VHF Radio Telemetry Research Articles

Is green the new black? Black-backed Woodpecker vital rates do not differ between unburned and burned forests within a pyrodiverse landscape

AbstractWoodpeckers often reflect rapid changes to forest health and serve as indicator species to help guide forest management decisions. The Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) is known for its strong association with recently burned forests and is a species of conservation concern due to habitat loss stemming from post-fire management of burned forest. Several studies have found the Black-backed Woodpecker occupying extensive areas of unburned (i.e., green) forests in the western part of its range during the breeding season, raising questions about whether green forests can support viable nesting populations in this region. We studied breeding Black-backed Woodpeckers in southern Oregon, USA to evaluate whether 2 vital rates critical to population recruitment—nest survival and post-fledging survival—differed between green and burned forests. During 2018, 2019, and 2021, we monitored 91 Black-backed Woodpecker nests (n = 34 in green forest, n = 57 in burned forest) and found that neither daily nest survival rate nor reproductive output (i.e., the number of fledglings per successful nest) differed between nests located in green and burned forest; however, nestling body condition was slightly enhanced in green forest. We also quantified survival of recently fledged individuals using VHF radio telemetry and found that the survival rate of birds in green forest was nearly identical to those in burned forest, with most mortalities occurring within 4 weeks of fledging. Our results indicate that Black-backed Woodpeckers in green forests were equally successful at breeding as conspecifics in recently burned forest, although densities of nesting pairs in green forest were lower than those in burned forest. Our findings indicate certain types of green forest, particularly mature lodgepole pine, can support viable populations of the Black-backed Woodpecker in the western portion of its range. This finding has conservation implications given that green forest occupies much of the forested landscape in this region and is often juxtaposed to areas subjected to high severity fire. Therefore, practices that promote pyrodiversity—landscape-level spatial and temporal variability in fire effects—as well as connectivity between green and burned forest within fire-prone landscapes are likely to provide the greatest conservation benefit for this species.

The threatened Gouldian finch preferentially forages in prescribed burnt savannas

Background The granivorous finches of Australia’s tropical savannas heavily rely on a sequence of perennial and annual grass seed production to feed throughout the year. An increase in late dry season wildfires has been suggested to detrimentally effect seed production sequence and has been attributed to poor physiological condition and a reduction in fitness of granivorous finches. Early dry season prescribed burning is an asset protection management strategy often implemented to reduce the incidence of late dry season wildfire, but has also been shown to improve the abundance and nutritional quality of grass seed Aims To assess whether the Gouldian finch (Chloebia gouldiae) preferentially used areas that were subject to early dry season prescribed burning over areas that were not burnt. Methods The creation of a landscape mosaic across the landscape with varying fire histories. Then the assessment of individual finch movement and site utilisation using VHF-radio telemetry transmitters, detected by an array of static receivers deployed across the landscape. Key results Finches significantly preferred to forage in areas burnt in the early season every 2–3 years. Conclusions The study demonstrates that early dry season prescribed burning creates preferred foraging habitat patches for Gouldian finches within savanna fire mosaics.

Sympatric finches increase trophic and spatiotemporal partitioning to enable coexistence through periods of low resource availability

Abstract Ecological niche theory dictates that sympatric species cannot occupy the same ecological niche at the same time. Sympatric granivorous finch species in tropical savannas appear to contradict this theory by moving in mixed‐species flocks and feeding together upon the same resources. Here, we explored this contradiction by tracking individuals from three finch species (Gouldian—Chloebia gouldiae, long‐tailed—Poephila acuticauda and masked finch—P. personata) often seen feeding together, while simultaneously determining the dietary composition during periods of high and low resource abundance. Dietary composition was characterised using stable isotope ratios of δ13C and δ15N within the blood, and foraging areas were determined from continuous detection using passive VHF radio telemetry. Individuals were sampled early in the dry season when grass seeds were abundant, in the middle of the dry season and at the end when seeds were very scarce. The results showed plasticity in ecological niche overlap among the three finch species depending on grass seed availability within the landscape. In the early dry season, the species foraged together on the abundant grass seed. As the dry season progressed and grass seed availability declined, masked and long‐tailed finches exhibited greater spatial partitioning, masked and Gouldian finches increased dietary partitioning, and long‐tailed and Gouldian finches increased both dietary and spatial partitioning. Our study showed that sympatric granivorous finches utilise trophic and spatiotemporal partitioning to enable coexistence through periods of low resource availability in tropical savannas. Gouldian finches increased activity and ranging behaviour, while long‐tailed and masked finches diversified their diet. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Differential seasonal avoidance of anthropogenic features and woody vegetation by Lesser Prairie-Chickens

