Interest In Wildlife Research Articles

The Role of Hunters in Wildlife Health Research and Monitoring: Their Contribution as Citizen Scientists in Italy.

In Italy, there are hundreds of research, monitoring, and surveillance activities targeting emerging and re-emerging pathogens. These activities heavily rely on hunters for sample collection and early identification of morbidity/mortality events. The objective of this review is to describe and quantify the contribution of hunters in the context of disease research, monitoring, and surveillance in wild populations. A literature review and descriptive summary statistics were performed following PRISMA-2020 guidelines; articles were obtained from major scientific databases, abstracts from national and international conferences, proceedings, graduate-level theses from online library repositories, and direct contact with academic experts. The contribution of hunters in terms of sample collection for health-related activities on wildlife amounts to 400,000 sampled animals. Wild boars were involved in 158 surveillance systems/research studies, followed by red deer (71), foxes (63), and roe deer (59). The pathogens under surveillance were mainly zoonotic (Salmonella spp.), emerging (Hepatitis E virus), and/or vector-borne (West Nile virus). The temporal distribution of scientific papers followed a positive trend that reflects the growing interest in wildlife from different sectors. These results highlight how wildlife health-related efforts are a paradigm of the concept of One Health, in which the role of hunters is crucial to ensure sample availability, and it constitutes the base of much current wildlife health research, monitoring, and surveillance.

Abundance Determination of Large Mammals with Distance Sampling Perspective, the Case of Elephants of the Mole National Park (MNP) of Ghana

Distance sampling with line transect method has been applied by many researchers to monitor and observe varied animals and plants with the aim of determining the population density and or abundance of animals. The application of this method has not received the needed attention in Ghana, in particular to monitor, observe, and estimate the densities and abundance of animals and plants in the game reserves of the Mole National Park (MNP) is not without exception and the statistics of these are always reported based on guesses and without any scientific proof. This study has seen the application of line transect methodology in the MNP in which the abundance estimates are statistically determined with both the classical and Bayesian philosophies of statistical approaches. An alternative means of detectability estimation using the total probability concept has been established to enhance the probability of detection of a rare and elusive population of large mammals. In performing statistical investigations on rare and elusive population, it appears insufficient to model from the classical perspective, the use of PRIOR knowledge as seen in the Bayesian context cannot be underestimated. This study proposed that the concept of Total Probability with prior knowledge of animals and plants in line transect surveys must be well embraced, Periodic censuss must be conducted regularly to help in establishing the rate of extinction of units of interest in wildlife and Distance sampling data with line transect sampling methodology need not be analysed using only the classical reasoning. Attention must be given to the existence and availability of prior knowledge of the units under study.

Ecotourist trail-use affects the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of mammals in a protected area: lessons for conservation management.

Ecotourism, by definition, aims to engage peoples' interest in wildlife and the environment. The use of tourist roads and trails to access sites within protected areas (PAs) can detrimentally affect the behavior and distribution of species. The way mammals respond to anthropogenic pressures may differ across taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic groups; nevertheless, how ecotourist trail-use affects these different diversity remains under-investigated. Here, we assessed 6 metrics of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity for a mammal community in a PA in central China, recording how Trail use (using Trail type as a proxy) and habitat variables affected sightings and signs of mammals across 60 replicate 0.5 km transects. We then examined how Trail use affected the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity indices of species (>1 kg). Using generalized liner mixed modeling, we identified that more used trail types had a greater adverse effect on all diversity richness indices than did less used trail types. Consequently, tourist pressure was associated with a general tendency to homogenize the site's mammal community. In contrast, the effects of Trail Types on all diversity evenness indices were non-significant. Furthermore, more developed and more heavily used trail types had a greater, significant negative effect on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic richness, whereas these richness indices were unaffected by minor trail types, used less intensively. As a general principle, lower biodiversity indices reduce ecosystem resilience, and so it is vital to better understand these responses to balance public access against biodiversity management in PAs.

Public perception of urban wildlife during a COVID-19 stay-at-home quarantine order in Chicago.

