Dead Animals Research Articles

“Killing in the Name of 3R?” The Ethics of Death in Animal Research

Changing relationships with nonhuman animals have led to important modifications in animal welfare legislations, including the protection of animal life. However, animal research regulations are largely based on welfarist assumptions, neglecting the idea that death can constitute a harm to animals. In this article, four different cases of killing animals in research contexts are identified and discussed against the background of philosophical, societal, and scientific-practical discourses: 1. Animals killed during experimentation, 2. Animals killed before research, 3. “Surplus” animals and 4. “Leftover” animals. The scientific community and, accordingly, animal research regulations such as the internationally acknowledged framework 3R (“Replace”, “Reduce”, “Refine”) tend to aim at the reduction of “surplus” and, to some extent, “leftover” animals, whereas the first two classes are rather neglected. However, the perspective that animal death matters morally is supported by both societal moral intuitions and certain theoretical accounts in animal ethics. Therefore, we suggest the implementation of the 3Rs in regulations, so that they: 1. Make their underlying philosophical position transparent; 2. Are based on a weighing account of animal death; 3. Are applicable to procedures on living and dead animals; 4. Apply the “reduction” principle to procedures on dead animals; 5. Entail that methods using (parts of) dead animals need to be replaced by animal free methods, if possible; 6. Do not suggest replacing research on living animals by research on killed animals; 7. Include all kinds of animals, depending on the respective harm of death; 8. Are applied to the broader context of experimentation, including breeding and the fate of the animals after the experiment.

Measuring transboundary disease spread - ASF in wild boars straddling Piedmont and Liguria

The aim of this paper is to describe the impact, dynamics and risk factors of the incursion of the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus detected in early 2022 in the wild boar population straddling Piedmont and Liguria, 24 months after its emergence.A study area of 4,162.2 square kilometres, comprising 234 municipalities in Liguria and Piedmont (north-western Italy), along with an external buffer zone, was considered. The epidemiological units were wild boars tested for ASF using real-time PCR between late December 2021 and December 31, 2023. The data were obtained from passive and active surveillance. Conventional methodologies were applied in the analysis of time series of tests, cases, or prevalence rates of positive animals. Maps were used to visualise and compare the monitoring activities, the location of cases and municipal standardised prevalence ratios. Clustering of high and low trends was studied by semester using a space-time permutation model. Risk factors analysis was based on multivariate Poisson regression modelling.Over the 2-year study period, the epidemic's spread was closely monitored by testing 10,412 wild boars (25% of them from passive surveillance). Probability of disease detection was 10.9 times higher among found dead animals compared with animals tested in active surveillance. Difficulties in carcass searching led to heterogeneities in surveillance sensitivity achieved locally and inherent uncertainties. A total of 1,165 wild boars that tested positive for ASF have been detected in 125 municipalities across three provinces. The outbreak has expanded over time and exhibited an increasing trend, with an epidemic doubling time of 10.7 months. There was seasonality, with an increasing trend from summer to spring. Prevalence rates followed the same temporal pattern. Significant low and high clusters respectively indicated endemic episodes in the interior areas of virus circulation and an ongoing invasion of surrounding regions.The characteristics of this outbreak align with the cycle of wild boar habitat transmission observed in other outbreaks across Europe. The measures implemented were not sufficient to stop the epidemic: however, targeted interventions such as depopulation campaigns, reinforcement of physical barriers and increased biosecurity measures have prevented local spillover to domestic pigs and partially hindered the advance of the disease. In addition, the shown seasonality of the disease, likely can enhance control measures. The ongoing studies of the local wild boar populations and the evolution the epidemic along with the lessons learned so far will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of efforts to limit and ultimately eradicate the disease.

