Hunting Zones Research Articles

Preliminary population estimate of Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum) in two areas of the Benoué complex, Cameroon

AbstractThe Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum) is a critically endangered subspecies. To manage and conserve this taxon, up‐to‐date population estimates are crucial. We provide a population assessment of Kordofan giraffe in Bénoué National Park (BeNP) and nearby Hunting Zone 18 (HZ18), in northern Cameroon, using individual identification techniques from images captured in the field from opportunistic sightings and ad hoc camera trap efforts. Additionally, we assess connectedness between sites. We estimated populations of 27 and 25 individuals in BeNP and HZ18, respectively. No giraffes were captured in both sites. Findings highlight the area's importance and emphasise the need for continued conservation efforts. Our study provides a baseline for future monitoring and supports the development of a standardised wildlife monitoring framework.

Impacts of zoning and landscape structure on the relative abundance of wild boar assessed through a Bayesian N-mixture model

Increasing human-wild boar interactions have led to damage to agricultural crops, traffic collisions and disease transmissions. Dividing natural areas in zones with differential hunting pressure is one of the currently adopted management strategies. However, the effectiveness of this approach is under debate. Hence, there is a need to better understand how to mitigate negative human-wild boar interactions effectively.Camera traps are cost-efficient, and non-invasive tools to monitor animal populations. N-mixture models can reliably estimate spatial variation in relative abundances when animals are imperfectly detected and/or cannot be individually identified. Thus, they are useful tools to infer the impacts of several factors on the land-use intensity of wild boar, based on camera trap data.In a nature area in central Belgium, we compare “summer” (April–September) land-use intensity of wild boar from 2018 until 2021 between three zones: a hunting free core zone, a winter hunting zone where hunting only takes place between November and March, and a year-round hunting zone. The latter is also close to the forest edge, agricultural crops and settlements. We compare spatial abundance models that capture these zone effects, or attractive effects of croplands, repulsive effects of hunting and repulsive effects of non-lethal human disturbances.We reveal between zone differences in wild boar land-use intensities across all summers. Additionally, we find that non-lethal human disturbance and croplands also explain variation in wild boar land-use intensity, but do not find negative associations with hunting locations. Our results suggest that the effects of zoning on wild boar land-use patterns are relevant in medium-sized natural areas. Moreover, we identify the need to install additional cameras outside of the managed area in order to assess the impacts of hunting in combination with non-lethal human activities on wild boar to mitigate negative human-wild boar interactions in the future.

Organization of Hunting and Fishing Industry in Transbaikalia in 1919–1922

The subject of the research is the making of hunting and fishing economy sector on the territory of Transbaikalia region in the first post-revolutionary years. Particular attention is paid to the issues of setting organizational and technical tasks for the creation of the fishing and hunting industry and its management system in 1919–1922. In 1919 the Omsk Government of Alexander V. Kolchak made an attempt of complex restructuring of the hunting and fishing economy sector on the vast territory of Western and Eastern Siberia, including Transbaikalia; in this connection special hunting zones, administratively adhered to the richest raw lands, were allocated. However, the reforms carried out during the Civil War were faced with a lack of funds and other resources to implement them in any successful way. By 1920 only the Irkutsk-Transbaikalia hunting zone was left, which became part of the Far Eastern Republic (DVR). It was the only one in Siberia and the Far East, actually the pioneer in organization of proper hunting economy on territories, where even the concept of normative-legal base for regulation of seasonal harvesting was absent. However, the broadly conceived reform programme in the industry was not implemented due to political instability and economic decline. The management of the fishing and hunting industry was guided by decrees of the overthrown Omsk government, while the Far Eastern Republic government had neither the will nor the capacity to deal with pressing, but currently overshadowed, economic issues.

