Rare Wildlife Research Articles

Along came a spider: an unusual organism identified in a peritoneal dialysis patient, a case report and literature review

BackgroundPeritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis can uncommonly be caused by fungal infections. When they do present, they are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We describe a case where a sample of peritoneal dialysate fluid grew Rhodotorula muciliginosa, a yeast organism present in the normal environment which has previously been reported as rarely causing peritonitis. We believe this is the first case where the Rhodotorula spp. and its origin has been identified.Case presentationA 20 year old male grew Rhodotorula muciliginosa from his peritoneal dialysis fluid on three separate occasions when a fluid sample was sent following a disconnection and subsequent set change. He was not systemically unwell and his peritoneal dialysate was clear. As Rhodotorula spp. is exceedingly difficult to treat our patient had his Tenchkoff catheter removed. Subsequent samples of soil and sand from his bearded dragon and Chilean tarantula cases, kept in his bedroom where dialysis occurred, were tested. The tarantula sand was identified as the source of the Rhodotorula spp. Of note, Candida was isolated from sand from the bearded dragon case. Once his Tenchkoff was removed he was treated with an intravenous course of antifungal therapy. He has since had a new Tenchkoff catheter inserted and recommenced PD following education around pets and hygiene.ConclusionsIn this era where people are keeping increasingly rare and unusual wildlife in their homes, this case highlights the need for clinician and nursing staff awareness of a patient’s home environment and hobbies when they are undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Sand from our patient’s tarantula case grew the colonising organism but interestingly soil from his bearded dragon case also isolated candida. This can also cause difficult to treat peritonitis.

Population assessment and foraging ecology of nest aggregations of the rare solitary bee, Eucera longicornis at Gatwick Airport, and implications for their management

Eucera longicornis is a rare solitary bee that is in decline throughout its range in Britain and other European countries. Two nest aggregations that had been previously discovered in 2014 on land owned and managed by Gatwick Airport, Southern England, were studied in 2017, 2018 and 2019 to obtain information relevant to their conservation. Population estimates using mark recapture showed that the larger aggregation had a maximum population estimate of 659 individuals in 2018, with the smaller aggregation reaching a maximum population estimate of 221 in 2019. In terms of foraging requirements, microscopic analysis of pollen samples from females returning from their nests identified a total of 12 plant taxa across all years and both aggregations. Fabaceae pollen was present in 100% of samples and on average comprised 90% of each sample, indicating that the species is oligolectic. Both nest aggregations were on sloping banks of exposed soil arising from land management by the airport in 1999. Floral surveys of the landscape indicate that within 100 m of both aggregations Fabaceae species are the most abundant due to the presence of a legume rich wildflower meadow alongside the adjacent river Mole, which was sown by Gatwick Airport. Eucera longicornis at Gatwick Airport are an example of how if managed appropriately, industrial areas can provide valuable refuges for rare wildlife. Although there is no imminent risk of the populations going extinct, management and monitoring suggestions are provided to ensure these populations persist.

Territorial Protection Maintenance of the Wildlife Species Listed in the Red Data Book of the Nizhny Novgorod Region

The paper summarizes the results of the analysis of the territorial protection maintenance of the wildlife species listed in the Red Data Book of the Nizhny Novgorod region. To assess the current state of territorial protection of rare wildlife species the database containing 3599 facts of registrations of the rare wildlife species on approved and projected protected areas of the Nizhny Novgorod region was compiled by the authors. In addition, authors have offered to recognize 5 levels of the protection maintenance: full, good, satisfactory, poor, and absent. Authors have evaluated the scale of changes in the rare wildlife species providing with territorial protection in the XX-XXI centuries as well. The territorial protection maintenance of the rare wildlife species in the Nizhny Novgorod region has grown significantly over the past 40 years. In 2001, the rare wildlife species listed in the Red Data Book of the Nizhny Novgorod region were known to inhabit only 195 protected areas. Now the rare species of animals, plants, fungi and lichens are protected in 227 approved protected areas, and 92 territories are projected for the protected areas establishing. In general, the territorial protection of rare species listed in the regional Red Data Book seems to be satisfactory, but need the significant improvement. It is necessary to create additional protected areas along with continued searching of rare species habitats.

