Large Game Research Articles

Adaptations to sociality in the mimetic and auricular musculature of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus).

The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is a highly social canid that engages in sophisticated, coordinated group hunting tactics to procure large game. It is one of the most effective hunters of the African savannah, due to its highly developed communication methods. It also has large, mobile ears which enhance its auditory capabilities while hunting and assist with thermoregulation. Recent research suggested that certain muscles of facial expression, particularly those involved with expressive eyebrow movement, evolved solely in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) to facilitate communication with their human owners. However, it is unclear whether highly social wild canid species may also employ similar expressive eye communication. We performed detailed dissections of an adult male L. pictus to evaluate and describe its mimetic and auricular musculature. Overall, L. pictus has well-developed facial and ear muscles. Musculi levator anguli oculi medialis (LAOM) and retractor anguli oculi lateralis (RAOL), mimetic muscles of hypothesized importance in domestic dog-human non-verbal communication, are enlarged in L. pictus, comparable in size to those of domestic dogs, as is m. orbicularis oculi. This morphology suggests that ocular facial expressions contribute to within-pack communication in wild dogs and are not unique to domestic dogs. The auricular muscles of L. pictus are well-developed, supporting greater leverage and fine manipulation of its large, mobile ears. These muscular adaptations facilitate the highly social ecology of African wild dogs and challenge current interpretations about the unique nature of domestic dog facial expressions.

Meat juice as a feasible alternative sample for tuberculosis surveillance in large game.

In hunted animals, quality of blood samples may often be compromised. Alternative samples, such as meat juice, may offer an advantage to perform serological tests. This study evaluates if meat juice is a feasible alternative sample to perform the Tuberculosis ELISA test in hunted large game. Between 2017 and 2022, 175 samples were collected from 97 animals (14 red deer + 83 wild boar) in Portugal and Spain. Cohen's kappa coefficient was calculated at 0.71, pointing out a good agreement using 156 paired samples. The sensitivity of the ELISA test with serum was 37.6%, considering Tuberculosis-like lesions (TBL) detected during the initial examination (26 TBL+/ELISA+ in a total of 78 serum samples). Using meat juice as matrix, the sensitivity increased to 37.5% (33 TBL+/ELISA+ in 97 meat juice samples). According to the agreement score and sensitivity being so close between the two matrices tested, meat juice could be a feasible alternative matrix.

Cervids as Sentinels for Rickettsia spp. in Portugal

Cervids are highly exposed to ticks, however, their role in the life cycle of these rickettsiae has not been fully elucidated. Given the expanding distribution and growing population of deer species in Portugal, coupled with their direct and indirect interactions with humans during hunting, it becomes crucial to explore their role as sentinels and potential reservoirs of Rickettsia. The present investigation aimed to detect and evaluate exposure to Rickettsia in free-living deer from Portugal. Blood samples (n=77) were collected from hunted game animals (red deer and fallow deer) from different areas throughout Portugal (Idanha-a-Nova, Monte Fidalgo, Montalvão and Arraiolos) and sera were tested by immunofluorescence assay, to detect antibodies. Additionally, blood DNA samples were screened for SFGR by nested-polymerase chain reaction targeting a fragment of the outer membrane protein B (ompB) gene, as well as for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Thirty-five per cent (25 deer and two fallow deer) tested positive (sera with a titer ≥1:64) for IgG antibodies against Rickettsia conorii. No rickettsial DNA was detected by PCR for the ompB gene, and all DNA samples tested negative for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia.As far as we know, this study is the first screening of cervid species in Portugal for Rickettsia antibodies. The findings suggest that these animals serve as useful sentinel indicators for the circulation of rickettsiae, offering a complementary perspective to studies focused on ticks.The increasing numbers of hunted deer in Portugal and the potential zoonotic features of Rickettsia spp. highlight the importance of continued surveillance directed at tick-borne diseases, especially those involving wild animals.

