Global landscape transformations are a result of a growing human population and the subsequent increased use of natural habitats. Local species extinctions across various transformed landscapes emphasise the importance of monitoring wildlife responses to anthropogenic activities. Rodents are valuable biological indicators of anthropogenic disturbance and, subsequently, ecosystem health. The study quantified faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) as a stress‐related biomarker in two dominant southern African murids, Lemniscomys rosalia (single‐striped grass mouse) and Mastomys coucha (southern multimammate mouse), across dry and wet seasons within minimally and moderately disturbed landscapes in the Magaliesberg Biosphere, South Africa. Faecal samples were collected from live‐trapped individuals, and fGCMs were quantified using a previously validated 5α‐pregnane‐3β,11β,21‐triol‐20‐one enzyme immunoassay (detecting fGCMs with a 5α‐3β, 11β‐diol structure). Mastomys coucha showed a significant increase in fGCM concentrations during the wet season (58 and 22% higher in the minimally and moderately transformed sites, respectively). For L. rosalia , fGCM concentrations were not significantly different between seasons. Landscape‐specific fGCM concentrations did not differ significantly in either species, reflecting the generalist, synanthropic nature of both species. While these species are morphologically and ecologically similar, their seasonal fGCM profiles diverged significantly in natural landscapes. The 58% increase in median fGCM concentrations for M. coucha was not seen in L. rosalia . This physiological differentiation between species may perhaps be elucidated by the energetic and behavioural strategies they employ to cope with seasonal resource fluctuations in natural habitats. Despite their phenotypic plasticity and behavioural adaptability, dominant generalist species such as M. coucha are affected by seasonal shifts. Greater climatic fluctuations across seasons should be investigated as they may lead to chronic stress‐related hormone responses, and, in extreme cases, reduced survival and local extinctions.
Greater prairie‐chickens Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus in the Flint Hills ecoregion select recently burned grasslands for brooding and nest in areas that have been unburned for 1–3 years, suggesting the need for a mosaic of burn patches. However, it is unknown how patch area, configuration, and proximity to edges within such mosaics affect reproductive vital rates. We investigated whether nest placement relative to three edge types (burned patches, burn edges and tree cover) influences nest survival and early brood success. With a robust 11‐year nest dataset and a more limited 5‐year brood dataset, we modeled survival and success as a function of time since fire and proximity to edges. We used a multi‐step model‐building approach to account for known sources of variation in nest survival (i.e. temporal variables, female characteristics, drought, and weather) before examining relationships with TSF and proximity to edges. As expected, the majority of nests were located in patches 1–2 years since burn, but broods used recently burned patches disproportionately to availability, with 71% of broods traveling to a recent burn within a week of hatching. We found weak evidence that proximity to edges affected nest survival, but not 14‐day brood success. Nest survival was primarily affected by weather and time of season. Our findings suggest that proximity to disturbance‐driven edges and tree cover may contribute to nest survival rate, but were less important than other factors, at least in our landscape context.
Understanding how wild ungulates share space with domestic livestock is central to conservation planning in Himalayan multi‐use landscapes. This study focuses on multi‐axis niche relationships among six wild ungulates: hangul Cervus hanglu hanglu , Kashmir musk deer Moschus cupreus , Himalayan goral Naemorhedus goral , kashmir markhor Capra falconeri cashmiriensis , Himalayan ibex Capra sibirica hemalayanus, wild boar Sus scrofa and pooled livestock, using valley‐wide camera trapping. Camera traps were deployed at 184 stations from May 2023 to September 2025 across approximately 16 000 km 2 , stratified into five landscapes (Central, North, South, Sindh and Gurez). Raw detections were filtered to independent events using a 30‐min threshold for abundance and habitat‐use analyses, yielding 5689 events (summer 2604, winter 3085). We estimated relative abundance index (RAI; events/100 trap‐days), seasonal occupancy and detectability using single‐season occupancy models (weekly occasions; ψ as a function of landscape; p as a function of effort), diel activity using kernel‐density estimation, temporal overlap (Δ), spatial overlap from camera‐level RAI vectors and fine‐scale spatial‐temporal co‐use from camera‐by‐hour matrices. Livestock dominated encounter rates (summer mean RAI 288.18; winter 148.91), whereas wild ungulates showed lower and patchier use (musk deer 5.63/4.51; hangul 2.98/3.46; goral 3.01/6.56). Occupancy revealed strong landscape structuring: hangul was restricted mainly to dachigam and adjoining areas in central Kashmir and sindh, goral and markhor to kazinag national park north Kashmir, ibex to Gurez/Sindh valley, and musk deer was the most widespread wild ungulate distributed throughout the valley. Livestock were strongly diurnal (0.79–0.89) whereas musk deer and hangul were mainly nocturnal or crepuscular. ungulates show moderate to high temporal overlap, but fine‐scale camera‐hour co‐use was near zero for several key pairs, including livestock–hangul. Coexistence in this multi‐use Himalayan system was structured primarily by spatial and fine spatio‐temporal segregation rather than by broad diel separation, highlighting the need to protect spatial refugia and seasonal interaction hotspots in grazing landscapes.