Digital animal deathscapes: The online circulation of animals killed for conservation

AbstractThis paper brings together animals, death, and digital geographies to examine the sharing of dead animal imagery on social media by conservationists in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). It is particularly concerned with two key questions: (1) Why (and how) do dead animals attract support for conservation? (2) How are personal feelings about animal death navigated in the public space of social media? In answering these questions, this paper extends geographical research on animals' affective allures (including online) beyond the realm of the living, and contributes to ongoing conversations around how to live with ‘unwanted others’. I draw on interviews with the leaders of conservation groups about whether, when, and why they post images of dead animals and kill counts, which I collectively refer to as ‘death media’. I show that because some viewers (at times disparaged as ‘precious’) were expected to respond with physical and/or moral disgust, conservationists typically only share death on ‘mainstream’ platforms if it is sufficiently sanitised or incorporated into positive narratives—though more commonly, death is absent from these platforms. Other audiences, particularly volunteer trappers, were described as ‘pragmatic’ or ‘bloodthirsty’; death was shared with these audiences to cultivate affects of hope and solidarity, in a context where killing can affectively feel like success. Yet even those comfortable with both killing and viewing death media at times expressed regret and sadness at the deaths of pests; they simply avoid sharing these feelings online. Death media thus perpetuate the public un‐grievability of ‘pests’, despite indications that even those who do the work of killing may experience sadness privately. I conclude by asking: what would be needed for pests killed for conservation to become grievable online, and how could doing so change relationships between humans and ‘pest’ animals?

Universally Designed Virtual Reality: Creating Inclusive and Immersive Learning Experiences with 'VRinDanger'.

This paper presents the design and implementation of VRinDanger, a universally designed (UD) educational virtual reality (VR) application aimed at providing an inclusive and immersive learning experience focused on the world's deadliest animals. A mixed-methods study involving participants with diverse ages, skills, and abilities was conducted to evaluate the application's accessibility, usability, user experience, and educational effectiveness in terms of learning outcomes. The findings demonstrate that integrating UD principles into VR design significantly improves accessibility, enhances user satisfaction, and promotes engagement and retention of educational content for diverse audiences. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for cost-effective, cross-platform VR solutions and the development of VR-specific accessibility guidelines. These insights contribute to the advancement of inclusive VR design and its broader application in educational technology.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards rabies: A preliminary cross-sectional appraisal in Colombia.

Rabies virus infection can cause fatal brain disease in mammals. Any species is susceptible to infection. Any effort aimed at recognizing infected animals and performing first actions in the event of transmission is mandatory. To determine knowledge, attitudes, and practice profiles regarding rabies, or hydrophobia, in a municipality of Colombia, using a multiple correspondence analysis. A descriptive observational study involving 71 pet owners was carried out in the municipality of Ibagué (Tolima). A questionnaire-based survey collected data on rabies knowledge, attitudes, practices, and demographic information. The survey was conducted between October and November 2021, and the data analysis involved descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analysis. The study revealed a commendable level of rabies awareness among the urban residents in the study municipality. However, there are causes of concern as they allow stray animals to enter their homes and are not aware of the importance of notifying dead animals. The respondents demonstrated a humane approach to bite management and emphasized the importance of wound cleaning. Additionally, they expressed a strong desire for more information to enhance their knowledge and awareness of the disease. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for improving rabies prevention efforts and promoting public health. Health education, evidence-based strategies, and community participation are essential for successful disease control and educational gaps addressing related to sociocultural factors.

Force and energy transmission at the brain-skull interface of the minipig in vivo and post-mortem

The brain-skull interface plays an important role in the mechano-pathology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). A comprehensive understanding of the mechanical behavior of the brain-skull interface in vivo is significant for understanding the mechanisms of TBI and creating accurate computational models. Here we investigate the force and energy transmission at the minipig brain-skull interface by non-invasive methods in the live (in vivo) and dead animal (in situ). Displacement fields in the brain and skull were measured in four female minipigs by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), and the relative displacements between the brain and skull were estimated. Surface maps of deviatoric stress, the apparent mechanical properties of the brain-skull interface, and the net energy flux were generated for each animal when alive and at specific times post-mortem. After death, these maps reveal increases in relative motion between brain and skull, brain surface stress, stiffness of brain-skull interface, and net energy flux from skull to brain. These results illustrate the ability to study both skull and brain mechanics by MRE; the observed post-mortem decrease in the protective capability of the brain-skull interface emphasizes the importance of measuring its behavior in vivo.

