ABSTRACT Given the declining population of White‐rumped Vulture (WRV) ( Gyps bengalensis ) across South Asia, we examined breeding success and assessed local knowledge and perceptions of WRV in Khaireni Community Forest, Rampur Valley, Nepal. A total of 30 nests were recorded, of which 28 (93%) were active and 2 (7%) were occupied. Among the active nests, 20 successfully fledged chicks, resulting in a 71% breeding success of WRV in 2023. We found proximity to nearest carcass deposition area as a significant variable influencing the breeding success of WRV ( p = 0.03), with productive nests being notably closer to feeding site. Most of the local people had a positive attitude toward vultures and recognized their ecological importance, but participation in conservation programs remained low, especially among marginalized groups. We recommend participatory conservation efforts that sustain feeding sites, protect nesting trees, and engage underrepresented groups for the long‐term conservation of WRV in Rampur Valley.
ABSTRACT Multi‐species surveys are commonly used to monitor mesocarnivore populations, but these methods often result in insufficient detection of cryptic species. Long‐tailed Weasels ( Neogale frenata ) are cryptic carnivores that conventional survey techniques rarely detect. Therefore, we compared Long‐tailed Weasel detection rates and costs of an intensive, widespread community‐level camera survey and a multi‐method camera survey that used detection dogs to guide camera placement. The detection‐dog‐guided camera survey had approximately 33 times greater detections with fewer camera nights and reduced survey costs. Monthly detection rates were highest using detection‐dog‐guided camera surveys during the pregnancy and parturition period. Both survey methods confirmed the presence of Long‐tailed Weasels, demonstrating that method suitability depends on survey objective. Our research contributes to refining non‐invasive surveying techniques for weasels amid increasing concerns of population declines and range constrictions.
ABSTRACT Automated behavioral response systems (ABRs) record wildlife behavioral responses to auditory playbacks. Collectively, ABR studies suggest humans are perceived as a global “super predator.” Understanding invasive species response to auditory signals may enhance invasive species management and reduce their impact. Wild pigs ( Sus scrofa ) are invasive and cause significant damage in the United States. We used ABRs to assess flight response and foraging behavior to four auditory playbacks (humans, coyote vocalizations [ Canis latrans ], pigs in distress, and barred owl calls [ Strix varia ; as control] in southwestern Georgia. Wild pigs were primarily nocturnal, a common human avoidance behavior. Wild pig response was greatest to human speech, but pigs habituated rapidly. Wild pigs often exhibited a “freezing” behavior over fleeing suggesting a search for additional predation cues. Our study adds to ABR literature where humans are perceived as super predators but suggests auditory stimuli alone is unlikely to reduce wild pig damage.
ABSTRACT Widespread declines of Asian freshwater turtles demand urgent conservation action. This study used radiotelemetry to track 25 individuals of the Endangered Beale's eyed turtles ( Sacalia bealei ) (12 females, eight juveniles, and five males) in Hong Kong for an average of 284 days. Movement (4.7 ± 8.9 m day −1 ) and home range (7986 ± 9701 m 2 ) varied significantly across reproductive class and season, with males exhibiting greater displacement distances and home ranges than females in the wet and mating seasons. S. bealei exhibits strong aquatic dependence, favoring deep pools interspaced among riffle‐pool sequences. Microhabitat selection varied diurnally and seasonally, with preferences for spatial elements that likely confer concealment advantages. The species' relatively large home range and aquatic dependence highlight its sensitivity to habitat loss and poaching, stressing the urgency for immediate protection of remnant populations. Conservation efforts must prioritize critical stream habitats and leverage telemetry data for informed action.
ABSTRACT Human‐caused mortality threatens the Sri Lankan leopard ( Panthera pardus kotiya ), yet national patterns remain poorly quantified. We compiled 17 years (2008–2024) of islandwide human‐caused leopard deaths and evaluated demographic patterns, sex biases, cause‐habitat associations, temporal trends, and spatial variation in the relative likelihood of recorded incidents. We documented 164 deaths (9.6 ± 4.5 records year −1 ) and detected an increase through time (Kendall's τ = 0.58, p < 0.01). Mortality records were male‐biased (68.4%; χ ² = 64.68, p < 0.001) and dominated by adults (87.3%). Among cases with known cause ( n = 138), snares were most frequent (62.3%) and were concentrated in plantations ( n = 52, 46.3%). Records were highly clustered in the central highlands (Central Province, n = 77, 46.9%), with a single district (Nuwara Eliya; 4.4% of the estimated leopard range in the country) contributing 38.4% of the records. Mitigation should prioritize snare reduction and enforcement in highland plantation landscapes.
