female bears with cubs selected upland bed sites more often than did females without cubs and also more often selected sites adjacent to a tree with coarse bark, which cubs could climb easily. Distances to roads and houses did not affect selection of bed sites by females either with or without cubs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Roger A Powell
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617, USA
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19
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Wilson AE, Michaud SA, Jackson AM, Stenhouse G, McClelland CJR, Coops NC, Janz DM. Protein biomarkers in serum as a conservation tool to assess reproduction: a case study on brown bears ( Ursus arctos). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab091. [PMID: 34888057 PMCID: PMC8651255 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the reproductive characteristics of a species can complement existing conservation strategies by understanding the mechanisms underlying demography. However, methodology to determine important aspects of female reproductive biology is often absent in monitoring programs for large mammals. Protein biomarkers may be a useful tool to detect physiological changes that are indicative of reproductive state. This study aimed to identify protein biomarkers of reproductive status in serum collected from free-ranging female brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Alberta, Canada, from 2001 to 2018. We hypothesized that the expression of proteins related to reproduction in addition to energetics and stress can be used to answer specific management-focused questions: (i) identify when a female is pregnant, (ii) detect if a female is lactating, (iii) determine age of sexual maturity (i.e. primiparity) and (iv) assess female fertility (i.e. reproduction rate). Furthermore, we investigated if silver spoon effects (favourable early life conditions provide fitness benefits through adulthood) could be determined using protein expression. A target panel of 19 proteins with established relationships to physiological function was measured by peptide-based analysis using liquid chromatography and multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry and their differential expression was evaluated using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. We found biomarkers of pregnancy (apolipoprotein B-100 and afamin), lactation (apolipoprotein B-100 and alpha-2-macroglobulin) and sexual maturity (corticosteroid-binding globulin), but there were no statistically significant relationships with protein expression and fertility. The expression of proteins related to reproduction (afamin) and energetics (vitamin-D binding protein) was associated with the nutritional quality of the individual's present habitat rather than their early life habitat. This study highlights potential biomarkers of reproductive status and provides additional methods for monitoring physiological function in wildlife to inform conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbey E Wilson
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Sarah A Michaud
- The University of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre, 4464 Markham St #3101, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Angela M Jackson
- The University of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre, 4464 Markham St #3101, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Gordon Stenhouse
- Grizzly Bear Program, fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, Alberta T7V 1V3, Canada
| | | | - Nicholas C Coops
- Department of Forest Resource Management, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - David M Janz
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
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20
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Bergvall UA, Morellet N, Kjellander P, Rauset GR, Groeve JD, Borowik T, Brieger F, Gehr B, Heurich M, Hewison AM, Kröschel M, Pellerin M, Saïd S, Soennichsen L, Sunde P, Cagnacci F. Settle Down! Ranging Behaviour Responses of Roe Deer to Different Capture and Release Methods. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113299. [PMID: 34828030 PMCID: PMC8614535 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The fitting of tracking devices to wild animals requires capture and handling which causes stress and can potentially cause injury, behavioural modifications that can affect animal welfare and the output of research. We evaluated post capture and release ranging behaviour responses of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) for five different capture methods. We analysed the distance from the centre of gravity and between successive locations, using data from 14 different study sites within the EURODEER collaborative project. Independently of the capture method, we observed a shorter distance between successive locations and contextual shift away from the home range centre of gravity after the capture and release event. However, individuals converged towards the average behaviour within a relatively short space of time (between 10 days and one month). If researchers investigate questions based on the distance between successive locations of the home range, we recommend (1) initial investigation to establish when the animals start to behave normally again or (2) not using the first two to three weeks of data for their analysis. We also encourage researchers to continually adapt methods to minimize stress and prioritize animal welfare wherever possible, according to the Refinement of the Three R's.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika A. Bergvall
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-707-564845
| | - Nicolas Morellet
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, CEFS, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (N.M.); (A.J.M.H.)
- LTSER ZA PYrénéesGARonne, 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Petter Kjellander
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden;
| | - Geir R. Rauset
- Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Johannes De Groeve
- Research and Innovation Centre, Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology Department, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (J.D.G.); (F.C.)
- Department of Geography, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 94240 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tomasz Borowik
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland; (T.B.); (L.S.)
| | - Falko Brieger
- Forest Research Institute Baden-Wuerttemberg, 79100 Freiburg, Germany; (F.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Benedikt Gehr
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Marco Heurich
- Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring, Bavarian Forest National Park, 94481 Grafenau, Germany;
- Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Forest and Wildlife Management, Campus Evenstad, Innland Norway University of Applied Science, 2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - A.J. Mark Hewison
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, CEFS, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (N.M.); (A.J.M.H.)
- LTSER ZA PYrénéesGARonne, 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Max Kröschel
- Forest Research Institute Baden-Wuerttemberg, 79100 Freiburg, Germany; (F.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Maryline Pellerin
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction de la Recherche et de l’Appui Scientifique, 01330 Birieux, France; (M.P.); (S.S.)
| | - Sonia Saïd
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction de la Recherche et de l’Appui Scientifique, 01330 Birieux, France; (M.P.); (S.S.)
| | - Leif Soennichsen
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland; (T.B.); (L.S.)
| | - Peter Sunde
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark;
| | - Francesca Cagnacci
- Research and Innovation Centre, Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology Department, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (J.D.G.); (F.C.)
