Trophy Hunting Research Articles

Wasur National Park Hall's Role In Raising The Local People's Income Wasur Village


 The welfare level of the population in Wasur Park village is still very low and most still hang its life by taking the result of the forest. This study aims to analyze the role of Wasur Park National Park in increasing local people's income. The method by which researchers use a qualitative approach, while the data collection techniques consist of library studies and field studies through observation, interviews. The process of data analysis includes data reduction, data presentation, and the conclusion of the empowerment of the National Park Wasur Park Hall is counseling to the local community in the framework of the Empowerment Program of local Kampung Wasur Park. In the empowerment, Wasur Park National Park is coordinating with local governments to see the development of local community data. The real evidence of Wasur Park National Park through empowerment is the establishment of a rural forestry Counseling Center (SPKP). The establishment of a rural forestry Counseling Center (SPKP) in Wasur Village, implemented after the implementation of education and training of village studies in participatory. Furthermore, Wasur Park National Park Hall conducts construction. The construction is a construction of small industry of eucalyptus oil refining, the manufacture of salted fish, medicinal plants, and the cultivation of commercial crops. Then the community in providing coaching through socialization by providing science about preserving the forest and protection and safeguarding the potential of Wasur National Park area. Then Wasur Park National Park Hall conducts supervision. Supervision conducted by the National Park Hall Wasur Park is monitoring against the hunting of many protected animals located in Wasur Park National Park area. In the Garden Hall program, Wasur Park is monitoring and evaluation of habitat and population. The Wasur Park National Park Hall conducts a regular patrol, preventing wild hunters from Wasur Park National Park. Then patrol is also done to prevent forest fires.

Density-dependent decline of early horn growth in European mouflon

The development of horns in Caprinae can be largely influenced by food-limiting factors such as population density and climate, as well as by negative evolutionary responses to size-selective harvesting. In this study, we investigated the effects of population density, environmental covariates and trophy hunting on horn development in a population of European mouflon Ovis aries musimon introduced to the Mediterranean region of Croatia in the early 1980s. The study population was subject to commercial trophy hunting on males since the mid-1980s. This allowed to analyse the temporal trend in early horn growth in 341 rams legally culled. Cohort-based linear model and analysis of deviance (ANODEV) revealed a significant negative trend in early horn growth, with a decline of ca. 10% over only 15 cohorts (1993–2007). The increase in population density (by ca. 600%) and summer temperature, selected via LASSO regression, explained about 61% and 13% of the decline in early horn growth, as revealed by the ANODEV R2. Our results suggest a prominent role of food-limiting factors in the decline of weapon size. We also found a negative relationship between age at death and early horn growth in our study population, which suggests the occurrence of hunters’ selectivity towards large horns. The effect of trophy hunting on the decline in horn size, however, is difficult to quantify. Our analysis was largely influenced by the rapid increase of mouflon density after introduction, thereby limiting the possibility to detect potential effects of hunting selection, although the large number of rams shot before 5 years of age may possibly lead to undesirable consequences of trophy hunting on mating success. To clarify the consequences of commercial trophy hunting on the mouflon population, the long-term pattern of horn growth and the age-dependent male siring success should be further investigated.

Evidence of a further emerging threat to lion conservation; targeted poaching for body parts

The African lion, Panthera leo, has, like many of the world’s megafauna, become threatened with extinction over the past century. Loss of habitat and prey, persecution in retaliation of livestock depredation, by-catch by bushmeat poachers and unsustainable trophy hunting are all documented anthropogenic caused threats to lion conservation. Here we present data that indicate the emergence of a further threat to lion conservation: the targeted poaching of lions for body parts. We present lion abundance and mortality data from field surveys in southern Africa between 2011 and 2018 of a resident lion population. The targeted poaching of lions for body parts accounted for 35% of known human caused mortalities across the landscape and 61% of mortalities within Limpopo National Park with a clear increase in this pressure in 2014. Retaliatory killing for livestock conflict accounted for 51% of total mortalities, however in 48% of conflict cases body parts were also removed, suggesting that a demand for body parts may incentivize conflict related killing of lions. The use of poison was the most common means of killing lions and was recorded in 61% of mortalities. Teeth and claws were the body parts harvested most often from illegally killed animals in the study area, with an increase from 2014 onwards. This pressure threatens the viability of the species in our study area and the success of current conservation initiatives. We suggest that the results of this study be viewed as a warning to the global conservation community to be vigilant of the impact that illegal wildlife trade can have on the conservation of lions, just as a similar pressure has already had on other big cat populations.