The recovery of wolf populations across Europe has reignited human–wildlife conflicts, particularly in countries such as Austria, where wolves have been absent for more than a century. Livestock depredation remains one of the primary sources of tension, and effective management requires a solid spatial basis for planning. In this study, we laid the groundwork for evidence‐based management by prioritizing areas for wolf management through spatially explicit modelling of habitat suitability and livestock depredation. We developed a species distribution model (SDM) to predict potential wolf habitat and a depredation susceptibility model (DSM) to identify areas of potential livestock predation. Both models were built using the MaxEnt algorithm, based on extensively filtered wolf presence records (n = 124) and depredation cases (n = 109) together with a comprehensive set of 37 environmental, topographic, anthropogenic and livestock‐related variables. The SDM indicated that approximately 47% of Austria constitutes suitable wolf habitat, predominantly in forested areas. The DSM identified 23% of Austria as areas of significant depredation susceptibility, driven primarily by livestock presence and proximity to forests. Combining the SDM and DSM, we developed an asymmetrical prioritization index (sustainability‐adjusted risk index, SARI), to pinpoint areas of higher management focus. The SARI revealed ~ 8000 km 2 (9.5% of Austria) of overlapping habitat suitability and depredation susceptibility, with the top 10th percentile indicating areas requiring urgent management intervention. These areas are concentrated at alpine pastures and open landscapes adjacent to or surrounded by forests, particularly in Tyrol and Carinthia. Our findings emphasize the need for spatial planning of targeted management strategies, including livestock protection measures and coexistence initiatives, to mitigate conflicts in hotspot areas and support sustainable wolf population recovery. By providing spatially explicit data, this research offers a valuable tool for resource allocation and evidence‐based decision‐making, paving the way for effective coexistence between humans and wolves.
Human activities have shaped and are continuing to influence terrestrial landscapes, creating heterogenous, and often, fragmented landscapes. Generalist species, like the red fox Vulpes vulpes, show high flexibility in habitat use, and occur across the heterogeneous, anthropogenic landscapes of central Europe. Red foxes are therefore thought to form one continuous population with little genetic structure; however, studies about this are rare. To address this lack of understanding, we investigated population structure and relatedness of red foxes within and between different parts of southwest Germany, and estimated recent and past migration rates within the heterogeneous landscape. We used single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data of 126 individuals, genotyped at 81 loci, obtained by non-invasive scat sampling from three distinct rural areas: 1) an agricultural plain, 2) a forested mountainous range, and 3) a forest-farmland mosaic landscape. These areas differ in the predominant vegetation cover, average elevation, respective distance from each other, and local hunting pressure. Our results indicated that red foxes exhibit weak but consistent genetic structuring over a relatively small distance (i.e. 145 km). Migration rates did not reflect geographical distances. We also detected migration patterns stemming from (and between) two of the investigated areas, and also unidirectional migration patterns towards one area that match source-sink dynamics. Despite the apparent absence of migration barriers, hunting regimes could be driving the unidirectional gene flow even for an ecologically flexible species. Consequently, our results show that the (perceived) absence of obvious dispersal barriers does not necessarily imply genetically homogenous populations or random dispersal in mobile generalist species, instead formal investigations are necessary.