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21
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Caravaggi A, Amado TF, Brook RK, Ciuti S, Darimont CT, Drouilly M, English HM, Field KA, Iossa G, Martin JE, McElligott AG, Mohammadi A, Nayeri D, O’Neill HMK, Paquet PC, Périquet S, Proulx G, Rabaiotti D, Recio MR, Soulsbury CD, Tadich T, Wynn‐Grant R. On the need for rigorous welfare and methodological reporting for the live capture of large carnivores: A response to de Araujo et al. (2021). Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Caravaggi
- Wildlife Ecology Group School of Applied Sciences University of South Wales Glyntaff UK
| | | | - Ryan K. Brook
- College of Agriculture and Bioresources University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon SK Canada
| | - Simone Ciuti
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour School of Biology and Environmental Science University College Dublin Dublin Ireland
| | - Chris T. Darimont
- Department of Geography University of Victoria Victoria BC Canada
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation Sydney BC Canada
| | - Marine Drouilly
- Panthera NY USA
- iCWild Department of Biological Sciences University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Holly M. English
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour School of Biology and Environmental Science University College Dublin Dublin Ireland
| | - Kate A. Field
- Department of Geography University of Victoria Victoria BC Canada
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation Sydney BC Canada
| | | | - Jessica E. Martin
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | - Alan G. McElligott
- Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences City University of Hong Kong Kowloon China
| | - Alireza Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering Faculty of Natural Resources University of Jiroft Jiroft Iran
| | - Danial Nayeri
- Department of Environmental Sciences Faculty of Natural Resources University of Tehran Karaj Iran
| | - Helen M. K. O’Neill
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK
| | - Paul C. Paquet
- Department of Geography University of Victoria Victoria BC Canada
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation Sydney BC Canada
| | | | - Gilbert Proulx
- Alpha Wildlife Research & Management Ltd. Sherwood Park AB Canada
| | | | - Mariano R. Recio
- Biology Department King Juan Carlos University Madrid Spain
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | | | - Tamara Tadich
- Programa de Bienestar Animal Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias Universidad Austral de Chile Valdivia Chile
| | - Rae Wynn‐Grant
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management University of California at Santa Barbara Santa Barbara CA USA
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22
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Anders N, Roth B, Breen M. Physiological response and survival of Atlantic mackerel exposed to simulated purse seine crowding and release. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab076. [PMID: 34532056 PMCID: PMC8439261 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how animals physiologically respond to capture and release from wild capture fishing is fundamental for developing practices that enhance their welfare and survival. As part of purse seine fishing for small pelagic fish in northern European waters, excess and/or unwanted catches are routinely released from the net in a process called slipping. Due to excessive crowding in the net prior to release, post-slipping mortality rates can be unacceptably high. Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) support large and economically important purse seine fisheries but are known to be particularly vulnerable to such crowding-induced mortality. Developing management advice to promote post-slipping survival for this species is currently challenging, due to a lack of understanding of how crowding influences their physiology. Here we examine the physiological response, recovery and survival of wild caught mackerel exposed to various degrees and durations of simulated crowding stress in a series of sea cage trials. The magnitude of the physiological response and its time to recovery was positively correlated with crowding density and duration and was characterized by cortisol elevation, energy mobilization and anaerobic metabolite accumulation. There were also indications of osmoregulatory disturbance. Skin injury and mortality rates showed a similar positive relationship to crowding density. The physiological disturbance was recoverable for most fish. Instead, the rate at which mortalities developed and the physiological profile of moribund fish indicated that skin injury, likely arising from abrasive contact with netting and other fish during crowding, was the probable cause of mortality. Injured fish also exhibited a loss of allometric condition relative to non-injured survivors. Crowding treatments were potentially confounded by differences in ambient oxygen reduction, water temperature and pre-treatment fish condition between trials, and densities were replicated only once. These results contribute to the development of welfare conscious fishing practices that aim to reduce post-slipping mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Anders
- Fish Capture Division, Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Bergen, 5817, Norway
| | - Bjørn Roth
- Department of Processing Technology, NOFIMA, Stavanger, 4068, Norway
| | - Mike Breen
- Fish Capture Division, Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Bergen, 5817, Norway
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23
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Fahlman Å, Lindsjö J, Bergvall UA, Ågren EO, Norling TA, Stridsberg M, Kjellander P, Höglund O. Measurement of catestatin and vasostatin in wild boar Sus scrofa captured in a corral trap. BMC Res Notes 2021; 14:337. [PMID: 34461992 PMCID: PMC8404316 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05742-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Our aim was to analyse the chromogranin A-derived peptides vasostatin and catestatin in serum from wild boar (Sus scrofa) captured in a corral trap. Acute capture-related stress quickly leads to a release of adrenalin and noradrenalin, but these hormones have a short half-life in blood and are difficult to measure. Chromogranin A (CgA), a glycoprotein which is co-released with noradrenalin and adrenalin, is relatively stable in circulation and the CgA-derived peptides catestatin and vasostatin have been measured in domestic species, but not yet in wildlife. Results Vasostatin and catestatin could be measured and the median (range) serum concentrations were 0.91 (0.54–2.86) and 0.65 (0.35–2.62) nmol/L, respectively. We conclude that the CgA-derived peptides vasostatin and catestatin can be measured in wild boar serum and may thus be useful as biomarkers of psychophysical stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Åsa Fahlman
- SLU Swedish Biodiversity Centre, Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Johan Lindsjö
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, SLU, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulrika A Bergvall
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, SLU, 739 93, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Erik O Ågren
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Therese Arvén Norling
- Department of Organismal Biology, Genome Engineering Zebrafish, SciLifeLab, Uppsala University, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Stridsberg
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Petter Kjellander
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, SLU, 739 93, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Odd Höglund
- Department of Clinical Sciences, SLU, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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24