Analysis of the recreational resources of Kaniv in the context of the programme of development of Ukrainian small-cities

The purpose of the article is to highlight the problem of using the potential of local territory in the processes of promoting local uniqueness as a consumer product. This study aimed at analysis and appraisal of the recreational resources of Kaniv for the organization of recreational activities in the planning strategies of the city as a recreational and tourist center. The study of the entire set of recreational resources of the city resulted in a constructive analysis and evaluation of the recreational benefits of the city’s resources. In the course of the survey, the directions of recreational environmental management in the city were determined in accordance with the programme of development of small Ukrainian cities. The analysis and assessment of the territory’s resources was conducted using integrated methodologies of studying recreational assets that take into account the evaluation methods of medical geography, recreology etc. Our study found that geomorphological, climatic, water, biotic, and landscape recreational natural resources are significant for the organization of recreational activity in the city and which, according to the estimation of recreational favourability, are highly conducive and convenient for both winter and summer recreation. A number of indicators of natural resources are of high value for the treatment and prevention of a wide range of diseases, including problems with respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous systems. The development of recreation and tourism in the city is also influenced by the existing historical and cultural resources, which include a whole set of archaeological, architectural and historical monuments, ethnographic features and crafts, museums and exhibitions, places and areas of significant events, places of life and creativity for prominent personalities, heroes and figures, etc. The socioeconomic resources and infrastructure of the city have a significant impact on the functioning of the recreational affairs, such as the state of the existing and prospective territorial organization, transport accessibility and level of its development, the public service and its condition (food establishments, residence, etc.). Nowadays, Kaniv is characterized by partly lower indicators of socio-economic development, business activity and, at the same time, enjoys a powerful natural, recreational and tourist, historical and cultural potential. Development of recreational and tourist activity in the city should be considered as a tool for increasing economic indicators (employment, business activity and growth of its financial indicators) and improvement of demographic indicators (reduction of labour migration, etc.), etc. The natural and cultural heritage of Kaniv is a source of socio-economic and human development through the integration of cultural monuments into the national tourist network. This can be achieved through the creation of new museum programmes, the development of a network of establishments based on authentic cuisine, traditional interiors, etc. It can further be promoted through creation of a network of ecological trails and routes which give access to the area’s unique natural ecosystems. Recreation and tourist activity can also be encouraged through popularization of environmental affairs, creation of programmes for development of the resort business, programmes of family recreation, development of different types of water, hiking, educational (culture, events, research, etc.) and eco-tourism, and the development of programmes and events in the field of sport fishing and hunting.

Visioning African lionscapes: Securing space, mobilizing capital, and fostering subjects

In September 2016, 14 months after the illegal killing of Cecil the lion raised an international furore over trophy hunting, 58 individuals gathered at Oxford University for the Cecil Summit, a meeting of experts designed to vision the future of lion conservation in honor of Cecil. This paper explores the Cecil Summit through an analytic of government as a means to provide new insights into securitized and neoliberal conservation governance in action. On this basis, we show how the actors emboldened by the Cecil Moment claimed the authority to vision the Cecil Movement. Using video and document review, and semi-structured interviews, our discourse analysis highlights three components of intervention into African lionscapes emerging from the summit—securing space, mobilizing capital, and producing subjects—that are founded upon claims to scientific and economic rationality as well as specific representations of lions and rural Africans. Our analysis of the vision contributes to recent discussions in political ecology about the dovetailing of conservation, security, the economy—and we add—subjectivity. We conclude by pointing to the way in which militarized conservation appears to be inching closer to the lion and offering a critique of the vision for lion conservation put forward at the Cecil Summit.

Servicescape of the Greater Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem: Visualizing the linkages between land use, biodiversity and the delivery of wildlife-related ecosystem services

Understanding how anthropogenic activities and management actions influence the delivery of ecosystem services is complicated by the interrelated nature of diverse factors. We present a Bayesian Belief Network to highlight the likely consequences of a set of interventions on four wildlife-related ecosystem (dis)services and for supporting biodiversity and human welfare in the Greater Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem. According to the model, core protected areas are important for biodiversity and safari tourism provision. In adjacent game reserves safari tourism opportunities may be hampered by trophy and bushmeat hunting causing fear in wildlife. Most multiple-use areas strike a good balance between the costs and benefits derived from wildlife. Loliondo, however, requires drastic changes in management to either maximize green value creation or sustainable welfare. Although further globalization is expected to render highest levels of welfare, this will be at the expense of biodiversity and related ecosystem services. An online version of the model is available (https://africanbioservices.shinyapps.io/servicescape) to interactively explore five future scenarios with alternative management strategies, and visualization of the resultant consequences thereof. Identifying areas of conflicts and potential trade-offs between ecosystem (dis)services are crucial to find pathways to nature-based tourism strategies that simultaneously maintain biodiversity and promote the socioeconomic viability of local communities.