Choosing an optimal duck season: integrating hunter values and duck abundance

AbstractState wildlife agencies have long struggled to identify optimal hunting season dates for migratory game bird species that meet the diverse and often competing interests of stakeholders. Many approaches have been used to ensure the regulated community participates in the decision‐making process, including public hearings, hunter season‐date preference surveys, and hunter task forces or committees. Although hearings, surveys, and task force approaches include portions of the regulated community (typically the most avid) they may not necessarily reflect the opinions and values of all stakeholders. Additionally, these approaches rely heavily on limited anecdotal observations that may be unduly influenced by hunter avidity (e.g., days spent afield), hunter density, species preferences, and property access. To address the challenges caused by engaging only portions of the stakeholder community, we used a structured decision‐making framework that included a 2017 duck hunter survey to elucidate values of a representative sample of the regulated community in each waterfowl hunting zone in the state of New York, USA. Rather than asking duck hunters about their specific duck hunting season date preferences, we asked them to rank 6 objectives describing what they value in their hunting experience (e.g., maximizing the opportunity to see mallards [Anas platyrhynchos] and black ducks [Anas rubripes], maximizing the number of weekend days). Four of the 6 objectives described duck species availability (i.e., abundance or immigration) and the remaining 2 described considerations that affect an individual hunter's opportunity or limitation to going duck hunting (i.e., holidays or conflicting hunting seasons). We used spatiotemporal abundance models derived from eBird citizen science data to estimate abundance and immigration rates of ducks in each waterfowl zone. We evaluated up to 9 unique season date alternatives developed by duck hunter task forces to determine which season date alternative best satisfied the competing objectives of duck hunters in each zone. The approach we developed allowed for selection of optimal duck hunting season dates and successfully involved avid duck hunters in the regulation development stages, while ensuring that the values of a representative sample of all stakeholders were directly considered through a clear and transparent decision‐making process.

A bio-economic analysis of conflicts between illegal hunting and wildlife management in Cameroon: The case of Campo-Ma’an National Park

Using bio-economic modelling, this paper analyses conflicts between legal and illegal activities in the Campo-Ma’an National Park, Cameroon. We consider two different agents, a local community living near the Park - who hunt illegally to fulfil their welfare -, and a park manager who has received from the Cameroonian government the mandate to manage the wildlife found in the park. The park manager is assumed to practice an imperfect anti-poaching policy due to the persistence of poaching activities in the study area. Both agents are assumed to proceed in strategic and asymmetric interdependency where the park manager determines the anti-poaching effort and then the local people have to adjust their behaviour within a full park scheme. In a bid to reduce illegal hunting, the social planner - the Cameroonian government - then tries to implement another scheme in which the local people are allowed to hunt in the surrounding area of the park, through the establishment of community hunting zones. This park-plus-hunting scheme is an example of Integrated and Conservation Development Project. The empirical analysis is based on data drawn from different sources. Results show that the anti-poaching efforts, the wildlife stock and the harvesting rate are lesser when some hunting rights are allowed to local people as compared to what they are under full park regime. However, by recognizing some hunting rights to the local people, the share of income lost by the park is almost recovered and all poachers leave the underground to exercise in legality as hunters.

Divergent trends of large carnivore populations within the Bénoué Complex, North Cameroon, shown by long-term fine-scale monitoring

Large carnivore populations have suffered declines worldwide. For the African continent, these have been particularly strong in West and Central Africa. The Benoue Complex in North Cameroon, located in Central Africa, is a key landscape for their conservation. We determined spatiotemporal trends in lion (Panthera leo), leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) abundance, using repeated spoor counts on transects from 2007 to 2015. Results of the temporal analysis indicate that lion and spotted hyaena abundance reduced over time across the complex, whereas leopards only declined in the last 2 years and primarily in the Faro Block. From the spatial analysis, it became clear spoor abundances differ between areas within the Benoue Complex and between management types: Spoor densities were especially higher in Bouba Ndjida National Park and the hunting zones around Faro. This effect is most probably related to a more effective management strategy in these areas. Our fine-scale long-term monitoring technique provides a low-cost, easy to implement, multi-scale and effective tool for the identification of both regional and range-wide carnivore conservation hotspots.

