JOURNAL ARTICLES APRIL 2026

ABSTRACT

Despite litter size and kitten survival in mountain lions (Puma concolor) being well-documented, there is a critical gap in the literature regarding the time that elapses between litter mortality and subsequent rebreeding in females. Here, we present observations from seven female mountain lions from two distinct study locations—the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico—where female mountain lions lost litters and rebred shortly afterward. Our findings contribute novel data to the understanding of reproduction in mountain lions, including the shortest documented interval between litter loss and rebreeding (range: ≤ 4–94 days; mean: 46 days). These observations underscore the evolutionary pressures shaping sexual selection in mountain lions and highlight the significant physiological toll females endure as a consequence of infanticide and intraguild competition, with implications for population dynamics and fitness.

Abstract
Andmekogu sisaldab 93 SNP markeri genotüübiandmeid 458 Eesti hundi (Canis lupus) isendi kohta, kes on kütitud aastatel 2014–2022. Andmed on kogutud koostöös Keskkonnaagentuuri ja jahimeestega. Lisaks sisaldab andmekogu referentsandmeid, mis pärinevad varasemast uuringust (Harmoinen, 2021).

English Translation
Abstract
The dataset contains genotype data for 93 SNP markers for 458 Estonian wolves (Canis lupus) hunted between 2014 and 2022. The data has been collected in cooperation with the Environmental Agency and hunters. In addition, the dataset contains reference data from a previous study (Harmoinen, 2021).

Abstract
The Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) is a distinct subspecies whose ongoing population recovery in Italy has progressively increased the demand for live capture protocols validated for scientific monitoring and conservation management. Despite the widespread use of mechanical and chemical immobilization in European wolf management, no study has to date systematically evaluated the integrated combina-tion of a humane mechanical restraint system and a structured chemical immobiliza-tion protocol — and specifically the association of the Fremont™ humane foot snare with a medetomidine-ketamine-acepromazine (MKA) protocol, in terms of their joint physiological effects and welfare implications for this subspecies under operational field conditions. Between June 2010 and July 2017, thirteen free-ranging Apennine wolves were captured in Maiella National Park (central Apennines, Italy) using the Fremont™ snare and immobilized with a standardized MKA protocol. Cardiorespira-tory parameters, body temperature, peripheral oxygen saturation, venous blood gas values, and a comprehensive hematological and serum biochemical panel were rec-orded during immobilization. Mean heart rate was 100 ± 15 bpm, respiratory rate 24 ± 13 breaths/min, and body temperature 38.1 ± 1.0°C. No clinically significant hyper-thermia was recorded in the cohort as a whole. Hematological and biochemical values were broadly consistent with published reference ranges for the species, with condi-tion-specific deviations identified in two individuals (one pregnant female and one ju-venile presenting signs of transient capture-related myopathy), both of which resolved without clinical sequelae. No capture-related mortality occurred. All thirteen individ-uals survived the minimum post-capture monitoring period, and preliminary GPS da-ta suggest a transient reduction in movement activity in the immediate post-release period. These findings support the welfare adequacy and operational feasibility of the combined Fremont™ snare–MKA protocol for the Apennine wolf, and provide base-line physiological and hematobiochemical reference data for Canis lupus italicus rele-vant to future capture and conservation management programmes.

Abstract

The ongoing recolonization of Europe by wolves (Canis lupus) has generated substantial societal attention reflected in media narratives, where attitudes vary in their framing of conservation success and human–wildlife conflict. We examined factors influencing media attitudes toward wolves by analyzing over 4000 online news articles from the Italian Alpine regions across a decade, employing both human and neural network classifications. Bayesian modeling identified clear spatial and temporal patterns: negative media sentiment prevailed in recently recolonized areas, whereas positive attitudes emerged in regions with established wolf populations and at the national level. Negative sentiment correlated strongly with seasonal peaks in predation on livestock and proximity to regional, national, and European elections. We revealed how spatial recolonization dynamics, human–wildlife conflicts, and electoral cycles collectively shape media framing of a recolonizing controversial carnivore. These findings inform conservation strategies that address human–wildlife conflict dynamics while acknowledging the politicized dimension surrounding the species.