Conservation Status of Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Nepal: A Review of Current Efforts and Challenges

The greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is one of the iconic natural heritage of Nepal’s rich biological diversity, backed by the commitment of the Government of Nepal to conserve this rare animal for now and future generations. It is not only important for conservationists due to its ecological value, but it also holds a universal appeal for ordinary people. Over the decades, the Government of Nepal, supported by national and international conservation partner organizations and the local communities, has significantly contributed to the conservation of this iconic species. Nepal’s rhino population has increased by 45% between the year 2005 and 2015. There are now 645 rhinos in Nepal, marking an increase of 111 rhinos from the 534 recorded in the last census in 2011. These numbers reflect the success of conservation efforts for this species and are a result of improved rhino protection measures, and management of habitat. Though the population of one-horned rhinos has increased significantly over past years in the country, the protection of the rare wildlife species has remained a challenging job. Habitat loss and fragmentation, increasing encroachment of forest areas, climate change, poaching, and increasing human-wildlife conflict are major challenges for protection of this rare species. This paper discusses the current status and distribution of greater one-horned rhinoceros, and potential challenges to conserve this flagship species in Nepal.

Influence of the federal landowner Incentive Program

ABSTRACTThe Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) was introduced as a federal conservation program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2002 as a means to incentivize private landowners in the management of rare wildlife species and their habitats. States and tribes were encouraged to apply for competitive funding and establish appropriate programs aimed at reversing population declines of wildlife species on privately owned land. We document the origin of LIP and highlight 2 case studies that exemplify innovations catalyzed by LIP. From 2002 to 2007, US$127 million was appropriated and >4,300 projects were completed nationwide. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

Impact of livestock grazing on biodiversity and giant panda habitat

ABSTRACTLivestock grazing occurs in many protected areas for wildlife and has become a threat to wildlife worldwide. Livestock grazing within protected areas causes negative effects to rare wildlife (e.g., giant panda [Ailuropoda melanoleuca]) and their habitat. We used the 2,000‐km2 Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, southwestern China, to document the effects of livestock on the giant panda and its habitat. We monitored arrow bamboo (Bashania fangiana), wildlife sign (i.e., feces and tracks), and characteristics of plant communities in intact habitat (IH; limited livestock grazing) and disturbed habitat (DH; with grazing disturbance) to assess the effects of livestock grazing and the responses of giant pandas and sympatric species across spatial and temporal scales. Bamboo coverage and the height and basal diameter of bamboo in IH were greater than those in DH, whereas the number of herbaceous species and herbaceous coverage in IH were lower than those in DH. Wildlife signs in IH were greater than those in DH; specifically, giant panda and red panda (Ailurus fulgens) signs were greater, whereas signs of sambar (Rusa unicolor) and tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) in IH were similar to those in DH. Livestock grazing reduced bamboo, which may threaten the long‐term survival of the giant panda. Our results have implications for understanding and management of livestock grazing in the Wolong National Nature Reserve and elsewhere. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

Testing of microsatellite multiplexes for individual identification of Cape Parrots (Poicephalus robustus): paternity testing and monitoring trade.

BackgroundIllegal trade in rare wildlife species is a major threat to many parrot species around the world. Wildlife forensics plays an important role in the preservation of endangered or threatened wildlife species. Identification of illegally harvested or traded animals through DNA techniques is one of the many methods used during forensic investigations. Natural populations of the South African endemic Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) are negatively affected by the removal of eggs and chicks for the pet trade.MethodsIn this study, 16 microsatellite markers specifically designed for the South African endemic Cape Parrot (P. robustus) are assessed for their utility in forensic casework. Using these 16 loci, the genetic diversity of a subset of the captive Cape Parrot population was also assessed and compared to three wild Cape Parrot populations.ResultsIt was determined that the full 16 locus panel has sufficient discriminatory power to be used in parentage analyses and can be used to determine if a bird has been bred in captivity and so can be legally traded or if it has been illegally removed from the wild. In cases where birds have been removed from the wild, this study suggests that a reduced 12 locus microsatellite panel has sufficient power to assign confiscated birds to geographic population of origin.DiscussionThe level of genetic diversity observed within the captive Cape Parrot population was similar to that observed in the wild populations, which suggests that the captive population is not suffering from decreased levels of genetic diversity. The captive Cape Parrots did however have double the number of private alleles compared to that observed in the most genetically diverse wild population. This is probably due to the presence of rare alleles present in the founder population, which has not been lost due to genetic drift, as many of the individuals tested in this study are F1–F3 wild descendants. The results from this study provide a suit of markers that can be used to aid conservation and law enforcement authorities to better control legal and illegal trade of this South African endemic.

Resilient heritage

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) uses money raised by National Lottery players to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about. HLF supports a broad range of projects including archaeology, historic buildings, ships and trains, parks and landscapes, museums, archives, rare wildlife and intangible heritage. HLF is the largest dedicated funder of heritage in the UK and has always tried to provide the best and most appropriate support for the organisations delivering those projects. In recognition of the challenges that arose when austerity measures first began to bite and sources of UK funding dwindled, HLF put in place a new grant scheme to help voluntary organisations to find new sustainable business models. Three years later HLF has taken the lessons learned from these capacity-building schemes and shaped a new funding programme designed to enable organisations, and the heritage sector more broadly, to achieve long-term resilience.