ABSTRACT Nocturnal and cryptic species are difficult to detect using conventional methods, creating knowledge gaps that hinder conservation. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) can inform conservation, but its relevance for cryptic species remains little understood. We conducted group interviews in 52 villages across southern Guinea‐Bissau, to investigate LEK of nocturnal primates. Responses support that the West African potto ( Perodicticus potto ) is likely absent. Galagos ( Galago senegalensis, Galagoides demidoff and possibly Galagoides thomasi ) were reported present in 28/52 villages, primarily identified through vocalizations and red eyeshine. Local names for all mammals except galagos and their conflation with other wildlife suggest limited human interaction. Reproducing vocalizations and comparing with carnivore eyeshine improved identification accuracy. Other studies could use other tailored traits, such as diet. This study shows that LEK can provide large‐scale data on cryptic species, refining biogeographical understanding and informing targeted surveys.
ABSTRACT Birdwatching contributes to biodiversity conservation through public engagement and ecological data collection. Although birdwatching is becoming increasingly popular in developing countries like Nepal, research on birdwatching practices, motivations, challenges and bird‐related environmental concerns remains limited. We surveyed 135 birdwatchers across Nepal and found that about one‐third were novices and most preferred birdwatching in small groups, especially in forests and wetlands. Birdwatching specialization increased with age and was higher among males and tourism‐involved participants. Birdwatching showed potential to enhance local tourism. Over 60% preferred targeting specific bird species, and nearly half liked to do birdwatching even in poor weather. Data‐sharing practices varied: 46% kept records private, while only 25% used platforms such as eBird. Key motivations were conservation, enjoyment, and achievement, while equipment costs and group disturbances were key challenges and most agreed that birds and habitats are declining. Overall, birdwatching in Nepal would benefit from greater public participation and improved data‐sharing.
ABSTRACT Understanding how bats adapt their overwintering behavior to local environmental conditions is crucial for conservation, especially in subtropical regions where individual strategies remain poorly documented. We tracked six male great evening bats ( Ia io ) in Guizhou, China, using GPS and tri‐axial accelerometry. All individuals remained within 30 km of their summer roosts, confirming a non‐migratory overwintering strategy. However, striking individual variation was observed: two bats exhibited continuous torpor lasting over 60 days, while four employed flexible torpor with arousal on warmer nights. The probability of arousal increased by approximately 16% for every 1°C rise in ambient temperature. These results provide the first field‐based evidence of individual‐level behavioral flexibility in a subtropical bat species and highlight the need to protect critical overwintering roosts and incorporate climate‐driven behavioral diversity into conservation planning.
ABSTRACT Although once abundant, gray foxes ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ) are purported to be experiencing a population decline in the central Great Plains, calling for the need for spatially explicit maps for targeted sampling and conservation action. Using public and state data sources, we developed a habitat suitability model across six central US states to examine distributions of relative habitat suitability and land cover associations for the gray fox. Suitable habitat was discontinuous, with numerous small patches predicted across our study area. Gray fox relative habitat suitability increased with Simpson's diversity of land cover composition and decreased with row crop cover. Our model forecasted an apparent range restriction of the gray fox in comparison to historical maps, with suitable habitat only representing 2% of its historical distribution. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence regarding the purported regional declines of gray foxes.
ABSTRACT Multi‐use areas provide habitat to jaguars ( Panthera onca ), yet their population trends remain understudied in these areas. We used camera trapping to estimate jaguar densities using spatially explicit capture‐recapture in Hato La Aurora, a private reserve and cattle ranch in the Colombian Llanos and compared estimates with 2014 and 2022 studies. We then calculated land cover change in and around Hato La Aurora over 10 years with buffers at 10, 25, and 50 km to evaluate available habitat for jaguars. We estimated 2.41 ± 0.75 individuals/100 km 2 , which is moderately higher than in 2014 and lower than in 2022, likely due to different camera placement. Habitat inside La Aurora remained steady with 10% change of disturbed cover whereas disturbed cover outside increased by 39%–54% depending on the buffer. Our study demonstrates the conservation value of productive private reserves for jaguars, but comprehensive land use policies and coexistence strategies are needed for long‐term jaguar persistence.