Blood lead levels in an endangered vulture decline following changes in hunting activity

Lead ammunition stands out as one of the most pervasive pollutants affecting wildlife. Its impact on bird populations have spurred efforts for the phase-out of leaded gunshot in several countries, although with varying scopes and applications. Ongoing and future policy changes require data to assess the effectiveness of adopted measures, particularly in the current context of biodiversity loss. Here, we assessed the long-term changes in blood lead (Pb) levels of Egyptian vultures from the Canary Islands, Spain, which have been severely affected by Pb poisoning over the past two decades. During this period, the reduction in hunting pressure and changes in legislation regarding firearms usage for small game hunting likely contributed to a decrease in environmental Pb availability. As anticipated, our results show a reduction in Pb levels, especially after the ban on wild rabbit hunting with shotgun since 2010. This effect was stronger in the preadult fraction of the vulture population. However, we still observed elevated blood Pb levels above the background and clinical thresholds in 5.6% and 1.5% of individuals, respectively. Our results highlight the positive impact of reducing the availability of Pb from ammunition sources on individual health. Nonetheless, the continued use of Pb gunshot remains an important source of poisoning, even lethal, mainly affecting adult individuals. This poses a particular concern for long-lived birds, compounding by potential chronic effects associated with Pb bioaccumulation. Our findings align with recent studies indicating insufficient reductions in Pb levels among European birds of prey, attributed to limited policy changes and their uneven implementation. We anticipated further reductions in Pb levels among Egyptian vultures with expanded restrictions on hunting practices, including a blanket ban on Pb shot usage across all small game species.

Illegal Hunting is a Major Threat to Important Wildlife Species of Mangla Dam Freshwater Reservoir

One of the major cause of biodiversity loss on a global scale is the overexploitation of biological resources. Illegal hunting at Mangla Dam Wetland is the focus of the present investigation, which aims to determine its extent and root causes. Field surveys, primary and secondary data collection, and scheduled meetings with relevant departments, communities, and hunters made up the research. Over a decade, from 2011 to 2020, five different areas of Mangla Dam were monitored for instances of hunting birds, reptiles, and mammals. In 2013, there were 793 recorded cases of hunting, and in 2019 and 2020, there was a dramatic fall in hunting (COVID-19). Pangolins, migratory birds, wild boars, jungle hares, and scorpions were among the most soughtafter and illegally hunted animals. During the research, 6416 instances of illegal hunting were documented. In 2013, the hunting index reached its peak of 22 during the pastdecade. Game hunting, the ease of obtaining firearms (12 bore and repeater), the desire to make money by locals and animal dealers in response to poverty, poor law enforcement, and a general lack of knowledge were the primary drivers of illicit wildlife hunting. This prompted the government to take decisive action in safeguarding animals through the implementation of stringent regulatory frameworks and conservation initiatives.

Regulatory Performance of Tourist Hunting and Legal Game Meat Trade in Tanzania

Recently, the government of Tanzania has legalized the sale of game meat under special rules namely the Wildlife Conservation (Game Meat Selling) Regulations of 2020 as an effort to curb illegal hunting. The regulations mention tourist hunting as one of the sources of commercial game meat. Other sources include resident hunting; wildlife farms/ranches/zoos; and culling, cropping, and control of problem animals. In this paper we examine the performance of tourist hunting, legal game meat in the country, and its regulatory framework from the perspectives of key stakeholders, including both public and private or non-state stakeholders. We use a variant of Likert’s methods of summated ratings and the cumulative ordinal regression model to analyse and compare the opinions of stakeholders. We found that there are still challenges, especially related to sources of wild animals. Operators of game meat facilities find it difficult to source game meat from tourist hunting companies and the latter are not willing to offer the meat to licensed operators of game meat shops. Our results support the hypothesis that authorization of the game meat trade can serve as one of the boldest conservation tools to mitigate illegal poaching if well-planned and regulated. The results of the cumulative ordinal regression model predict an improvement of 42% in the performance of regulatory framework per unit improvement in the procedures for application and registration of game meat selling facilities (p = 0.010). The paper recommends leveraging stakeholders' active engagement and strengthening cooperation between game meat value chain actors and law-enforcement authorities. An innovative participatory model for enforcing game meat sanitary and safety regulations is also recommended to avoid potential health risks to consumers. It underscores the importance of institutional capacity building, awareness creation, and adequate funding in the fight against illegal hunting and game meat trade. In order for the country to be able to achieve sustainable game meat trade in the country, the challenge of limited wild animal sources has to be addressed, possibly by supporting the establishment of privately owned wild animal farms, ranches, and zoos, this also has its own challenges that need to be addressed too.