Abstract The influence of seasonal variation on animal behavior is a critical component of habitat selection analyses. To examine this relationship, we conducted multi-scale analyses of Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) habitat selection in relation to anthropogenic infrastructure associated with oil and gas development, mesquite, and trees during the spring and summer at home range and lek area scales. We tracked 159 Lesser Prairie-Chickens using VHF radiotelemetry or PTT-GPS transmitters in the sand shinnery oak prairie region of eastern New Mexico, USA. We used discrete choice models and logistic regression to assess seasonal patterns of habitat selection at home range and lek area scales, respectively. The static habitat features we examined allowed us to observe differential patterns of habitat selection between the two seasons, revealing an overall increase in the degree of avoidance following the spring season. Results of our home range scale analysis indicate that utility pole density, mesquite cover, and proximity to active well pads, private roads, and mesquite have significant negative effects on habitat selection during both seasons. Avoidance of high utility pole densities was significantly greater during the summer compared to spring. Lek area habitat selection results were similar, but differences in sensitivity to features between seasons were stronger. Avoidance of high mesquite cover and utility pole and tree densities, in particular, was significantly greater in the summer. The effects of density and cover of these features, which have previously been understudied in Lesser Prairie-Chicken research, provide critical information for future conservation practices. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of accounting for potential seasonal patterns of study species to best examine habitat selection.

Toxicological responses to sublethal anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in free-flying hawks.

An important component of assessing the hazards of anticoagulant rodenticides to non-target wildlife is observations in exposed free-ranging individuals. The objective of this study was to determine whether environmentally realistic, sublethal first-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (FGAR) exposures via prey can result in direct or indirect adverse effects to free-flying raptors. We offered black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) that had fed on Rozol® Prairie Dog Bait (Rozol, 0.005% active ingredient chlorophacinone, CPN) to six wild-caught red-tailed hawks (RTHA, Buteo jamaicensis), and also offered black-tailed prairie dogs that were not exposed to Rozol to another two wild-caught RTHAs for 7days. On day 6, blood was collected to determine CPN's effects on blood clotting time. On day 7, seven of the eight RTHAs were fitted with VHF radio telemetry transmitters and the RTHAs were released the following day and were monitored for 33days. Prothrombin time (PT) and Russell's viper venom time confirmed that the CPN-exposed RTHAs were exposed to and were adversely affected by CPN. Four of the six CPN-exposed RTHAs exhibited ptiloerection, an indication of thermoregulatory dysfunction due to CPN toxicity, but no signs of intoxication were observed in the reference hawk or the remaining two CPN-exposed RTHAs. Of note is that PT values were associated with ptiloerection duration and frequency; therefore, sublethal CPN exposure can directly or indirectly evoke adverse effects in wild birds. Although our sample sizes were small, this study is a first to relate coagulation times to adverse clinical signs in free-ranging birds.