Neuroendoscopy Training

AbstractNeuroendoscopy can be learnt by assisting or doing live human surgery, cadaver dissection with or without augmented pulsatile vessel and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) perfusion, and practicing on live animal, dead animal model, synthetic models, three-dimensional printing model with or without augmentation with animal, cadaver tissue, pulsatile vessel and reconstructed CSF model, virtual reality (VR) simulator, and hybrid simulators (combined physical model and VR model). Neurosurgery skill laboratory with basic and advanced learning should be there in all teaching hospitals. Skills can be transferred from simulation model or VR to cadaver to live surgery. Staged learning (first with simple model to learn basic endoscopic technique, then animal model, and then augmented cadavers) is the preferred method of learning. Although most surveys favor live surgery and practice on animal models and cadavers as the most preferred training model now, in future VR may also become a favored method of learning. This article is based on our experience in over 10,000 neuroendoscopic surgeries, and feedback from over 950 neuroendoscopic fellows or consultants who attended workshops conducted every 6 monthly since 2010. A literature search was done on PubMed and Google Scholar using (neuroendoscopy) AND (learning), and (neuroendoscopy) AND (training), which resulted in 121 and 213 results, respectively. Out of them, 77 articles were finally selected for this article. Most of the training programs typically focus on microneurosurgical training. There is lack of learning facilities for neuroendoscopy in most centers. Learning of neuroendoscopy differs greatly from microneurosurgery; switching from microneurosurgery to neuroendoscopy can be challenging. Postgraduate training centers should have well-equipped neuroendoscopy skill laboratory and the surgical educational curriculum should include neuroendoscopy training. Learning endoscopy is about taking advantages of the technique and overcoming the limitations of endoscopy by continuous training.

“I Don’t Want War in My House”: Young Children’s Meaning‐Making of War and Peace Through Their Drawings

War and conflict have always been an integral part of humankind, posing significant threats to humanity. This article investigates young children’s conceptualisation of war and peace through their drawings. Taking a qualitative, interpretive research paradigm, eight five‐year‐old children who had never experienced war first‐hand were invited to draw pictures depicting their understandings of war and peace accompanied by their narratives. The drawing and talk processes were video‐recorded. Drawing on the theory of social semiotics, this study considers drawing as a multimodal visual artefact and metaphorical representation to analyse the content as illustrated by children. Employing a phenomenological approach, the analysis centres on the meanings, feelings, and constructs of war and peace that the participant children communicated through 25 drawings. The findings indicate that children used visual elements like lines, colours, symbols, and narratives to convey multilayered meaning‐making, where five overarching themes were identified as the children’s conceptualisations of war: concrete depictions and symbols of war and warfare such as weapons and soldiers; descriptions of identifiable actions of war to include fighting, shooting, and killing; the negative consequences of war including dead people and animals, sadness and homelessness; conceptualising peace as the end of war and as a happy, safe place with beautiful nature; and reflections on war and peace including the dichotomy between the two. The findings show that while children who do not have first‐hand experience of war, struggle to fully comprehend its complexity, they still exhibit a basic understanding of the trauma of war. The findings also emphasise the importance of giving voice to children to communicate their understandings and emotions through drawing.

Genotyping both live and dead animals to improve post-weaning survival of pigs in breeding programs

BackgroundIn this study, we tested whether genotyping both live and dead animals (GSD) realises more genetic gain for post-weaning survival (PWS) in pigs compared to genotyping only live animals (GOS).MethodsStochastic simulation was used to estimate the rate of genetic gain realised by GSD and GOS at a 0.01 rate of pedigree-based inbreeding in three breeding schemes, which differed in PWS (95%, 90% and 50%) and litter size (6 and 10). Pedigree-based selection was conducted as a point of reference. Variance components were estimated and then estimated breeding values (EBV) were obtained in each breeding scheme using a linear or a threshold model. Selection was for a single trait, i.e. PWS with a heritability of 0.02 on the observed scale. The trait was simulated on the underlying scale and was recorded as binary (0/1). Selection candidates were genotyped and phenotyped before selection, with only live candidates eligible for selection. Genotyping strategies differed in the proportion of live and dead animals genotyped, but the phenotypes of all animals were used for predicting EBV of the selection candidates.ResultsBased on a 0.01 rate of pedigree-based inbreeding, GSD realised 14 to 33% more genetic gain than GOS for all breeding schemes depending on PWS and litter size. GSD increased the prediction accuracy of EBV for PWS by at least 14% compared to GOS. The use of a linear versus a threshold model did not have an impact on genetic gain for PWS regardless of the genotyping strategy and the bias of the EBV did not differ significantly among genotyping strategies.ConclusionsGenotyping both dead and live animals was more informative than genotyping only live animals to predict the EBV for PWS of selection candidates, but with marginal increases in genetic gain when the proportion of dead animals genotyped was 60% or greater. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to use genomic information on both live and more than 20% dead animals to compute EBV for the genetic improvement of PWS under the assumption that dead animals reflect increased liability on the underlying scale.