The role of animal welfare values in the rhino horn trade debate

AbstractThe poaching crisis facing Africa's white rhinoceros is one of the continent's most pressing conservation challenges. The controversial proposal to legalize the international trade in rhino horn as a solution has led to a polarized conservation community. While a legal trade in rhino horn has been explored from an economic perspective, stakeholder values are yet to be adequately considered in addressing the issue. Exploring the role of stakeholder values in the rhino horn trade debate is crucial, as divergent stakeholder values and attitudes influence policy support and acceptability, creating conflict over appropriate management interventions. Using a survey of 285 participants, we show that people with stronger animal welfare values are less supportive of a legal rhino horn trade policy. We also demonstrate that people with stronger animal welfare values are less influenced by information provision, and that biospheric and altruistic value orientations do not significantly influence support for this policy. Our findings highlight the importance of considering stakeholder values when developing conservation actions, particularly concerning discussions about controversial policy actions. These findings can be extended beyond the illegal wildlife trade crisis to other challenges affecting iconic wildlife, such as trophy hunting, other sustainable use initiatives and invasive species management.

Trophy hunters pay more to target larger-bodied carnivores.

Hunters often target species that require resource investment disproportionate to associated nutritional rewards. Costly signalling theory provides a potential explanation, proposing that hunters target species that impose high costs (e.g. higher failure and injury risks, lower consumptive returns) because it signals an ability to absorb costly behaviour. If costly signalling is relevant to contemporary ‘big game’ hunters, we would expect hunters to pay higher prices to hunt taxa with higher perceived costs. Accordingly, we hypothesized that hunt prices would be higher for taxa that are larger-bodied, rarer, carnivorous, or described as dangerous or difficult to hunt. In a dataset on 721 guided hunts for 15 North American large mammals, prices listed online increased with body size in carnivores (from approximately $550 to $1800 USD/day across the observed range). This pattern suggests that elements of costly signals may persist among contemporary non-subsistence hunters. Persistence might simply relate to deception, given that signal honesty and fitness benefits are unlikely in such different conditions compared with ancestral environments in which hunting behaviour evolved. If larger-bodied carnivores are generally more desirable to hunters, then conservation and management strategies should consider not only the ecology of the hunted but also the motivations of hunters.

A shot in the dark: Sport hunting of declining corvids promotes the inadvertent shooting of threatened red-billed choughs

Inadvertent shooting of protected species due to misidentification or spatio-temporal coincidence with more abundant target species of similar appearance and habits is a frequent side-effect of sport hunting. Protected corvid species of special conservation concern were present in all Spanish Autonomous regions where hunting of corvids of similar appearance and habits is legally permitted.We assessed the extent to which Western jackdaws (Corvus monedula) and Red-billed choughs (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) shared distributions in central Spain, and whether this can cause mortality and temporary and permanent crippling of threatened and strictly protected choughs. About 1000–3000 ‘black corvids’ were annually hunted in the Madrid region without species-specific identification according to official statistics. Assuming that these corvids were mostly jackdaws, this accounted for about 5–20% of the total estimated winter population of this declining species. Jackdaws and choughs shared local distribution ranges and their abundances were spatially correlated during winter. The abundance of jackdaws was positively correlated with the estimates of killed black corvids (including jackdaws and Carrion crows, Corvus corone, which were not identified to species in hunting statistics). As with jackdaws, hunting was the main cause of mortality of choughs. The impact of hunting on non-target choughs can be strong—even live individuals can be temporarily affected by damage to flight feathers or other wounds, and birds can be crippled for life when shooting affects the bill or other body parts. To date, there is no framework for informed decision-making in game management or any published evidence-based or standardized criteria supported by scientific research aimed to establish a hunting status or quotas for corvids and many other common bird species in Spain. This combination of subjectivity and a lack of information makes it near impossible to establish a harvesting scheme without putting at risk the populations of target and non-target species. Given the strong decline of currently hunted corvids in Spain (especially the jackdaw), the complete prohibition of hunting these species is urgently encouraged to attempt to avoid exacerbating the collapse of their populations and that of non-target species.

