ABSTRACT Large carnivore recoveries have often been linked to increased conflicts with humans. Using brown bears ( Ursus arctos ) in Greece as a recovering population model, we analysed 22 years (1999–2020) of compensation claims to describe, quantify and identify seasonal, inter‐annual and spatial patterns in bear damage to property. A total of 7067 claims for damage by bears, amounting to €4.01 million, were recorded, primarily related to livestock (59.4%), followed by apiculture (23%) and agriculture (17.6%). Compensation claims for agriculture and livestock peaked in September, and for apiculture in June. Initially, total claims increased until 2009, then declined until 2012, and finally remained stable through the end of the study at levels similar to those in 1999. Hotspots of agricultural and apicultural damage were concentrated in the western bear subpopulation in Greece, primarily along the edge of the core distribution; hotspots of livestock damage were located mainly within the core distribution. Emergence hotspot analyses integrating spatial and temporal patterns revealed decreasing or stable trends in the number of annual claims across all damage categories within or at the edge of the species' core distribution, where conservation measures have long been in place. Conversely, increasing trends were recorded towards the edge of the current permanent distribution of the species, where bears have recently re‐established themselves, and there is little or no experience in mitigating human‐bear conflicts. Contrary to public perception, the recovery of bears in Greece has not been associated with a significant overall increase in damage to human property. Instead, the recovery has been accompanied by apparent spatial shifts in the location of damage hotspots, with increases concentrated mainly at the expanding edges of the population. These findings are relevant to revisiting conservation strategies to mitigate negative human‐bear interactions and promote a more harmonious coexistence of people and large carnivores.

ABSTRACT Habitat loss reduces genetic connectivity, population size, and dispersal among wildlife populations, increasing extinction risk. In long‐lived species, spatial genetic structure reflects historic genetic connectivity and can inform restoration efforts to connect anthropogenically isolated populations. Comparative spatial genetics of sympatric species with varying life history traits can test how well spatial genetic structure is predicted by conservation genetics theory, and how it can be generalized among species to enable multi‐species landscape restoration. Here, we used microsatellite genotypes to compare spatial genetic structure and diversity in the snapping turtle ( Chelydra serpentina ), Blanding's turtle ( Emydoidea blandingii ), and spotted turtle ( Clemmys guttata ) sampled in areas of co‐occurrence across ~49,160 km 2 . We hypothesized that genetic structure would increase as species' dispersal ability decreased, that inferred barriers to gene flow would be geographically congruent, and that genetic diversity would increase with species' relative abundance, potential fecundity, and dispersal ability. Our results supported the first hypothesis; we identified four genetic clusters in the more vagile snapping turtle and Blanding's turtle, and 10 clusters in the less vagile spotted turtle. The second hypothesis was not supported, as inferred barriers to gene flow for each species were not geographically congruent. The third hypothesis was also not supported as we observed the lowest genetic diversity (heterozygosity and allelic richness) in the snapping turtle, which had the highest relative abundance, clutch size, and dispersal ability of the three species. We speculate that this result may reflect interspecific variation in reproductive variance, including different mating systems. Unexpectedly low genetic diversity in the snapping turtle suggests vulnerability to environmental change despite its apparent abundance. Overall, our results reinforce the risk of generalizing spatial genetic patterns among species and highlight the challenge of developing multi‐species conservation actions to maintain landscape connectivity.

ABSTRACT Conservation management involves consideration of complex trade‐offs arising from the interplay of diverse values. Interspecific hybridisation presents a challenge for conservation, including for seabirds, as hybridisation can reduce reproductive potential or even result in extinction by hybridisation. Hybridisation attempts between two culturally significant species, the Critically Endangered Kuaka Whenua Hou (KWH, Pelecanoides whenuahouensis ) and the abundant Kuaka ( P. urinatrix ) have been observed. Given the perilous conservation status of KWH (~210 adults), we here investigate these attempts, the risk they pose, and assess the efficacy of management interventions that were both data‐ and culturally informed. We first assessed the success of hybridisation attempts through Bayesian nest survival models fitted to seven years of nest monitoring data, which suggested that despite low nest survival (0.054), some hybridisation attempts are successful. We then generated genomic data (including a reference KWH genome assembly, single‐nucleotide markers and mitochondrial genomes), confirming successful hybridisation but an absence of introgression. Nevertheless, hybridisation attempts are indeed a threat to the Critically Endangered KWH due to reduced reproductive potential of the species. All data were incorporated for culturally informed management in the field to minimise hybrid breeding attempts. Results of Bayesian mixed‐effects models indicate that the interventions are producing the intended outcomes: the reduced likelihood of hybridisation. All work, including monitoring, sampling, selecting a reference genome individual, identifying interventions, and executing and evaluating these interventions was conducted in full partnership with Kāi Tahu (the Indigenous People of southern Aotearoa New Zealand). Our study demonstrates the value of integrating multiple evidence streams for real‐world conservation management, in this case, the first culturally informed management of hybridisation attempts in a Critically Endangered seabird.