Desert pastoralists' negative and positive effects on rare wildlife in the Gobi.

In arid regions of the developing world, pastoralists and livestock commonly inhabit protected areas, resulting in human-wildlife conflict. Conflict is inextricably linked to the ecological processes shaping relationships between pastoralists and native herbivores and carnivores. To elucidate relationships underpinning human-wildlife conflict, we synthesized 15 years of ecological and ethnographic data from Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia's Gobi steppe. The density of argali (Ovis ammon), the world's largest wild sheep, at Ikh Nart was among the highest in Mongolia, yet livestock were >90% of ungulate biomass and dogs >90% of large-carnivore biomass. For argali, pastoral activities decreased food availability, increased mortality from dog predation, and potentially increased disease risk. Isotope analyses indicated that livestock accounted for >50% of the diet of the majority of gray wolves (Canis lupus) and up to 90% of diet in 25% of sampled wolves (n = 8). Livestock composed at least 96% of ungulate prey in the single wolf pack for which we collected species-specific prey data. Interviews with pastoralists indicated that wolves annually killed 1-4% of Ikh Nart's livestock, and pastoralists killed wolves in retribution. Pastoralists reduced wolf survival by killing them, but their livestock were an abundant food source for wolves. Consequently, wolf density appeared to be largely decoupled from argali density, and pastoralists had indirect effects on argali that could be negative if pastoralists increased wolf density (apparent competition) or positive if pastoralists decreased wolf predation (apparent facilitation). Ikh Nart's argali population was stable despite these threats, but livestock are increasingly dominant numerically and functionally relative to argali. To support both native wildlife and pastoral livelihoods, we suggest training dogs to not kill argali, community insurance against livestock losses to wolves, reintroducing key native prey species to hotspots of human-wolf conflict, and developing incentives for pastoralists to reduce livestock density.

What gets left behind for future generations? Reproduction and the environment in Spey Bay, Scotland

What gets left behind for future generations? Reproduction and the environment in Spey Bay, Scotland

A WILDLIFE MONITORING SYSTEM BASED ON TIANDITU AND BEIDOU: IN CASE OF THE TIBETAN ANTELOPE

Positioning and tracking wildlife is already being an effective way to collect biological information for research and species of wildlife protection. The common technologies of tracking wildlife are divided into several categories, such as radio tracking technology, GPS tracking system, radio frequency identification technology (RFID), and SIM card based technology. Some positive results achieved from these technologies, but there are some problems in location accuracy, price of the system. Taking the case of the protection of the Tibetan antelope, this paper introduces a wildlife monitoring system based on Tianditu and Beidou navigation satellite system. The system consists of two parts: real-time location system and 3D display system. The practical application demonstrates that the system is stable, and data transmission is reliable with lower construction cost, which can improve the capability of national rare wildlife monitoring and protection effectively.

A WILDLIFE MONITORING SYSTEM BASED ON TIANDITU AND BEIDOU: IN CASE OF THE TIBETAN ANTELOPE

Abstract. Positioning and tracking wildlife is already being an effective way to collect biological information for research and species of wildlife protection. The common technologies of tracking wildlife are divided into several categories, such as radio tracking technology, GPS tracking system, radio frequency identification technology (RFID), and SIM card based technology. Some positive results achieved from these technologies, but there are some problems in location accuracy, price of the system. Taking the case of the protection of the Tibetan antelope, this paper introduces a wildlife monitoring system based on Tianditu and Beidou navigation satellite system. The system consists of two parts: real-time location system and 3D display system. The practical application demonstrates that the system is stable, and data transmission is reliable with lower construction cost, which can improve the capability of national rare wildlife monitoring and protection effectively.

Poachers and Snobs: Demand for Rarity and the Effects of Antipoaching Policies

Habitat loss, climate change, poaching, and illegal wildlife trafficking are threatening a large number of animal populations. Recent research suggests that people place higher value on wildlife or wildlife-derived goods when they are considered rare or uncommon. Although supply-side antipoaching policies—such as strengthening the enforcement of regulations against illegal hunting—decrease people's incentives to engage in poaching, one significant consequence of the demand for rarity is that it weakens the impact of these policies. While the demand for rarity cannot completely offset the effects of supply-side antipoaching policies, the reduction in the amount of poaching that can be achieved using these policies may not be large when people are willing to pay more for rare wildlife goods. This calls into question whether actions targeting the supply side of the market for poaching are the most effective ones for protecting endangered or threatened species affected by poaching.

