Relative Abundance of Mammals and Estimation of Minimum Trapping Effort Using Camera Traps in Jangsudae, Seoraksan National Park

BackgroundSika deer, Cervus nippon, were originally introduced to South Korea from Japan and Taiwan for commercial farming purposes. Unfortunately, they were released into the wild during religious events and have since begun to impact the native ecosystem and species endemic to South Korea. The study of activity patterns can improve our understanding of the environmental impact of non-native species and their association with sympatric species. Using camera traps, we studied the diel and seasonal activity patterns of non-native sika deer and quantified the temporal overlap with sympatric mammalian species in the Muljangori-oreum wetlands of Hallasan National Park, South Korea.ResultsA total of 970 trap events were recorded for five mammalian species from nine locations during the camera-trap survey. Siberian roe deer (Capreoluspygargus tianschanicus) had the highest number of recorded events (72.0%), followed by sika deer (Cervus nippon) (16.2%), wild boar (Sus scrofa) (5.0%), Asian badger (Meles leucurus) (4.5%), and the Jeju weasel (Mustela sibirica quelpartis) (2.0%). Sika deer had bimodal activity patterns throughout the year, with peaks throughout the spring-autumn twilight, and day and night time throughout the winter. Relating the daily activity of sika deer with other mammalian species, roe deer expressed the highest degree of overlap (∆4 = 0.80) while the Asian badger demonstrated the lowest overlap (∆4 = 0.37).ConclusionsOur data show that sika deer are a crepuscular species with seasonal variations in daily activity patterns. Additionally, we identified the temporal differences in activity peaks between different mammals in the Muljangori-oreum wetlands and found higher degree of overlap between sika deer and roe deer during twilight hours.

Population growth in wild boars and feral pigs Sus scrofa has negative environmental and economic implications worldwide. Accordingly, it is necessary to monitor population trends for appropriate management. Despite the potential for bias, relative abundance indices based on signs of activity have the potential to be practical, low-cost monitoring tools for data collection at a local scale and over large areas. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific signs as measures of relative wild boar abundance in comparison with reliable density estimates. In this study, we examined whether three activity signs (digging marks, rubbing marks and fecal pellet groups) could be used as relative abundance indices for wild boar. In particular, we conducted transect surveys for signs of activity as well as camera trap surveys from September 2017 to January 2018 at six sites in Hyogo Prefecture and eight sites in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. We modeled the relations between the number of activity signs and wild boar densities or abundances estimated from camera trap data in a hierarchical framework. Fecal pellet counts is a well-established method for estimating the abundance of herbivores, including wild boar; however, we found few fecal pellet groups in our study area, and the counts were not related to wild boar densities. Instead, we found that digging marks were strongly associated with estimates of wild boar density. Although fluctuations in the number of digging marks may be affected by factors other than boar density, including environmental conditions and seasonality, our results suggest that digging marks are an effective relative abundance index for evaluations of the spatial patterns of wild boar in Japan.

Monitoring wildlife abundance and diversity with infra-red camera traps in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve of Shaanxi Province, China

The ability to directly monitor animal populations across time and space is a key element of wildlife conservation and management, but logistically difficult to achieve. Photographic capture rates from camera trap surveys can provide relative abundance indices (RAIs) for a wide variety of medium‐ to large‐bodied wildlife species. RAIs are less complex than other estimation methods and are commonly used when true abundance is difficult or costly to measure. However, this method is controversial as it does not account for potential bias arising from imperfect detection. Here, we evaluate the reliability and precision of RAI estimates drawn from a large‐scale camera trap survey for ten African herbivore species by comparing them against preexisting aerial survey data. RAIs correlated strongly with independent estimates, particularly when indices were derived from counts of all photographed animals. RAIs were most reliable for species that were nonmigratory, occurred in open habitats and had high rates of daily movement. Increasing survey coverage and duration both had strong but comparable effects on improving RAI precision. Our results suggest that RAIs from camera traps hold substantial promise as a tool for monitoring herbivore relative abundances, and we provide guidelines on the utility of this approach for ecological inference.