Understanding an organism's shifting resource needs throughout its life cycle is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. Northern bobwhite Colinus virginianus populations have been declining for nearly a century due largely to habitat loss/degradation. Many management regimes are based on analyses of resource selection conducted at coarse temporal scales, often also in regions with productive soils. Although prior research provides a foundation for the development of management guidelines, patterns derived from finer-scale temporal analyses and varying ecological contexts may reveal novel information. We compared inferences derived from analyses conducted at varying temporal scales (full year, two-season and daily [moving-window]; n = 1302 bobwhites) in southeastern North Carolina, a region with poor edaphic conditions (i.e. nutrient-poor soils). We focused on four habitat attributes that can be affected by management: distance to fallow fields, distance to supplemental feed lines, distance to deciduous cover and burn status. Habitats were strongly avoided for 18 weeks following a burn, and were not selected for until the following spring. Deciduous cover, primarily hardwood drains and Carolina bays, was selected year-round with the strongest selection from October-April (strongest distance-to-deciduous, 23 January beta: -0.49 [95% CI: -0.44 to -0.54]). Bobwhites selected for fallow fields strongest from March-October (strongest distance-to-fallow field, 10 August beta: -0.47, [95% CI: -0.39 to -0.55]). Finally, bobwhites always selected for areas nearer feed lines with an increase outside brood-rearing (late September-March; distance-from-feedline 4 February beta: -0.85, [95% CI: -0.79 to -0.91]. Management for bobwhite populations in regions with poor edaphic conditions should consider alternative burn regimes to mitigate effects on bobwhites. Managers may consider fallow field enhancement for the dormant season and accommodate the increased selection for feed lines in winter. Fine-temporal analysis captured dynamic resource selection patterns in response to key habitat attributes specific to regions with poor edaphic conditions.
Many mammalian species now inhabit anthropogenic landscapes, and human–wildlife conflicts, particularly pertaining to crop damage, have become a significant issue. To develop more effective measures to limit crop damage caused by wildlife, it is crucial to identify how natural and anthropogenic food availability affect crop use by wildlife in the context of their feeding strategies. However, many previous studies have focused only on one side of the spectrum: either the availability of natural foods or that of crops. In contrast, this study examines how the availability of both acorns and crops affects the use of dent corn Zea mays by brown bears Ursus arctos in northern Hokkaido, Japan. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that the availability of Quercus crispula mast, as well as seasonal factors, influenced use of the seven principal food categories by brown bears (dent corn, Q. crispula , Actinidia arguta , sika deer Cervus nippon , fish, Vitis coignetiae , and Sorbus commixta ). Higher berry availability was also associated with lower crop use by brown bears. Dent corn consumption persisted for longer periods during years with poor availability of Q. crispula mast, and bears continued to use the dent corn even after harvest. Dent corn use by brown bears decreased when the availability of natural food was high. Conversely, brown bears exploited crops at higher rates when crop availability was high. Our results suggest that the availability of both natural Q. crispula mast and dent corn determines the patterns of crop consumption by brown bears.
Minnesota moose are heat‐stressed during summers, which is adversely impacting their survival. We used both movement and activity data to explore the behavioral responses of Minnesota moose experiencing heat stress, termed ‘hot moose events' or HMEs, to understand how both ambient temperature and available habitat contribute to the ability of these moose to thermoregulate. Hot moose (≥ 39.17°C, as determined by internal biologgers that continuously recorded body temperature), failed to adopt the behavioral switch to foraging habitats during nocturnal activity displayed by moose maintaining normal body temperatures (i.e. normal moose), which might improve their overall fitness and survival. Hot moose also selected habitats differently than normal moose, including using open canopies that offer little mid‐day protection from solar radiation (e.g. ash swamp, meadow marsh bog), whereas normal moose had a stronger selection for thermal refugia. We further investigated the behaviors of moose prone to repeated HMEs within a summer season. Members of this group were majority male, experienced 5× the daily rate of HMEs compared to other hot moose, and were more likely to die. Our findings suggest some moose are making behavioral choices that appear to undermine their ability to thermoregulate on hot summer days, adversely impacting their survival. Individual drivers are likely complex and include both moose health factors and the availability or arrangement of quality forage and cover types. Although we were unable to pinpoint a difference in overall landscape composition between the choices hot and normal moose make, it is likely that fine‐scale differences in habitat features, such as patch size, forest structure, and distance to cover, play a key role. Future forest management efforts supporting both thermal and forage needs of moose will help mitigate summer heat stress in populations threatened by climate change.
