Human Persecution Research Articles

Heterochronous mitogenomes shed light on the Holocene history of the Scandinavian brown bear

Following glacial retreat after the last ice age, brown bears (Ursus arctos) recolonised Scandinavia. Previous research based on mitochondrial markers suggests that bears recolonised from both the north and the south, with a contact zone in central Scandinavia. More recently, the Scandinavian brown bear was subjected to a strong population decline with only ca. 130 remaining individuals, due to intense human persecution approximately 100 years ago. Here, we analyse 41 ancient, historical, and modern mitochondrial genomes, to examine the number of female lineages involved in the postglacial recolonisation event and temporal changes in the Scandinavian brown bears’ mitochondrial genetic diversity. Our results support the bi-directional recolonisation hypothesis, indicating multiple mitochondrial lineages from clade 1a possibly followed a southern route, while only a single lineage from clade 3a appears to have followed a northern route. Furthermore, we found that the recent bottleneck had a strong impact on the southern subpopulation, resulting in only one remaining haplotype in the contemporary brown bears. For the northern subpopulation, the impact was moderate, and most haplotypes were retained throughout the bottleneck. By exploring the postglacial recolonisation and recent population pressures, our study enhances understanding of how these factors have influenced the genetic diversity of Scandinavian brown bears.

Beaver dams in Mediterranean ecosystems: trait‐specific effects on macroinvertebrates

AbstractAfter centuries of extinction due to human persecution, Eurasian beavers Castor fiber L. have been released to Southern Europe in the last decades. Being ecosystem engineers, beavers have attracted great attention regarding restoration of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Nonetheless, the effects of the species on aquatic invertebrates known to date are not univocal and mostly refer to central European riverine systems. Here, we evaluated the effects of beaver presence on aquatic macroinvertebrates for the first time in a Mediterranean riverine ecosystem, by applying a sound control‐impact sampling design and controlling for seasonal variation in macroinvertebrate assemblage composition. A significant variation in response to season was evident for macroinvertebrate communities, revealing distinct assemblages during spring and summer. Furthermore, the presence of beavers was also identified as a significant driver of species composition, as samples near the beaver dam showed significant variation from control sites. Macroinvertebrate community traits changed according to the relative position to the beaver dam, as control sites featured on average higher abundances of taxa with higher values of bioindication score, larger size, lower adaptation to drag, and were less frequently of introduced origins. Yet, these differences were strongly taxon‐ and season‐specific in their intensity and direction. Differences across sites were mainly driven by the relative abundances of few taxa—including both alien species and high environmental quality indicators—such as those from genera Potamopyrgus, Baetis, Habrophlebia, Ephemerella, Leuctra, and Radix, which explained about 70% of the observed divergence among conditions. Our results indicate that beavers and their engineering activity may induce highly variable species‐specific responses in macroinvertebrates, thus possibly representing a driver of environmental heterogeneity along Mediterranean rivers, and that both bioindicators and alien species may exploit such heterogeneity.

Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) death by road accident in rural Bengal-insight the fact: a perception based eco-spatial clarification.

Golden jackal is one of the higher trophic level wild animals in rural Bengal. Their ecological significance is undeniable in regional ecosystems and biodiversity. But gradually they become threatened due to habitat contraction, road killing, poisoning and human persecution. The documentation of jackal death by road accident within the 12-km district highway which is a single lane bituminous road in Patshpur-I Community Development Block under Purba Medinipur district, India, reveals an unpredictable ecological circumstance (n-154). Jackals are killed by road accidents from 2022 to 2023. On behalf of this blameless situation, the present study conducted intensive observations, case studies and spatial-ecological analysis. The study also included stakeholder's perceptions to reach and relates the background of this fact. After observation and analysis, it has been found that the jackal deaths have a spatio-temporal signature and are connected with food and forage ground loss from their habitat-influenced area. Another outcome is that roadside habitat becomes an alternative food source and forage ground for them due to trench construction both alongside of the district highway and illegal dumping of meat wastes and domestic wastes. The seasonal biological activities of the jackals, local weather phenomena and car driver negligence are responsible for the accidental death of jackals along the district highway. Considering all the observed factors, the present study shared some reliable measures to control, protect and conserve this animal for balancing regional ecosystem as well as biodiversity in rural Bengal.