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Gould NP, Powell R, Olfenbuttel C, DePerno CS. Growth and reproduction by young urban and rural black bears. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Human-dominated landscapes contain fragmented natural land cover interspersed throughout an urban matrix. Animals that occupy human-dominated landscapes often grow and reproduce differently than conspecifics. Female American black bears (Ursus americanus) produce litters for the first time usually at age 4 years; 2-year-olds rarely give birth. We visited winter bear dens and trapped bears in spring and summer to compare the reproductive output and weight of female black bears within the city limits of Asheville, North Carolina, and three forested rural sites in North Carolina and Virginia representative of the undeveloped habitat of Asheville. Urban yearling females weighed nearly double (45.0 kg ± 8.1 [± SD]; n = 36) that of yearling females from the three rural study sites (23.2 ± 8.5 [Pisgah], 23.6 ± 8.3 [Virginia SW], and 23.9 ± 9.7 [Virginia NW]; n = 95). Across all sites, hard mast production during the autumn, when females were cubs, did not affect their weights as yearlings. Seven of 12 (58%) 2-year-old urban bears produced 11 cubs (mean litter size = 1.6 ± 0.8), but no 2-year-old rural females produced cubs. Production of hard mast in the autumn, when females were yearlings, did not influence cub production by 2-year-old female bears at the urban site. We hypothesize that reproduction by 2-year-old bears is linked to the availability of anthropogenic food sources associated with urban environments. To inform population level management decisions, managers and researchers should quantify urban food sources and the effects on black bear life history. If high fecundity allows urban populations to sustain relatively high mortality rates, then urban bear populations may be source populations for surrounding, rural areas. Alternately, if reproduction in urban populations cannot match high time-specific or age-specific urban mortality rates, then urban populations may be sinks for the surrounding areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P Gould
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Roger Powell
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Colleen Olfenbuttel
- Wildlife Management Division, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Pittsboro, NC, USA
| | - Christopher S DePerno
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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25
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Zubiria Perez A, Bone C, Stenhouse G. Simulating multi-scale movement decision-making and learning in a large carnivore using agent-based modelling. Ecol Modell 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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26
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Wilson AE, Wismer D, Stenhouse G, Coops NC, Janz DM. Landscape condition influences energetics, reproduction, and stress biomarkers in grizzly bears. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12124. [PMID: 34108541 PMCID: PMC8190091 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91595-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental change has been shown to influence mammalian distribution, habitat use, and behavior; however, few studies have investigated the impact on physiological function. This study aimed to determine the influence of landscape condition on the expression of target proteins related to energetics, reproduction, and stress in grizzly bears. We hypothesized that changes in landscape condition explains protein expression. Skin biopsies were collected from free-ranging grizzly bears in Alberta, Canada from 2013-2019 (n = 86 individuals). We used an information theoretic approach to develop 11 a priori candidate generalized linear mixed models to explain protein expression. We compared models using Akaike Information Criteria (AICc) weights and averaged models with ΔAICc < 2 for each protein. Food resources, represented by increased distance to coal mines and decreased crown closure, positively influenced energetic proteins (adiponectin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein). Proteins related to reproduction (ceruloplasmin and serpin B5) were positively associated with increased wetland and upland food resources in addition to movement, but negatively associated with increased distance to roads. One stress related protein, complement C3, was positively influenced by increased percent conifer. Given the need to detect emerging threats to wildlife, we suggest the assessment of physiological function will lead to improved monitoring of species in rapidly changing landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbey E. Wilson
- grid.25152.310000 0001 2154 235XDepartment of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4 Canada ,Toxicology Centre, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3 Canada
| | - Dan Wismer
- fRI Research, Grizzly Bear Program, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB T7V 1V3 Canada
| | - Gordon Stenhouse
- fRI Research, Grizzly Bear Program, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB T7V 1V3 Canada
| | - Nicholas C. Coops
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Forest Resource Management, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - David M. Janz
- grid.25152.310000 0001 2154 235XDepartment of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4 Canada ,Toxicology Centre, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3 Canada
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27
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New Online Resource on the 3Rs Principles of Animal Research for Wildlife Biologists, Ecologists, and Conservation Managers. CONSERVATION 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/conservation1020009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Earth’s biodiversity is in crisis. Without radical action to conserve habitats, the current rate of species extinction is predicted to accelerate even further. Efficient species conservation requires planning, management, and continuous biodiversity monitoring through wildlife research. Conservation biology was built on the utilitarian principle, where the well-being of species, populations, and ecosystems is given priority over the well-being of individual animals. However, this tenet has been increasingly under discussion and it has been argued that wildlife researchers need to safeguard the welfare of the individual animals traditionally subjected to invasive or lethal research procedures. The 3Rs principles of animal use (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) have become the cornerstone of ethical scientific conduct that could minimize the potential negative impact of research practices. One of the obvious strategies to implement the 3Rs in wildlife studies is to use non-invasive or non-lethal research methods. However, in contrast to toxicological or pharmacological research on laboratory animal models, up to now no 3Rs databases or online resources designed specifically for wildlife biologists, ecologists, and conservation managers have been available. To aid the implementation of the 3Rs principles into research on wildlife, I developed an online resource whose structure is outlined in this paper. The website contains a curated database of peer-reviewed articles that have implemented non-invasive or non-lethal research methods that could be used as a guideline for future studies.
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28
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Sorensen A, Denny C, McKay T, Stenhouse G. Response of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) to pipelines in Alberta. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 67:1158-1170. [PMID: 33738538 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-021-01457-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This research provides the first in-depth analysis of fine-scale grizzly bear habitat selection and movement patterns in response to the linear footprints cleared for below-ground pipelines in Alberta. Using an extensive set of GPS location data from collared grizzly bears, we were able to determine that grizzly bears selected for younger pipelines (mean age since last construction~6.5 years), which are known to have a greater abundance of important bear foods. Bears also selected for wider corridors that were disturbed for construction more than once. During the spring season, sex/age class was an important predictor of grizzly bear use of pipelines, with adult female bears more likely to use these features than other sex/age classes. Examination of movement patterns revealed that pipeline density influenced grizzly bears' movement rates and path straightness, particularly in the spring, when bears moved more slowly and movement paths were more tortuous in areas with higher pipeline densities. These movement patterns are consistent with foraging behavior and further indicate that bears are not exhibiting avoidance behaviors or displacement by pipeline features, and pipelines may be functioning as seasonally important foraging areas for grizzly bears in Alberta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Sorensen
- Wildlife Research Biologist, Grizzly Bear Program, fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB, T7V 1V3, Canada.