Long-term trends in wildlife community structure and functional diversity in a village hunting zone in southeast Cameroon

Hunting may be the greatest threat to wildlife populations across the Congo basin. Large-bodied species are the most vulnerable; alterations in assemblages of such keystone species can affect many important ecological functions. There may be a reduction or loss of ecological services, such as seed dispersal. Monitoring functional diversity within a wildlife community alongside descriptions of wildlife community structure (abundances and species richness) increases understanding of how well a system can withstand disturbance, or recover following it (i.e., its ecological resilience). Between 2002 and 2016, changes in wildlife abundance and diversity of functional traits related to resource use and energy flow were monitored in a tropical forest wildlife community in southeast Cameroon, where hunting activities have escalated in the last decade. Wildlife abundances significantly decreased by 2009, and species richness and functional diversity declined by 2016. This reduction in functional diversity suggests that the wildlife community has been considerably altered, compromising ecological functions, and indicating the start of ecological decay. The study found a significant reduction in keystone species, such as great apes and elephants, suggesting that their decline as a result of hunting is leading to ecological imbalance. The results suggest that, beyond a certain threshold of wildlife decline, wildlife community collapse and ecological decay are likely. Identifying such thresholds can inform sustainable wildlife management and help monitor the health or integrity of the ecosystem, and its ability to provide globally significant ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and storage.

Apex predators decline after an influx of pastoralists in former Central African Republic hunting zones

Pastoralism is spreading in Central Africa, where many protected areas are under consideration to be opened for grazing, in particular hunting zones. Here we document the loss of biodiversity followed by an influx of transhumant pastoralism into previously uninhabited and virtually pristine habitat in the Central African Republic. Our track count and camera trap surveys of 2012, 2016 and 2017 evidence a reduction of apex predators, particularly Northern lions (Panthera leo leo) and African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), of which about 95% and 80% were lost, respectively. While some large herbivores such as Western African buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) or Eastern giant eland (Tragelaphus derbianus gigas) were also strongly reduced, most herbivores remain at significant densities. Apex predator populations did thus not crash due to a lack of prey, but rather due to targeted killing by herders and accompanying merchants, as interviews confirmed. Our call-up survey suggests that lions were attracted by livestock outside of actively protected areas, were they got poisoned or shot. These findings exemplify the potential negative effects of pastoralism on wildlife even in large areas with intact habitat. We thus caution against the transformation of protected areas or hunting zones into pasture land, unless such a land-use change can be carefully managed and strictly controlled.

Inter- and intra-site differences in wild goat (Capra aegagrus) habitat quality detected through male horn size comparisons in Greek islands

In caprid taxa, horn size is correlated with body mass, being a potential indicator of habitat quality. In this study, horn length and circumference measurements of, genetically similar, native island (Samaria National Forest Park, Crete) and introduced islet (a Game Breeding Station, and a Controlled Hunting Zone) populations of the Vulnerable agrimi were compared and evaluated with respect to population size information. Horns belonged to male animals that died between 1975 and 2016. There were significant age-related differences in inner horn length (annual increments and total) and annulus circumference between the three areas reflecting differences in food resources. Longest horns currently grow in the Controlled Hunting Zone. Length appeared negatively associated with population density. Results, also, showed that, in the short term, forage improvement can reverse horn size decrease trends. To support conservation efforts, it is suggested that native range and islet managers should establish horn measuring in monitoring practices.

Revisiting Effects of Hunting on Mourning Dove Nest Survival

Abstract We reconstructed a historical dataset from a national mourning dove Zenaida macroura nesting study evaluating the effects of hunting on nesting birds during the September portion of the hunting season using Bayesian hierarchical models; the reconstructed dataset contained 707 nests. The original nest survival estimate of 96.3% (nonhunted zones) fell within the range of our average daily nest survival rates and credible intervals (CI) of 97.2% (95% CI: 96.2–98.0%) for nonhunted, but the original nest survival estimate of 95.5% (hunted zones) was lower than our average daily nest survival rates of 96.9% (95% CI: 96.1–97.7%) for hunted zones. Similarly, overall nest survival for areas and years combined for hunted zones was 44.3% (95% CI: 35.3%, 53.9%) and 48.1% (95% CI: 36.9%, 59.8%) for nonhunted zones. The most parsimonious model contained the primary covariates of hunted or nonhunted status (hunted or paired hunted) or paired hunted or nonhunted nest searching plot (zone), and year. We observed lower nest survival for the hunted or delayed-hunt zones compared to the zones with hunted or nonhunted season structure. Regional differences may be explained by states with early and late hunting seasons separated by ≥ 21 d compared to other pairs where hunted and nonhunted areas occurred simultaneously. Our reanalysis provides managers additional assurance that the basic premise of limited or no effect of harvest on mourning dove populations is still valid but continued monitoring of population status is warranted.