ABSTRACT

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAM) allegedly describes principles critical to successful wildlife conservation in North America. The NAM is promoted by numerous hunting-related interest groups, some of whom use it as a source of legal authority to advocate for the supremacy of state governments over federal and tribal governments. We demonstrate why such prescriptions are inappropriate. Specifically, we show: (i) the NAM provides an outdated description of the system of conservation in the U.S. (one limited to policy developments prior to the 1930 s); (ii) the NAM’s components were not derived from nor are they adequately supported by science; and (iii) despite claims to the contrary, existing evidence indicates that conservation outcomes produced by the system of conservation in the U.S. are appreciably worse than other countries. We conclude with thoughts on how human dimensions research could assist in improving our systems of conservation.

Abstract

Large carnivores are increasingly recolonizing human-dominated landscapes, yet the mechanisms enabling their persistence in intensively used landscapes and how this shapes risk perception and tolerance remain insufficiently understood. In particular, few studies have integrated fine-scale ecological data with on-site assessments of visitor perceptions from the same recreational area. Using the Hoge Veluwe National Park as a case study, we combined camera-trap monitoring with a visitor survey to examine wolf (Canis lupus) spatio-temporal behavior, human–wolf overlap, and recreationists’ attitudes toward wolf presence in a highly frequented rec…

Abstract

North American plains Bison (Bison bison Bison) in Yellowstone National Park are descendant from a population low of 23 indigenous individuals from the late 1800s, and 21 individuals introduced from outside herds in the early 1900s to strengthen the possibility of recovery. Within the park, the herd has rebounded and now averages around 5,000 animals. The herd is managed as a closed population within the park and adjacent areas in Montana, USA, which involves annual removals of animals to control numbers. We used genetic simulation to first isolate the effects of population size on retention of genetic diversity, and second to predict the genetic consequences of different population control strategies that vary in the number of Bison removed annually, and their relatedness, while considering varying degrees of male dominance and environmental catastrophes. We found through simulation of a stable population that a herd size >2,500 had a high probability (>0.9) of retaining genetic diversity at levels compatible with long-term conservation (>90% of the initial genetic variation over 200 years), but a herd of 3,500 or more had a high likelihood (>0.9) of retaining levels of genetic variation (95%) suggested for maintaining evolutionary potential. When simulating the removals based on plausible management strategies available to the National Park Service, we found that maintaining a herd size of 3,500 or more, limiting removals to less than 40% of the population at a time, keeping a balanced sex ratio, and preferentially removing related individuals would likely retain more than 95% of existing genetic variation. With a herd size of 3,500 animals or more, population catastrophes and male dominance only influenced genetic retention in the most extreme cases, such as a catastrophic population decline of over 95%, a prolonged decline from 90% to 10% over 5 years, or extreme male dominance where 1% of males produced all offspring each year.

Abstract

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is an iconic North American species with significant cultural and ecological values. Yet many caribou populations are in decline, including the woodland caribou (R. t. caribou) of the boreal ecotype (hereinafter, boreal caribou) in Québec. One recommended action to address the threats to boreal caribou is to protect lands from anthropogenic activities. In this study we evaluate whether Québec′s protected area network provides more suitable habitat for boreal caribou than similar but unprotected areas. To do so, we used an expert-based habitat suitability model to estimate relative habitat suitability for boreal caribou in Québec across 232,480 km2, including 1079 protected areas. We compared average suitability values within each protected area to the average suitability in the surrounding (unprotected) environment. We also assessed whether differences in habitat suitability inside relative to the outside protected areas varied with latitude, time since protection, protected area size, and the level of protection from anthropogenic activities. We found that the habitat suitability for boreal caribou was significantly higher within protected areas than outside them; this was particularly the case when protected areas were recently established, large, and had strict limits on anthropogenic activities. We also found that the difference in suitability increased with latitude in the west but not east of the province. Our findings imply that Québec′s protected area network is largely functioning as intended—limiting human disturbance and preserving natural areas. We suggest that protecting additional land within the boreal caribou distribution could be a “win–win” for the province, moving them toward their target for protected areas under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and their obligations to recover boreal caribou.

