Aerial surveys involving observers counting kangaroos from aircraft, are currently the primary method used by governments and land managers to monitor the distribution and population sizes of kangaroos. In this study we compared the number of kangaroos that could be detected by human observers versus the number detected by using thermal imaging cameras. We found the thermal imaging camera detected nearly twice as many kangaroos in some habitats, meaning that population management decisions may currently be based on inaccurate information. Photograph by Mark Lethbridge.

Grassland patches within tropical rainforest are rarely studied, and little is known about how animals use the ecotone between grassland and rainforest habitats, yet land managers strive to maintain these ecotones using varying fire regimes with the aim of conserving biodiversity. The present study examines how two different rainforest–grassland ecotone types are used by insectivorous bats, and the value of the grassland patches. The results indicate that grassland patches with gradual ecotones should be maintained to conserve bats in a tropical landscape increasingly threatened by climate change. Photograph by Julie Broken-Brow.

The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in North America, but is presumed to be absent from Australia. This risk assessment analysed the likelihood of the fungus entering Australia and its likely impact on Australia’s bats. It was concluded that for the majority of bats the likely risk is very low to low, but for the southern bent-winged bat, a critically endangered species, the risk is medium. Photograph by David McLelland.

This study assessed the effect of free-ranging dogs and cats on the assemblage structure of medium-sized wild mammals in urban protected areas in Xalapa city, Mexico. The presence of free-ranging dogs and cats in urban protected areas has a negative effect on the richness, activity and abundance of MSWM as well as their appearance latency. Photograph by Isac Mella Méndez.

It is important to consider the influence of ecological and social factors when assessing the well being of Asian elephants. Our study shows that the presence of calves and/or lactating females, and the absence of adult females in a herd, significantly increases stress levels in adult female elephants. Observations on the link between socio-ecological factors and stress response of wild elephants provide lessons for management of the species. Photograph by Sanjeeta Sharma Pokharel.

Trap design affects cost-effectiveness and welfare outcomes of wildlife research. We evaluated cost-effectiveness of Elliott, and deep and shallow pitfall traps, in view of their scientific and ethical outcomes. Deep pitfalls were most effective for sampling small mammals, but had the highest death rates; shallow pitfalls were most effective for reptiles, and Elliott traps were the least cost-effective trap overall. We provide information to assist cost-benefit related-decisions. Photograph by Helen P. Waudby.

Free-ranging horses, protected under the 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Act, pose a management challenge on public lands. This study presents a method for administering an effective and reversible fertility control vaccine to free-ranging horses on the Jarita Mesa Wild Horse Territory, NM, USA. Application of these methods could improve current management practices, resulting in more efficient population management. Photograph by Kayla Grams.

We approached single- and mixed-species flocks of shorebirds to assess the distance at which they fled humans. Mixed-species shorebird flocks exhibit different flight-initiation distances from those exhibited by single-species flocks of constituents. Separation distances (that exclude humans to reduce shorebird disturbance) based on flight-initiation distances of single species also would be efficacious for mixed-species flocks containing those species. Photograph by Michael A. Weston.