High conservation importance of range-edge populations of Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus)

Critically endangered Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus Temminck, 1823), like many vulture species globally, are experiencing rapid population declines due to anthropogenic factors such as poisonings, human persecution, trading for belief-based use, and habitat loss/degradation. The Hooded Vulture is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa. Although it is considered one of the most abundant vultures in West Africa, this vulture species is less common in East and southern Africa, with the population at the southern-most edge of the distribution (in South Africa and Eswatini) estimated at only 100–200 mature individuals. The distribution of Hooded Vultures has contracted dramatically in southern Africa, with breeding populations largely confined to protected areas such as the Greater Kruger National Park. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of the southern African range-edge population and assess if the recent contraction in the distribution has resulted in the population experiencing a genetic bottleneck. Sixteen microsatellite loci were amplified for samples collected along the Olifants River in the Greater Kruger National Park (n = 30). The genetic diversity in the South African population was compared to samples (n = 30) collected in Ghana, where Hooded Vultures are more abundant. Contrary to expectations, the South African peripheral Hooded Vulture population showed higher levels of heterozygosity (HO = 0.495) than the Ghanaian population (HO = 0.315). Neither population showed signs of recent bottleneck events when tested using demographic modelling and Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC). However, both populations showed high levels of inbreeding and relatedness. Our results suggest that despite being a small peripheral population, the South African Hooded Vulture population showed a similar level of genetic diversity as individuals sampled from a core population within the species distribution (in Ghana). This study supports the need for Hooded Vulture conservation efforts in the southern African region and highlights the evolutionary importance of range-edge populations.

Mapping human‐carnivore coexistence: approaches to integrating anthropogenic influences on carnivore distribution and connectivity modelling

AbstractInterdisciplinary approaches to modelling human‐wildlife coexistence have gained much attention in recent years, especially regarding carnivores which are subject to historical human persecution and dynamic attitudes and cultural values. Accordingly, there have been many attempts to gain insights into anthropogenic influences on carnivores through the use of species distribution models and connectivity analyses. However, there have been no global reviews on how anthropogenic influences are incorporated into such models. We conducted a literature review of global terrestrial carnivore species distribution and connectivity studies from 1995 to 2021 to evaluate the type of measure, frequency of use and spatial scale of the predictor variables used to describe environmental conditions and assess anthropogenic influences in such predictive models. We evaluated 2495 variables from 263 carnivore distribution and connectivity studies and found that variables used to describe environmental conditions are four times more commonly used than those used to assess anthropogenic influences on carnivores. However, the number of anthropogenic covariates used in carnivore distribution and connectivity studies has increased by 4.7% per year, and the spatial resolution of those covariates has simultaneously decreased by 7.6% per year. We observed that anthropogenic covariates were used more in studies occurring in the global north and for larger‐bodied carnivores (>15 kg), suggesting the need for better integration of anthropogenic metrics into predictive models more widely and for smaller‐bodied carnivores. To help guide and advance the further use of sociological data into predictive spatial models for carnivores, we propose a framework that emphasizes integration of sociological methodologies and data sources ranging from exploratory expert elicitation to targeted focus group interviews at multiple phases in the conservation planning process.