The lynx, a nationally protected species in China, depends on prey such as roe deer and hares. Using 152 occurrence points and 12 environmental variables from Mohe, Heilongjiang, we applied the Biomod2 ensemble model to predict habitat suitability under climate change. Multivariate Environmental Similarity Surface (MESS) analysis assessed model reliability in areas with novel climates. The ensemble model performed strongly (AUC = 0.956), identifying suitable habitats as low‐elevation, water‐rich areas with high vegetation productivity (NDVI), and moderate temperatures. Future projections indicate habitat expansion, with suitable areas increasing by 42.15% under SSP2‐4.5 and 30.9% under SSP1‐2.6 by the 2070s. Prey distribution and annual temperature emerged as key drivers of habitat suitability. These findings offer important guidance for lynx conservation, highlighting priority areas for protection and management in response to climate change.
ABSTRACT Indigenous people and local communities have an important role in biodiversity conservation. These communities are a part of most conservation projects, but when it comes to conservation fund management and utilisation, they are overlooked. There is no clear picture of how much conservation funding reaches local communities. A recent assessment by the International Institute for Environment and Development showed that, despite being the main stewards of biodiversity, indigenous people and rural communities got little to no direct support from conservation grants. Most of the time, middlemen or intermediaries handle and utilise the conservation monies. Funding channels are crucial since they regulate how the money is used; for most conservation projects, nongovernmental organisations act as funding channels. Conservation funding should be given directly to local communities. Direct fund transfer to local communities ensures the involvement of these communities in decision‐making and fund utilisation, which will ultimately lead to effective biodiversity conservation.
ABSTRACT Understanding how bats adapt their overwintering behavior to local environmental conditions is crucial for conservation, especially in subtropical regions where individual strategies remain poorly documented. We tracked six male great evening bats (Ia io) in Guizhou, China, using GPS and tri‐axial accelerometry. All individuals remained within 30 km of their summer roosts, confirming a non‐migratory overwintering strategy. However, striking individual variation was observed: two bats exhibited continuous torpor lasting over 60 days, while four employed flexible torpor with arousal on warmer nights. The probability of arousal increased by approximately 16% for every 1°C rise in ambient temperature. These results provide the first field‐based evidence of individual‐level behavioral flexibility in a subtropical bat species and highlight the need to protect critical overwintering roosts and incorporate climate‐driven behavioral diversity into conservation planning.
ABSTRACT Although once abundant, gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are purported to be experiencing a population decline in the central Great Plains, calling for the need for spatially explicit maps for targeted sampling and conservation action. Using public and state data sources, we developed a habitat suitability model across six central US states to examine distributions of relative habitat suitability and land cover associations for the gray fox. Suitable habitat was discontinuous, with numerous small patches predicted across our study area. Gray fox relative habitat suitability increased with Simpson's diversity of land cover composition and decreased with row crop cover. Our model forecasted an apparent range restriction of the gray fox in comparison to historical maps, with suitable habitat only representing 2% of its historical distribution. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence regarding the purported regional declines of gray foxes.
ABSTRACT Birdwatching contributes to biodiversity conservation through public engagement and ecological data collection. Although birdwatching is becoming increasingly popular in developing countries like Nepal, research on birdwatching practices, motivations, challenges and bird‐related environmental concerns remains limited. We surveyed 135 birdwatchers across Nepal and found that about one‐third were novices and most preferred birdwatching in small groups, especially in forests and wetlands. Birdwatching specialization increased with age and was higher among males and tourism‐involved participants. Birdwatching showed potential to enhance local tourism. Over 60% preferred targeting specific bird species, and nearly half liked to do birdwatching even in poor weather. Data‐sharing practices varied: 46% kept records private, while only 25% used platforms such as eBird. Key motivations were conservation, enjoyment, and achievement, while equipment costs and group disturbances were key challenges and most agreed that birds and habitats are declining. Overall, birdwatching in Nepal would benefit from greater public participation and improved data‐sharing.