Automated telemetry reveals post-reintroduction exploratory behavior and movement patterns of an endangered corvid, ʻAlalā (Corvus hawaiiensis) in Hawaiʻi, USA

Continuous movement monitoring is a powerful tool for evaluating reintroduction techniques and assessing how well reintroduced animals are adjusting to the wild. However, to date, continuous monitoring has only occurred for large-bodied species capable of carrying heavy tracking devices. In this study we used an automated VHF radio telemetry array to investigate the exploratory behavior and movement patterns of critically endangered ʻAlalā (Corvus hawaiiensis), reintroduced to the Island of Hawaiʻi in 2017. The 11 juvenile ʻAlalā we tracked exhibited high site fidelity and initial survival. Over time the birds showed decreased time spent at the supplemental feeders, and transitioned to more focused use of the landscape, suggesting increased foraging on wild food items. Birds with seemingly less spatial neophobia at release also made larger post-release exploratory movements. This study provides the first evidence that 1) supplemental feeding can support site fidelity for reintroduced ʻAlalā without restricting a transition to independent foraging, and 2) that pre-release personality metrics may be useful predictors for predicting post-release movements of ʻAlalā. Our work is the first to demonstrate the utility and power of automated telemetry for monitoring the reintroduction of small species.

Locating large insects using automated VHF radio telemetry with a multi‐antennae array

Abstract We describe an automated radio telemetry system (ARTS) designed for estimating the location of 0.50 g butterflies which was constructed with commercially available materials. Previously described systems were not designed to estimate fine‐scale locations of large insects within approximately 200 m2 study areas. The ARTS consists of four receiving stations. Each receiving station has four 3‐element, directional Yagi antennae (separated by 60) connected to an automated receiver that records detected power sequentially from each antenna. To develop and evaluate the ARTS performance, four receiving stations were installed in the corners of 4 and 6.25‐ha square fields with varying heights of vegetative cover. The location of a 0.22 g transmitter was estimated with a statistical method implementing both distance‐and angle‐power relationships. Calibrated model parameters were based on power detected from transmitters at known locations. Using independently collected data, model performance was evaluated based on estimated locations of a georeferenced stationary transmitter, a moving transmitter with a known georeferenced path and a transmitter attached to a monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus. Estimated locations were calculated as frequently as every 5 s, which is at least 12 times greater than the sampling frequency previously reported for tracking insects. When sufficient power data were received, the median estimated locations of a transmitter attached to an investigator's hat were <16 m from the true location. The median effective radius of the 95% confidence ellipse was 18.3 m for stationary targets and 15.9 m for a moving transmitter. Greater error in location estimation was expected when the transmitter was attached to a monarch butterfly due to interference from vegetation and variability in antenna orientation and transmitter height. As such, the median distance between the estimated and true locations was 72 m. After applying a correction for the effect of vegetation, median location error was reduced by 12 m. While our ARTS has likely reached the limit of current technology, the system is still a substantial methodological advancement for locating butterflies. Our efforts should provide a benchmark as technology improves.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) fledglings use crop habitat more frequently in relation to its availability than pasture and other habitat types

Abstract Populations of birds that forage on aerial insects have been declining across North America for several decades, but the main causes of and reasons for geographical variation in these declines remains unclear. We examined the habitat use and survival of post-fledging Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, using VHF radio telemetry. We predicted that fledgling Barn Swallows hatched in higher-quality natal habitat (pasture) would fledge at higher quality, stay closest to the nest, disproportionately use higher-quality habitat during the post-fledge stage, and have higher survival rates in the region. Contrary to our predictions, we found that natal habitat (crop, pasture, or non-agriculture) had no effect on fledgling quality or movement distance. Barn Swallow fledglings used crop habitat more frequently in relation to its availability than other habitat types, including pasture. Barn Swallows had low post-fledging survival rates (0.44; 95% CI: 0.35–0.57), which could negatively influence the population trend of the species in this region. While natal habitat had only minor effects, crop habitat appears to be important for fledgling Barn Swallows and, therefore, a decline in this habitat type could have further negative implications for an already declining species.

