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Wildlife Research Wildlife Research Society
Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
Table of Contents
Wildlife Research

Wildlife Research

Volume 46 Number 1 2019

WR18085Environmental factors influencing guanaco distribution and abundance in central Patagonia, Argentina

Julieta Pedrana, Alejandro Travaini, Juan Ignacio Zanón, Sonia Cristina Zapata, Alejandro Rodríguez and Javier Bustamante
pp. 1-11
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The guanaco has extraordinary potential for sustainable uses, something that could be enhanced by the familiarity of ranchers with its potential products. We report the spatial variation of guanaco distribution and population size for central Patagonia, Argentina, and proposed a population monitoring protocol to detect temporal changes in guanaco population size. In arid lands degraded by sheep overgrazing, sustainable use of guanaco populations would help harmonise guanaco conservation and socioeconomic progress of rural areas.

WR18094Post-release breeding of translocated sharp-tailed grouse and an absence of artificial insemination effects

Steven R. Mathews, Peter S. Coates 0000-0002-8393-5391, Jennifer A. Fike, Helena Schneider, Dominik Fischer, Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Michael Lierz and David J. Delehanty
pp. 12-24
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We conducted a field trial of artificially inseminating (AI) translocated female Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus; CSTG) to facilitate post-release reproduction at a restoration site. Specifically, we tested whether AI influenced nest initiation, adult survival and egg-fertility rates, and conducted genetic paternity analyses using eggshells. We found that AI did not influence any of the measured demographic rates and the majority of paternity assignments were attributed to relatively few locally established males.

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Steppic birds are among the most threatened bird species in Europe; so, to achieve their conservation is essential to know their habitat requirements and their spatial ecology. The present paper illustrates the habitat requirements of two threatened steppic migrant birds and that their niche overlap explains heterospecific social attraction between them.

WR17181The influence of the delay-period setting on camera-trap data storage, wildlife detections and occupancy models

Clara C. Lepard 0000-0002-6481-1166, Remington J. Moll, Jonathon D. Cepek, Patrick D. Lorch, Patricia M. Dennis, Terry Robison and Robert A. Montgomery
pp. 37-53
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As camera traps grow in popularity for wildlife studies worldwide, researchers need to understand how the cameras’ settings might impact their data. This research examined how one setting, the timed delay period after photos are taken, affected the results of a camera-trap study in a system of urban parks in Cleveland, OH, USA. Managers using camera traps may save time and effort by using longer delay periods without sacrificing meaningful results.

WR18072The influence of food availability, quality and body size on patch selection of coexisting grazer ungulates in western Serengeti National Park

John Bukombe 0000-0002-2136-5047, Andrew Kittle, Ramadhan B. Senzota, Hamza Kija, Simon Mduma, John M. Fryxell, Flora Magige, Cosmas Mligo and Anthony R. E. Sinclair
pp. 54-63
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Ungulate body size and mouth morphology differences influence their dietary resource and patch separation across landscapes. A result showed that body mass negatively correlated with both diet abundance and quality while diet niche overlap was positively correlated with body mass differences, which enables different sized ungulates to co-exist. Conservation strategies should consider species grazing preferences to promote forage heterogeneity.

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Introduced predators have caused tremendous impacts on Australia’s biodiversity, though how they affect reptiles is not well understood. We tested the effects of current programs to control the invasive European red fox in south-eastern Australia, and found that it is beneficial for populations of the lace monitor, whereas small reptiles remain unaffected. This knowledge is important for conservation of reptiles in temperate forests of southern Australia.

WR17151Incorporating movement patterns to discern habitat selection: black bears as a case study

Dana L. Karelus 0000-0003-0029-2288, J. Walter McCown, Brian K. Scheick, Madelon van de Kerk, Benjamin M. Bolker and Madan K. Oli
pp. 76-88
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Animals make decisions about where to move based on external factors and internal behavioural states; therefore, it is important to consider movement when investigating habitat selection. We investigated black bear habitat selection while accounting for movements, and found that selection varied seasonally and by behavioural state. Our methodological approach contributes to an improved understanding of animal ecology and can provide better detail on habitat selection for making management decisions.

WR18129Efficacy of lethal-trap devices to improve the welfare of trapped wild dogs

Paul D. Meek 0000-0002-3792-5723, Stuart C. Brown, Jason Wishart, Heath Milne, Paul Aylett, Simon Humphrys, Guy Ballard 0000-0002-0287-9720 and Peter Fleming
pp. 89-95
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Improving the welfare of pest animals during control programs must be a major priority for land managers. We tested the efficacy of lethal trap devices (LTD’s) fitted to foot-hold traps containing PAPP on a population of Canis familiaris. We recorded a mortality rate of 85% of dogs captured using two forms of LTD’s. With minor improvements in how LTDs are fitted to traps, LTDs will contribute to providing better welfare outcomes for predators in trapping programs.

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