Human factors and their acting pathway influencing livestock and poultry farmers' willingness to environmental management in coastal areas: a model of bayesian network

Environmental pollution of livestock and poultry breeding (LPB) has always been a global hot topic. This study has introduced a bayesian network model to explore factors influencing the LPB farmers' willingness to environmental management based on 121 questionnaires obtained from coastal China. This study revealed that: (1) Educational level, breeding scale, annual income of breeding, farmers' environmental awareness, the availability of technical guidance, environmental perception, policy publicity and the completeness of relevant social policies all positively affected farmers' willingness to environmental management. However, farmer's age and subsidies for dead animal showed an opposite effect. (2) Among all factors, acting pathway of "technical guidance → enhancing environmental awareness/increasing breeding income → promoting willingness to prevent environmental pollution" may likely play a dominating role in the LPB environmental management, which deserved to be focused closely in the future. (3) For local government, enhancing perceptions on changes of surrounding soils and air, strengthening the LPB training, and accurately adopting subsidy policies can effectively rise farmers' willingness to the LPB environmental management. This study will be helpful to accurately promote the LPB management in coastal areas.

Emotional geographies of roadkill: Stained experiences of tourism in Tasmania

AbstractGlobally, road fatalities affect wildlife populations and ecosystems, leading to ecological imbalances, economic losses, and safety hazards for both animals and humans. However, the emotional toll on humans is less well understood. This research explores tourists’ responses to roadkill, using emotional geography as the overarching framework, and focusing on the island state of Tasmania in Australia. Tasmania is known for its diverse and abundant native wildlife, as well as the unfortunate distinction of having Australia’s highest rate of wildlife fatalities caused by vehicle collisions, commonly referred to as roadkill. A mixed‐method questionnaire asked respondents to share emotions, and we then considered their relationships to socio‐demographic attributes. Around 97% of respondents encountered roadkill during their stays, and 63% encountered live animals on or near the road. Tourists identified sadness as the most felt emotion when confronted with the consequences of wildlife–vehicle collisions. Anger and disgust were also experienced, primarily because of the unpleasant sight of roadkill and the realisation that animals suffered. Women reported being more negatively affected than men. Tourists who had visited to see wildlife were more affected than those who had not. Analysis leads to the conclusion that unplanned, sporadic, unexpected, and confronting encounters with dead animals detract from the tourism experience for most, especially encounters with wildlife was anticipated as a positive experience on tour. Such findings have wider implications for those working in the tourism industry in mainland Australia, Canada, and South Africa, where roadkill is also problematic.

The Ginkgo—Covid connection

Social Impact StatementGingko biloba is an iconic tree with a surprising connection to the SARS and Covid viruses that have impacted human health since 2003. Natural history studies on the ecology of Gingko seed dispersal by Carnivoran scavengers in Asia over the past 30 plus years have elucidated the deep evolutionary history that not only makes these animals effective at spreading seeds but also predisposes them to become intermediate hosts for spreading diseases to humans. Understanding the behavioral traits that underlie these kinds of plant–animal interactions has the potential to help people limit the spread of future spillover diseases.SummaryRaccoon dogs and masked palm civets are Carnivoran scavengers native to Eastern Asia that have been documented feeding on the malodorous sarcotesta of Ginkgo biloba seeds and effectively dispersing the hard nuts they contain. Research has shown that their immune systems are genetically enhanced to protect them from the disease‐causing organisms they might pick up from their omnivorous diets that include live and dead animals. Both species are farmed for fur and meat across China and, up until recently, were commonly sold in “wet” markets. Research has determined that the palm civet played a role in spreading the SARS virus to humans in 2003 and that the raccoon dog may have played a similar role in spreading Covid in Wuhan in 2019, although this has not been proven. In areas where Ginkgo is cultivated, there are numerous internet reports of Carnivorans feeding on its seeds indicating that its dispersal strategy of attracting scavengers by mimicking the smell of carrion is adaptive and effective.