| | - Catherine Denny
- Grizzly Bear Program, fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB, T7V 1V3, Canada
| | - Tracy McKay
- Wildlife Biologist, Caribou Program, fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB, T7V 1V3, Canada
| | - Gordon Stenhouse
- Research Scientist and Program Lead, Grizzly Bear Program, fRI Research, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, AB, T7V 1V3, Canada
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Milleret C, Bischof R, Dupont P, Brøseth H, Odden J, Mattisson J. GPS collars have an apparent positive effect on the survival of a large carnivore. Biol Lett 2021; 17:20210128. [PMID: 34186003 PMCID: PMC8241484 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Are instrumented animals representative of the population, given the potential bias caused by selective sampling and the influence of capture, handling and wearing bio-loggers? The answer is elusive owing to the challenges of obtaining comparable data from individuals with and without bio-loggers. Using non-invasive genetic data of a large carnivore, the wolverine (Gulo gulo) in Scandinavia, and an open-population spatial capture-recapture model, we found a 16 (credible interval: 4-30) percentage points lower mortality probability for GPS-collared individuals compared with individuals without GPS collars. While the risk of dying from legal culling was comparable for collared and non-collared wolverines, the former experienced lower probability of mortality due to causes other than legal culling. The aforementioned effect was pronounced despite a potentially lower age-and therefore likely higher natural mortality-of collared individuals. Reports of positive effects of bio-loggers on the survival of individuals are uncommon and we argue that GPS collars could shield animals from poaching. Our results highlight the challenges of drawing population-level inferences for populations subjected to poaching when using data from instrumented individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Milleret
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Richard Bischof
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Pierre Dupont
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Henrik Brøseth
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - John Odden
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), 0855 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jenny Mattisson
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), 7485 Trondheim, Norway
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Bista D, Lama ST, Weerman J, Sherpa AP, Pandey P, Thapa MK, Acharya H, Hudson NJ, Baxter GS, Murray PJ. Improved Trapping and Handling of an Arboreal, Montane Mammal: Red Panda Ailurus fulgens. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11040921. [PMID: 33805041 PMCID: PMC8064068 DOI: 10.3390/ani11040921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Capture and handling is essential to study some biological and ecological properties of free-ranging animals. However, capturing an arboreal and cryptic species such as the red panda is challenging due to the difficult terrain, their elusive nature, and potential risks to human and animal safety. We developed and successfully tested a protocol for tracking, capture, immobilization, and handling of red pandas. This method could also be used, with some modifications, for other arboreal species. This study extends the known range of body weight and length of free-ranging red pandas. We also report some new morphometric data that could serve as a guide for field identification. Abstract It is sometimes essential to have an animal in the hand to study some of their ecological and biological characteristics. However, capturing a solitary, cryptic, elusive arboreal species such as the red panda in the wild is challenging. We developed and successfully tested a protocol for tracking, trapping, immobilization, and handling of red pandas in the wild in eastern Nepal. We established a red panda sighting rate of 0.89 panda/day with a capture success rate of 0.6. We trapped and collared one animal in 3.7 days. On average, we took nearly 136 (range 50–317) min to capture an animal after spotting it. Further processing was completed in 38.5 (21–70) min. Before capture, we found it difficult to recognize the sex of the red panda and to differentiate sub-adults above six months from adults. However, body weight, body length, tail length, shoulder height, and chest girth can be used for diagnosis, as these attributes are smaller in sub-adults. Our method is a welfare-friendly way of trapping and handling wild red pandas. We report new morphometric data that could serve as a guide for field identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damber Bista
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia; (N.J.H.); (G.S.B.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Sonam Tashi Lama
- Red Panda Network, Baluwatar, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal; (S.T.L.); (A.P.S.)
| | - Janno Weerman
- Rotterdam Zoo, Blijdorplaan 8, 3041 JG Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Ang Phuri Sherpa
- Red Panda Network, Baluwatar, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal; (S.T.L.); (A.P.S.)
| | - Purushotam Pandey
- Directorate of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Province no.1, Biratnagar 56613, Nepal;
| | - Madhuri Karki Thapa
- Department of Forest and Soil Conservation, Babarmahal, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal;
| | - Haribhadra Acharya
- Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Babarmahal, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal;
| | - Nicholas J. Hudson
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia; (N.J.H.); (G.S.B.)
| | - Greg S. Baxter
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia; (N.J.H.); (G.S.B.)
| | - Peter John Murray
- School of Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, West St, Darling Heights, QLD 4350, Australia;
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Palmer A, Reynolds SJ, Lane J, Dickey R, Greenhough B. Getting to grips with wildlife research by citizen scientists: What role for regulation? PEOPLE AND NATURE 2021; 3:4-16. [PMID: 33542999 PMCID: PMC7116685 DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife research by citizen scientists, involving the capture and handling of animals, provides clear scientific benefits, but also potential risks to animal welfare. We explore debates about how best to regulate such work to ensure that it is undertaken in an ethical manner.We focus on the UK as a case study, drawing on qualitative research and stakeholder engagement events. We show that because trapping and marking of certain species requires minimal licensing, training and justification, some argue for increased formal regulation to minimise risks to animal welfare. However, others have reflected on the already complex regulatory landscape affecting wildlife research, and have expressed concern that introducing additional formal regulations could potentially make citizen science working with wildlife more difficult. Informal regulation could therefore offer a preferable alternative.We set out three steps that could be taken to open up conversations about ethics and regulation of wildlife-focussed citizen science, in the UK and elsewhere: (a) take stock of wildlife-focussed citizen science in terms of numbers and harms to animal welfare; (b) assess the state of formal regulations and consider reforms; and (c) consider informal regulations as alternatives or additions to formal regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Palmer
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - S. James Reynolds
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK,Animal Welfare Ethical Review Board (AWERB), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK,Army Ornithological Society (AOS), Aldershot, UK
| | - Julie Lane
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, York, UK
| | - Roger Dickey
- Army Ornithological Society (AOS), Aldershot, UK
| | - Beth Greenhough
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Wild boar behaviour during live-trap capture in a corral-style trap: implications for animal welfare. Acta Vet Scand 2020; 62:59. [PMID: 33168032 PMCID: PMC7654165 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-00557-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wildlife traps are used in many countries without evaluation of their effect on animal welfare. Trap-capture of wild animals should minimise negative effects on animal welfare, irrespective of whether the animals are trapped for hunting, research, or management purposes. Live-trap capture of wild boar (Sus scrofa) followed by killing inside the trap by gunshot is a recently introduced but disputed hunting method in Sweden. Approval of trap constructions is based on gross necropsy findings of 20 trapped and shot wild boars. For improved animal welfare evaluation, our aim was to study wild boar behaviour during live-trapping in a 16 m2 square corral-style trap. Behavioural assessments were conducted after filming 12 capture events of in total 38 wild boars (five adults, 20 subadults, 13 piglets). Selected behavioural traits were compared with pathological changes (trap-related lesions) found at necropsy of the 20 subadults, to determine if these variables were useful proxies of capture-induced stress in wild boar. Results The wild boars spent less time resting in the evening than in the night and morning. Using Friedman’s ANOVA, there was an overall difference in the time spent foraging. However, we only found a difference between the evening and morning in the Wilcoxon matched pairs test after the Sequential Bonferroni correction, where the wild boars spent more time foraging in the evening than in the morning. Single captured individuals showed more escape behaviours and reacted more strongly to external stimuli than individuals captured in a group. It was more common for animals to charge against the mesh walls of the trap upon human approach compared to upon initial capture when the trap door closed. Trap-related pathological findings due to trauma were documented in 13 of the 20 subadults that were necropsied. Behavioural alterations indicative of capture-induced stress (e.g. charging into the trap walls) were documented in trapped wild boars with no or minor physical injuries (e.g. skin abrasions, subcutaneous haemorrhage). Conclusions Behavioural assessment provided valuable information for determination of capture-induced stress in wild boar when evaluating live-trapping in a corral-style trap, whereas pathological evaluation through necropsy did not fully reflect the animal welfare aspects of live-trapping. We emphasize the inclusion of species-specific behavioural data assessment for evaluation of capture-related stress during live-trapping and for testing of new trap constructions before approval.