ABSTRACT

As the human population expands and global temperatures rise, species, populations, and biodiversity decline at unprecedented rates, while the frequency of infectious disease emergence increases. Therefore, it is more vital than ever to accurately understand the current state of natural habitats and their constituent species. We assess the feasibility of a single assay: long-read shotgun metagenomic sequencing of environmental DNA (eDNA), to monitor species from across the tree of life, from viruses to complex multicellular organisms, across a representative Irish river system (Avoca River, Co. Wicklow). We conducted aquatic eDNA sampling and long-read shotgun metagenomic sequencing from a mountain tributary through to the sea. This approach could detect and quantify organismal DNA present in environmental samples, from microbes (including DNA viruses) to mammals. Rather than the traditional siloing of microbial and multicellular studies of DNA recovered from environmental samples, simultaneously considering viruses, microbes, and eukaryotes (animals, plants, and fungi) can provide deeper insights. This single assay can simultaneously quantify differences in DNA abundance for a broad range of species and pathogens across sites and sample types, enabling wide-ranging biodiversity assessments. This included human, wildlife, plant, and microbial pathogens and parasites with health, agricultural, and economic importance. The environmental genomic data enabled animal phylogeny and transmissible cancer analysis (blue mussel, Mytilus edulis) even from natural complex community settings. Oxford Nanopore sequencing provides a quantitative approach for river biodiversity, pollution, and environmental health monitoring. Long-read shotgun metagenomic sequencing of environmental samples offers the means to assess whole ecosystems and the ecological, trophic, and host-pathogen interactions occurring within them.

Abstract

For cooperative breeders, like grey wolves (Canis lupus), that live in groups where non-breeding individuals share in the care of offspring, human-caused mortality can affect group members through changes to social hierarchies, reproduction, survival, and other demographic processes that structure groups. Prey availability and competition further influence demographic processes and likely have interactive effects with harvest. Despite extensive research, we still lack a full understanding of the mechanisms through which harvest affects wolf groups, or how these effects may be moderated by prey availability and competition. Our objective is to identify the direct and indirect mechanisms through which harvest most strongly influences different age and breeding classes and determine how prey availability and competition interact with harvest to affect group composition and size in wolves of Idaho, USA. Using an 18-year genetic dataset and a structural equation modelling framework, we hypothesize that beyond direct mortality, harvest most strongly affects 1) recruitment of pups by altering the composition of breeders and non-breeders, 2) dispersal of non-breeders by altering competition for breeding opportunities, and 3) the frequency of multiple breeding individuals in a group through social disruption. We further hypothesize that greater prey availability and competition will mediate these relationships by altering inter-group competition for food, breeding opportunities, and territories. Uncovering the direct and indirect mechanisms through which harvest most strongly influences group composition and size, and how the landscape-level context of resource availability and competition alters these relationships can allow for more informed management decisions and targeted management actions.

Abstract

Polarization among social groups can threaten the long-term success of conservation efforts. When group identities (defined as aspects of self-concept tied to group membership) are made salient, perceived divisions can intensify, particularly when individuals misjudge the beliefs of others. Despite its importance, the fluid nature of identity and its variable effects on conservation attitudes and outcomes remain understudied. To address this gap, we conducted two randomized controlled experiments with residents of U.S. states where wolves are present (n = 2,296). In Study 1, activating political identity significantly affected attitudes toward gray wolves (Canis lupus) and amplified differences between groups. In Study 2, providing a straightforward correction to in-group metaperceptions mitigated these effects by reducing perceived polarization and constraining the influence of identity fusion. In an unrelated third Study of Montana hunters and landowners, we show how even subtle identity cues (e.g., in survey recruitment material) can similarly influence self-reported attitudes toward wildlife. Together, these findings highlight opportunities for conservation policymakers and practitioners to avoid unnecessarily triggering identities commonly linked to conflict and to challenge misleading narratives that overstate social divisions. Addressing inaccurate metaperceptions and incorporating identity-aware communication approaches may strengthen public support for wildlife conservation initiatives while minimizing preventable conflict.

Abstract

The Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is a unique myrmecophagous ursid whose diet exhibits considerable seasonal and geographical variation across its range in the Indian subcontinent. This study presents the first systematic documentation of the seasonal diet composition of Sloth bears in Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR), Telangana, located in the Nallamala hills of the Eastern Ghats. The reserve, encompassing 2611 km² of Southern tropical dry deciduous forest and savanna habitat, supports a diverse assemblage of flora and fauna. From the 18 months study period, 143 Sloth bear scats were collected opportunistically along forest trails and analyzed to determine dietary composition. A significant novel finding was the presence of reptilian remains, specifically the Shield-tailed snake Uropeltis ellioti, identified in five scat samples through characteristic scales and vertebral fragments. To the best of our knowledge, this is among the first scat-based records suggesting the occurrence of Uropeltis remains in sloth bear diet. The occurrence of this fossorial snake was largely restricted to the monsoon season, suggesting that increased soil moisture enhances accessibility of subterranean prey during digging for insects. These results demonstrate the high dietary flexibility and foraging plasticity of Sloth bears in a dry deciduous forest ecosystem. By exploiting a broad spectrum of food resources from insects and fruits to occasional vertebrates, Sloth bears exhibit adaptive strategies that likely contribute to their persistence in fragmented and resource-variable habitats. This study provides baseline data on the feeding ecology of Sloth bears in Amrabad Tiger Reserve and highlights the importance of conserving diverse microhabitats, including soil and litter layers, for the long-term survival of this Schedule I species.