Extraction of repetitive transients with frequency domain multipoint kurtosis for bearing fault diagnosis

The appearance of repetitive transients in a vibration signal is one typical feature of faulty rolling element bearings. However, accurate extraction of these fault-related characteristic components has always been a challenging task, especially when there is interference from large amplitude impulsive noises. A frequency domain multipoint kurtosis (FDMK)-based fault diagnosis method is proposed in this paper. The multipoint kurtosis is redefined in the frequency domain and the computational accuracy is improved. An envelope autocorrelation function is also presented to estimate the fault characteristic frequency, which is used to set the frequency hunting zone of the FDMK. Then, the FDMK, instead of kurtosis, is utilized to generate a fast kurtogram and only the optimal band with maximum FDMK value is selected for envelope analysis. Negative interference from both large amplitude impulsive noise and shaft rotational speed related harmonic components are therefore greatly reduced. The analysis results of simulation and experimental data verify the capability and feasibility of this FDMK-based method

Spatio-temporal niche partitioning between the African lion (Panthera leo leo) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in western African savannas

Large predators in West Africa are threatened with extinction mainly by direct and indirect effects of human activities. Within this context, intraguild competition can limit populations of some species and even play a role in extinction. In this study, we used camera trapping to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of niche partitioning between the African lion Panthera leo leo and the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve, Benin. We found that these predators are more nocturnal in the hunting zone than in the national park of the biosphere reserve. The temporal overlap between lion and hyena was high in the national park (Pianka overlap index 0.88) and low in the hunting zones (0.39). The spatial overlap was low (0.40 in the national park and 0.38 in the hunting zones). The two predators were distributed independently in the national park, but showed significant positive association (co-occurrence) in the hunting zones. We suggest that anthropogenic activities leading to depletion of predators and their prey limit lion and hyena distribution in the hunting zones to some safety areas which are strongly selected by both predators. We recommend to significantly improve conservation efforts in the hunting zones of Pendjari Biosphere Reserve and to expand research of lion-hyena intraguild relationships to improve predator survival in West Africa.

Gospodarka łowiecka na obszarach wiejskich w okolicach Uniejowa na przykładzie obwodu nr 51

Celem niniejszego opracowania jest ocena gospodarki łowieckiej prowadzonej w obwodzie nr 51 w okolicach Uniejowa, a wraz z nią ocena dynamiki liczebności populacji zwierzyny łownej. W analizach uwzględniono także zmiany zachodzące w gospodarce rolnej i biotopie. Dane dotyczące liczebności populacji uzyskano z rocznych planów łowieckich sporządzanych przez dzierżawcę obwodu, tj. Koło Łowieckie Pracowników Resortu Leśnictwa i Przemysłu Drzewnego Nr 19 „Diana” w Łodzi. Opracowanie obejmuje lata 1990–2016.

Особливості біотопічного розподілу зайця сірого (Lepus Europaeus l.) в агроландшафтах лісостепу України