New discoveries from the early Māori village at Shag River Mouth, New Zealand, reveal intestinal parasites

AbstractPresented here are the results of archaeoparasitological analysis of habitation layers at Shag River Mouth, Otago coast. Two types of helminth eggs were identified: The first type is Toxocara canis, associated with the introduced kurī dog (Canis familiaris), which could have adversely affected local people and their dogs. The other type very closely resembles that of Stringopotaenia psittacea, associated with the critically endangered endemic kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus) parrot. The results represent the first South Island archaeo parasitological identifications. There was no starch or associated material in the samples, such as introduced Polynesian crops and indigenous starchy Māori food plants. This lack is consistent with the interpretation of the site as that of a transient village focused on big game hunting.

Improved control-oriented polarization characteristic modeling for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer with adaptive hunting game based metaheuristic optimization

The proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer has garnered increasing attention for the large-scale consumption of intermittent renewable energy to produce high purity “green hydrogen”, contributing to the realization of futural carbon neutrality goals. The necessity of control-oriented polarization characteristic modeling with accurate parameter identification remains a significant challenge for the performance evaluation of this type of water electrolyzer. In this paper, an improved control-oriented polarization characteristic modeling for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer with adaptive hunting game based metaheuristic optimization is proposed to foster collaborative performance enhancement between model improvement and optimizer investigation. The inspiration behind model improvement lies in the nonlinear mechanism linkage between partial pressures of liquid water supplying and anode gas separator. Then, an adaptive hunting game based metaheuristic optimizer is proposed to address the inherent local multi-extremum distribution problem in the established model. Experimental data from a commercial water electrolyzer system is used to validate the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed model-optimizer pair. Detailed comparisons reveal that the improved model development, with its consideration of critical mechanisms, ensures enhanced metaheuristic efficiency in the designed optimizer, both in terms of robust intensity evaluation and efficient quasi-Newton based local search. Statistically, the collaboration performance enhancement reaches up to 7.33% when compared with the other model-optimizer.

Analysing the manipulation of the number of players on tactical, technical, and physical performance in youth futsal

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to comprehensively describe and compare the effects of different practice tasks, specifically 4 × 4, 3 × 3, 2 × 2 with goalkeepers (GK) in a 40 × 20 m field court. Forty-two male U17 players (age = 15.62 ± 0.58 years) from three futsal teams participated in the study. The tactical-technical offensive and defensive actions were measured using Videobserver® software. To measure external load (EL) and internal load (IL) during futsal tasks, the WIMU PROTM Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tracking system was used. To compare the tasks, the ANOVA for repeated measures was used. Results revealed that the reduction on the number of players contributed to increase the number of passing and shooting actions, while a generalised increase in physical and physiological responses were observed. In general, the major differences were observed between GK + 2 × 2 + GK and GK + 3 × 3 + GK in relation to GK + 4 × 4 + GK while some differences in physical and tactical-technical actions were also observed between GK + 2 × 2 + GK and GK + 3 × 3 + GK. Thus, the reduction on the number of players in large games can be considered a pedagogical strategy to promote an increase in the tactical-technical actions, such as passing and shooting actions, increasing the physical intensity of players.

Winter game crop plots for gamebirds retain hedgerow breeding songbirds in an improved grassland landscape

The cause of recent population declines in some farmland/hedgerow breeding bird species in the UK is related to a lack of cover and food resources in winter. In improved grassland areas some of those declines have been particularly acute and some have been shown to be related to the availability of grass and weed seed in winter. The provision of seed‐bearing crops as part of AES options has been shown to benefit some of these birds. Game crop plots sown on shooting estates for holding and driving gamebirds in autumn and winter have been shown to hold relatively high densities of farmland and wood‐edge birds during the winter.We studied breeding songbirds in hedges in a primarily improved grassland area in the SW of England where there are some large shooting estates that sow relatively large game crop plots (1–5 ha) in the landscape. In this study we found that otherwise similar hedges in terms of size and density near to those winter game crop plots, had between 1.5 and 2 times as many breeding resident songbirds per unit length the following spring compared to hedges further away from game crop plots. This was despite game management in these plots being wound down during February and in many cases, the crops themselves being removed by mid‐March. Hedges within approximately 350 m from game crop plots had more breeding birds. We discuss possible mechanisms and suggest that some passerines preferentially establish breeding territories in hedges near to game crops in late winter. We suggest how to distribute game crop plots to maximise any benefit in an improved grassland landscape.