ABSTRACT An observational study was conducted to investigate Eimeria species prevalence, fecal shedding, morphometric, and molecular composition in captive Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) bred at the Mammals Breeding Center in Oman. Oryx were sampled in the summer and winter seasons. Eimeria was detected at a prevalence of 26% in summer and 22% in winter, with higher shedding intensity observed during the summer among adult oryx. The isolated Eimeria displayed ellipsoidal oocysts and ovoidal sporocysts with average dimensions of 30.6 × 24.3 μm (ranging from 24.8 to 35.4 × 20.9–26.7) and 14.3 × 7.1 μm (ranging from 11.1 to 18.3 × 6.1–8.6), respectively. Molecularly (18S rRNA, ITS‐1), E. saudiensis revealed its unique identity and closest relation (96.7%–99.3%) to E. bovis isolates of bovine origin (MK691697 and AB769578), respectively, in the absence of antelope‐derived isolates. The findings serve as a precursor to incorporating Eimeria species derived from Arabian oryx into the molecular map.
ABSTRACT Amidst the global biodiversity crisis, conserving endangered species like musk deer (Moschus spp.) is crucial. China holds the highest musk deer diversity worldwide, with abundant populations, wide distribution, and significant musk production. We reviewed the morphology, population trends, distribution, conservation status, captive breeding, and related challenges of musk deer to inform targeted conservation strategies. Currently, wild musk deer populations are primarily distributed in western, central, and northeastern regions of China. Over the past seven decades, illegal hunting and habitat fragmentation have caused severe population declines, reducing most populations by over 97% since the 1950s. To alleviate pressure on wild populations and promote sustainable resource use, China initiated captive breeding of musk deer in 1958, resulting in a 5.6‐fold increase in captive musk deer from the 1990s to the 2020s. However, challenges like serious diseases hinder further expansion of artificial musk production. Given the limitations of both in situ and ex situ conservation, it is advised to establish or optimize natural reserves in musk deer habitat. Strengthening law enforcement, population monitoring, ecological research, captive breeding, reintroduction, and public awareness is essential for global musk deer conservation.
ABSTRACT Among the order Carnivora, there is variation in the extent to which species form social groups. Typically, such variation is often studied in the context of a single variable that may impact behavior. However, the multiple interacting processes that drive plastic behaviors such as sociality and space use are likely to operate over multiple temporal and spatial scales. To quantify the relative impacts of different drivers requires an integration of the different processes across the scales at which they operate. Here we use piecewise structural equation modeling (piecewise SEM) to quantify the direct and indirect impacts of variables on behaviors including social grouping, reproduction, and space use. We analyze the role of phylogeny, environment, and community structure on sociality. Home range, social group size, and diet were shown to be most strongly influenced by life history variables, whereas reproductive output was most strongly impacted by variation in the environment.
ABSTRACT Law enforcement is essential for effective wildlife conservation. In Nigeria, enforcing wildlife laws faces significant challenges, primarily due to limited knowledge among officials. This study assessed these challenges in Oyo and Lagos States, focusing on the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and Immigration Service (NIS). Data from structured surveys and interviews were analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and thematic methods. Findings revealed limited awareness of wildlife laws, with NESREA and NCS showing the highest knowledge levels. Compared to Oyo State, agencies in Lagos reported more experience with wildlife crime cases, and a significant positive relationship existed between officials' knowledge and experience handling such cases. These findings highlight the need for government action to address enforcement challenges and provide targeted training, ensuring agencies are equipped to enforce wildlife laws as legislation is strengthened.
ABSTRACT While hunter numbers have been declining for several decades, recent data suggest there is strong demand for hunting opportunities. Big game hunting remains the most popular type of hunting. The social context of big game hunting is rapidly changing due to evolving technological advancements and the forces of capitalism, yet many state wildlife agencies have been slow to respond to these changes. Using Ogburn's cultural lag theory, this essay discusses how the forces of technology and capitalism are affecting big game hunting. The hunting industry aggressively markets new technologies and products to hunters. Some of these new advancements and practices threaten the hunting heritage by giving hunters an unfair advantage and undermining the concept of fair chase, contribute to the depletion of wildlife populations on public land, and suggest that costly accessories are necessary for a good hunting experience. Implications of these practices for recreational hunting are discussed.