In fenced protected areas where large carnivore populations persist or have been restored through reintroduction, population monitoring is essential to inform management. Robust density estimates are particularly important given the strong influence of large carnivores on ecosystem processes, yet such data remain scarce for arid systems where restricted dispersal and low primary productivity jointly influence carnivore densities. We addressed this gap using a spatial capture–recapture (SCR) framework applied to a camera trap survey conducted in the Korannaberg section of Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (hereafter Tswalu), South Africa. Using SCR modelling, we estimated leopard Panthera pardus density at 0.18/100 km 2 (± SE 0.09), among the lowest reported for a fenced protected area, likely reflecting the combined effects of early‐stage population recolonisation and low prey biomass characteristic of the southern Kalahari, with detections at only 21.18% of camera stations. Brown hyaena Parahyaena brunnea density was estimated at 2.68/100 km 2 (± SE 0.45), exceeding densities from mesic systems. Spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta density was 0.66/100 km 2 (± SE 0.25), constituting the first SCR estimate for the Northern Cape. Together, these estimates provide an important baseline for long‐term monitoring of large carnivores at Tswalu, and we advocate for repeated SCR surveys to assess population trends and inform Tswalu's carnivore management framework. More broadly, increased SCR monitoring across contrasting land‐use types and productivity gradients would improve understanding of the ecological drivers shaping large carnivore densities and support evidence‐based conservation for species currently lacking coordinated oversight.
Food acquisition is arguably the most important, and among the riskiest behaviours for most mammals. Carcasses are an ephemeral resource for many scavengers, particularly black-backed jackals Lupulella mesomelas that prey on small mammals. Landscape of fear theory suggests that prey species should reduce their activity in areas of high predator activity to reduce the threat of predation. To test whether increased black-backed jackal activity around carcasses results in reduced small mammal activity we conducted a Before, After, Control, Impact (BACI) experiment on Telperion Nature Reserve. We monitored the activity of small mammals, black-backed jackals and Coleoptera at experimental and control sites. At experimental sites, a blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus carcass was either 'exposed' to vertebrate scavengers, or 'enclosed' (i.e. placed in an exclosure cage). We monitored the sites before, during, and after deployment of carcasses (in the austral summer of 2019), and seasonally (austral autumn, winter, spring and the following summer of 2020), for a year after the cessation of carcass decomposition. We used AICc model selection based on outcomes from GLMM procedures to determine the model that was best supported by the data. Then we analysed the influence of the presence of carcasses on small mammals, black-backed jackals and coleopteran activity independently of one another. We found that the models that best explained increase in small mammal activity were univariate models, the highest ranked of which included the presence of carcasses which was only Delta AICc = 0.54 better supported than the model that associated increased small mammal activity with coleopterans. We found a significant increase in small mammal (p = 0.02), black-backed jackal (p < 0.001), and coleopteran activity (p = 0.001) at experimental sites after carcass deployment. The small mammal assemblage, consisting primarily of omnivorous and insectivorous rodents (which feed on coleopterans) became more active in response to an ephemeral food source (carcass) despite a concomitant increase in threat of predation from black-backed jackals.
Seasonal variation in photoperiods, energetic demands, and reproductive constraints are expected to strongly influence bat activity at high latitudes, yet empirical evidence from boreal systems is limited. We used passive acoustic monitoring to examine spatial, temporal, and feeding activity patterns of bats along a boreal river basin in Sweden (64 degrees N) during the summer maternity season. We deployed twelve static detectors along the lower S & auml;var & aring;n River in three sampling periods from early July to August. We analysed activity patterns of Myotis spp. and Cnephaeus nilssonii in relation to in-channel distance from the river mouth, feeding behaviour, and ambient light conditions inferred from solar altitude at the time of recordings. Results show that activity of Myotis spp. was concentrated at inland sites in early July and became progressively coastal later in the season, whereas C. nilssonii activity remained largely coastal throughout. Feeding buzzes in Myotis spp. were most frequent in early July, suggesting elevated foraging activity in the sampling areas during lactation. In both taxa, activity timing shifted significantly towards darker conditions later in the summer, consistent with seasonal changes in ambient light. These results suggest that extended photoperiods, together with maternity-related energetic and spatial constraints, contribute to species-specific seasonal activity patterns in boreal bat assemblages.