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Ortega AC, Dwinnell SP, Lasharr TN, Jakopak RP, Denryter K, Huggler KS, Hayes MM, Aikens EO, Verzuh TL, May AB, Kauffman MJ, Monteith KL. Effectiveness of Partial Sedation to Reduce Stress in Captured Mule Deer. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Ortega
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 1000 East University Avenue Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Samantha P. Dwinnell
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 East Fremont Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Tayler N. Lasharr
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 East Fremont Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Rhiannon P. Jakopak
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 East Fremont Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Kristin Denryter
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Wyoming 804 East Fremont Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Katey S. Huggler
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 East Fremont Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Matthew M. Hayes
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 East Fremont Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Ellen O. Aikens
- Program in Ecology, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 1000 East University Avenue Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Tana L. Verzuh
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 East Fremont Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Alexander B. May
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 East Fremont Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Matthew J. Kauffman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 1000 East University Avenue Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Kevin L. Monteith
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming 804 East Fremont Street Laramie WY 82072 USA
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Rickbeil GJM, Coops NC, Berman EE, McClelland CJR, Bolton DK, Stenhouse GB. Changing spring snow cover dynamics and early season forage availability affect the behavior of a large carnivore. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:6266-6275. [PMID: 32722880 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Changing climates are altering wildlife habitats and wildlife behavior in complex ways. Here, we examine how changing spring snow cover dynamics and early season forage availability are altering grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) behavior postden emergence. Telemetry data were used to identify spring activity dates for 48 individuals in the Yellowhead region of Alberta, Canada. Spring activity date was related to snow cover dynamics using a daily percent snow cover dataset. Snow melt end date, melt rate, and melt consistency explained 45% of the variation in spring activity date. We applied this activity date model across the entire Yellowhead region from 2000 to 2016 using simulated grizzly bear home ranges. Predicted spring activity date was then compared with a daily spring forage availability date dataset, resulting in "wait time" estimates for four key early season forage species. Temporal changes in both spring activity date and early season forage "wait times" were assessed using non-parametric regression. Grizzly bear activity date was found to have either remained constant (95%) or become earlier (5%) across the study area; virtually no areas with significantly later spring activity dates were detected. Similarly, the majority of "wait times" did not change (85%); however, the majority of significant changes in "wait times" for the four early season forage species indicated that "wait times" were lessening where changes were detected. Our results show that spring activity date is largely dictated by snow melt characteristics and that changing snow melt conditions may result in earlier spring activity. However, early season food stress conditions are likely to remain unchanged or improve as vegetation phenology also becomes earlier. Our findings extend the recent work examining animal movement in response to changing phenology from migratory birds and ungulates to an apex predator, further demonstrating the potential effects of changing climates on wildlife species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J M Rickbeil
- Department of Forest Resource Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nicholas C Coops
- Department of Forest Resource Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ethan E Berman
- Department of Forest Resource Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Cameron J R McClelland
- Department of Forest Resource Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Douglas K Bolton
- Earth & Environment Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Long-term capture and handling effects on body condition, reproduction and survival in a semi-aquatic mammal. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17886. [PMID: 33087816 PMCID: PMC7578049 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74933-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In long-term individual-based field studies, several parameters need to be assessed repeatedly to fully understand the potential fitness effects on individuals. Often studies only evaluate capture stress that appears in the immediate weeks or breeding season and even long-term studies fail to evaluate the long-term effects of their capture procedures. We investigated effects of long-term repeated capture and handling of individuals in a large semi-aquatic rodent using more than 20 years of monitoring data from a beaver population in Norway. To investigate the effects, we corrected for ecological factors and analysed the importance of total capture and handling events, years of monitoring and deployment of telemetry devices on measures related to body condition, reproduction and survival of individual beavers. Body mass of dominant individuals decreased considerably with number of capture events (107 g per capture), but we found no statistically clear short or long-term effects of capture and handling on survival or other body condition indices. Annual litter size decreased with increasing number of captures among older individuals. Number of captures furthermore negatively affected reproduction in the beginning of the monitoring, but the effect decreased over the years, indicating habituation to repeated capture and handling. By assessing potential impacts on several fitness-related parameters at multiple times, we can secure the welfare of wild animal populations when planning and executing future conservation studies as well as ensure ecologically reliable research data.
