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Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
Wildlife Research

Wildlife Research

Volume 46 Number 7 2019

WR19008Detecting, counting and following the giants of the sea: a review of monitoring methods for aquatic megavertebrates in the Caribbean

D. N. Castelblanco-Martínez, M. P. Blanco-Parra, P. Charruau, B. Prezas, I. Zamora-Vilchis and C. A. Niño-Torres
pp. 545-556
Graphical Abstract Image

Most of the aquatic megavertebrates in the Caribbean Sea are vulnerable and some of them are on their way to extinction. The aim of the present review was to critically examine the methods used for monitoring marine megafauna in the Caribbean, so as to create a framework for future monitoring efforts. This work has provided a background that enables scientists working in the region to propose future directions of such monitoring efforts. Photograph by Angelli Argaez Gasca.

WR19090Survival and movements of koalas translocated from an over-abundant population

Peter Menkhorst 0000-0003-1055-4923, David Ramsey 0000-0002-4839-1245, Tim O'Brien, Emily Hynes 0000-0002-8821-9108 and Desley Whisson 0000-0002-4221-0706
pp. 557-565
Graphical Abstract Image

High-density koala populations in southern Victoria regularly defoliate preferred browse trees, sometimes resulting in widespread tree death and koala starvation. We monitored survival, body condition and movement patterns of koalas translocated to alternative habitat relative to those of control animals left in situ in over-browsed habitat. We found no difference in survivorship over 5 months and that body condition of translocated koalas improved whereas that of the control animals declined. Photograph by Peter Menkhorst.

WR19019Good timing: evaluating anuran activity and detectability patterns in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Juliane Pereira-Ribeiro, Atilla Colombo Ferreguetti, Helena Godoy Bergallo and Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha
pp. 566-572
Graphical Abstract Image

Animal activity patterns throughout the day constitute an important dimension of their ecological niche, and result from a combination of biotic and abiotic factors. Our study of the anuran community in an area of the Atlantic Forest indicates that specific sampling conditions such as time of day and humidity are important for detectability. Surveys can be planned to coincide with climatic conditions that positively influence the probabilities of detection, thereby improving the effectiveness of monitoring of the species and/or anuran community. Photograph by Juliane Pereira-Ribeiro.

WR18184Habitat preferences of reintroduced banteng (Bos javanicus) into the Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

Rattanawat Chaiyarat 0000-0002-1984-5236, Namphung Youngpoy, Praeploy Kongsurakan and Seree Nakbun
pp. 573-586
Graphical Abstract Image

Large forest-dewelling mammals are highly sensitive to habitat structure. Understanding the responses of reintroduced banteng individuals to their habitat is important to ensure the sustainability of a reintroduction program. Seven banteng individuals were systematically reintroduced into the Salakphra Wildlife Sanctuary and monitored via radio-tracking and camera-traps. Results of maximum entropy, multiple logistic regressions and kernel density-estimate analyses suggest that reintroduced banteng preferred low elevations and flat areas without human activity. These findings are important for possible translocations elsewhere. Photograph by Seree Nakbun.

WR18100Quantifying efficacy of feral pig (Sus scrofa) population management

Peter J. Adams 0000-0002-5363-0423, Joseph B. Fontaine 0000-0002-6515-7864, Robert M. Huston and Patricia A. Fleming 0000-0002-0626-3851
pp. 587-598
Graphical Abstract Image

Feral pigs significantly affect agricultural and biodiversity resources worldwide, and as such are frequently the focus of pest management activities. We investigated the efficacy of a feral pig management operation at the population scale by quantifying their abundance and digging impacts before and after control activities. In this study, we demonstrate the unprecedented level of indiscriminate damage feral pigs cause in a forest landscape by digging. Photograph by Peter Adams.

WR18087The value of camera traps in monitoring a feral-cat and fox reduction program

Graham G. Thompson 0000-0002-3128-0776, Scott A. Thompson and Andrew Bengsen
pp. 599-609
Graphical Abstract Image

We examined the efficacy of camera traps to monitor the reduction in the abundance of Felis catus and Vulpes vulpes and report that camera traps were not effective for recording bait-take events nor small changes in pest-species abundance and knock-down of V. vulpes by Foxoff® baits was low compared with that in other studies. Photograph by Scott Thompson.

WR19006Captive husbandry and veterinary care of seabirds during the MV Rena oil spill response

B. D. Gartrell 0000-0002-8062-9313, P. F. Battley, C. Clumpner, W. Dwyer, S. Hunter, M. Jensen, H. M. McConnell, S. Michael, K. J. Morgan, P. Nijman, J. M. Ward, B. J. White and M. H. Ziccardi
pp. 610-621
Graphical Abstract Image

Seabirds were the most common taxa captured alive as part of the oiled wildlife response to the grounding of the MV Rena. This paper aims to describe the management of seabirds during the spill response. Total survival to release was 87.1%, primarily influenced by the species involved and body condition on arrival. Unoiled birds had higher mortality rates than oiled seabirds. Photograph by Curt Clumpner.

WR18030An assessment of radio telemetry for monitoring shorebird chick survival and causes of mortality

Daniel Lees 0000-0002-5214-2727, Tom Schmidt, Craig D. H. Sherman, Grainne S. Maguire, Peter Dann, Glenn Ehmke and Michael A. Weston 0000-0002-8717-0410
pp. 622-627
Graphical Abstract Image

Radio-tracking is the best available method for determining shorebird chick survival and causes of mortality, but questions remain about compromised survival associated with the radio-transmitters themselves. We compared the survival of chicks with and without attached radio-transmitters among three species of shorebird and found no significant decrease in survival. Radio-tracking precocial young is likely to provide useful information on survival in an ethical manner; however, many causes of mortality remain unknown, and thus unknown processes which suppress chick survival may exist. Photograph by Daniel Lees.

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