Using Camera Traps to Generate a Species Inventory for Medium-Sized and Large Mammals in South West Zimbabwe

We investigated the presence of medium-sized and large mammals utilizing by-catch data from a camera trapping survey in the Mangwe District in South West Zimbabwe, an unprotected commercial livestock farming area which is impacted by human encroachment, poaching and trophy hunting. The camera trapping survey was carried out from 23 October to 5 December 2009, covered an area of 200 km2 and was initially intended to estimate the population density of leopards (Panthera pardus). The study area was split into two contiguous subsections, with each section sampled for a total of 20 days using 20 cameras. Camera trap photographs were identified to species level, then compared to a list of species thought to occur in the area according to available literature, as well as sightings from professional hunters and local landowners. Twenty-seven out of 38 medium-sized and large mammals thought to occur in the area were photographed. After 26 survey days (day six in section two), all ungulate species present in the area were photographed. However, the more elusive and less common carnivore species were not all recorded during the study. Both spotted (Crocuta crocuta) and brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea) were once thought to be locally extinct or transient in the area but our results demonstrate that they may now be resident. Species inventories are useful to record species presence, particularly in data-poor areas where limited information exists. In areas where trophy hunting and poaching are high, like the Mangwe District, such information is critical to carefully monitor populations and allow for assessment of future management interventions.

The pride and joy - and guilt - of trophy hunting: Emotional narratives in a contested industry

The pride and joy - and guilt - of trophy hunting: Emotional narratives in a contested industry

The African Lion: A Long History of Interdisciplinary Research

Over the past 50 years, lion research has covered a wide range of interdisciplinary topics involving extensive collaborations with scientists from over a dozen different fields. These collaborations have not only led to greater scientific understanding of disease dynamics, impacts of sport hunting on lion populations, and the interactions of lions and their prey, but also resulted in a large-scale disease-control program in rural Tanzania, new hunting policies in several African countries and widespread adoption of camera-traps as a conservation-management tool across Africa.

Movement reveals reproductive tactics in male elephants.

Long‐term bio‐logging has the potential to reveal how movements, and hence life‐history trade‐offs, vary over a lifetime. Reproductive tactics in particular may vary as individuals' trade‐off current investment versus lifetime fitness. Male African savanna elephants (Loxodona africana) provide a telling example of balancing body growth with reproductive fitness due to the combination of indeterminate growth and strongly delineated periods of sexual activity (musth), which results in reproductive tactics that alter with age.Our study aims to quantify the extent to which male elephants alter their movement patterns, and hence energetic allocation, in relation to (a) reproductive state and (b) age, and (c) to determine whether musth periods can be detected directly from GPS tracking data.We used a combination of GPS tracking data and visual observations of 25 male elephants ranging in age from 20 to 52 years to examine the influence of reproductive state and age on movement. We then used a three‐state hidden Markov model (HMM) to detect musth behaviour in a subset of sequential tracking data.Our results demonstrate that male elephants increased their daily mean speed and range size with age and in musth. Furthermore, non‐musth speed decreased with age, presumably reflecting a shift towards energy acquisition during non‐musth. Thus, despite similar speeds and marginally larger ranges between reproductive states at age 20, by age 50, males were travelling 2.0 times faster in a 3.5 times larger area in musth relative to non‐musth. The distinctiveness of musth periods over age 35 meant the three‐state HMM could automatically detect musth movement with high sensitivity and specificity, but could not for the younger age class.We show that male elephants increased their energetic allocation into reproduction with age as the probability of reproductive success increases. Given that older male elephants tend to be both the target of legal trophy hunting and illegal poaching, man‐made interference could drive fundamental changes in elephant reproductive tactics. Bio‐logging, as our study reveals, has the potential both to quantify mature elephant reproductive tactics remotely and to be used to institute proactive management strategies around the reproductive behaviour of this charismatic keystone species.