Abstract

Carrion supports diverse vertebrate and invertebrate communities and underpins key ecosystem services, yet regional data from Asia remains scarce. We experimentally assessed how unattended carcasses from culled sika deer (Cervus nippon) are decomposed and used by vertebrate scavengers across habitats, seasons, and diel periods in Japan. Thirty-five deer carcasses were placed in a deciduous forest and a grassland in Tochigi Prefecture during winter, spring, and summer (2015–2016). We monitored decomposition and vertebrate visitation with automatic cameras at each carcass and recorded 114,280 photos spanning 10 mammal and 7 bird species. Decomposition was strongly seasonal: carcasses disappeared rapidly in spring (average 5.9 days) and summer (average 4.3 days) but persisted longer in winter (average 19.5 days). Mammals were predominantly nocturnal, whereas birds were almost exclusively diurnal. Winter visits were prolonged, whereas spring–summer visits peaked immediately after placement and declined rapidly, consistent with accelerated invertebrate decomposition at higher temperatures. Canonical correspondence analysis with habitat (forest/grassland) and daytime (day/night) as predictors showed significant effects of habitat and daytime in all seasons. The environmental preferences for seasonal occurrences were most pronounced for wild boars, raccoon dogs, and black kites. Management implications include elevated daytime encounter risk with Asian black bears near carcasses and the potential for carcass provisioning to subsidize wild Boar populations. Our results present the ecological impacts of wildlife carcasses entering the environment and implications for wildlife management, providing evidence to guide carcass disposal within sika deer management programs.

Abstract
Anthropogenic hybridization between wild and domesticated forms of the same species is a significant concern in conservation biology. This problem is especially important for the gray wolf (Canis lupus), which hybridizes with the domestic dog (C. lupus familiaris) throughout its range. To understand the overlap between hybrid and wolf food niches, we compared the diet of hybrids from two locations with that of wolves from seven locations across Poland. We found that wolf × dog hybrids primarily consumed wild ungulates (95.5–100% of their food biomass), mainly Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), Fallow deer (Dama dama), and wild Boar (Sus scrofa), and supplemented their diet with medium-sized wild mammals such as European hare (Lepus europaeus) and Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). The diet of hybrids does not differ from that of wild wolves, and our findings confirm that wolf × dog hybrids may compete with wolves for the same food resources. Preventing wolf-dog hybridization is therefore crucial for safeguarding the ecological roles of wolves. Efforts in this area will be ineffective without reducing the free-ranging dog population and taking decisive steps to prevent dogs from entering wolf habitats.

ABSTRACT

The ability to evaluate fatigability during locomotion is crucial in various fields, from wildlife biology to clinical medicine. In wildlife, resistance to fatigue, or endurance, can determine the success of certain predator–prey encounters and underpins the ability of animals to migrate or disperse over long distances. In clinical contexts, endurance provides a reliable marker of physiological function, which could help guide exercise prescriptions and aid clinical decision making. However, current methods do not allow for accurate, non-invasive assessment of physical capacities over extended periods in natural and clinical settings. We propose a method for modelling the intensity–duration relationship based on dynamic body acceleration (DBA) records, from which we derived critical intensity, a key metabolic threshold in exercise physiology that delimits heavy from severe intensity domains. We recorded accelerometer data from 19 free-ranging species (n=272) across a wide interspecific and intraspecific range: from rats (10−2 kg) to elephants (103 kg), including oncology patients to regular runners. The three-parameter hyperbolic DBA–duration model revealed an excellent fit on experimental DBA records (median r2=0.995). By retrieving laboratory estimates of metabolic threshold for 15 species (n=688) from the literature, we demonstrated that critical DBA is a reliable proxy of metabolic threshold assessed in the laboratory both at the interspecific (r2=0.88, P<0.001) and intraspecific (Homo sapiens) levels (r2=0.90, P=0.051). The proposed method opens up new avenues for deciphering interactions among animals and between animals and their environment, through the lens of movement and physiology, but also for individualising the assessment of physical capacity in a clinical context.