The decline, fall, and rise of a large urban colonising bird

Context The process of urbanisation results in dramatic landscape changes with long-lasting and sometimes irreversible consequences for the biota as urban sensitive species are eliminated. The Australian brush-turkey (Alectura lathami) is a recent urban colonist despite atypical traits for an urban adapter. Contrary to observed range declines and initial reports of decreased reproductive success in cities, Australian brush-turkeys have increased their range in urban areas. Aims Historical atlas and present citizen science data were used to examine the changing distribution of the Australian brush-turkey at continental and city scales, and the changing land use in urban areas occupied by the species. We assess which environmental and landscape features are driving observed distribution changes over time. Methods We describe and map changes at the continental scale between 1839–2019. We then assessed colonisation of the cities of Brisbane and Sydney (located 900 km apart) over the period 1960–2019. At the city scale, we quantified the changing land use within Australian brush-turkey occupied areas over time using classification of satellite imagery. Key results The Australian brush-turkey’s geographical range has shifted over the last century, with the species receding from the western and southwestern parts of their range, while expanding in the northwest. Areas occupied in the cities of Brisbane and Sydney have expanded, with more recently occupied areas containing less vegetation and more developed land than previously occupied areas. Conclusions Our results confirm that Australian brush-turkeys are successfully colonising urban areas, including major cities, and are likely to continue moving into urban areas, despite declines elsewhere in their natural range. The species is not limited to suburbs with a high proportion of greenspace, as Australian brush-turkeys are increasingly occurring in highly developed areas with limited vegetation. Implications This study highlights that species which were locally extirpated from urban areas, and thought to be unlikely candidates for recolonisation, can successfully occupy human modified habitats. Successful expansion is likely to be associated with key behavioural traits, urban greening, and legal protection from human persecution.

Implications of human–wildlife conflict on the diet of an endangered avian top predator in the northern Andes

Conflicts between rural people and the Endangered Black-and-chestnut Eagle (Spizaetus isidori) are a prominent conservation concern in the northern Andes, as at least 60 eagles were poached between 2000 and 2022 in response to poultry predation. Here, we conducted direct observations to analyze the Black-and-chestnut Eagle diet and evaluated how forest cover affects the feeding habits of the species during nestling-rearing periods in 16 nests located in different human-transformed Andean landscapes of Ecuador and Colombia. We analyzed 853 prey items (46 species) delivered to nestlings. We used Generalized Linear Models to test whether the percent forest cover calculated within varying buffer distances around each nest and linear distances from the nest to the nearest settlement and pasture areas were predictors of diet diversity and biomass contribution of prey. Forest cover was not a factor that affected the consumption of poultry; however, the eagle regularly preyed on chickens (Gallus gallus) (i.e., domestic Galliformes) which were consumed by 15 of the 16 eagle pairs, with biomass contributions (14.57% ± 10.55) representing 0.6–37% of the total prey consumed. The Black-and-chestnut Eagle is an adaptable generalist able to switch from mammalian carnivores to guans (i.e., wild Galliformes) in human-dominated landscapes, and eagles nesting in sites with low forest cover had a less diverse diet than those in areas with more intact forests. Management actions for the conservation of this avian top predator require studies on the eagle’s diet in areas where human persecution is suspected or documented, but also maintaining forest cover for the wild prey of the species, development of socio-economic and psychological assessments on the drivers behind human-eagle conflicts, and the strengthening of technical capacities of rural communities, such as appropriate poultry management.

Range‐wide prediction of habitat suitability for king cobras under current and future scenarios

Abstract Ophiophagus hannah, commonly known as the king cobra, is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is protected under national laws in most countries. This charismatic species faces multiple threats, including habitat loss, human persecution, illegal trafficking, and climate change. Due to the king cobra's sensitivity to environmental conditions, its population status and trends are barely understood. This study used the MaxEnt algorithm to predict the potential distribution of king cobras across Asia, a method that has been successfully implemented in modeling distributions of various species in the region. The findings showed that Evergreen Broadleaf Trees emerged as the most influential variable for the distribution of Ophiophagus hannah with a 27.3% contribution, followed by the Mean Diurnal Range and Urban/Built‐up areas. Jackknife analysis identified the Mean Diurnal Range as having the highest testing gain. Approximately 413,268 km2 were found to have the most suitable climatic conditions for sustaining this species. Countries such as India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia were identified as having favorable conditions. Under the future climate scenario SSP5‐8.5, the extent of suitable habitats (maximum) for the king cobra is projected to decrease in the periods 2041–2060 and 2081–2100. This report provides valuable insights that could inform conservation strategies for O. hannah in these regions.