A pilot study on the isotopic characterization of feeding habits of Diptera in a tropical rain forest

Flies (Diptera) are among the most diverse groups of insects and are known to utilize various food resources, including plants, detritus, microbial tissues, and fresh and dead animal tissues. However, their feeding habits in the field remain poorly understood. We conducted a pilot study to apply stable nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) isotope techniques to examine the feeding habits of flies in a tropical rain forest in Sarawak, Malaysia. The fly samples comprised 13 families and >18 species. The results showed significant differences in nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios (δ15N and δ13C) among families and species within a family. The observed pattern is largely consistent with their known feeding habits; flies that use carcasses and carrion as diets (e.g., Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae) have significantly higher δ15N values than those likely utilizing plant-based diets (e.g., Cecidomyiidae). There were significant differences in δ15N values among the six species of Calliphoridae, which is consistent with insect succession on carcasses. The differences in δ15N may be explained by the use of carrion at different stages of decomposition, because microbial decomposition can lead to the 15N enrichment. Tachinid flies had relatively low δ13C values, reflecting the use of lepidopterans as a host. This pilot study shows that the δ15N and δ13C values of flies provide insights into the diversity of feeding habits of fly communities, which could also serve as an indicator of resource availability in an entire ecosystem.

Southwestward Expansion of the Pacific Sleeper Shark's (Somniosus pacificus) Known Distribution into the South China Sea.

We conducted an experiment of planting a dead cow and a metal-framed cage with cameras on the 1629 m deep sea floor off the southeast coast of Hainan Island in the northwestern South China Sea, using ROV diving and setting up a video camera on the cage to observe animals who came to eat the bait. The deep-sea cameras captured footage of eight Pacific sleeper sharks (Somniosus pacificus) swimming and feeding around the dead cow. To our knowledge, this is the first time the occurrence of such a shark species has been reported in the South China Sea. Eight individuals were differentiated based on the characteristic differences displayed in the images, with lengths of 1.9 to 5.1 m estimated. The video camera also recorded the predators' behavior of tearing at the dead cow on the seabed. It was discovered that Pacific sleeper sharks are not strictly solitary and exhibit queue-feeding behavior. This study is significant as it documents a record of a data-scarce shark species, for which little information is available in the literature. It also documents an expansion of the species' known habitat from the north Pacific Ocean into the South China Sea. Such sharks diving into the deep sea to predate on dead animals also suggests that occurrences of large chunks of dead organic bodies falling onto the deep sea might have been more frequent than we previously thought in the South China Sea. The findings have implications for understanding the geographic connectivity of large swimming animals between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean and provide scientific evidence for formulating conservation and management strategies for sharks and other large animals in the oceans.

Can the Necrophagous Blow Fly Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Be Reared on Plant-Based Meal?

The use of the blow fly Calliphora vicina as a potential pollination species to augment the current reliance on honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Australian horticulture requires knowledge of how best to mass-rear this fly species. Calliphora vicina lays eggs onto carrion soon after death, and the resultant larvae that hatch are necrophagous and feed on the decomposing tissues of the dead animal. Newly hatched larvae of this fly were provided with plant-based meals (soya bean and canola) and compared with larvae provided with livestock-derived meatmeal to determine if plant-based meal could be used to mass-rear this blow fly species. Both soya bean and canola meal media did not support larval survival through to adult emergence. The addition of only 10% whole egg powder to the plant-based meals enabled survival to eclosion of 39% and 13% on soya bean and canola-based media, respectively, compared with 76% on livestock-based meatmeal with 10% whole egg powder. Larvae fed a diet of livestock-based meatmeal with 10% whole dried egg powder had the fastest development to the pupal stage, the highest pupation rate, the heaviest pupae, and the highest subsequent adult eclosion. This study concluded that the use of plant-based meals as a diet for the mass-rearing of the blow fly C. vicina was not a viable option.