Laplace principle for large population games with control interaction

This work investigates continuous time stochastic differential games with a large number of players whose costs and dynamics interact through the empirical distribution of both their states and their controls. The control processes are assumed to be open-loop. We give regularity conditions guaranteeing that if the finite-player game admits a Nash equilibrium, then both the sequence of equilibria and the corresponding state processes satisfy a Sanov-type large deviation principle. The results require existence of a Lipschitz continuous solution of the master equation of the corresponding mean field game, and they carry over to cooperative (i.e. central planner) games. We study a linear-quadratic case of such games in details.

The V-shaped desert kites and their contribution to the Timnian economy

Desert kites are communal game traps that were used to harvest herds of ungulates, and there are more than 6000 in the arid zones of southwestern Asia. The oldest were dated to the 9th millennium cal B.C. and some were reused until the beginning of the 20th century. A wide range of types and dimensions is found throughout the region, but only the small V-shaped type is found in the cultural landscape of the Timnian, a Mid-Holocene culture in the southern Levantine deserts. The Timnian economy was based on nomadic pastoralism, rearing small herds of goats/sheep. In the southern Levantine deserts, pastoralism had to be augmented by other carbohydrate sources. It is apparent that the Timnians invested much effort and resources in kite construction to hunt ungulates; however, faunal assemblages from habitation camps, burial fields and ceremonial complexes show very few bones of hunted game. Here we test two competing hypotheses: the use of kites to augment food supply, versus the use of kites for social or ceremonial purposes. We review the Timnian culture, the local kites, and cost-benefits considerations, as well as issues regarding desert pastoralism. We conclude that the kites were mostly used in social and ceremonial contexts.

Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Pada Pembelajaran Pkn Menggunakan Model PBL Berbasis Treasure Hunt Dan QR Code

In the era of revolution 4.0, education does not only require intellectual abilities, but critical thinking, creative, communicative and collaboration skills. The problem with Civics learning is that it still prioritizes cognitive aspects, it has not been able to realize the goal of creating critical and responsible students. There needs to be innovation in Civics learning that combines problem-based learning models through games and is integrated with the use of technology in elementary schools. This research aims to find out the influence of problem based learning implemented through the QR code-assisted treasure hunt game on Civics learning. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. The analysis technique used is an interactive analysis model consisting of data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions or verification. The results of data analysis are presented in the form of descriptions supported by observations, interviews and literature studies. The results of the analysis and discussion can be concluded that critical thinking skills emerge in Civics learning using the PBL treasure hunt and QR code models. Critical thinking skills are demonstrated by the emergence of the following indicators: providing simple explanations, building basic skills, concluding, making further explanations, strategies and tactics. It is hoped that the results of this study can become a reference, especially in the field of education, to create a superior and characterful next generation.

Is trophy hunting a real sport?

One of the most confusing and least academically understood fields of the tourism industry at global level is ironically the lucrative and highly priced phenomenon of big game hunting which is often carried out as a means of recreational sport. Colloquially known variously as trophy hunting, sport hunting or safari hunting, the practice of big game hunting represents one of the fastest growing and perhaps most controversial aspects of both sport and income generating activities involving wildlife exploitation. The multi-billion-dollar industry, which is often targeted for criticism by animal rights groups that oppose killing of animals on moral grounds, is examined critically from a pro-hunting perspective. In a bid to establish whether trophy hunting qualifies as a true sport or not, the study unravels how human lust for money has reduced trophy hunting into a mafioso-like syndicate with little or no scruples for sporting and conservation principles which are essential ingredients to qualify hunting as a true sport. This study is therefore a milestone not only in putting together major principles upon which trophy hunting bases its claims as a sport, but also in unravelling secretive abuses of wildlife that deny trophy hunting the status of sport that its original hunting philosophers had envisaged.