Reduced human activity to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by reports of unusual wildlife sightings in highly developed areas. Such experiences with urban nature may have helped residents cope with the stress of the pandemic and increased public interest in urban wildlife; however, this may depend on the species residents encountered. In this study, we surveyed Chicago, Illinois, USA residents during a stay-at-home order to understand if residents in more affluent or greener neighborhoods saw more wildlife species. We also evaluated whether encounters with pest and non-pest species were associated with residents’ values about wildlife. Of 593 responses included in our analyses, respondents in higher-income and greener neighborhoods were more likely to perceive increased wildlife sightings and respondents in higher-income areas reported observing a higher number common birds and mammals. Support for seeing wildlife in residential areas was associated with seeing passerine birds and not seeing rats during the stay-at-home order. Our results suggest that perceived increases in wildlife sightings were common during a stay-at-home order, especially for affluent residents, and that residents’ perceptions depended on the species encountered. Understanding how changes in human behavior modifies human-wildlife interactions can help mitigate human-wildlife conflict and foster positive engagement with local wildlife.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11252-022-01284-x.

Awareness, Practice and Perception of General Public using Native Plants for Landscaping: A Case Study from Diyatha Flower Market

A native plant is a species indigenous to a given region or ecosystem hence occurring naturally in a given area. The contribution attired by native plants ranges from conservational purposes to aesthetics. At present, landscaping using native plants is a major constituent in sustainable industries, which is highly popular owing to its capability to improve the ecological significance of the environment. Even though Sri Lanka has a vast pool of native plants, the tendency towards purchasing and using native plants are relatively low. Since the lack of knowledge and the small market create a divergence, exotics are used and maintained unknowingly at the residential level. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the consumers’ knowledge, attitude, and practices on using native plants at Diyatha Flower Market of Sri Lanka. A pre-tested interviewer administrated questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information, knowledge, attitudes and practices of respondents (n=147) on the usage of native plants in landscaping. Five points Likert scale was used to rank the attributes and the association between purchasing native plants and demographic factors, knowledge, attitude, the practice of the respondents was measured by Pearson chi square test. According to the results, purchasing native plants for landscaping was influenced by several factors; occupation (p=0.034), practising of landscaping (p=0.003), attitudes (p=0.049) and the respondents’ knowledge (p=0.008) on native plants. Gender, age and educational level did not significantly correlate to purchasing behaviour, while limited diversity (61.9%), lack of knowledge (51.7%), and unavailability of native plants in the market (29.9%) were reported as the major causes for not purchasing native plants. Only 3.4% indicated insect attraction as a reason for purchasing native plants, implying the lack of interest in wildlife gardening/pollinator conservation concepts in Sri Lanka. A notably higher percentage of respondents had a moderate level of knowledge (49.6%) on natives. However, 42% of respondents denote low preference of using natives at the home garden level through majority of participants showed a highly favorable level of attitudes (91.1%) towards natives. This proved that people support native plants in general but lack of using the native species at the residential level. Hence, enhancing the knowledge and attitude of using native plants among the general public and encouraging research and extension work to popularize native species for landscaping is recommended.
 Keywords: Diyatha flower market, Landscaping, Knowledge, Native plants, Public perception

The implications of digital visual media for human–nature relationships

The implications of digital visual media for human–nature relationships

Determinants of Support for Funding Options for Fish and Wildlife Conservation in Wisconsin

ABSTRACTDeclining sales of hunting and angling licenses create budget challenges for state fish and wildlife management agencies. Using a mail survey, we obtained Wisconsin residents’ opinions regarding funding for fish and wildlife management including options to raise licenses fees or create new funding mechanisms. We used an adjacent category, ordered logit regression model to explain respondents’ support for the funding options contrasted against budget cuts. Our model revealed that respondents’ self‐interest and demographic variables influenced support for the revenue generating options. Most importantly, respondents’ perceived benefits of public lands and high interest in fish and wildlife consistently influenced their support for increased funding options relative to requiring the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to reduce its operating costs. Rural respondents, however, opposed all options associated with raising revenues to fund conservation efforts. We suggest that gaining the support of rural hunters and anglers for any of the funding options will be imperative for the long‐term sustainability of fish and wildlife conservation funding in Wisconsin. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.

The power of large-scale community science in addressing anthropogenic change.

The human imprint on the global environment has become so pervasive that it rivals the forces of nature in its impact on ecosystem function. We are now living in the Anthropocene with increased air, light, noise, and heavy metal pollution (Foley et al., 2005). Understanding the link between anthropogenic stressors and functional trait characteristics will be vital to predict species response and adaptability to environmental change. Especially as urban areas increase, where anthropogenic changes are highly concentrated and overlapping, investigating how multiple stressors interact to affect individuals and populations is a current research priority. Wilson et al. (this issue) levy the power of human interest in wildlife to study the effects of human-generated pollution (2021). The authors provide a timely and novel continent-level study that addresses the interaction of light and noise pollution on species abundance and response using community science.