Unveiling Social Dynamics in People's Perception of Raptors to Guide Effective Conservation Strategies

Ethnoscientific approaches offer valuable tools for exploring human–nature relationships, making them useful for developing effective conservation strategies. Raptors, which are birds of prey, face significant conservation threats worldwide, with human persecution being a leading factor in their population decline. Urgent conservation strategies are needed, particularly in regions of high raptor diversity like the tropical Andes. In this study, we employed semistructured questionnaires and logistic models to investigate how demographic factors, economic activity, and traditional knowledge shape people's perceptions of raptors in rural communities of the Ecuadorian Andes. These communities have historically experienced poverty and inequality, and our approach takes into account their local realities to provide conservation recommendations. Our findings reveal that traditional ecological knowledge provides a broad understanding of human–raptor relations, and that raptors are viewed as both providers of ecosystem services and disservices. Additionally, social demographics, such as gender and educational level, can influence people's perception of raptors. Based on these results, we can promote conservation actions from a local to global level. Ethnoecological approaches offer diverse conservation opportunities that can vary based on different local contexts. In addition to conventional measures such as environmental education programs, poultry management, and landscape preservation, it is essential to consider the political ecology of specific sites, particularly in regions of the Global South where poverty and inequality are closely intertwined with social and environmental injustices. As such, policy making to alleviate poverty and inequality in rural communities in Ecuador and other Andean countries; and science decolonization to make conservation more inclusive are crucial for human well-being and successful and lasting conservation actions for raptors and biodiversity.

Sex and landscape influence spatial genetic variation in a large fossorial mammal, the Bare-nosed Wombat (Vombatus ursinus).

Dispersal is an important process that is widely studied across species, and it can be influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors commonly assessed include the sex and age of individuals, while landscape features are frequently-tested extrinsic factors. Here, we investigated the effects of both sex and landscape composition and configuration on genetic distances among bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus)-one of the largest fossorial mammals in the world and subject to habitat fragmentation, threats from disease, and human persecution including culling as an agricultural pest. We analyzed a data set comprising 74 Tasmanian individuals (30 males and 44 females), genotyped for 9,064 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We tested for sex-biased dispersal and the influence of landscape features on genetic distances including land use, water, vegetation, elevation, and topographic ruggedness. We detected significant female-biased dispersal, which may be related to females donating burrows to their offspring due to the energetic cost of excavation, given their large body sizes. Land use, waterbodies, and elevation appeared to be significant landscape predictors of genetic distance. Land use potentially reflects land clearing and persecution over the last 200 years. If our findings based on a limited sample size are valid, retention and restoration of nonanthropogenic landscapes in which wombats can move and burrow may be important for gene flow and maintenance of genetic diversity.

Historical research of wolf population in Pisan hills between XVII and XXI centuries: evolution of tolerance in hunters, citizens, and naturalists in a conservation perspective

ABSTRACT Worldwide, wolf conservation has been driven by several rapid environmental changes and intense anthropogenic pressures. At the beginning of the 17th century wolves were commonly present in the Pisan hills especially in the upper hills, where killing regularly occurred. Severe reclamation, deforestation actions, human persecution, deep socio-economic and environmental changes occurred between the 17th and 20th century causing the local extinction of wolf in the Pisan hills by the Second World War. A process of wolf recolonization of the Pisan hills started from the second half of the 20th century due to a gradual restoration of the natural environment. In this context, changes of socio-economic and cultural conditions, the technological development, and the mitigation of human’s attitudes toward wolf may be a base for the development of new approaches able to promote humans-wolf coexistence and balance.