Deforestation and illegal poaching caused unprecedented biodiversity loss in Labis Timur Ecological Corridor (CFS2:PL1), Johor, Malaysia. Habitat fragmentation from deforestation caused wildlife diversity depletion by reducing habitat connectivity into degraded forest patches. Thus, it had become a major issue in wildlife management. The diversity of mammals in this corridor was largely unknown and had seldom been quantified. The objectives of this study are to determine the diversity and occupancy of mammals in Labis Timur Ecological Corridor (LTEC) and to determine which location in LTEC is most suitable for building a viaduct. We conducted a camera trap and wildlife sign survey at 34 locations within the LTEC. The study was carried out from 17th October 2016 to 7th January 2017. During a total of 2,503 trap nights, 24 species of terrestrial mammals were photo-captured represented by eight orders and 14 families. This included mammals such as Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica) and Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) which were listed as critically endangered and endangered species respectively, based on IUCN Red List. From this 24 species, 11 species were Carnivora, five species were Artiodactyla, and three species were Primates. One species each represented the Order Perissodactyla, Proboscidea, Rodentia, Pholidota and Eulipotyphla. The Wild boar species (RAI ± SE; 9.78 ± 2.30) represents the highest Relative Abundance Index (RAI) amongst the mammals’ species recorded, while Leopard cat species (RAI ± SE; 0.03 ± 0.41) represents the lowest RAI. We recommend: (1) viaduct to be built at locations with the highest species richness (camera traps A037 and A078); (2) demarcating LTEC as High Conservation Value (HCV) area; (3) comply firmly on Reduced Impact Logging guidelines for logging activities in this area.

The use of species detection rates gathered from motion‐sensitive cameras as relative abundance indices (RAIs) could be a cost‐effective tool to monitor wildlife populations; however, validations based on comparisons with reference methods are necessary. We considered 3 ungulates, wild boar (Sus scrofa), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and fallow deer (Dama dama), and compared 2 different RAIs with independent indices of density obtained through feces counts across 3 summers (2019–2021) in a protected area of central Italy. We estimated the number of detections per day (RAIevents), and the number of individuals per day (RAIindividuals) from remote camera videos. Both indices were correlated with density estimates, yet only RAIindividuals correctly ranked interspecific densities. Values of RAIevents for the most abundant and gregarious ungulate (i.e., wild boar) were biased low and were lower than those of fallow deer. The uncertainty of RAIs was acceptable for the 2 most abundant study species (CVs ≤ 25%) but was greater for roe deer. At the intra‐specific level, density estimates and RAIs showed comparable but slight inter‐annual variation. Our results support the use of RAIs derived from motion‐sensitive cameras as a promising and cost‐effective tool to monitor ungulate populations, and researchers should incorporate group size into monitoring. We advocate the necessity of field tests based on comparison with locally reliable reference methods to validate the use of motion‐sensitive cameras.

Biological monitoring in protected areas is essential for making management decisions, especially in small (<1000 km2), fenced reserves which require intensive intervention to maintain core habitat characteristics. Estimates of species richness and community structure provide important information for planning and evaluating conservation strategies. Majete Wildlife Reserve (MWR) is a small (691 km2), isolated reserve in southern Malawi in the Miombo Woodland Ecoregion. We investigated species richness and community structure of the terrestrial medium and large mammals at MWR through a standardised camera trap survey. During the 2018 dry season, 140 camera locations were sampled for 40 days each. Thirty‐five mammal species were detected and Chao 2, ICE and Jackknife 1 and 2 richness estimators indicated between 36–41 species present which aligns closely with historic accounts. Non‐detection of some species is attributed to species specialised habitat requirements not catered for in the systematic camera trap survey design. Mammal community structure, calculated from the camera detected species’ relative abundance indices (RAI), was atypical for Miombo woodland, with an underrepresentation of elephants. Camera trap‐derived RAI was positively related with 2018 aerial census species encounter data. These results can assist management in refining survey techniques and act as a baseline to monitor conservation efforts.

