Throughout much of North America, female white-tailed deer are purchased from captive-breeding facilities and released into private shooting preserves; yet, little is known about the survival or reproductive success of these animals. We found that translocating captive female white-tailed deer is likely to suppress survival and reproductive success, although survival of resulting offspring was comparable to wild deer. Our findings suggest that this practice resulting in increased average antler size within a recipient population is not feasible because of the survival and reproductive success observed in this study. Photograph by Auburn University Deer Lab.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was mandated by legislation to develop management plans for American Black Bears. This article examined how Illinois residents’ demographics, emotions, and attitudes were related to support for black bear management strategies (e.g. active reintroduction, natural recolonisation). Both demographic and psychological characteristics were correlated with support for bear management, but these relationships are complex. Photograph by Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

We investigated movement profiles, internal and external factors affecting the adaptability of 13 rescued sun bears released to the wild. Sun bear exhibits two habitat adaptation phases, namely, a random movement phase in the first month of release and a stable movement phase from the second month onward. Habitat use at forest edges adjacent to other favourable habitats may be a more opportunistic survival strategy. This study emphasises the importance of reducing human–bear interaction in rehabilitation centres, and improving the likelihood of bear survival, especially in the early release phase. Photograph by Firdaus Shabbir Ahmad.

Understanding the influence of population density and competition on animal risk/reward decisions is important for the management of hyperabundant ungulates. Using forage/novel objects to compare behavioural responses I found that elk in a high density enclosure took greater risks, showed more exploratory behaviour, and increased activity compared to low density elk. Because exploratory behaviour is correlated with other personality traits such as aggression, these results show how human-disturbance can select for animal behaviours that directly increase human–wildlife conflict. Photograph by Rob Found.

Winter denning behaviour of striped skunks is highly variable but may influence interspecific interactions at den sites. Our study assessed winter denning behaviour of striped skunks and interspecific den activity in southern Illinois, USA, and found that dens were visited by numerous mammal species and striped skunk denning was influenced by weather and landscape variables. We highlight how this could influence pathogen transmission, especially across an urban–rural gradient. Photograph by Katelyn Amspacher.