Assessment of habitat fragmentation caused by traffic networks and identifying key affected areas to facilitate rare wildlife conservation in China

Context Traffic network construction is an essential method for enhancing the effectiveness of economic activities, but it can have various negative impacts on rare wildlife. In China, the rate of road construction has increased by over 300% during the past decade; however, the resulting fragmentation of rare habitats at a national scale remains uncertain. Aims This study mainly aimed to evaluate the impacts of road and railway networks on the fragmentation of habitats of endangered species in China. Another aim is to identify the key areas and road sections where improvements to habitat connectivity and integrity are urgently required. Methods We documented habitat information for 21 indicator species on the basis of two comprehensive datasets and over 120 previous studies. We combined this information to simulate the habitats of all these species by integrating a conceptual model and expert knowledge. We calculated the rates of change on the basis of three geometric habitat patterns for each species in traffic-clearing scenarios and road- and railway-overlay scenarios. An optimal algorithm, the core-area zonation cell-removal rule, was used to identify rare habitats affected by severe traffic stress. Key results According to our analysis, we ranked the road density in the habitats of all species as a straightforward evaluation of transportation stress. Among the different species considered, snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Cabot’s tragopan (Tragopan caboti) and Przewalski’s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) appeared to be affected most severely by road-induced fragmentation. In addition, we classified five patterns of habitat fragmentation among species to facilitate wildlife management. On the basis of the trade-off between road density and conservation value per unit, we identified 17 unit sets as key traffic-affected areas, including 40 highways, 62 national roads and 51 railway sections. Conclusions Our results suggested that assessing the distributions of several key species can be effective in evaluating the impacts of roads on rare-wildlife habitats in China. Our results also indicated that the habitats of narrowly distributed species, such as Chinese alligator and Sichuan partridge, have high traffic densities, but core habitat degradation is even more serious for the habitats of species with higher intrinsic mobility or greater area requirements. Finally, we suggest that future conservation programs and restoration efforts should concentrate on roads or railway sections in the key areas that we identified. Implications In the present study, we obtained spatially explicit findings related to the maintenance of rare wildlife in a region where wildlife-protection information is lacking. Our site-selection results can be used to allocate highly limited conservation resources in a more efficient and effective manner, to facilitate wildlife protection in this region.

Ascarisspp. andCapillaria caudinflatainfections in captive-bred crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) in China

Crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), an endan gered native bird, was called the "precious stone" of oriental birds. N. nippon was considered a critically endangered species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and a first-class national protected animal in China. The Chinese government had exerted considerable effort to protect the N. nippon population. An effective approach to increase the number of these birds was captive breeding. However, several pathogens, including parasites, could jeopardize the health of this species. The present study used the fecal flotation method to determine prevalence of intestinal parasites in fresh stool samples by wet mount smearing and iodine staining. Samples were obtained from 63 randomly selected crested ibis bred in Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescuing and Breeding Research Center in Zhouzhi County, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, China. In the 63 captive individuals, 38 were found positive for intestinal parasites (60.3%, 38/63). Of positive birds, high prevalence of Ascaris spp. (84.2%, 32/38) and Capillaria caudinflata (50.0%, 19/38) were detected. Coccidea (7.8%, 3/38), Fasciolidae (23.7%, 9/38), Blastocystis spp. (15.8%, 6/38), and Entamoeba histolytica (7.8%, 3/38) showed relatively low prevalence rates. This study focuses on the morphological identification of Ascaris spp. and C. caudinflata and their transmission in the N. nippon population. We introduce strategies to improve the breeding management of the birds, enhance their health, and stimulate population productivity.

Mixed signals from hunting rare wildlife

Public and practitioner opinions differ greatly as to when, where, how, and whether it may be economically, ecologically, and ethically appropriate to hunt rare and endangered wildlife for sport, particularly species subject to poaching (Treves 2009; Wielgus et al. 2013). Examples include rhinoceros (Figure 1; Prins and Okita‐Ouma 2013), elephant (Cressey 2013), bear (Swenson et al. 1997), and cougar (Cooley et al. 2009). Some species have been hunted to extinction, whereas others have been protected in hunting estates or by hunting leases. Certain landowners intentionally kill endangered predators to increase the abundance of non‐endangered target species (Thompson et al. 2009). Hunting can change population structure (Swenson et al. 1997; Milner et al. 2007; Packer et al. 2011), as well as species distribution (Davidson et al. 2011) and morphology (Jachmann et al. 1995). In areas where wildlife watching and game hunting tours operate adjacently or sequentially, habituation to the presence of humans benefits hunters at the expense of viewers.