Impact of human disturbance in Japan on the distribution and diel activity pattern of terrestrial mammals

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in fallow deer and wild boar in Spain

The long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) faces significant threats from habitat loss and fragmentation and is classified as a Class I endangered species by the Ministry of Environment in South Korea and vulnerable by the IUCN. Understanding the behavioral ecology of this species is crucial for effective conservation and protective measures. Using GPS collars, this study investigated the home range sizes and activity patterns of nine rehabilitated long-tailed gorals (four males and five females) across three regions (Yanggu, Seoraksan National Park, and Uljin) from 2014 to 2016. The 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home range averaged 0.64 ± 0.33 km2, while the 50% MCP home range averaged 0.15 ± 0.05 km2. The male home ranges were larger than the female home ranges. Additionally, the home ranges varied seasonally, with the smallest recorded in winter. The activity pattern of long-tailed gorals was predominantly crepuscular and diurnal, with no significant sexual differences. There were no significant differences in activity during spring, summer, and autumn; however, activity in winter differed significantly from that in the other seasons. The data provided on the home ranges and activity patterns of the species will serve as a basis for developing effective conservation and management strategies to protect this endangered species. By elucidating the spatial and temporal behaviors of long-tailed gorals, this study enhances our understanding of the ecological needs of the species and helps develop precise conservation measures.

Wild boar impact on forest regeneration in the northern Apennines (Italy)

Simple SummaryWildlife has a major role in the transmission and maintenance of zoonotic agents, as most emerging infectious diseases are of wildlife origin. Among the great variety of wildlife species, wild boars (Sus scrofa) are species with continuously increasing abundance and geographical distribution. Wild boars were suggested as appropriate sentinel species for the distribution and abundance of certain tick species in America and Europe. Therefore, these species may also be suitable sentinel species for screening for tick-borne pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of tick-borne pathogens in wild boars in Romania. A total of 203 blood samples were collected from wild boars (Sus scrofa) from two Transylvanian counties (Cluj, Sălaj) in Romania. Three emerging zoonotic pathogens were identified, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and two Rickettsia species (R. helvetica, R. monacensis) DNA, in the blood of tested animals. These results suggest the involvement of wild boars in the epidemiology of Rickettsia species and A. phagocytophilum. Hence, this species may be used as a sentinel for the general surveillance of these zoonotic pathogens.Most wild mammals can serve as hosts both for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and for the ticks themselves. Among these, wild boars, due to their large body size, habitat and life span, show high exposure to ticks and TBPs. These species are now one of the widest-ranging mammals in the world, as well as the most widespread suid. Despite the fact that certain local populations have been decimated by African swine fever (ASF), wild boars are still considered overabundant in most parts of the world, including Europe. Altogether, their long-life expectancy, large home ranges including migration, feeding and social behaviors, wide distribution, overabundance and increased chances of interactions with livestock or humans make them suitable sentinel species for general health threats, such as antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, pollution and ASF geographical distribution, as well as for the distribution and abundance of hard ticks and also for certain TBPs, such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of rickettsial agents in wild boars from two counties in Romania. Among 203 blood samples of wild boars (Sus scrofa ssp. attila) collected during 3 (2019–2022) hunting seasons (September–February), 15 were found positive for tick-borne pathogen DNA. Six wild boars were positive for A. phagocytophilum DNA presence and nine for Rickettsia spp. The identified rickettsial species were R. monacensis (six) and R. helvetica (three). No animal was positive either for Borrelia spp., Ehrlichia spp. or Babesia spp. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of R. monacensis in European wild boars, thus adding the third species from the SFG Rickettsia, in the epidemiology of which this wild species may have a role as a reservoir host.

