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

Wildlife Research

Volume 49 Number 2 2022

WR20105Supplemental feeding of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and dietary requirements: a review

Brett J. Henry, Matthew Z. Brym, Cassandra Henry and Ronald J. Kendall 0000-0003-0527-5399
pp. 89-99
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Supplemental feeding is a long-running management technique used to help sustain northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations but has been plagued with inconsistent results. Here, we review the literature on supplemental feeding and propose that the inconsistencies could, in part, be due to the nutritional requirements of bobwhite not being considered. Consistent methods that take into account these nutritional requirements could provide a more effective method for sustaining bobwhite. Photograph by Cassandra Henry.

WR20073Application of tri-axial accelerometer data to the interpretation of movement and behaviour of threatened black cockatoos

Lian Yeap 0000-0002-9419-5333, Kristin S. Warren, Willem Bouten, Rebecca Vaughan-Higgins, Bethany Jackson, Karen Riley, Sam Rycken 0000-0002-0973-2641 and Jill M. Shephard 0000-0002-4418-9891
pp. 100-110
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Carnaby’s cockatoo (Calyptorhychus latirostris), Baudin’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) and the forest red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) are threatened parrot species endemic to south-western Western Australia. The present study aimed to develop an automated classifier tool to classify accelerometer data from released black cockatoos to determine behaviour and activity budgets. Combined with location data, this provides vital insight into cockatoo movement, distribution, feeding and breeding habitat and resource use. This information is useful for informing conservation efforts. Photograph by Karen Riley.

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Exotic wild boar and axis deer became overabundant in many parts of the world. Taylor’s law described well the spatial and temporal variability in their abundance under controlled hunting in a protected area of north-eastern Argentina. The protected area was divided into a restricted- and public-use section. Taylor’s law identifies key zones for targeted control, and can be used for sequential sampling. Photograph by Gabriela Nicosia.

WR21002Using lures for improving selectivity of bait intake by red foxes

Jorge Tobajas 0000-0002-8329-8265, Esther Descalzo 0000-0002-0809-4422, Rafael Mateo and Pablo Ferreras 0000-0002-1116-6706
pp. 129-136
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Baiting programs are often not successful enough and affect non-target species, requiring new approaches for baiting methods. Here, we evaluate two attractants (lynx urine and Fatty Acid Scent; FAS) to improve bait intake probability by red foxes while minimising its intake by non-target species. Lynx urine met this objective but FAS did not. Predator lures can serve to optimise bait delivery methods for red foxes in their different applications, such as conditioned aversion, vaccination or predator control. Photograph by Jorge Tobajas.

WR21008Experimentally testing the response of feral cats and their prey to poison baiting

Tim S. Doherty 0000-0001-7745-0251, Michelle L. Hall, Ben Parkhurst and Vanessa Westcott
pp. 137-146
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Feral cats are a leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide and effective cat control remains a challenge for many land managers. We experimentally tested the response of cats and their prey to a ground baiting program over 6 years, but found low efficacy in terms of changes in cat occupancy and activity each year. Increasing baiting density and/or frequency may improve the efficacy of ground baiting. Photograph by Tim Doherty.

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Little is known about the ecology of introduced sambar deer, which are having significant negative impacts on native ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. Here, we demonstrate how a molecular approach can be used to delineate management units of invasive species, through population genetics, to inform control strategies. Photograph by Chris Davies.

WR20134Differing effects of productivity on home-range size and population density of a native and an invasive mammalian carnivore

Rowena P. Hamer 0000-0002-9063-5426, Georgina E. Andersen, Bronwyn A. Hradsky, Shannon N. Troy, Riana Z. Gardiner, Christopher N. Johnson and Menna E. Jones
pp. 158-168
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Home-range size and population density are crucial pieces of information for effective wildlife management but can vary widely among populations of the same species. The present study showed that with increasing productivity, the invasive feral cat exhibited greater increases in population density but smaller decreases in home-range size than did the native, threatened spotted-tailed quoll. We suggest that considering both characteristics is important when tailoring wildlife management, whether for conservation or control, across a species’ range. Photograph by Rowena Hamer.

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The distribution of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby is largely unknown in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (OWRNP), New South Wales, Australia, because dedicated surveys have been confined to particular sections of the Park. OWRNP is recognised to contain populations important to the continued survival of the species. This study aims to model the spatial distribution of the species using GIS-derived environmental factors, and to validate the model through field surveys. This paper provides a valuable tool for wildlife managers to effectively manage the species by providing a distribution model and associated maps. Photograph by Shane Ruming.

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Predator control is used to protect imperilled prey, but paradoxically could increase predation risk if predators are lured into control areas. We found mouse lures did not increase snake–bird contacts but suppressed snakes in the presence of birds. However, snakes caught with bird lures tended to be larger and in better body condition, warranting consideration for adding bird-lure traps to control programs. Photograph by Björn Lardner.

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