Several Ponderings on Modifying Chinese Law on the Protecting of Wildlife

Law of the People’s Republic of China on protecting the wildlife issued in 1988 was far fallen behind the present need to a large extent. Though it was modified on August 28, 2004, it still limited its objects on rare and endangered wildlife, the protection of common wildlife being neglected, the wildlife as the resources being overemphasized. At the same time there are serious deficiencies in its enacting purpose. And the author thinks that the key to modify this act completely is to re-establish the enacting purpose. And the principle of respecting the living rights of wildlife and protecting the wildlife completely should be established. The protecting objects of this act should be enlarged. And the ecological compensation mechanism of wildlife resources should be modified and improved.

Using parallel regional- and local-scale initiatives to inform conservation management of rare wildlife: a case study of the dugong Dugong dugon in Sabah, Malaysia

Obtaining the information needed to inform management strategies for rare wildlife species at appropriate scales is costly and logistically demanding. Using coastal aerial surveys we obtained qualitative information on the distribution and abundance of the dugong Dugong dugon at the geopolitical scale of the state of Sabah in east Malaysia. At a local scale, interview surveys and a monitoring program were carried out at 2 sites: Mantanani Island and Banggi Island. A total of 53 dugongs were observed from the air, concentrated around Labuan Island — Brunei Bay and San- dakan Bay. The interview reports and monitoring program indicated that the residents of Mantanani Island and Banggi Island had local knowledge of the distribution and abundance of dugongs and, thus, an ability to participate in monitoring at that scale. Dugong populations in Sabah are small and clumped, and urgently require management intervention at local scales in the regionally important habitats identified by the aerial surveys. This combination of regional- and local-scale initiatives has a more generic application in the monitoring of other rare species of wildlife.

Integration of Northern spotted owl habitat and fuels treatments in the eastern Cascades, Washington, USA

The restoration of natural fire regimes has emerged as a primary management objective within fire-prone forests in the interior western US. However, this objective becomes contentious when perceived to be in conflict with the conservation of rare wildlife species. For example, the integration of fire ecology in disturbance-prone forests of eastern Washington with the recovery of the Northern spotted owl has been described as a management dilemma. We intersected modeled spotted owl habitat with mapped priority fuels treatment areas in order to determine the magnitude of the potential conflict between fuels management and owl conservation. Our results show that there is considerable overlap within dry forests between high suitability spotted owl habitat and moderate-high priority fuels treatment areas (34% overlap). However, there is also considerable overlap of lower suitability spotted owl habitat with moderate-high priority fuels treatment areas (35% overlap) providing opportunities to accomplish multiple management objectives if one considers a landscape perspective. We propose that a conservation strategy for the Northern spotted owl in the eastern Cascades consider the following: emphasize landscape restoration of dry forests within which spotted owl habitat is embedded; landscapes considered for restoration need to be large enough to accomodate the effects of fire disturbances and still retain sufficient habitat to support spotted owl populations; and include adaptive management allowing for adequate monitoring and feedback for managers to make needed adjustments.

Salcey treetop walk

Salcey treetop walk was designed to provide sustainable, all-ability access to vantage points in the forest, to enhance ‘visitor experience’. The Royal Forest of Salcey is an excellent example of ancient woodland in the south of England, offering award-winning walking trails and opportunities to view a wide range of wildlife. The forest is a remnant of a medieval royal hunting forest, where a number of relics can still be found. There are miles of ancient wood-banks, some building remains and many ancient trees. The ‘Druids’ – or veteran oaks in Salcey – are rare wildlife habitats and some of the old oaks are believed to be more than 500 years old. The design remit for the walkway was to create all-ability access to the tree canopy, without damaging the environment – within a strict budget and short timescale. These parameters reduced many options but complete freedom was given to the designer to ensure rapid progress. The parameters given top priority were: site, materials, zigzag plan shape, no restraining guy ropes, minimal tree felling and branch cut, use of local materials and use of tried-and-tested components. Mechanical lifts were rejected at an early stage as the facility would be unmanned. Consideration had to be given to the future possibility and dangers of vandalism, while still trying to ensure that the walk would be exciting for both young and old visitors. This was particularly important for the handrail design and for the fundamental natural frequency of the structure. The structures provide 300 m of ramps at a slope of 1 : 12, winding through the forest and up through the canopy, to a platform at 15 m high and a ‘look out’ at 20 m. Steel structures were used for the high towers and long spans – however, local timber and advanced timber engineering was used wherever possible, to demonstrate sustainable forestry.