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36
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Phoebus I, Boulanger J, Eiken HG, Fløystad I, Graham K, Hagen SB, Sorensen A, Stenhouse G. Comparison of grizzly bear hair-snag and scat sampling along roads to inform wildlife population monitoring. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isobel Phoebus
- I. Phoebus (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5333-0298) ✉ , K. Graham, A. Sorensen and G. Stenhouse (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4551-4585), fRI Research Grizzly Bear Program, Hinton, AB, Canada
| | - John Boulanger
- J. Boulanger (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8222-1445), Integrated Ecological Research, Nelson, BC, Canada
| | - Hans Geir Eiken
- H. G. Eiken (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5368-3648), I. Fløystad (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0484-4265) and S. B. Hagen (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8289-7752), Norwegian Inst. of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Akershus, Norway
| | - Ida Fløystad
- H. G. Eiken (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5368-3648), I. Fløystad (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0484-4265) and S. B. Hagen (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8289-7752), Norwegian Inst. of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Akershus, Norway
| | - Karen Graham
- I. Phoebus (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5333-0298) ✉ , K. Graham, A. Sorensen and G. Stenhouse (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4551-4585), fRI Research Grizzly Bear Program, Hinton, AB, Canada
| | - Snorre B. Hagen
- H. G. Eiken (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5368-3648), I. Fløystad (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0484-4265) and S. B. Hagen (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8289-7752), Norwegian Inst. of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Akershus, Norway
| | - Anja Sorensen
- I. Phoebus (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5333-0298) ✉ , K. Graham, A. Sorensen and G. Stenhouse (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4551-4585), fRI Research Grizzly Bear Program, Hinton, AB, Canada
| | - Gordon Stenhouse
- I. Phoebus (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5333-0298) ✉ , K. Graham, A. Sorensen and G. Stenhouse (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4551-4585), fRI Research Grizzly Bear Program, Hinton, AB, Canada
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Soulsbury CD, Gray HE, Smith LM, Braithwaite V, Cotter SC, Elwood RW, Wilkinson A, Collins LM. The welfare and ethics of research involving wild animals: A primer. Methods Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen E. Gray
- Faculty of Biological Sciences University of Leeds Leeds UK
| | | | | | | | - Robert W. Elwood
- School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast Belfast UK
| | - Anna Wilkinson
- School of Life Sciences University of Lincoln Lincoln UK
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Ellington EH, Lewis KP, Koen EL, Vander Wal E. Divergent estimates of herd-wide caribou calf survival: Ecological factors and methodological biases. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:8476-8505. [PMID: 32788995 PMCID: PMC7417224 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Population monitoring is a critical part of effective wildlife management, but methods are prone to biases that can hinder our ability to accurately track changes in populations through time. Calf survival plays an important role in ungulate population dynamics and can be monitored using telemetry and herd composition surveys. These methods, however, are susceptible to unrepresentative sampling and violations of the assumption of equal detectability, respectively. Here, we capitalized on 55 herd-wide estimates of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) calf survival in Newfoundland, Canada, using telemetry (n = 1,175 calves) and 249 herd-wide estimates of calf:cow ratios (C:C) using herd composition surveys to investigate these potential biases. These data included 17 herd-wide estimates replicated from both methods concurrently (n = 448 calves and n = 17 surveys) which we used to understand which processes and sampling biases contributed to disagreement between estimates of herd-wide calf survival. We used Cox proportional hazards models to determine whether estimates of calf mortality risk were biased by the date a calf was collared. We also used linear mixed-effects models to determine whether estimates of C:C ratios were biased by survey date and herd size. We found that calves collared later in the calving season had a higher mortality risk and that C:C tended to be higher for surveys conducted later in the autumn. When we used these relationships to modify estimates of herd-wide calf survival derived from telemetry and herd composition surveys concurrently, we found that formerly disparate estimates of woodland caribou calf survival now overlapped (within a 95% confidence interval) in a majority of cases. Our case study highlights the potential of under-appreciated biases to impact our understanding of population dynamics and suggests ways that managers can limit the influence of these biases in the two widely applied methods for estimating herd-wide survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Hance Ellington
- School of Environment and Natural ResourcesOhio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John’sNFCanada
| | - Keith P. Lewis
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John’sNFCanada
- Northwest Atlantic Fisheries CentreFisheries and Oceans CanadaSt. John’sNFCanada
| | - Erin L. Koen
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John’sNFCanada
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring SectionOntario Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestryPeterboroughONCanada
| | - Eric Vander Wal
- Department of BiologyMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John’sNFCanada
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Proulx G, Cattet M, Serfass TL, Baker SE. Updating the AIHTS Trapping Standards to Improve Animal Welfare and Capture Efficiency and Selectivity. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1262. [PMID: 32722315 PMCID: PMC7459571 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1999, after pressure from the European Union, an Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) that would result in the banning of the steel-jawed leghold traps in the European Community, Canada, and Russia was signed. The United States implemented these standards through an Agreed Minute with the European Community. Over the last two decades, scientists have criticized the AIHTS for (1) omitting species that are commonly trapped; (2) threshold levels of trap acceptance that are not representative of state-of-the-art trap technology; (3) excluding popular traps which are commonly used by trappers although they are known to cause prolonged pain and stress to captured animals; (4) inadequate coverage of capture efficiency and species selectivity (i.e., number of captures of target and non-target species) performance. Concerns about the ability of standards and test procedures to ensure animal welfare, and about the implementation of standards, have also been voiced by wildlife biologists, managers, and conservation groups. In this review, we present a synopsis of current trapping standards and test procedures, and we compare the standards to a then contemporary 1985-1993 Canadian trap research and development program. On the basis of the above-noted concerns about AIHTS, and our experience as wildlife professionals involved in the capture of mammals, we formulated the following hypotheses: (1) the list of mammal species included in the AIHTS is incomplete; (2) the AIHTS have relatively low animal welfare performance thresholds of killing trap acceptance and do not reflect state-of-the-art trapping technology; (3) the AIHTS animal welfare indicators and injuries for restraining traps are insufficient; (4) the AIHTS testing procedures are neither thorough nor transparent; (5) the AIHTS protocols for the use of certified traps are inadequate; (6) the AIHTS procedures for the handling and dispatching of animals are nonexistent; (7) the AIHTS criteria to assess trap capture efficiency and species selectivity are inappropriate. We conclude that the AIHTS do not reflect state-of-the-art trapping technology, and assessment protocols need to be updated to include trap components and sets, animal handling and dispatching, and trap visit intervals. The list of traps and species included in the standards should be updated. Finally, the concepts of capture efficiency and trap selectivity should be developed and included in the standards. Based on our review, it is clear that mammal trapping standards need to be revisited to implement state-of-the-art trapping technology and improve capture efficiency and species selectivity. We believe that a committee of international professionals consisting of wildlife biologists and veterinarians with extensive experience in the capture of mammals and animal welfare could produce new standards within 1-2 years. We propose a series of measures to fund trap testing and implement new standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Proulx