The diet of large carnivores is of great interest to conservation managers, as it can reveal the extent of human-carnivore conflict and the impact of carnivores on species of high conservation priority. Metabarcoding of environmental DNA can identify species and is often more reliable than observational or morphological methods, particularly when it comes to detecting rare and elusive species. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding of feces to determine the diet of spotted hyenas Crocuta crocuta in the Ngorongoro Crater, a protected area in northern Tanzania with high densities of wild ungulates surrounded by areas co-inhabited by pastoralists. We assessed which species hyenas preferably consumed over a 24-year period and how frequently they consumed livestock and black rhinoceros, a species of high economic value and conservation priority. We further estimated the effects of three key socio-demographic variables - age, social rank, and sex - on the propensity of hyenas to consume livestock. We detected DNA from 20 species in 371 hyena feces. Livestock was rarely consumed (4.1% of detections) and mostly by old hyenas that are less capable of hunting fleet-footed and powerful wild prey. No DNA of black rhinoceros was detected in any of the samples. Our findings suggest that the impact of Crater hyenas on livestock and wildlife of high conservation priority is minimal. Our study highlights the potential of DNA metabarcoding to assess the extent of human-carnivore conflict and to guide evidence-based conservation efforts to promote coexistence of carnivores, humans, and species of high conservation priority.
Freshwater turtles play vital roles in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems by supporting ecological balance, nutrient cycling and regulating prey populations. Unfortunately, they are among the most threatened species worldwide. Habitat fragmentation, illegal trade, overharvesting for meat, and use in ethnomedicinal practices have severely endangered freshwater turtle populations, including softshell turtles Nilssonia spp. We investigated environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing the occupancy of three endangered softshell turtle - N. gangetica, N. hurum and N. nigricans - in the eastern lowlands of Nepal. We conducted 95 site surveys between March and September 2024, recording detection histories across four replicate visits. Using single-season occupancy models, we assessed the effects of water depth, pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), habitat type (river, pond, wetland), connectivity, and a human disturbance index (HDI) on turtle occupancy while accounting for imperfect detection. Detection probability was significantly higher at night (0.48 +/- 0.08) than during the day (0.22 +/- 0.06), confirming nocturnal behavior and justifying time-dependent detection in all models. Among 17 candidate occupancy models, three received strong support (Delta AIC <= 2), cumulatively accounting for 88% of AIC weight. Model-averaged estimates revealed that occupancy was positively associated with water depth (beta = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.33-4.42) and negatively associated with HDI (beta = -1.66, 95% CI: -2.75 to -0.57). Occupancy increased with water depth across all HDI levels, with the strongest response at low disturbance sites, and declined sharply with increasing HDI, particularly in shallow waters. Potential habitats for these species in eastern Nepal are deteriorating due to intense human pressures such as electrocution, poisoning, overexploitation of aquatic resources, and habitat modification, which signifies the need for immediate and effective conservation actions.
Illegal trade of wild meat pose a severe threat to the survival of wildlife populations. The decline in the number of some species has been directly linked to these illegal activities. Poachers and traders of illegal wild meat products often mask them as livestock meat to sell to consumers who may or may not be complicit. However, new technologies can more accurately identify the genetic makeup of confiscated wild meat and meat sold in markets. Random meat sampling and molecular analysis are routinely used in detecting wild meat, leading to identifying illegal trade hotspots. Here, we documented incidences of wild meat prevalence in butcheries in Kenya through random sampling and compared the proportion of meat that tested positive with wild meat exhibits confiscated by officers in conservation management areas (CA) over a two-year period that corresponded with the sampling period. As such, we sought to map illegal trade hotspots within five CA to guide management and policies. 241 meat samples from market surveys conducted between 2020-2021 were sequenced for species identification using standard mammalian barcoding whereas 112 samples obtained from confiscations over the same period were analyzed using the same method for comparison. In total, over a seven-year period (2015-2021), 567 samples were confiscated by law enforcement officers. Out of the 241 meat samples that were purchased, 13 tested positive for wild meat. Overall, market sampling underestimated incidences of wild meat trade. However, the combined dataset identified Southern, Central Rift and Tsavo CA as dominant hotspots in both volume and species richness for illegal wild meat trade. Our study emphasizes the importance of countrywide and enhanced monitoring of threatened species, as well as strengthened coordination between local intelligence gathering and field operations to protect biodiversity, determine trade routes and transit hubs, and refine the effectiveness of policy.