Greenland winter tourism in a changing climate

Climate change in Greenland is interfering with environmental and human systems at an accelerating rate. Climate-related effects are particularly observable in the Greenlandic tourism sector—which is a designated future key industry. Responding to these changes requires planned efforts for the various tourist seasons. To date, studies investigating how West Greenlandic winter tourism may be affected by Arctic warming remain sparse. Therefore, we used the regional climate model HIRHAM5 at a 5.5 km horizontal resolution for the RCP 8.5 scenario and two time slices (2031–2050 and 2081–2100), relative to the modelled historical period (1991–2010) to characterize the consequences of business-as-usual warming on recreational winter activities (i.e., resort skiing, ski-touring, heli-skiing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling and trophy hunting). Study locations included Nuuk, Ilulissat, Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq. Model data provide strong evidence for increasing annual mean temperature (between 1.1 °C and 4.6 °C) and precipitation (between 1% and 78%) in West Greenland until 2100, compared to 1991–2010. According to our results, snowfall and snow cover season length decrease (between 34% to 42% and 21% to 49%, respectively) in the long run. Resort skiing and cross-country skiing are affected by snow marginality and wet snow conditions, while ski-touring and heli-skiing demonstrate a higher adaptive capacity (i.e., translocation to snow safe destinations). A reduced snow cover thickness particularly threatens dog sledding. In-depth interviews were conducted with two local stakeholders working in winter tourism. Their perspectives suggested that they will be challenged adapting outdoor recreation by middle and end of the twenty-first century.

Seasonal antler cycle in white-tailed deer in Campeche wetlands in Southeastern Mexico

Hunting activity in Mexico is regulated by the Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), a Federal agency which also approves management plans and annual harvest rates. The official calendar for white-tailed deer hunting season in Mexico comprises a single season that runs from November to March. To determine the congruence of the current hunting calendar with the seasonal timing of hard antlers of white-tailed deer in the wetlands of Campeche in southeastern Mexico, we used data obtained from 10 camera trap surveys performed from 2010 to 2017. In the pictures of white-tailed deer, we identified the timing of the presence of different antler developmental stages (velvet, hard antlers, and no antlers) as well as the occurrence of fawns. We obtained 1071 pictures of deer with antlers in velvet stage, 128 with hard antlers, 16 with no antlers, and 414 pictures of fawns. We observed that pictures of deer with antlers in velvet stage occurred from February to July, hard antlers from May to October, and no antlers from the second part of November to January. We also observed that the fawning season ran from February to June. Our results indicate that the reproductive season in Campeche wetlands is different from what occurs in the northern latitudes of Mexico and southern USA. Because the timing of the white-tailed deer antler development in our study area does not coincide with the official hunting season established in Mexico, we believe it is necessary to modify the official hunting season for the Campeche wetland area. Sport hunting should be permitted from August to October, based on the timing of deer with hard antlers.

Sport hunting and tourism in the twenty-second century: humans as the ultimate trophy

PurposeThis paper aims to address the potential of hunting humans as sport tourism activity in the twenty-second century. The paper explores past and current trends related to sport hunting, animal extinction, human violence and the normalisation of violence via fictional media. This paper paints a provocative picture of society with the aim of encouraging dialogue across the wider community regarding the challenges facing society in relation to practices related to sport hunting and tourism.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes a scenario narrative approach in presenting potential discussion on the future of sport hunting as a tourism activity. The importance of narrative writing as a method to research is its ability in telling a story to the reader. By embracing diverse philosophical methods, this research draws on past and current trends via secondary data sources to justify the future scenario narrative.FindingsThis paper presents interesting insights into the future of sport hunting and its potential relationship to tourism. However, considering the following quote, “Yet another uncertainty is that predictions themselves can alter the future – which, of course, is part of the motivation behind futurism” (Larson, 2002, p. 5), this paper concludes with a sobering message, if previous research as well as the ideas presented here are to become a future reality, one where humans hunt each other for sport, are we content to allow this to happen? Or do we want to encourage debate to ensure we create better futures?Originality/valueThis paper offers original and novel research within the sport-tourism literature by taking a futures perspective and applying a scenario narrative approach. The paper offers original insight into attitudes towards sport hunting and its future potential, moving away from its traditions of hunting animals to hunting humans. This paper encourages debate around a taboo-subject, by drawing on a popular past-time, sport. Death is also universal, and by aligning the topic with sport and as a hunting activity, this paper is offering original approaches to addressing difficult questions that need to be asked.