Activity patterns and their relationship to the habitat use of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico

In desert regions, species have adapted physiologically and behaviorally to the extreme conditions of their environment, such as a lack of water and extreme temperatures. This is the case of the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) a species which many aspects of its relationship between behavioral ecology and habitat characteristics are unknown. The objectives of this study were: 1) to characterize the daily activity pattern of female mule deer in relationship to three behavioral patterns: resting, feeding and moving, and 2) assess the relationship between these behavioral patterns and the characteristics of the habitat. This study was conducted in the Chihuahuan Desert, where six females of mule deer were monitored using VHF radiotelemetry between 2012 and 2014. We distinguish the behavioral patterns by sensors in the collar and we quantified the number of beeps emitted per minute. Moreover, we described the daily pattern associated with these activities using Kernel density graphs and evaluated the effect of habitat variables on the frequency of resting and feeding behaviors applying a generalized linear model (GLM). We identified the location in which feeding and resting behaviors occurred, and the type of plant associations present and the percentage of area they occupied. We recorded locations over 328 days/deer. Female mule deer spent most of their time resting (63.41 %), followed by moving (21.26 %), and feeding (15.34 %). Deer movement and feeding behaviors were most frequent during the crepuscule. The temperature was the only variable that influenced resting and feeding behaviors (deviance = 4.7; d. f. = 1; P = 0.02). The estimated area used for resting was 10.35 km2, while the corresponding area for feeding was 6.45 km2, in which the plant association with dominance of Larrea tridentata, Opuntia rastrera and Fouquieria splendens was the most common. Considering the high temperatures prevailing on the region, resting most of the day likely helps deer to have an adequate thermoregulation. The time dedicated to feeding is less than the dedicated to other activities; deer may be spending more time moving than feeding due to the spatial distribution of suitable food patches, or to avoid predators. The mule deer occupy the same areas to feed and rest; however, feeding areas are smaller those used to rest, these areas have been identified in previous studies as those with the greatest use (core areas). In the plant association with greater occupation within the feeding zones, there are species reported as an essential for the deer diet; these areas are located at the foot of the hill, which gives the deer thermal protection.

Automated VHF Radiotelemetry Revealed Site-Specific Differences in Fall Migration Strategies of Semipalmated Sandpipers on Stopover in the Gulf of Maine

The Gulf of Maine has long been recognized as a major stopover area for shorebirds in fall. Knowing how birds move within and beyond the region will be paramount to protecting threatened shorebird habitat. To determine stopover behavior during fall migration (2013-2017) in Maine, 180 (104 AHY, 76 HY) Semipalmated Sandpipers, Calidris pusilla, were tracked using VHF radiotelemetry and an extensive array of automated receivers (Motus Wildlife Tracking System). Birds tagged at three locations along the Maine coastline showed no effect of age class or stopover site on body condition (body mass, estimated fat mass) or stopover length (post capture detection period). However, movement after departure varied greatly among sites. Few birds captured at the northern-most site (“Downeast”, n=71), which had the greatest amount of mudflats and offshore roost sites and the least amount of human disturbance, were detected beyond the initial tagging location, suggesting that they, like birds in the Bay of Fundy just to the north, initiated trans-oceanic flights from that location. At the Downeast site, leaner birds remained significantly longer than fatter birds, suggesting that time of departure there depended on energy reserves, which would be critical for making extensive flights. In contrast, over half of the birds tagged further south (Popham Beach, n= 59; Rachel Carson NWR, n = 50) were later detected at coastal locations to the north (few) or to the south (most). Stopover period at these sites was independent of fat, suggesting that other factors (e.g. feeding/roosting site availability, human activity) influenced departure decisions. In Maine, Semipalmated sandpipers, regardless of age, may move north (Downeast) or south (e.g. Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Long Island Sound) where the local topography, habitat characteristics (feeding/roosting sites), and/or lower human activity, may best enable them to initiate trans-oceanic flights to the wintering grounds. Future study should determine if variation in stopover behavior is population-specific and if population-segregation occurs in Maine. Use of automated VHF radiotelemetry has lead to a greater understanding of stopover behavior and the degree of connectivity among stopover sites, which should be taken into account for conserving migratory bird habitat across broad spatial scales.