ПИТАННЯ КРИМУ В БРИТАНСЬКО-УКРАЇНСЬКИХ ВІДНОСИНАХ (ЛЮТИЙ 2014 – ЛЮТИЙ 2022 РОКУ)

The article analyses the issue of Crimea in bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Ukraine in 2014–2022. It is noted that, on the one hand, the relevance, importance and interest in the issue are caused by the UK’s leadership in supporting Ukraine in the context of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Thus, there is active economic, investment, political and other cooperation between the UK and Ukraine on a systematic and consistent basis. The United Kingdom, along with promoting and further strengthening its own brand, actively supports and lobbies for Ukraine’s position among the countries of the world. On the other hand, the issue of Crimea is important, complex, and one of the cross-cutting issues in international relations in the context of the turbulence of the international order, on which the security and geopolitical situation in Europe and the world depends. Moreover, the article argues that, in addition to its geopolitical, security and strategic importance, Crimea has significant potential in tourism, energy and other sectors. The paper comprehensively examines the United Kingdom’s relations and cooperation with Ukraine, the state and development of bilateral relations on the eve of the annexation of the Crimean peninsula, the investment climate in Crimea before the annexation by the russian federation, the UK’s response to the occupation of the Crimean peninsula, the UK’s position on systemic human rights violations and persecution of activists by the Russian authorities in Crimea, the UK’s participation in the Crimean Platform, etc. It is analysed that British-Ukrainian relations, despite their ambiguity and inconsistency of quality cooperation since the restoration of Ukraine’s independence in 1991, have reached a fundamentally new level of close, multidimensional cooperation after the events in Crimea in February 2014 and, especially, after the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Ukrainian and foreign researchers have been and continue to be actively engaged in research on the United Kingdom’s foreign policy. Still, the issue of Crimea in British-Ukrainian relations has not been accentuated and deeply explored from a historical perspective.

Environmental favorability models as a tool to support trophic rewilding initiatives

Trophic rewilding is considered a conservation measure that aims to restore the trophic interactions. In north‐central Portugal, the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) is endangered mainly due to human persecution, triggered by wolf depredation on livestock. Several initiatives have occurred in this area to increase wolf wild prey availability by reintroducing/reinforcing roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populations. However, the success of trophic rewilding initiatives relies on up‐to‐date scientific evidence, considering both ecological and social settings. Favorability models can be used to infer the most suitable habitats for roe deer settlement and expansion by analyzing the environmental variables known to influence species ecology and behavior. In this study, we infer how the prey habitat favorability can contribute to plan prey populations reinforcement processes as a tool for trophic chain restoration. Using 330 camera traps, we monitored the roe deer population over 8,940 km2 in north‐central Portugal. Field data were used to evaluate the environmental determinants of roe deer presence. By using the favorability function, we created a spatially explicit gradient of habitat favorability that allowed us to define key areas for the application of management measures. The selected sites are strategically positioned to promote the natural expansion of established roe deer populations and overlap the current distribution of Iberian wolf. These results are an important step toward the restoration of the trophic chain and to reduce human–wolf conflicts. Our proposal paves the way for future rewilding initiatives, especially where prey species are central to the survival of top predators.

Woody cover and pasture within the surrounding matrix drive puma (Puma concolor) occupancy in agroecosystems of the Argentine Dry Chaco

The puma (Puma concolor) is distributed over most vegetation types and elevation ranges, but is still sensitive to habitat loss and human persecution. Due to its large spatial requirements, pumas must persist in human-modified landscapes, where vegetation cover and prey availability can limit its occurrence. Few studies have assessed the suite of factors that may influence carnivore persistence in deforestation frontiers such as the Dry Chaco. We explored the influence of landscape structure, native prey availability, and local anthropogenic proxies on puma occupancy in Argentine Dry Chaco agroecosystems through a single-season occupancy framework based on camera-trap surveys. We used the results to predict puma occupancy for the ecoregion. Woody cover and the proportion of pasture within the surrounding matrix influenced puma occupancy: in areas with moderate to little woody cover, puma occupancy was negatively influenced by the proportion of pasture relative to cropland. Predicted puma occupancy probability was very high throughout half of the ecoregion. Our results corroborate the landscape-scale importance of woody cover for the puma in the Dry Chaco. However, the negative relation between puma occupancy and pasture dominance in areas with little woody cover could be suggesting potential negative interactions with humans, or seasonal variations in environmental condictions and resource availability that should be further explored.