Challenges facing the introduction of SMART patrols in a game reserve, western Tanzania

AbstractThe spatial monitoring and reporting tool (SMART) is being implemented in Tanzania's protected areas to help improve the efficiency of ranger patrols. Unfortunately, there has been no attempt to understand users' perspectives regarding site‐specific factors likely to affect its use. In this study, we investigated the perspectives of staff in Ugalla Game Reserve, a protected area in western Tanzania, to understand the challenges that affect the use of SMART in the reserve. The main challenges included a lack of motivation to use SMART, limited knowledge of SMART among game scouts, insufficient ranger capacity, difficulty collecting data during night patrols, limited resources for patrolling, and difficulty accessing some remote sections of Ugalla. The presence of trophy hunting company patrol teams has led Ugalla rangers to concentrate their effort in less‐patrolled areas. We recommend introducing incentives to encourage game rangers to use SMART alongside improving patrol coverage in wet seasons. Advanced and regular refresher trainings in SMART should be conducted to enhance data collection. Furthermore, game scouts should be trained and equipped to participate effectively in the SMART process. Although SMART is now becoming increasingly popular in Tanzania, understanding local factors that influence its implementation will be important to improve uptake.

A Framework for Assessing Impacts of Wild Meat Hunting Practices in the Tropics

Terrestrial wildlife is being hunted for consumption by humans in the tropics at an unprecedented rate, and the often unsustainable nature of this harvest has profound implications not only for biodiversity and ecosystem function, but also for human livelihoods. Whilst the nature and impacts of this practice have been studied in numerous contexts and localities, a comprehensive treatment of the social, economic, and environmental determinants of both hunter decision-making and hunting outcomes has been lacking. In this review we discuss influences of hunting methods and effort on the types of animals caught, the efficiency of harvest, and the implications of these factors for sustainability. We highlight gaps in current understanding, and identify the most important data requirements. Our approach provides a framework for the design of future studies into wild meat hunting and its impacts, promoting the efficient targeting of priority areas of research.

The Availability of the Basic Vegetation Materials for the Bird Nest of Paradisaea minor jobiensis in Yapen, Islands Papua

The existence of cendrawasih (Paradisaea minor jobiensis Rothschild 1897) has been endangered due to destruction its habitats and wild hunting, hence conservation of its habitats is urgently needed. The objective of this study was to determine the availability of vegetation materials for creating the nests as an effort for the conservation of P. minor jobiensis in Imboriawi Forest, Barawai, Yapen Islands, Papua. Data were collected using the method of line compartment. Vegetation at seedling, sapling, pole and tree levels were measured and analyzed to determine the availability of plant species as the materials for creating bird nest. The results of vegetation analysis revealed 60 species at seedling level, 43 species at sapling level, 68 species at pole level, and 74 species at tree level with high diversity index values (H’) of 3.68, 3,32, 3,87, and 3,87 for seedling, sapling, pole, and tree levels, respectively. The results also revealed that vegetation used as a materials of nest of P. minor jobiensis in Imbowiari Forest is Bidens spilosa, Macaranga mappa, Timonius timon and Ficus septica. The four species at seedling, sapling, poles, and tree levels have low diversity index values (H’= 1) but can be used as indicators of making a nest in a sustainable way. Keywords: bird nest, conservation, Paradisaea minor jobiensis, vegetation analysis

THE CURRENT SITUATION ANALYSIS AT THE PARASITE FAUNA OF SEMI-AQUATIC CARNIVORES OF THE WEASEL FAMILY IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Most members of the Mustelidae family living in the Central Non-Black Earth Region of Russia are the objects of sport and commercial hunting. Some of them are bred in fur farms (mink, polecat) and kept at home as decorative animals. The close contact of a person with various members of the family of mustelids, which increase with the development of urbanization processes, makes significant role of mustelids as sources of dangerous invasions for humans and animals (trichinosis, echinococcosis, etc.). We examined 48 ferrets, 107 American minks, 25 European minks, and 11 otters in order to determine the species composition of animal parasites, in the period 2000–2018. They were examined according to methods commonly used in parasitology about muscle tissue, internal organs, and thoracic and abdominal cavity. Animals for research were obtained from hunters from the Central region of the Russian Federation. Studies have shown that ferrets are invased with 8 species of parasites belonging to two classes: Trematoda (3 species) and Nematoda (5 species). The parasitic fauna of the minks was represented by 15 species of worms: Trematoda (2 species), Cestoda (1 species), Nematoda (12 species). The American mink is infested with 14 helminth species and the European mink with 11 species. Otters were infested with 2 classes of parasites: Trematoda (1 species) and Nematoda (1 species). We explain the high contamination of ferrets and minks of E. perfoliatus by the constant presence of animals at the reservoirs where the intermediate owners of helminths (fish) live. Also, a significant proportion in the diet of many species of weasels are tailless amphibians (frogs), which explains the infection of semi-aquatic animals with an unusual species of trematodes Alaria alata (larvae).