Radioprotective activity of the liposomal composition of quercetin in acute radiation syndrome (experimental study)

Background. The targeted search for new effective radioprotective agents, especially among compounds with antioxidant properties, remains relevant. Among them, quercetin which has a high specific activity against oxidative stress (cited as a «universal antioxidant») deserves attention. The transport liposomal composition of quercetin, which significantly improves its bioavailability and is the basis of the licensed drug «Lipoflavon®» (LF), is known, but the radioprotective properties of this drug have not been studied. The purpose of the work is to position Lipoflavon as a radioprotector for the first time based on the study of radioprotective activity in an acute experiment with total irradiation of rats. Materials and methods. The rat model of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) was carried out by short-term bilateral total body irradiation (TBI) on a CLINAC (6 MeV) linear accelerator at doses of 5.5 and 7.0 Gy. The control rats were sham-irradiated. The test sample of LF was used for the studies. LF (1.5 mg/mL) was administered to rats 30 min before TBI through the tail vein. The control TBI rats were injected with physiological saline. Experimental rats were randomly assigned into groups as follows: group 1 – non-irradiated control (intact animals); group 2 – irradiated control at a dose of 5.5 Gy (TBI5.5); group 3 – irradiation at a dose of 5.5 Gy with administration of LF (LF + TBI5.5); group 4 – irradiated control at a dose of 7.0 Gy (TBI7.0); group 5 – irradiation at a dose of 7.0 Gy with administration of LF (LF + TBI7.0). Clinical characteristics of ARS, overall survival, and the mean survival time of the dead animals were determined. The profiles of lethality («peaks of death») were calculated as total rat lethality (%) in certain time periods of the ARS. In hematological studies, LF was administered 24 h prior to TBI and twice a week the next 4 weeks after TBI. The hematological parameters were monitored on days 3, 7, 14 and 21 after TBI. Results. It was established that prophylactic LF administered 30 min before TBI at doses of 5.5 and 7.0 Gy, which were LD20/30 and DL73.3/30, increased the 30-day survival rate of the irradiated rats to 90 and 40% respectively, compared to 80 and 26.7% in irradiated control, and changed the radiation lethality profile of the rats in the model of ARS. The radioprotective activity of LF manifested in the form of the absence of early and late peaks of death of the irradiated rats and the survival time of more than 30 days after the treatment in 40% of rats with LD73,3/30. Prophylactic and therapeutic administration of LF prevented development of severe leukopenia and thrombocytopenia and contributed to a more rapid and sustained recovery of erythrocytes during the period of ARS. The most efficient radioprotective therapeutic effect of LF was observed in rats with a dose of LD73.3/30. Conclusions. The results of the study substantiate the radioprotective activity of Lipoflavon in ARS and help develop the new approaches to using the licensed drug «Lipoflavon®» as an effective pharmacological therapeutic agent for radiation protection in acute radiation.

Epizootiological monitoring of wolf helminths in Northern and Central Kazakhstan.