- Alpha Wildlife Research & Management Ltd., 229 Lilac Terrace, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 1W3, Canada
| | - Marc Cattet
- RGL Recovery Wildlife Health & Veterinary Services, 415 Mount Allison Crescent, Saskatoon, SK S7H 4A6, Canada;
| | - Thomas L. Serfass
- Department of Biology and Natural Resources, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD 21532, USA;
| | - Sandra E. Baker
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK;
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Wilson AE, Michaud SA, Jackson AM, Stenhouse G, Coops NC, Janz DM. Development and validation of protein biomarkers of health in grizzly bears. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coaa056. [PMID: 32607241 PMCID: PMC7311831 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Large carnivores play critical roles in the maintenance and function of natural ecosystems; however, the populations of many of these species are in decline across the globe. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel techniques that can be used as sensitive conservation tools to detect new threats to the health of individual animals well in advance of population-level effects. Our study aimed to determine the expression of proteins related to energetics, reproduction and stress in the skin of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) using a liquid chromatography and multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry assay. We hypothesized that a suite of target proteins could be measured using this technique and that the expression of these proteins would be associated with biological (sex, age, sample location on body) and environmental (geographic area, season, sample year) variables. Small skin biopsies were collected from free-ranging grizzly bears in Alberta, Canada, from 2013 to 2019 (n = 136 samples from 111 individuals). Over 700 proteins were detected in the skin of grizzly bears, 19 of which were chosen as targets because of their established roles in physiological function. Generalized linear mixed model analysis was used for each target protein. Results indicate that sample year influenced the majority of proteins, suggesting that physiological changes may be driven in part by responses to changes in the environment. Season influenced the expression of proteins related to energetics, reproduction and stress, all of which were lower during fall compared to early spring. The expression of proteins related to energetics and stress varied by geographic area, while the majority of proteins that were affected by biological attributes (age class, sex and age class by sex interaction) were related to reproduction and stress. This study provides a novel method by which scientists and managers can further assess and monitor physiological function in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbey E Wilson
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Sarah A Michaud
- The University of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre, 4464 Markham St #3101, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Angela M Jackson
- The University of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre, 4464 Markham St #3101, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Gordon Stenhouse
- Foothills Research Institute, Grizzly Bear Program, 1176 Switzer Drive, Hinton, Alberta T7V 1V3, Canada
| | - Nicholas C Coops
- Department of Forest Resource Management, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - David M Janz
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
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41
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Cui S, Chen D, Sun J, Chu H, Li C, Jiang Z. A simple use of camera traps for photogrammetric estimation of wild animal traits. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Cui
- College of Forestry Shanxi Agricultural University Taigu Shanxi China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - D. Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - J. Sun
- Kanas National Nature Reserve Buerjin Xinjiang China
| | - H. Chu
- College of Resources and Environment Sciences Xinjiang University Urumqi Xinjiang China
- Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve Altay Xinjiang China
| | - C. Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Z. Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
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42
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Van de Kerk M, McMillan BR, Hersey KR, Roug A, Larsen RT. Effect of Net‐Gun Capture on Survival of Mule Deer. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Madelon Van de Kerk
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University 4105 Life Sciences Building Provo UT 84602 USA
| | - Brock R. McMillan
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University 4105 Life Sciences Building Provo UT 84602 USA
| | - Kent R. Hersey
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 1594 W North Temple, Suite 2110 Salt Lake City UT 84114 USA
| | - Annette Roug
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 1594 W North Temple, Suite 2110 Salt Lake City UT 84114 USA
| | - Randy T. Larsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University 4105 Life Sciences Building Provo UT 84602 USA
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43
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Wold K, Wirsing AJ, Quinn TP. Do brown bears Ursus arctos avoid barbed wires deployed to obtain hair samples? A videographic assessment. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Wold
- K. Wold (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8787-8040) and T. P. Quinn (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3163-579X) ✉ , School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Aaron J. Wirsing
- A. J. Wirsing (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8326-5394), School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas P. Quinn
- K. Wold (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8787-8040) and T. P. Quinn (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3163-579X) ✉ , School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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44
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Zemanova MA. Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: moving from invasive to non-invasive methods. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam A. Zemanova
- M. A. Zemanova (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5002-3388) ✉ , Dept of Philosophy, Univ. of Basel, Steinengraben 5, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland
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45
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Lahdenperä M, Jackson J, Htut W, Lummaa V. Capture from the wild has long-term costs on reproductive success in Asian elephants. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191584. [PMID: 31594514 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Capturing wild animals is common for conservation, economic or research purposes. Understanding how capture itself affects lifetime fitness measures is often difficult because wild and captive populations live in very different environments and there is a need for long-term life-history data. Here, we show how wild capture influences reproduction in 2685 female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) used in the timber industry in Myanmar. Wild-caught females demonstrated a consistent reduction in breeding success relative to captive-born females, with significantly lower lifetime reproduction probabilities, lower breeding probabilities at peak reproductive ages and a later age of first reproduction. Furthermore, these negative effects lasted for over a decade, and there was a significant influence on the next generation: wild-caught females had calves with reduced survival to age 5. Our results suggest that wild capture has long-term consequences for reproduction, which is important not only for elephants, but also for other species in captivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Jackson