In the paper the particularities of static distribution of grey hare in the modern agrolandscapes of the Forest-steppe of Ukraine are given. Researches were carried out during 2015-2017 at not the vegetative periods - from November 1 to March 31. The main methods of field observations were typological and monitoring; the cameral works – mathematically-statistical and analytical. Now such standard ways of assessment of a condition of populations of field fauna as their quantitative analysis, relevant to supplement with studying of static localization of their territorial groups. The last allows to define the concrete ecological factors defining redistribution of fauna representatives in anthropogenic ecosystems and by that to improve the existing discriminatory analyses of types of hunting grounds on categories of value. From the scientific point of view, similar measures in relation to settled economically useful types, in particular a grey hare which is characterized high plurality in the choice of individual sites among agrolandscapes of the modern of the Forest-steppe of Ukraine look especially important. So, in Right-bank forestry hunting zone the frequency of occurrence of a grey hare among open landscapes (arable lands, meadows etc) at not the vegetative period was only 27,5% whereas in Left-bank - in general 23,5%. At that time the others of meetings with animals fell on the half-closed and closed cenosis among field grounds. In view of much smaller indicators of mediocrity and variegation of landscapes flat Left-bank of forestry hunting zone and, in this regard, it more intensively economic development to comparison with Right-bank, it is essential difference (32,1%), between population density of a grey hare is characteristic on the processed lands of the specified zones in favour of a right bank. Here the meeting was also frequent, concerning a left bank - on crop residue to an eddish (+ 14,7%), among long-term (+ 8,7%) and winter (+ 29,7%) crops whereas among the bushes and beams interspersed in left bank agrolandscapes the meeting was higher respectively for 8,4 and 21,0% in comparison with a right bank. Generalizing the received results of space studying distribution of a grey hare in the modern Forest-steppe of Ukraine and also similar researches of domestic scientists within the last 50 years, the state can draw a conclusion on serious changes in static redistribution of animals for the 21st century, as a result of continued industrialization of agricultural production towards the growing attraction of local groups to development of half-closed natural and semi-natural cenosis among agrolandscapes in process of strengthening of anthropogenic impact on loading on arable lands. The specified tendencies are traced in a section of the zones investigated forestry hunting with rather good natural and agroecological characteristics.

First quantitative survey delineates the distribution of chimpanzees in the Eastern Central African Republic

Vast, pristine ecosystems and their biodiversity are vanishing globally at frightening speed, but many large tracts of wilderness have not yet been systematically inventoried and important natural populations of threatened species remain poorly characterized. The forest-savanna ecotone of the Eastern Central African Republic (CAR) is one such poorly studied area. Using camera traps, transect walks and collected fecal samples, we provide the first quantitative survey of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in this region previously classified as a highly important chimpanzee conservation unit. In contrast to species distribution models and expert predictions, we did not find any evidence of chimpanzees in the large and remote forest blocks west of the Chinko River despite considerable search effort. Our study thus highlights the limitations of relying solely on remote sensing data to predict the presence or absence of endangered species and illustrates the necessity of extensive field surveys to accurately assess occurrence and density in remote areas. However, we did discover a sizeable and reproducing population of chimpanzees east of the Chinko River. Based on a density of 0.81chimpanzees/km2 in closed canopy forest that we inferred from nest count data, we estimate 910 weaned chimpanzees to inhabit the Chinko Nature Reserve (CNR) and further predict additional 2700 individuals in adjacent, unmanaged hunting zones and reserves. According to microsatellite data, these chimpanzees genetically cluster with P. t. schweinfurthii populations in East Africa. Conservation action and appropriate management plans are urgently needed to protect this important population and to prevent heavily-armed nomadic pastoralists from the Sahel, illegal miners, as well as elephant and meat poachers, from irretrievably destroying the natural vegetation and local biodiversity of the area.

Lead from spent ammunition: a source of exposure and poisoning in bald eagles

Ongoing occurrence of elevated levels of lead in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) following the ban on lead shot for waterfowl hunting led us to hypothesize that spent lead from ammunition, which is present in fi eld residues of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), represented a source of lead exposure in eagles. We conducted a case-control study using data from 1,277 bald eagles admitted for rehabilitation from January 1996 through December 2009. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to predict the odds of elevated lead levels using admission date in relation to deer hunting season, recovery location in relation to deer hunting zones, and age as predictors. We also assessed mean liver copper concentrations from eagles with elevated lead levels and from eagles with background lead levels, because most high velocity rifl e bullets that are used for deer hunting are jacketed in copper. We found 334 bald eagles with elevated lead levels out of 1,277 bald eagles we examined. We detected signifi cantly increased odds for elevated lead levels based on season (late fall and early winter), deer hunting rifl e zone, and age (adult birds). The mean liver copper concentration was higher (P = 0.02) in eagles with elevated lead levels. These combined results supported our hypothesis that eagles are acquiring lead from hunter-shot deer. Further research is needed to determine whether this exposure to lead is having a population-level impact.