Novel Bio-Logging Tool for Studying Fine-Scale Behaviors of Marine Turtles in Response to Sound

Increases in the spatial scale and intensity of activities that produce marine anthropogenic sound highlight the importance of understanding the impacts and effects of sound on threatened species such as marine turtles. Marine turtles detect and behaviorally respond to low-frequency sounds, however few studies have directly examined their behavioral responses to specific types or intensities of anthropogenic or natural sounds. Recent advances in the development of bio-logging tools, which combine acoustic and fine-scale movement measurements, have allowed for evaluations of animal responses to sound. Here, we describe these tools and present a case study demonstrating the potential application of a newly developed technology (ROTAG, Loggerhead Instruments, Inc.) to examine behavioral responses of freely swimming marine turtles to sound. The ROTAG incorporates a three-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer to record the turtle’s pitch, roll, and heading; a pressure sensor to record turtle depth; a hydrophone to record the turtle’s received underwater acoustic sound field; a temperature gauge; and two VHF radio telemetry transmitters and antennas for tag and turtle tracking. Tags can be programmed to automatically release via a timed corrodible link several hours or days after deployment. We describe an example of the data collected with these tags and present a case study of a successful ROTAG deployment on a juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the Paranagua Estuary Complex, Brazil. The tag was deployed for 221 minutes, during which several vessels passed closely (<2km) by the turtle. The concurrent movement and acoustic data collected by the ROTAG were examined during these times to determine if the turtle responded to these anthropogenic sound sources. While fine-scale behavioral responses were not apparent (second-by-second), the turtle did appear to perform dives during which it remained still on or near the sea floor during several of the vessel passes. This case study provides proof of concept that ROTAGs can successfully be applied to free-ranging marine turtles to examine their behavioral response to sound. Finally, we discuss the broad applications that these tools have to study the fine-scale behaviors of marine turtles and highlight their use to aid in marine turtle conservation and management.

야기 안테나가 적용된 원격추적시스템을 위한 필터구성 및 모터 제어에 관한 연구

논문에서는 야생동물의 생활 패턴과 습성을 연구하기 위해 Yagi-Antenna, Low Pass Filter, Angle 추적기술 등을 이용한 야생동물 위치추적 시스템을 연구하였다. 현재 일반적으로 VHF 라디오식 위치측위 기술을 사용하여 야생동물 위치추적 시스템에 사용되고 있다. 기존 Yagi-Antenna는 이동성을 고려하여 4-element가 사용되며, 휴대성에 대한 장점이 있지만 이득이 낮고 지향성이 약하다. 제안된 기술은 이득을 높이기 위해 6-element를 채택하여 Narrow Space Yagi-Antenna 기술을 구현 하였다. 또한 수신 신호의 정밀한 방향 검출 기술과 3대의 수신기를 이용한 AOA(:Angle Of Arrival) 위치측위 기술을 적용하였다. 이를 바탕으로 본 연구에서는 공간적으로 특정한 서식영역에서 활동하는 야생동물 생활패턴과 습성을 파악하기 위한 위치추적 기술을 개발하여 검증 하였다. To study a habit and life patten of a wild animal, this paper do a research on the location tracing system of wild animal by yagi-antenna low pass filter, angle tracking technology. Commonly, VHF Radio Telemetry is used for the location tracing system of wild animal. Considering movement, Previous yagi-antenna has 4-element and has advantage of portability but the other advantages are small and preference is weak. To make the advantage of yagi-antenna higher than previous one, Supposed technology adapt to 6-element and make out Narrow space yagi-antenna technology. Also, It supposes that AOA (:Angle of arrival) technology is applied to detecting technology for a close direction from received signal. Based on this study suggest that position tracing technology is so as to figure out a life patten and habit of a wild animal which live in a certain area.

