Feral pig (Sus scrofa) populations are widespread in north-eastern Australia and can increase rapidly under favourable conditions. We examined the relationship between six proxy measures of food supply and pig population densities on 10 sites (~2000–6000 km²) in Queensland’s rangelands, with preceding 12 month rainfall being the best predictor. Our results provide a method to predict feral pig population changes at the bioregional level, helping to guide management actions. Photograph by Matthew Gentle.

The alternative prey hypothesis suggests that a higher availability of a predator’s main prey can decrease the predation rate of the alternative prey (eggs or chicks) and increase the breeding success of ground-nesting birds. Predation rates on artificial ground nests were significantly influenced by the abundance of rodents in coniferous and deciduous forests in the Tatra Mountains (southern Poland). Results may help determine recommendations for nature conservationists and forest managers to increase the number of endangered bird species. Photograph by Marcin Matysek.

Wild dogs are common in peri-urban environments; however, their role in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens to these communities is unknown. We aimed to establish the pent status of zoonotic and economically significant pathogens carried by peri-urban wild dogs. Zoonotic parasites are commonly harboured, and bacterial pathogens are present, but at a lower prevalence. These results suggest that wild dogs do harbour zoonotic pathogens within peri-urban environments, which should be an important consideration when implementing management programs. Photograph by Lana Harriott.

Understanding where animal–vehicle collisions occur, and the factors that affect their occurrence, is important for implementing suitable mitigation strategies. By using species distribution modelling, the present study determined that climate suitability had a strong effect on the roadkill rate of three medium-to-large marsupials in Tasmania, while their predicted nearby live population abundance did not. Photograph by Hanh Nguyen.

Findings from this study demonstrate the nature of fragmented and low quality habitat in the surrounding post-fire matrix, and the diminishing pool of fauna species available for colonisation, which leads to an attenuated succession after fire. Habitat connectivity combined with habitat quality are important factors to provide a rich pool of species for colonising and thus promote the recovery of pre-fire populations. Photograph by Angela Simms.

An increase in tree density in Serengeti National Park was caused by an increase in large mammals. Large mammals decrease fire frequencies in the Park. Therefore, large mammals had indirect consequences that resulted in increasing richness and abundance of the birds using the trees. Photograph by Anthony R. E. Sinclair.

Field surveys reveal that populations of Asian water monitors (Varanus salvator) remain abundant in Peninsular Malaysia, despite intensive harvesting. Although harvesting has altered the demographic of monitor lizard populations, the harvest appears to be sustainable and exports are thus in compliance with CITES. Simple abundance surveys may be just as useful at detecting population declines as more costly monitoring and modelling studies. Photograph by Shutterstock.