BREEDING ECOLOGY, NESTING HABITAT AND THREATS TO A BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT EAGLE SPIZAETUS ISIDORI POPULATION IN THE MONTANE FORESTS OF CENTRAL PERU

The Black-and-chestnut Eagle Spizaetus isidori is an endangered and little-known top predator of South American montane forests. To better understand the breeding ecology and threats of this eagle, we studied several pairs between 2017 and 2022 in the central Andes of Peru. We recorded 62 adults, one immature, and 36 juveniles in 36 territories. These territories were in mountainous areas (altitudinal range 690–3,810 m a.s.l.), widely covered by montane forests (43.8–99.7% cover), and secondarily by open land (0.3–56.2% cover), far from urban settlements (1.3–27.1 km). Nesting sites (N = 15) were at medium altitudes (1,330–2,330 m a.s.l.) in steep hillsides or ravines (15–55°), having no preferential cardinal orientation, and relatively close to permanent water courses (20–800 m), open areas (30–930 m) and sites with human activity (120–2,200 m). Nests (N = 15) were placed at the top of tall (28–40 m) and thick-stemmed (DBH range 0.53–1.52 m) emergent trees of nine genera, with Ficus and Juglans being the most used. Incubation and brood-rearing occurred during the dry season (Mar–Nov). The wooded slopes where the eagles nested are being replaced by crops and livestock pastures, causing an estimated loss of 218.2 km2 of forest cover in our study area (5,056 km2) during the last 20 years. We detected human persecution in 55.5% of the territories, resulting in 26 juveniles, four adults, two immatures, and nine unaged eagles killed. Preventing the local extinctions of these eagles will require long-term population monitoring, improving knowledge of its ecology, mitigation of human-eagle conflict, development of education programs, and strengthening of land use inspection.

Sampling variables and their thresholds for the precise estimation of wild felid population density with camera traps and spatial capture–recapture methods

ABSTRACT Robust monitoring, providing information on population status, is fundamental for successful conservation planning. However, this can be hard to achieve for species that are elusive and occur at low densities, such as felids. These are often keystones of functioning ecosystems and are threatened by habitat loss and human persecution. When elusive species can be individually identified by visible characteristics, for example via camera‐trapping, observations of individuals can be used in combination with capture–recapture methods to calculate demographic parameters such as population density. In this context, spatial capture–recapture (SCR) outperforms conventional non‐spatial methods, but the precision of results is inherently related to the sampling design, which should therefore be optimised. We focussed on territorial felids in different habitats and investigated how the sampling designs implemented in the field affected the precision of population density estimates. We examined 137 studies that combined camera‐trapping and SCR methods for density estimation. From these, we collected spatiotemporal parameters of their sampling designs, monitoring results, such as the number of individuals captured and the number of recaptures, as well as SCR detection parameters. We applied generalised linear mixed‐effects models and tree‐based regression methods to investigate the influence of variables on the precision of population density estimates and provide numerical thresholds. Our analysis shows that the number of individuals, recapture frequency, and capture probability play the most crucial roles. Surveys yielding over 20 captured individuals that were recaptured on average at least once obtain the most precise population density estimates. Based on our findings, we provide practical guidelines for future SCR studies that apply to all territorial felids. Furthermore, we present a standardised reporting protocol for study transparency and comparability. Our results will improve reporting and reproducibility of SCR studies and aid in setting up optimised sampling designs.