Mammals of the Tamaulipeco Thorny Scrubland, Northwestern Coahuila, Mexico

The 'Tamaulipeco' thorny scrubland is one of the most interesting habitats of northeastern Mexico. It is considered that almost 70 % of its original surface area has been lost. Although there are no formal studies about the side effects of this loss, it is likely that it threatens wildlife in this habitat, mammals included. In addition, few areas in the State of Coahuila have been properly documented. The aim of this study was to document the richness of wild mammals in the northeastern border of Coahuila within the priority terrestrial region known as Tamaulipeco Scrubland of the Lower Rio Bravo. The richness of mammals was assessed through direct records by trapping methods for small, medium-sized and large mammals along with the use of camera traps. This was supplemented with indirect records through traces. The occurrence index and richness of the area index were calculated. In addition, dominance and evenness were both evaluated with the Simpson and the Shannon-Wiener indexes for small and medium-sized/large mammals separately. Thirty three mammal species (Table 2) were recorded in 34 days of recording effort. The richness recorded in the study area represents 31.8 % of the mammal wildlife reported for Coahuila. The high diversity in the area is evidenced by the Margalef index (5.13). The Simpson index for small mammals (0.241) indicates a higher dominance in relation to medium-sized/large mammals (0.215). The Shannon-Wiener index showed a lower evenness among small relative to medium-sized /large mammal species (1.821 vs. 1.858). The species richness recorded in the study area shows a high diversity supported by the Margalef index. Despite characteristics of some of the observed traces are inarguable for specie's identification index does not confirm its presence due to low indirect records, so the certain presence of these species need to be confirmed in future surveys. The large number of records for Dicotyles angulatus and Odocoileus virginianus is due to the location of the study area in a hunting zone were these are the main species hunted. It is likely that hunting activities by local inhabitants benefits the rest of the species recorded.

Does trophy hunting remain a profitable business model for conserving biodiversity in Cameroon?

In Central Africa, trophy hunting constitutes an incentive-based approach for sustainable wildlife management. We collected data from the wildlife administration, safari hunting enterprises and local wildlife management committees, to provide an order of magnitude of the financial performance of this sector in Cameroon. In 2012, trophy hunting was likely to generate an annual turnover of epsilon 7.5 million and its added value could amount to only 0.0001% of GDP although these hunting zones cover 12% of the national territory. The profit margin for professional guides had become negative, with a net annual profit around epsilon -0.7 million. The severe crisis in the trophy hunting sector is mainly due to an increase in the management costs of the hunting zones and the diminishing price of hunting safaris. The State plays a crucial role in enhancing the financial attractiveness of trophy hunting by the restoration of security in the Northern region and by technical measures to (1) clarify the allocation process for hunting areas, (2) simplify regulations and (3) establish an incentives system for law enforcement at national and local levels.

Good news from north-central Africa: largest population of Vulnerable common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius is stable

AbstractNorth-central Africa (i.e. Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad) once held important populations of large mammals, including the hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius. Exports of hippopotamus trophies from Cameroon were suspended in 2012 but the species’ status and population trends remain poorly known. Using the same methodology as in 2000 and 2008, we counted hippopotamuses in Faro National Park and bordering hunting zones in 2014. We counted 685 individuals along 97 km of river, compared with 647 and 525 in 2000 and 2008, respectively. The stability of this population contrasts with the declines in populations of large mammals across north-central Africa. We attribute this conservation success to private efforts (i.e. safari hunting) compensating for a decline in state protection. However, the situation remains fragile, as highlighted by an influx of transhumant cattle and gold diggers. We recommend increasing public–private conservation efforts, including incentives for the safari hunting industry, which is also under pressure.

A prey - partially dependent predator with a reserved zone: modelling and analysis

<p>In this paper, a mathematical model consisting of a prey-partially dependent predator has been proposed and analyzed. It is assumed that the prey moving between two types of zones, one is assumed to be a free hunting zone that is known as an unreserved zone and the other is a reserved zone where hunting is prohibited. The predator consumes the prey according to the Beddington-DeAngelis type of functional response. The existence, uniqueness and boundedness of the solution of the system are discussed. The dynamical behavior of the system has been investigated locally as well as globally with the help of Lyapunov function. The persistence conditions of the system are established. Local bifurcation near the equilibrium points has been investigated. Finally, numerical simulation has been used to specify the control parameters and confirm the obtained results.</p>