Abstract

Conservation management of large, multi-species landscapes requires integrating heterogeneous data streams—such as satellite imagery, GPS telemetry, camera traps, bioacoustic sensors, weather stations, and field reports—into a unified model capable of simulating ecosystem dynamics and generating actionable recommendations. This paper proposes a tiered, energy-aware AI architecture for constructing ecosystem digital twins that enables prescriptive, rather than merely descriptive or predictive, landscape-scale conservation management. The framework classifies conservation tasks across three computational tiers: classical machine learning for continuous environmental monitoring and species distribution prediction, deep learning for perception-oriented tasks such as computer vision and bioacoustics analysis, and foundation models for cross-domain synthesis and stakeholder interaction. We apply this architecture to a comprehensive digital twin of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, anchored in the ongoing conservation crisis of the Sublette Pronghorn Herd—a population that crashed from 43,000 to 24,000 animals in a single winter due to compounding severe weather and a Mycoplasma bovis outbreak. We formalize a coupled change model linking population dynamics, forage condition, corridor permeability, winter severity, and disease pressure, and demonstrate how a prescriptive recommendations engine can generate goal-conditioned management actions for the herd’s 165-mile “Path of the Pronghorn” migration corridor. A comparative energy footprint analysis, grounded in hardware-level energy measurements using Intel RAPL instrumentation and the CodeCarbon framework, estimates that the tiered architecture reduces computational energy consumption by approximately 34% relative to a deep-learning-everywhere baseline and by over three orders of magnitude relative to a foundation-model-centric baseline. The architecture provides a replicable blueprint for resource-constrained conservation organizations seeking to deploy AI-powered ecosystem management at landscape scale.

Abstract

India harbours two ecologically and evolutionarily significant canids: the dhole and wolf. Both species are increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation, declining prey availability, and anthropogenic pressures. Despite their conservation importance, the complete mitochondrial genome structure and organization of the Indian dhole and wolf have remained unreported. In this study, we characterized the structure and organization of the complete mitochondrial genomes of the Indian dhole and wolf for the first time in order to examine their genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships. The mitochondrial genome measured 16,754 bp in the Indian dhole and 16,727 bp in the Indian wolf. Both species showed conserved gene content and organization, including 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses consistently recovered the dhole as a well-supported monophyletic clade in which the two Indian dhole samples clustered together and were clearly separated from the Chinese dhole. The Indian wolf formed a well-supported distinct clade within the Canis lupus complex. The distinct phylogenetic placement of the Indian dhole and wolf emphasizes their evolutionary significance and conservation relevance. The mitochondrial genome resources generated in this study provide a foundation for future population and comparative genomic analyses of these threatened canids.

bstract

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has become an invaluable tool for biodiversity research, enabling the non-invasive collection of vast datasets. However, a significant challenge remains in efficiently and reliably processing this large volume of data to extract species-specific information across varying locations. This paper presents a detailed, step-by-step protocol to address this challenge using a machine learning detector module within a bioacoustics analysis software. The methodology is designed to accurately and confidently identify and validate bird vocalisations from raw acoustic recordings.

Our protocol details the process from initial data collection using autonomous recording units (ARUs) to the final generation of a high-quality annotated dataset. Key steps include configuring the machine learning detector module to generate initial detections, a manual validation procedure to calculate precision tables, and a logistic regression analysis to determine a species-specific and, where appropriate, a location-specific confidence score threshold. This statistically derived threshold is then used to refine the detector’s output, tested on two overlap configurations (0 s and 2 s). We show that applying the derived optimal confidence score thresholds substantially improves the machine learning-based avian sound recognition models detection precision across sites. For the three sites used to illustrate the process (Liverpool Park, Cairngorms, and Glasgow Suburban) precision increased by 26.1%, 17.7%, and 17% for an overlap of 0 s, and by 28.77%, 16.87%, and 15% for an overlap of 2 s. We suggest the resulting methodology is superior to manual counting methods in both speed and reliability. In summary, this paper provides a reproducible framework that facilitates the accessible and effective use of machine learning approaches in bioacoustics, enabling researchers to confidently leverage large acoustic datasets for ecological studies and parameter analysis.
Introduction