Debut of an endangered bird in zoos raises public interest, awareness and conservation knowledge of the species

AbstractRaising public awareness and support for endangered species is critical for global biodiversity conservation. However, we know little about which factors drive public interest in wildlife and how an increase in people's interest shapes their behaviours towards wildlife conservation. The animal debut of ex situ endangered species at zoos may raise general public interest in the conservation of these species. We assessed the impact of an animal debut using a case study of ex situ‐bred Japanese rock ptarmigan, a bird subspecies locally endangered in Japan, on people's awareness, knowledge and behaviours regarding Japanese ptarmigan conservation. The public's reactions to ptarmigans were measured by using an online questionnaire survey and online sources of information (Google Trends, Wikipedia, Twitter and the donation website visits). The animal debut events generated a nationwide increase in information‐seeking and sharing behaviours on the web and in conservation‐oriented behaviour (measured by the number of donation website page visits). A significant increase in knowledge of ptarmigans was evident only among people living in prefectures where ptarmigans occurred. Overall, our results suggest that the debut of ex situ‐bred endangered animals has the potential to promote public awareness, knowledge and behaviours for their conservation on a nationwide scale. Policy makers and practitioners should view zoos as important conservation centres and encourage conservation agencies to collaborate with them to reinforce public support for conservation programmes.

Connecting the spots: Leopard print fashion and Panthera pardus conservation

Leopard print is a proliferating fashion design with perpetual, cross–market appeal. But as demand for textiles replicating the leopard’s pattern soar, leopards themselves have disappeared from more than 75 % of the historic range. This study quantifies the fashion interest in leopard print to evaluate whether its popularity reflects an interest in wildlife, specifically in leopards or spotted cats, and whether this has contributed, or has the potential to contribute, to conservation. Global interest is documented and quantified by leveraging user–generated internet data (Google Trends Index), the traditional editorial media (Lexis Nexis), and social media (Instagram). The results suggest little correlation between interest in leopard print and interest (or concern) over leopards in the wild. In this context, conservation and fashion preferences may currently be linked only tenuously by most consumers, presenting a challenge, and potentially great opportunity, if they could be connected in ways making the relationship become mutually beneficial. As one way of achieving this, we conclude by proposing a wildlife royalties funding mechanism whereby the fashion print would benefit leopards through a payment scheme for rights of use for commercial purposes.

Harry Macdonald Ross

A vet at Scotland’s Rural College, his practical knowledge and experience enabled him to support rural veterinary practices, as well as to foster his own interest in wildlife.

You poor little thing! The role of compassion for wildlife conservation

ABSTRACT Citizens can engage in wildlife conservation by participating in citizen science (CS) projects about wildlife. Interest in wildlife and science has been found to be one motivation for CS participation. Yet, we suggest that emotional responses, such as compassion for suffering, injured, or distressed wildlife, are relevant motivations that have so far been understudied. Compassion is known to increase behavioral intentions to alleviate suffering and, thus, is likely to have beneficial consequences for wildlife CS projects. Therefore, our two studies investigated the impact of different wildlife photographs on compassion, attitudes toward CS, and intentions to engage in CS. We found that photographs of distressed raccoons and foxes increased compassion, which thereby increased attitudes toward CS projects and some intentions to participate in these projects. Thus, compassion may be a relevant factor for increasing citizens’ engagement in wildlife conservation. We discuss the implications of our findings for CS and wildlife conservation.

Wildlife tourism in Latin America: taxonomy and conservation status

We provide an initial insight into the extent, occurrence and characteristics of wildlife tourism involving close interactions with free-ranging, non-domesticated, animals outside of formal captive environments across Latin America. Using information provided online via TripAdvisor, we found this type of tourism was occurring across the region (advertised on 249 wildlife tourist attraction webpages across 21 countries) and involved a diverse range of wild animals (73 species, including 19 currently considered as threatened by the IUCN). Opportunities for direct contact with wild animals were particularly prevalent (54% of all surveyed webpages). Despite the potential economic benefits, studies have indicated that these types of ecotourism are potentially having net negative impacts on wildlife conservation and welfare. Mammals classified as Least Concern featured most commonly in tourist photos, but our analyses suggest that mammals and species classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List were most likely to occur in these types of wildlife tourist attractions (WTAs). Amphibians and species classified on the IUCN Red List as Data Deficient or Critically Endangered were least likely. Given the growing nature of the wildlife tourism sector, we provide recommendations to help effectively balance and manage wider wildlife protection goals and growing tourist interest in wildlife.