ABSTRACT The long‐term success of conservation translocations not only relies on the survival and reproductive success of released individuals, but also on addressing challenges related to population expansion up to natural regulation, whether exceeding expected numbers, or hindered by environmental or anthropogenic changes over time. Using the 40‐year dataset of intensive griffon vulture ( Gyps fulvus ) monitoring since its reintroduction in French Grands Causses in 1981, we performed a multi‐strata (multi‐states and multi‐events) mark‐recapture analysis to estimate survival probabilities. We (1) integrated mark‐loss and remarking events, (2) explored a variety of anthropic and environmental factors that may affect survival in this population, such as wind turbines, feeding stations or density dependence. Overall, the life histories of 1506 wild‐born individuals were computed, yielding juvenile survival probabilities of 0.66 (95% CI = 0.605–0.707), immature survival probabilities of 0.91 (95% CI = 0.872–0.937) and adult probabilities of 0.94 (95% CI = 0.917–0.952). Even though founder individuals were released four decades ago, and the population has grown continuously ever since, no effect of density dependence or of potential anthropic threats was detected on survival. Beyond bringing another piece of evidence supporting the relevance of this translocation program, as well as the benefit of regular monitoring efforts over several decades, our findings illustrate the importance of considering the maximum carrying capacity once wildlife populations are restored. Questioning the number of individuals to be expected may indeed allow anticipating both adaptive monitoring and management strategies, and ultimately, ensure the long‐term viability of restored populations.

ABSTRACT The gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ) is an ecosystem engineer and keystone species that has experienced population declines of roughly 80% over the past century due to human‐induced habitat loss. In the state of Alabama, the gopher tortoise was designated as a federally threatened species by the US Fish and Wildlife Service west of the Mobile–Tombigbee River (e.g., Mobile County) in 1987. East of the Mobile–Tombigbee River (e.g., Baldwin County), the gopher tortoise is protected only by state agencies. In this case study, we investigate the persistence of localized gopher tortoise populations in federally protected (Mobile) and federally unprotected (Baldwin) counties across a 28‐year period from initial surveys in 1991–1992 to our recent survey in 2018–2020. In addition, we use GIS modeling and 597 burrow coordinates to develop a novel approach to mapping the potential suitable habitat availability in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Our survey results indicate that gopher tortoise populations have declined in both counties since 1991–92, with populations persisting at ~59% of sites in Mobile County and ~31% of sites in Baldwin County, along with a 9.3% decline in burrow abundance in Mobile County and a 20.8% decline in burrow abundance in Baldwin County. Despite an overall decrease in the total number of burrows since 1991–92, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of active status burrows in both counties (Mobile County, 21% increase, and Baldwin County, 25% increase), most likely the result of remnant populations concentrating into suitable habitat. Our GIS model revealed there is a large amount of suitable habitat (232,657 ha) in southwest Alabama to support growing gopher tortoise populations. However, the overall decline in active site persistence and burrow density is likely indicative of the pressure on tortoise populations from increasing human populations.

ABSTRACT While protected areas are the cornerstones of biodiversity, unprotected areas are also critical for primate conservation. It is essential to understand primate responses to human pressure in such areas to guide conservation planning. The unprotected Yabassi Key Biodiversity Area (YKBA), Cameroon, comprising the Ebo, Ndokbou and Makombe forests, is one of the largest remaining tracts of intact forests in the Gulf of Guinea biodiversity hotspot. Unfortunately, knowledge of its primate community remains very limited. Only the Ebo forest, known for its small gorilla population, benefits from consistent conservation attention. This neglect diminishes recognition of YKBA's broader significance for primates. From January to December 2019, we conducted primate surveys across the YKBA, covering over 1500 km of reconnaissance walks and recorded eight of its 10 known diurnal primate species. We overlaid 1x1 km grid cells across the area and applied Bayesian regression models to examine how species richness and occurrence probabilities vary across the three forest blocks and respond to anthropogenic pressure gradients. Our findings revealed higher species richness in Ebo and Ndokbou compared to Makombe. While Preuss's monkeys were absent and chimpanzees and red‐capped mangabeys were very uncommon in Makombe, the predicted occurrence probabilities of other species were relatively similar across the three sites. Species richness increased strongly with distance from roads and moderately with elevation. Yet individual species showed variable patterns along anthropogenic gradients, resulting in contrasting predicted species distribution in the landscape, which suggests that spatial prioritisation based solely on remoteness may fail to conserve species inhabiting easily accessible areas. These results underscore the greater importance of the YKBA for primate conservation than previously recognised. The considerable distribution of primates in Ndokbou and Makombe highlights the need for conservation interventions beyond Ebo. We recommend expanding conservation efforts to encompass the entire YKBA, with a focus on mitigating hunting and land conversion to ensure long‐term human‐primate coexistence.

ABSTRACT Biodiversity in many regions is declining due to multiple extinction drivers, with habitat loss, overexploitation, and climate change often considered among the main ones. Understanding how biodiversity changes with these drivers is crucial for designing effective conservation strategies. The 1.1 million km 2 South American Chaco is one of the ecosystems facing the highest deforestation levels worldwide, but also high exploitation and changes in weather patterns due to global climatic changes. The southern three‐banded armadillo ( Tolypeutes matacus ) is endemic to this biome, where it is commonly hunted. Additionally, due to its rudimentary endothermic control system, it is susceptible to climatic changes. Using ecological niche modeling (ENM) and threat index mapping, we assessed the potential impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and overexploitation on this species. Our findings suggest that, although climate change may expand the range of suitable habitats for the armadillo in the future, the current and intense threats from overexploitation and habitat degradation are likely to undermine these potential opportunities. Immediate action is required to address these pressing issues and halt the decline of the species' population. The findings underscore the necessity for integrated conservation strategies that address multiple threats simultaneously and inform policy measures. These strategies can serve as a model for other species and regions facing similar conservation challenges, ensuring the effective allocation of limited conservation resources and guiding comprehensive approaches to biodiversity preservation.