Abstract
Human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs), driven by habitat fragmentation, species recovery, and climate change, have intensified globally and are increasingly prevalent in China, especially in and around protected areas (PAs). This study investigates HWCs in 164 PAs across mainland China, addressing three critical gaps: (1) the relationship between HWC prevalence and biodiversity hotspots, (2) dominant conflict types, and (3) effectiveness of mitigation strategies. Using a nationwide online survey of PA rangers with direct HWC experience, we found that 54.4% of surveyed PAs reported conflicts. Central and southeastern China exhibited the highest frequency and severity. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) were the most commonly reported species (40.9%), followed by bears (Ursus arctos and Ursus thibetanus, 14.0%) and macaques (Macaca mulatta and Macaca thibetana, 13.5%). Over 63% of affected PAs faced multi-species conflicts, with crop damage being the most widespread issue. Generalized linear models revealed that the number of omnivorous species was the strongest predictor of HWC impacts across agriculture, daily life, and personal safety. Irregular PA boundaries also aggravated conflicts. Conversely, an increase in conflict-causing carnivores was associated with reduced impacts on daily life and personal safety, suggesting possible ecological suppression on omnivores. Among mitigation strategies, environmental education was rated by rangers most effective and widely used, followed by human resettlement. In contrast, measures such as economic compensation and animal removal were perceived as less effective. These findings call for a shift in HWC management priorities toward high-conflict areas beyond biodiversity hotspots. Integrated strategies tailored to omnivore-driven conflicts and strengthened education efforts are essential for fostering coexistence in China’s PAs, aligning with global conservation goals.

Abstract

Livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) play a key role in reducing livestock losses and enabling coexistence with large carnivores, but concerns persist about roaming behaviours potentially reducing guarding effectiveness and creating conflicts with wildlife and people.
This study used GPS tracking to investigate the movement behaviour of 36 LGDs across 11 sheep flocks in the Romanian Carpathians; a region where LGDs are integral to traditional transhumance grazing systems and where recreational activities are common. Analyses focused on quantifying LGD proximity to livestock, differentiating LGD movement behaviours, quantifying the extent and frequency of separation events, and investigating the potential influences of sex, age, breed, and whether LGDs were neutered.
Results showed that LGDs typically remained close to sheep, averaging within 100 m at night and 200 m during the day. These distances indicate high attentiveness and effective guarding, even during unsupervised periods. However, all LGDs were separated from the sheep at some point each day; more often resulting from LGDs roaming than failing to follow the sheep onto the pasture. Separation events lasted ~1 h, with LGDs roaming up to 4 km away. There was no significant effect of LGD-specific characteristics on roaming behaviours.
While some roaming may aid predator deterrence, frequent or long-distance excursions could reduce guarding effectiveness and increase risks of wildlife disturbance and negative encounters with people while the dogs are unsupervised. Reports of LGDs chasing wildlife and of conflicts with hikers and foragers in this region highlight the need to better understand and manage such behaviours.
Practical implication. GPS tracking using pet trackers fitted to dog collars proved to be a low-cost and effective method for monitoring the movement behaviour of LGDs, potentially also offering a tool for targeted training and LGD selection to manage excessive roaming. Maintaining livestock at distances of over 700 m from popular trails during summer months may help reduce conflicts with recreationists, though this approach requires testing and might not be feasible in practice. These findings highlight the need to monitor and manage LGD roaming to balance effective livestock protection with reducing unintended ecological impacts and social tensions in shared landscapes where large carnivores, people, and livestock coexist.

Abstract

Europe has seen the recovery of many species of wild herbivores, which are now widespread across much of the continent. In addition, large carnivores are also recolonising many European countries. Most ungulates are managed through hunting, but natural predation can also have a significant influence in many areas. Therefore, the management of large herbivores must increasingly account for both hunting pressure and the impact of predation. Recent studies suggest that lynx predation can have a significant impact on Roe deer population dynamics, both by targeting reproductive individuals and by exerting consistently high predation pressure across a wide range of prey densities. Here, we develop a two-species predator–prey matrix population model that integrates lynx and Roe deer through functional and numerical responses. We test a set of management rules, applied to both prey and predators, to examine whether joint hunting of both species can prevent prey declines and stabilise the population dynamics. Our simulations show that protecting (i.e. not hunting) either species increases the predator population, which in turn leads to a decline in the prey population. Hunting only the prey worsens their fate due to the addition of hunting and predation. However, simultaneous hunting of predators and prey, adaptively regulated through simple heuristics, does help prevent prey declines. We also show that the initial densities of the predator and prey population have significant impact on the outcome of the simulations. The importance of relative predator and prey population densities highlights the need for adaptive harvesting that monitors and adjusts to current predator and prey population levels.