George Richard (Dick) Potts (1939–2017)

George Richard (Dick) Potts (1939–2017)

Monkey business

Use Brenda Williams' original poem as an action rhyme to develop children's interest in the different types of animals that live in the jungle, and spark a life-long interest in wild life and the natural world.

Wildlife conservation camp: An education and recruitment pathway for high school students?

ABSTRACTEnvironmental education programs have been evaluated to assess short‐term effects on participants; however, few studies have examined long‐term effects. We quantified how the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society's Wildlife Conservation Camp (WCC), Texas, USA, has affected high school students. A web‐based survey questionnaire measured attitudes and behaviors of participants toward wildlife conservation and natural resources. A subset of questions was taken from the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife‐Associated Recreation to provide a comparison population (USDI, USFWS, USDC, and USCB 2011). The majority of respondents reported moderate to large increases in knowledge (89%) and interest (80%) of wildlife conservation and observation from the WCC and major influence on the course of their lives (85%). Most respondents (86%) who went into a conservation‐related field reported the WCC influenced their career path. The majority of WCC respondents took special interest in wildlife around the home (66%) and away from home (70%) compared with Texans (likely wildlife watchers) surveyed in the 2011 National Survey (75% and 23%, respectively). The WCC can influence knowledge and interest of wildlife and recruitment into conservation‐related fields. Improvements to the program include increased outreach to diverse audiences and scholarship opportunities. Our results may guide the evaluation of other outdoor camps as we strive to better understand how educational programs can create a diverse generation of ecologically literate citizens and conservation leaders. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.

Wild animals don't make appointments.

Bev Panto grew up with a keen interest in wildlife, as well as being an active member of a local conservation group and a 'young ornithologist'. Twenty years on, she is now a wildlife vet.

Talk on the wide side: professional development for wildlife and science filmmakers

Science and wildlife films are very common and widely viewed. Yet, most of the makers of these films have entered the profession because of their knowledge or interest in science and wildlife. Given the potential for a rather circuitous route to the profession many filmmakers benefit tremendously from engagement in professional development. We have detailed the professional development needs of novice and expert science and wildlife filmmakers ranging from keeping current with technology to consideration of engaging audiences beyond the viewing. We have also addressed gaps in the current knowledge of the professional development of these filmmakers and how film festivals may be structured to meet the ongoing educational needs of these professionals.

Conserving wildlife.

An interest in wildlife and natural systems has absorbed Richard Kock's working life

The islands are different: human perceptions of game species in Hawaii.

Hawaii's game animals are all non-native species, which provokes human-wildlife conflict among stakeholders. The management of human-wildlife conflict in Hawaii is further complicated by the discrete nature of island communities. Our goal was to understand the desires and perceived values or impacts of game held by residents of Hawaii regarding six game species [pigs (Sus scrofa), goats (Capra hircus), mouflon (Ovis musimon), axis deer (Axis axis), turkeys (Melagris gallopavo), and doves (Geopelia striata)]. We measured the desired abundance of game on the six main Hawaiian Islands using the potential for conflict index and identified explanatory variables for those desires via recursive partitioning. In 2011 we surveyed 5,407 residents (2,360 random residents and 3,047 pre-identified stakeholders). Overall 54.5 and 27.6 % of the emailed and mailed surveys were returned (n = 1,510). A non-respondent survey revealed that respondents and non-respondents had similar interest in wildlife, and a similar education level. The desired abundance of game differed significantly among stakeholders, species, and islands. The desired abundance scores were higher for axis deer, mouflon, and turkeys compared to pigs, goats or doves. Enjoyment at seeing game and the cultural value of game were widespread explanatory variables for desired abundance. Models for Lanai emphasized the economic value of game, whereas models for Maui identified the potential for game to contaminate soil and water. Models for Oahu and Kauai revealed concern for human health and safety. Given our findings we recommend managers design separate management plans for each island taking into consideration the values of residents.