Spatial modeling of road collisions of striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in Israel

AbstractThe striped hyena is an enigmatic species that is little studied. It is mainly found in semiarid and arid regions and is described as elusive, cryptic, nocturnal, and solitary. The global distribution is disjunct, and the species suffers from human persecution. However, specific communities consider them to be commensals. Owing to their scavenging behavior, striped hyenas are disproportionately involved in vehicular‐wildlife incidents, most of which are fatal. By combining data collected by the Scientific Data Department of the Israel Nature Parks Authority with information from remote sensing imaging, we illustrate the distribution of the striped hyena, identify critical habitats in which they occur, and illustrate the zones with the highest conflicts in the whole of Israel and the West Bank. The scale of striped hyena mortality (44.3/year) suggests that populations are much higher than previous estimates. We found more striped hyena carcasses on road/highway networks and urban areas than in natural surroundings. Our results should help focus the efforts to mitigate wildlife road kills by implementing conservation measures in urban areas and inter‐city highways, with a stress on striped hyena mortality.

First data about movements and threats of Rüppell's Vultures (Gyps rueppellii) tagged in Morocco: an international and multi-institutional study.

The Rüppell's Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ at the global and regional levels in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. A multi-institutional collaboration to fit 13 vultures with GPS transmitters in northern Morocco was launched to get information on their movements and threats along the flyway, both to the north and the south of the Sahara. Preliminary results from individuals released in November 2021 indicate a low survival rate during the wintering period in Morocco and on the return journey to the Sahel, which is usually attempted by Rüppell's Vultures with large groups of migratory birds, especially Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus). Of the group of tagged individuals, only four birds travelled definitely in a southwards direction, apparently migrating. Two of those have died, with one presumed to have starved in the Algerian desert, and another one presumed to have been killed by human persecution in The Gambia. A third individual was captured by local people in Mauritania and it is unknown what happened thereafter. One bird remains alive in Senegal at the time of writing. For the birds that did not disperse far after being fitted with transmitters, a relatively high number of fatalities seems to confirm that threats to the species are prevalent in Morocco: one bird died after being struck by a wind turbine; one was electrocuted by a power line; and two suffered from starvation and weakness. Birds remaining close to the release area fed mainly at a vulture feeding station or at rubbish dumps, which may indicate that there is a lack of food available in the wider surroundings. Five vultures originally fitted with transmitters are still alive in North Africa at the time of writing.

Leopardus guigna(Carnivora: Felidae)

AbstractLeopardus guigna (Molina, 1782) is a felid commonly called the kodkod. It is the smallest cat in the Americas—about the size of a small house cat—and is 1 of 13 species in the genus Leopardus. Leopardus guigna has the smallest distribution of any New World felid, restricted to southern Chile and Argentina where it is strongly associated with the Chilean Matorral and Valdivian Temperate Rainforest ecoregions. Leopardus guigna is listed on Appendix II of the Convention for the International Trade of Endangered Species and as “Vulnerable” (VU) by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature due to habitat loss and fragmentation, human persecution, and its declining population.

A 2200-year record of Andean Condor diet and nest site usage reflects natural and anthropogenic stressors.

Understanding how animals respond to large-scale environmental changes is difficult to achieve because monitoring data are rarely available for more than the past few decades, if at all. Here, we demonstrate how a variety of palaeoecological proxies (e.g. isotopes, geochemistry and DNA) from an Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) guano deposit from Argentina can be used to explore breeding site fidelity and the impacts of environmental changes on avian behaviour. We found that condors used the nesting site since at least approximately 2200 years ago, with an approximately 1000-year nesting frequency slowdown from ca 1650 to 650 years before the present (yr BP). We provide evidence that the nesting slowdown coincided with a period of increased volcanic activity in the nearby Southern Volcanic Zone, which resulted in decreased availability of carrion and deterred scavenging birds. After returning to the nest site ca 650 yr BP, condor diet shifted from the carrion of native species and beached marine animals to the carrion of livestock (e.g. sheep and cattle) and exotic herbivores (e.g. red deer and European hare) introduced by European settlers. Currently, Andean Condors have elevated lead concentrations in their guano compared to the past, which is associated with human persecution linked to the shift in diet.