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest has the highest rate of native vegetation destruction, which is one of the principal drivers of mammal extinctions. Therefore, reducing information gaps regarding diversity patterns, abundance, and habitat use is crucial to understand mammal persistence in fragmented landscapes. Our objective was to establish the γ diversity and to assess the extent to which the α, and β diversity, the relative abundance, and naïve occupation of medium and large-sized mammal communities differ between seasonal and ombrophilous forests. Between January 2019 and March 2020, we placed 22 camera traps in the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais. We calculate Hill's numbers using iNEXT.4steps package, the β-diversity with the Betapart package, as well as the relative abundance index (RAI), and naïve occupancy (PAO). We used Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney statistical tests to compare the RAIs between different species and forest types. Finally, we calculated the correlation between the RAIs and PAOs. We found 32 species, principally from the orders Carnivora and Artiodactyla. The alpha diversity and evenness profiles were not different between the two forest types (seasonal q0 = 0.91, q1 = 0.99, q2 = 1, J = 0.83; ombrophilous q0 = 0.96, q1 = 0.99, q2 = 1, J = 0.85). The beta diversity was low (βJAC = 0.37) which was mostly associated with species turnover (βJTU = 0.34), while nestedness was almost non-existent (βJNE = 0.02). The RAIs varied among mammalian species (H = 115.24, P = 0.000), with the highest values for Didelphis aurita (RAI = 4.55 ± 7.66) and Cuniculus paca (RAI = 2.35 ± 3.73) and the minor values for Speothos venaticus (RAI = 0.04 ± 0.24) and Galictis cuja (RAI = 0.06 ± 1.19). The RAIs of species was not significantly different between forests (U = 453.5; Z = 0.37; P = 0.70), and only Leopardus wiedii showed significant differences between forests (U = 84.5; P = 0.01). Most of the mammalian species had restricted occupancy to a few localities (< 50 %). The species Eira barbara and Didelphis aurita had the highest PAOs in both forests (> 50 %), and the species Tayassu pecari, Tamandua tetradactyla, and Speothos venaticus, the lowest values (5 %). We found a correlation of 75 % between the average RAI and naïve occupancy. The γ diversity was representative and consistent with the species found in the Atlantic Forest, and the relative abundance and naïve occupancy reflected the rarity of most species in the area. Additionally, the only difference between the two forests corresponds to species turnover. Therefore, we must conserve native remnants of both forests to ensure the existence of native mammals, mainly the most threatened species, to prevent more dramatic scenarios of local extinction in Minas Gerais.

The monitoring of population trends of wild ungulates is important to evaluate their population dynamics and to develop sound conservation/management plans. The wild boar Sus scrofa can impose heavy impacts on ecosytems and human activities, as well as be responsible for disease transmission. Estimating abundance of wild boars is a challenging issue, because of some peculiar biological and ecological traits of this ungulate. Indices of relative abundance could be used to evaluate its population trends. In a Mediterranean area we used faeces counts, through a two‐stage stratified sampling, to estimate relative densities of wild boars, between 2007 and 2014. Faeces density estimates increased not significantly between 2007 (151.5 faeces/100 ha) and 2010 (203.8 faeces/100 ha) and decreased significantly from 2010 to 2014 (95.5 faeces/100 ha). The decrease in faeces density estimates was consistent with the increased harvest effort (number of harvest days), performed from 2010 to 2013 to limit impact on ecosystems and reduce damages to crops. The variation of faeces density estimates was also consistent with that of harvest indices (total harvest to harvest effort), with significantly positive values of Pearson and rank correlation coefficients. Results suggest that faeces density estimates achieved with the adopted sampling strategies can be effectively used as indices of relative abundance.

Information on large mammals in Turkey is limited, and widely applicable, reliable field methods need to be used to gather appropriate data for conservation and management. To evaluate local information on mammal species we conducted interview and ground surveys, followed by a camera trap survey, during January–May 2006 in Yenice Forest, a globally important and intact region for mammals in Turkey. Interviews with local people provided information on the occurrence of wolf Canis lupus, brown bear Ursus arctos, wild cat Felis silvestris, red fox Vulpes vulpes, Eurasian badger Meles meles, pine marten Martes martes, roe deer Capreolus capreolus, wild boar Sus scrofa and Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx. The ground and camera trap surveys confirmed the presence of all these species except lynx. In addition, the camera trap survey documented the presence of jackal Canis aureus and brown hare Lepus europaeus, signs of which were not found in the ground survey and whose presence was not known by local people. Local information on wildlife is important but management and conservation initiatives should not solely depend on such information and, as our study indicates, interview surveys cannot replace field research. The Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry needs to consider the establishment of a protected area large enough to secure the future of the large mammals of Yenice Forest.