Wild animals can adapt to the increasing presence of humans by either becoming accustomed to it or by avoiding humans by spatiotemporal separation. The return of the wolf to the German lowlands raised the opportunity to study wolf behaviour in one of the most densely populated and fragmented countries in Europe, in an area where topography offers no retreat from human disturbance. We analysed telemetry data of 18 wolves from five federal states in Germany to study how wolves adjust their movements and activity in relation to anthropogenic structures. We found no evidence that wolves in Germany have become accustomed to humans or human infrastructure. Our results show that wolves adapted their spatiotemporal behaviour in a way that minimized encounters with humans: 1) wolves were mostly inactive during the day, when humans are most active; 2) they showed a high preference for habitat that provides cover, especially during daylight; and 3) they strongly avoided human infrastructures, especially during daylight. This study shows that land-sharing between wolves and humans does not appear to have resulted in a loss of strong spatial avoidance of humans, particularly during daytime when human activity is highest. It reaffirms that coexistence in landscapes heavily impacted by humans is possible.
Accurate age determination in roe deer Capreolus capreolus is essential for selective harvesting and informed population management, yet field-based methods widely used by hunters remain imprecise. This study compared field-based and laboratory age determination methods in 204 harvested roe deer, categorized by sex and habitat type (forest versus open field). Age was estimated using 1) field indicators based on visual observations and tooth wear , and 2) laboratory methods including second molar height, dry eye lens weight, and cementum annuli counts. Generalized linear models and ANOVA revealed that dry eye-lens weight increased monotonically with age (eta(2) = 0.885; p < 0.001), showing strong predictive capacity for cementum-derived age. In contrast, second molar height exhibited a hump-shaped pattern, with weaker explanatory power. Sex and habitat type had no significant effects on morphometric traits associated with age, indicating that temporal biological processes dominate over ecological or sexual dimorphism. Agreement between laboratory cementum annuli and field age classifications was fair to moderate (Cohen's kappa = 0.371 +/- 0.039 SE, p < 0.001) whereas the laboratory cementum annuli and dry eye-lens weight showed moderate agreement beyond chance (Cohen's kappa = 0.285 +/- 0.036 SE, p < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that while cementum annuli analysis and dry eye-lens weight provide robust biological age proxies, field-based methods currently lack sufficient precision for reliable selective harvest decisions. Reliable age estimation techniques are essential not only for effective population management but also for maintaining the biological and socio-cultural integrity of selective hunting practices.
The expansion of the golden jackal Canis aureus in Europe, caused mainly by habitat fragmentation, climate change and the decline of large carnivores until half a century ago, poses emerging challenges for newly colonised regions. With the arrival of a new species, potential effects on local animal communities, hunting, livestock husbandry or the transfer of diseases need to be addressed. Therefore, anticipating probable areas for colonisation is crucial to allow early monitoring and targeted management strategies and thus mitigate potential conflicts from the beginning of the recolonisation. In this study, we therefore conducted a literature review on the golden jackal's habitat use and diet on a European scale to identify ecological factors that influence its local distribution. We then used this information to model habitat suitability for the golden jackal in Switzerland, where increasing detections indicate imminent colonisation. We modelled four scenarios with different weights for the ecological factors: land cover, mosaicity, proximity to water, snow cover duration and wolf presence. All models show that Switzerland provides suitable habitat over a large surface area, particularly the Swiss Plateau and the northern Jura Mountains. These regions are characterized by a high prevalence of mosaic environments with plenty of access to water-related habitats, are generally low in elevation with shorter winters, less snow and are so far largely unoccupied by grey wolves Canis lupus. The models were validated using confirmed locations of dispersing golden jackals in Switzerland. The results show that golden jackals were found at locations with a significantly higher habitat suitability than at points generated randomly. Our modelling approach provides a transferable framework for guiding early monitoring efforts and focusing information campaigns and early mitigation measures for potential conflicts with stakeholder groups in regions undergoing golden jackal colonisation, and could be easily applied to other species.