Abstract

Aujeszky’s disease (AD), caused by suid herpesvirus 1 (pseudorabies virus, PRV), is a highly contagious infection primarily affecting swine, with wild boars serving as an important reservoir in Europe. Spillover infections in non-suid species, including carnivores, are rare but typically fatal and of epidemiological concern. This study presents the first case of AD in a grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Central Europe with genomic characterization. The 8-month-old wolf was found in the Carpathians (SE Poland), moribund with acute neurological signs, and euthanized for animal welfare reasons. Necropsy revealed no pathognomonic gross lesions. Molecular analyses of tissues confirmed the presence of PRV DNA using real-time PCR, and virus isolation was successful. Genomic analysis revealed that the PRV isolate clustered within genotype I, the predominant circulating genotype in Europe. However, due to the limited availability of reference PRV genome sequences from European wildlife, the precise geographic origin and transmission pathways of this strain could not be fully resolved. In the presented case, wild boars were considered a possible source of infection. This highlights the potential for PRV transmission to apex predators. This study emphasizes the importance of systematic surveillance of PRV in wildlife and the need for expanded genomic databases of PRV strains. Full-genome sequencing is crucial for improving the understanding of PRV transmission.

Abstract

Abiotic components, including climate, water resources, soil structure, air composition, geographical features, anthropogenic factors, play a fundamental role in shaping plant and animal conservation status, ecosystems functions and the services that they underpin, landscapes composition; basically, they are conditioning factors overall biodiversity and its longer-term resilience. The present research activities clarify the effects of these components on the Natural Reserve of Castelporziano ecosystems which as a whole represent an irreplaceable relic of the Mediterranean coastal lowland forests.

ABSTRACT

Riparian willows (Salix spp.) in Yellowstone National Park have long been shaped by ungulate browsing, yet the specific contribution of individual herbivore species remains unclear. We applied a bite-DNA metabarcoding approach, extracting saliva DNA from browsed willow twigs, to directly identify the browsing community across six northern range riparian sites. Mammalian DNA was successfully assigned for more than half of the collected bite samples, revealing browsing by moose (Alces alces), North American Bison (Bison bison), Elk (Cervus canadensis), deer (Odocoileus sp.), Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis), and jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii). Contrary to the traditional view of Bison as primarily grazers, bite-DNA showed that Bison were the most frequent browsers of willows, present at all sites and contributing the majority of browsing bites. Elk, historically considered the primary browser on riparian shrubs, were detected less often, whereas mule deer browsing was consistently recorded and frequently exceeded Elk. Browsing height largely overlapped among species and was significantly higher for Bighorn Sheep than for Bison and mule deer. Diameter of browsed twigs did not differ significantly between species. Browsing composition varied locally without clear spatial patterns, suggesting that site-level factors shape where different ungulates browse willows. Our results demonstrate substantial Bison browsing on riparian willows and highlight shifting herbivore impacts on Yellowstone’s riparian ecosystems.

ABSTRACT

Predation by carnivores is a fundamental driver of species evolution, shaping interspecific spatiotemporal dynamics and prey behavior. To examine predator–prey-driven spatiotemporal coexistence patterns between foxes and pikas on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), we conducted an infrared camera-trapping survey in Baqing County, Tibet. From July 2023 to May 2024, we monitored two mesocarnivores (Tibetan fox and red fox) and their principal prey (plateau pika and Glover’s pika) across cold and warm seasons. Both pika species exhibited higher relative abundance during the warm season than during the cold season. Kernel density estimation indicated that the Tibetan fox was predominantly diurnal, whereas the red fox was primarily nocturnal, resulting in low diel activity overlap between the two species (Δ < 0.5). The Tibetan fox showed high temporal overlap with both pika species during the warm season, whereas the red fox consistently exhibited lower overlap with its prey. Spatial niche overlap among the four species remained low (< 0.2) across both seasons. Conditional occupancy models further revealed that Tibetan fox occurrence was positively associated with plateau pika presence, whereas red fox occurrence declined in areas where both pika species were present. These patterns likely reflected interspecific differences in foraging strategies and reliance on anthropogenic food subsidies, which reduced interference competition and facilitated coexistence through differential prey use and spatiotemporal niche partitioning. Collectively, our findings advanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying sympatric coexistence on the QTP and provided important implications for biodiversity conservation and grassland ecosystem management.