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Win Htut
- Myanma Timber Enterprise, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Conservation, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Virpi Lummaa
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
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46
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Schmidt JH, Reynolds JH, Rattenbury KL, Phillips LM, White KS, Schertz D, Morton JM, Kim HS. Integrating distance sampling with minimum counts to improve monitoring. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua H. Schmidt
- U.S. National Park ServiceCentral Alaska Network 4175 Geist Road Fairbanks AK 99709 USA
| | - Joel H. Reynolds
- U.S. National Park ServiceAlaska Region 240 W. 5th Avenue Anchorage AK 99501 USA
| | - Kumi L. Rattenbury
- U.S. National Park ServiceArctic Network 4175 Geist Road Fairbanks AK 99709 USA
| | - Laura M. Phillips
- U.S. National Park ServiceDenali National Park and Preserve P.O. Box 9, Denali Park AK 99755 USA
| | - Kevin S. White
- Alaska Department of Fish and GameDivision of Wildlife Conservation P.O. Box 110024 Juneau AK 99811 USA
| | - Dylan Schertz
- Wildlife Conservation SocietyArctic Beringia Office 3550 Airport Way, Suite 5 Fairbanks AK 99709 USA
| | - John M. Morton
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceKenai National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 2139 Soldotna AK 99669 USA
| | - H. Sharon Kim
- U.S. National Park ServiceKenai Fjords National Park P.O. Box 1727 Seward AK 99664 USA
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Abstract
Despite abundant focus on responsible care of laboratory animals, we argue that inattention to the maltreatment of wildlife constitutes an ethical blind spot in contemporary animal research. We begin by reviewing significant shortcomings in legal and institutional oversight, arguing for the relatively rapid and transformational potential of editorial oversight at journals in preventing harm to vertebrates studied in the field and outside the direct supervision of institutions. Straightforward changes to animal care policies in journals, which our analysis of 206 journals suggests are either absent (34%), weak, incoherent, or neglected by researchers, could provide a practical, effective, and rapidly imposed safeguard against unnecessary suffering. The Animals in Research: Reporting On Wildlife (ARROW) guidelines we propose here, coupled with strong enforcement, could result in significant changes to how animals involved in wildlife research are treated. The research process would also benefit. Sound science requires animal subjects to be physically, physiologically, and behaviorally unharmed. Accordingly, publication of methods that contravenes animal welfare principles risks perpetuating inhumane approaches and bad science. An analysis of the “instructions for authors” for wildlife journals reveals deficits in animal care policies but identifies a transformative path towards ethically attuned treatment of wild research animals.
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48
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Berman EE, Coops NC, Kearney SP, Stenhouse GB. Grizzly bear response to fine spatial and temporal scale spring snow cover in Western Alberta. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215243. [PMID: 30970010 PMCID: PMC6457671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Snow dynamics influence seasonal behaviors of wildlife, such as denning patterns and habitat selection related to the availability of food resources. Under a changing climate, characteristics of the temporal and spatial patterns of snow are predicted to change, and as a result, there is a need to better understand how species interact with snow dynamics. This study examines grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) spring habitat selection and use across western Alberta, Canada. Made possible by newly available fine-scale snow cover data, this research tests a hypothesis that grizzly bears select for locations with less snow cover and areas where snow melts sooner during spring (den emergence to May 31st). Using Integrated Step Selection Analysis, a series of models were built to examine whether snow cover information such as fractional snow covered area and date of snow melt improved models constructed based on previous knowledge of grizzly bear selection during the spring. Comparing four different models fit to 62 individual bear-years, we found that the inclusion of fractional snow covered area improved model fit 60% of the time based on Akaike Information Criterion tallies. Probability of use was then used to evaluate grizzly bear habitat use in response to snow and environmental attributes, including fractional snow covered area, date since snow melt, elevation, and distance to road. Results indicate grizzly bears select for lower elevation, snow-free locations during spring, which has important implications for management of threatened grizzly bear populations in consideration of changing climatic conditions. This study is an example of how fine spatial and temporal scale remote sensing data can be used to improve our understanding of wildlife habitat selection and use in relation to key environmental attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan E. Berman
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicholas C. Coops
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sean P. Kearney
- Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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49
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Gese EM, Terletzky PA, Erb JD, Fuller KC, Grabarkewitz JP, Hart JP, Humpal C, Sampson BA, Young JK. Injury scores and spatial responses of wolves following capture: Cable restraints versus foothold traps. WILDLIFE SOC B 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric M. Gese
- United States Department of AgricultureWildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State UniversityLoganUT84322‐5230USA
| | | | - John D. Erb
- Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesGrand RapidsMN55744USA
| | - Kevin C. Fuller
- United States Department of AgricultureWildlife ServicesGrand RapidsMN55744USA
| | | | - John P. Hart
- United States Department of AgricultureWildlife ServicesGrand RapidsMN55744USA
| | - Carolin Humpal
- Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesGrand RapidsMN55744USA
| | | | - Julie K. Young
- United States Department of AgricultureWildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State UniversityLoganUT84322‐5230USA
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50
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Jung TS, Konkolics SM, Kukka PM, Majchrzak YN, Menzies AK, Oakley MP, Peers MJ, Studd EK. Short‐term effect of helicopter‐based capture on movements of a social ungulate. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S. Jung
- Department of Environment, Government of Yukon, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 2C6, Canada; Department of Renewable Resources, University of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaT6G 2H1Canada
| | - Sean M. Konkolics
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alberta, EdmontonAlbertaT6G 2R3Canada
| | - Piia M. Kukka
- Department of EnvironmentGovernment of Yukon, WhitehorseYukonY1A 2C6Canada
| | - Yasmine N. Majchrzak
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alberta, EdmontonAlbertaT6G 2R3Canada
| | - Allyson K. Menzies
- Department of Natural Resource SciencesMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecH9X 3V9Canada
| | | | - Michael J.L. Peers
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alberta, EdmontonAlbertaT6G 2R3Canada
| | - Emily K. Studd
- Department of Natural Resource SciencesMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecH9X 3V9Canada
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