Research on the well-off family education investment under the Policy of Double Reduction

Chinese education is like a large competitive game in the past time, with a lot of over-step learning and pre-emptive education increasing the extra —curricular pressure on primary and secondary school students day by day.In 2021, the national "double reduction" policy was implemented, and in 2022, the "Family Education Promotion Law of the People's Republic of China" was introduced. With the combined effect of "one government, one law", the status and role of family education have become more prominent, so it is of great practical significance to understand the education investment behavior of Chinese families. Therefore, this study is a case study of three students and their families from different schools in Weifang, Shandong Province in China. Through semi-structured interviews, this paper discusses the educational investment of well-off families after the implementation of the double reduction policy. The results show that art-related learning content dominates the education expenditure of well-off families after the implementation of the double-reducing policy, while cultural tutoring decreases.  Becasue of (a)parents mainly want to cultivate their children's interests and hobbies or provide guidance for weak subjects; (b)the lack of understanding of the double reduction policy, leading to parents and students blindly follow the trend, increasing the pressure of students and parents' anxiety. This study focuses on the feelings of students and parents after the implementation of the double reduction policy, and attaches importance to the problems arising after the implementation of the policy. The findings are helpful to provide reference for future research on the educational investment of wealthy families after the implementation of the double reduction policy.

Conventions and social choice in large games

Conventions and social choice in large games

Changes in physical activity after the introduction of an treasure hunt game during childcare activities

Changes in physical activity after the introduction of an treasure hunt game during childcare activities

The impact of treasure hunt games on learning outcomes in time measurement

Background: Educational games are increasingly recognized as effective teaching tools, especially in elementary education. This study focuses on the application of a treasure hunt game in teaching mathematics, specifically time measurement concepts, to second-grade students at SD Islam PB Soedirman, Cijantung, East Jakarta.Aim: The primary aim of this research was to assess the impact of the treasure hunt game on the improvement of mathematical learning outcomes among the students.Method: This research adopted a quantitative experimental approach with a Post-test Only Control Group design. The sample consisted of 50 second-grade students divided into two groups: an experimental group (2D) and a control group (2G), each with 25 students. The experimental group was taught using the treasure hunt game, while the control group did not receive any special intervention. Data collection was conducted through observation and objective testing with 13 multiple-choice questions that had been validated. Data analysis was performed using SPSS for testing validity and reliability, as well as for prerequisite and hypothesis testing.Results: The prerequisite test results indicated that the data were homogenous and valid. The hypothesis testing, conducted using a paired t-test, showed a significant value of 0.003 (p < 0.05), indicating a significant difference between the experimental and control groups.Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the treasure hunt game significantly influences the improvement of mathematical learning outcomes in time measurement for second-grade students. This suggests the effectiveness of game-based learning methods in the context of elementary mathematics education.

Location Hunting Game: Developing an Application to Promote Gameful Hybrid Machi-aruki Town Exploration

Previous research has established the relevance of digital tools in participatory processes of urban planning and design. Nevertheless, the debate about the role that these information and communication technologies (ICTs) play within the participatory process, with respect to established practices and methods, and in relation to community building and public space, is still ongoing. The purpose of this paper is to present the design and development of a participation tool that attempts to combine physical and digital forms of interaction with public space and the community in the context of an essential initiation practice in Japanese participatory planning, called machi-aruki (town walking or walking tours). This tool, named the Location Hunting Game (LHG), employs location data as a medium to connect digital and physical realms, and was developed in a broader theory-driven research endeavor that explores the potential of location data in collective urban planning and governance. This article presents the concepts and objectives of LHG, the game design, the interface design, the prototyping process, the technical specifications, and a summary of the preliminary results of a trial study. The results provide insights into the potentials and limitations of the current prototype and development challenges, and conclude with future research steps.

Cecily Shoots a Rhinoceros: Big Game Hunting in British Somaliland and the 1900 Convention for the Preservation of Wild Animals, Birds and Fish in Africa

In 1900, seven European nations gathered in London to agree the Convention for the Preservation of Wild Animals, Birds and Fish in Africa. The Convention sought to regulate game hunting across the African continent, in response to the decimation of wildlife that unregulated hunting for sport and ivory had caused. Six years later, Agnes Herbert and her cousin Cecily set out from London to British Somaliland on a big game hunt. In this article, I explore the interrelationships of memoirs, such as Agnes Herbert’s, with law and literary imagination in the creation of a colonial conservation culture. I do so by invoking Foucault’s thinking about heterotopias. I unpack the temporal modalities in which ideas about big game operate in administrative and literary texts: both the idea of a lost golden age and, more particularly, the futurities of big game that they construct and debate through ideas of “preservation.”