ABSTRACT
Care and release of injured free-ranging Eurasian lynxes (Lynx lynx) is a rare practice and few data are available when it comes to post release behaviour of these individuals. Here we used global positioning system telemetry and the net square displacement to monitor and document the behaviour of two adult female lynxes injured in a car collision and rehabilitated in a wildlife rescue centre. After 21 and 170 days in care, they were released and monitored for 5 and 6 months in 2018 and 2019 respectively in the French Jura Mountains. We measured home ranges (95% MCP) of 122.71 km² and 104.46 km², with a rate of change higher upon release and decrease over time. We recorded a majority of ranging behaviour and an increased activity at dawn and dusk. This study shows a rapid recovery of natural behaviour and territory size after time in a rescue centre. Post release reproductions were confirmed for both females showing that rehabilitation of injured animals is an essential tool for the species conservation and it provides ethic opportunities for monitoring and study the species.

Abstract

Large carnivores increasingly coexist in human-modified mountain landscapes, yet empirical evidence on how multiple apex predators partition space, time, and resources to reduce competition remains limited, particularly in the Central Himalaya, Nepal. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for predicting interspecific interactions and informing conservation practices in resource-limited alpine ecosystems. This study explored the ecological interactions, competitive dynamics, and coexistence strategies of sympatric snow leopards (Panthera uncia), leopards (Panthera pardus), and Himalayan wolves (Canis lupus chanco) in the Lapchi Valley, Central Himalaya, Nepal. We examined spatial distribution, temporal activity patterns, and dietary overlap among these apex predators using a combination of camera trapping, scat-based DNA analysis, and micro-histological diet assessment. The results showed a complete (100%) spatial overlap between the snow leopards and wolves’ ranges. All three predators exhibited predominantly nocturnal activity with strong temporal overlap (0.78). Dietary analyses showed a clear trophic segregation: snow leopards relied mainly on wild ungulates, leopards consumed synanthropic prey, while wolves consumed a mixed diet combining wild and domestic prey. Pianka’s index indicated high dietary overlap between snow leopards and wolves (0.77), but remarkably low overlap of these predators with leopards. The multidimensional niche partitioning appears to reduce direct competition among predators. These findings highlight the role of behavioral flexibility, spatial segregation, and prey selection in promoting the coexistence of predators. Conservation strategies must prioritize sustaining wild prey populations, mitigating livestock depredation, and addressing climate-driven habitat shifts that may intensify interspecific competition.

Abstract scientific articles on history and archaeology, author of scientific work – Manaseryan Nina, Kasabyan Mamikon, Balyan Lyuba, Nelly Barseghyan, Asmik Bagoyan

The article examines the first craniometric study of seven wolves, sacrificed and buried in the sanctuary of the early Bronze Age (XXVIII-XXI centuries BC) of the settlement of Metz Sepasar. The study made it possible to identify the craniological parameters of the skull of wolves and the morphometric variability of the skull in the chronological range from early bronze to modernity. In the comparative aspect, the parameters of the skulls of sub-fossil dogs and modern wolves from the territory of Armenia, stored in the collection funds of the Scientific Center of the Institute of Zoology and Hydroecology of the NAS of the RAs are studied; a range of individual variations, differences in size and structure of the skull of sub-bastivated and modern representatives of this kind have been established. The veil skulls from the archaeological site of Metz Sepasar are a unique material related to the early Bronze Age, and may indicate various aspects of ecology, as well as the cult practices of that time. The results of the study demonstrate the similarity of the absolute parameters of sub-fastive and modern wolves. Moreover, sub-fossil wolves from the sanctuary of Metz Sepasar, differ in larger size compared to modern wolves from other regions of Armenia. It has also been found that sub-fossil dogs are quite clear in all respects from both modern and sub-fossil wolves. The findings enrich the cranial studies of the Canis genus, being a valuable material for identifying bone residues for further craniological and zoological studies, and their use can significantly expand the understanding of the cultural and environmental aspects of human interaction with wildlife in the past. The results of the study serve as an important help to determine their bone residues in materials from the excavations of archaeological monuments and contribute to the reconstruction of the ecosystems of ancient Armenia.