Wolves (Canis lupus) play a role in nature, including the regulation of the number of ungulates and the use of dead animals. In addition, wolves are a natural link and carrier for the spread of many parasitic invasions. Hence, the main task in preventing the spread of parasitic invasions is to regulate the wolf population. This study aimed to monitor the endoparasitological fauna of wild wolves inhabiting Northern and Central Kazakhstan. Overall, 81 wolves were investigated for parasitic worms using the K. I. Scriabin method. Wolf intestinal materials were collected from the following six regions: North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Kostanay, Akmola, Ulytau, and Karaganda. The genetic diversity of the parasites was identified using a polymerase chain reaction with specific primers. After data collection, a comprehensive statistical analysis was performed. Several helminth types were identified in wolves, including Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia hydatigena, Mesocestoides spp., Toxascaris leonina, Trichinella nativa, Alaria alata, and Dirofilaria repens. Based on the results of this study, young male wolves aged 1-4 years were the most vulnerable to helminthiasis. Wolves living in steppe and semi-desert regions are often exposed to helminth infections. The prevalence of T. nativa in the wolves was 20.4%. This study also revealed the presence of echinococcosis among wolf populations in Karaganda and Kostanay, with prevalence rates of 4.1% and 4.7%, respectively. The overall prevalence of tapeworms in wolves was 54.3%. This study highlights the significance of understanding the potential risks associated with helminth infections in wild carnivores because helminths can act as disease reservoirs and pose a threat to humans, livestock, and other wild carnivores. These results can contribute to the development of effective control and management strategies for helminth infections in wolves, which can infect humans and livestock.

동물 애제류에서의 슬픔 형상화 방식

The purpose of this paper is to examine the condolence literature of Animal and examine how human sadness over the death of animals was revealed. In addition, I would like to compare with condolence literature of human. Since animals are the most easily affectionate or sympathetic creatures other than humans, the death of animals can bring sadness comparable to that of humans. In recent years, the culture of treating pets as family members and holding a funeral is becoming more and more prevalent, and there will surely be literature that have revealed their sad feelings and shown their condolences after experiencing the death of animals in the past. 16 kinds condolence literature of Animal were found in the『韓國文集叢刊』 and the 『韓國歷代文集叢書』, and the main emotions revealed in each literature could be divided into three types: “direct expression of anger and vengeance”, “calm description of past recollections and longing,” and “reflection through dead animals and sublimation to boundaries.” In comparison with the condolence literature of human, there was a difference in the degree of expressing intense emotions or mournful sadness in the case of condolence literature of Animal, and even though they were condolence literature, condolence may not be the main purpose.

"Petrification” Motif in Kazakh Legends

Kazakh culture has a rich mythological heritage, and Kazakh legends are an important source for reflecting on the history, beliefs, and values of the Kazakh people. This article focuses on the motif of petrification, which is frequently seen in Kazakh legends. Petrification is the most common type of shape-shifting motif, where a superior power turns living or inanimate elements into stone to save them from disaster or to punish them. It features examples of people, animals, houses, and other things being petrified. This can happen when individuals beg god to get them out of difficult situations, punish enemies, or help them cope with deep sadness. Being petrified is a punishment for the bad and a salvation for the good. This study examined 15 Kazakh legends and classified the motif of petrification under six types: 1) petrification due to the wrath of God; 2) petrification due to one’s wish or someone else’s prayer; 3) petrification due to a curse; 4) petrification due to Exhaustion and inability to fight; 5) petrification due to sadness; and 6) petrification of a dead animal. Furthermore, based on the motif of petrification, the legends’ underlying meaning and educational value were defined and their significance was unfolded.

Landscape factors affecting the amphibian occurrence on roads: An assessment focusing on differences between live and dead animals

Amphibians are one of the taxa that are particularly vulnerable to roads and traffic. To mitigate amphibian roadkill, previous studies have used dead animal data to identify road segments with high risk of roadkill. However, the estimation using dead animal data may be spatially biased by traffic and scavenging. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the factors affecting occurrence of both live and dead amphibians on roads. We conducted a comprehensive route census and counted the occurrence of live and dead amphibians on road between July and October 2022 and May and October 2023. Additionally, we investigated the change of traffic and removal of dead animals along landscape gradient. We constructed joint species distribution models to explain the occurrence of live and dead animals by landscape factors. From these analyses, we compared the landscape factor affecting amphibian occurrence between live and dead animals. We observed 755 live and 483 dead animals of 11 species during all surveys. Effects of proportion of surrounding paddy fields differed between live and dead animals for many of target species. Dead animals were more likely to be detected in the intermediate landscape than live animals. Traffic volume was the highest in the intermediate landscape, which have caused many dead animals there. Differences in occurrence between live and dead animals for some species could not be sufficiently explained by traffic and removal of dead animals. We emphasized the importance to consider obtaining information not only from dead animals, but live animals to mitigate amphibian roadkill.