Telemetry as a tool for improving estimates of marine turtle abundance

Accurate estimates of abundance are fundamental to the conservation of threatened species, but are often difficult to obtain directly. Population size assessments of marine turtles are often based on counts of nests, which are then related to abundance using the mean number of clutches laid by individuals within a season. Due to low re-encounter probabilities, clutch frequency has proven difficult to estimate reliably, particularly for large populations that make a major contribution to global stock assessments. We use a combination of VHF radio-telemetry and Argos-linked Fastloc™ GPS devices to improve clutch frequency estimates for one of the world’s largest green turtle rookeries at Ascension Island. Females fitted with VHF tags at the start of the season (n=40) were re-encountered with a probability of 85% and laid a minimum average of 5.8 clutches. Three of these turtles were fitted with VHF and GPS devices and using the data collected by the latter, were found to lay an average of 6.3 clutches. GPS-telemetry detected emergences observed using radio-telemetry, and confirmed that some radio-tagged turtles laid again after their last observed emergence. Correcting for missed nesting events yielded a mean clutch frequency of 6.3, more than doubling the previous estimate of 3.0 for this population. Applying this revised assessment to annual nest counts reduces the estimated size of this population by 52%. Conventional tagging approaches may considerably underestimate annual fecundity of turtles, resulting in inflated population size estimates. We call for urgent reassessment of baseline abundance values for regionally important populations.

Assessing noninvasive hair and fecal sampling for monitoring the distribution and abundance of river otter

AbstractMonitoring the distribution and abundance of populations is an important component of efforts to meet management or conservation goals. Although the objectives for such studies are easy to define, cost‐effective, precise, and accurate estimates are often elusive. We tested the efficacy and compared the cost‐effectiveness of methods for estimating the number and recording the distribution of river otter (Lontra canadensis). We genotyped otter hair sampled using two noninvasive instruments and compared those results with a hypothetical study design based on DNA extracted from fecal matter. Patterns of distribution generated from DNA collected at latrine sites were then compared to observations of otter collected using VHF radiotelemetry. We achieved a high probability of genotyping river otter with a small number of hairs (i.e., 59.0 % probability of producing a genotype with 1 guard hair and &gt;5 under hair samples) collected using wire body snares and knaplock hair snags. Body snares were more effective at collecting otter hair, but there was relatively little additional cost to using both sampling instruments. Genotyped hair resulted in a high multi‐year recapture rate (61.9 %). Hair collection and genotyping was the most cost‐effective method for monitoring populations of river otter ($168.50 US/datum) followed by radiotelemetry ($264.50 US/datum), and the extraction of DNA from fecal matter ($266.00 US/datum). However, the noninvasive techniques did not represent the full distribution and fine‐scale movements of otter, as observed using radiotelemetry. There has been much recent reporting of the efficacy of fecal matter as a source of DNA for conducting mark–recapture population estimates for mesocarnivores. Our data suggested that collecting DNA in hair may be a more cost‐effective and efficient approach.

Feral Cats in the Tall Forests of Far East Gippsland, Australia

Much of the research on feral cats in Australia has occurred in the continent’s arid and semi-arid regions. Consequently, little is known about the ecology of feral cats in tall forests. Using a combination of both VHF and ‘store on board’ GPS collars, feral cats were tracked in the forests of Far East Gippsland, Victoria, to investigate both home range size and movement patterns. The use of GPS collars to obtain accurate and high volumes of location data allowed the intra-home range movements of feral cats to be examined in ways not previously possible using conventional VHF radio telemetry. Male cats had significantly larger home ranges (MCP 100, mean ± se: 455 ± 126 ha) than females (105 ± 28 ha). Male home ranges overlapped those of females and female ranges overlapped with neighbouring females. Overlaps in female home ranges, in particular of the core areas, indicate that female cats in Far East Gippsland are tolerant of other females and do not actively exclude them. Feral cats in these productive tall forests have smaller home ranges than those in arid and semi-arid regions where food resources are sparse or limited, but larger ranges than those inhabiting farmland and grassland habitats where food resources are generally more abundant. Location data gathered at three different temporal intervals – 6 hourly, hourly, and every 15 minutes, showed that feral cats utilise a Lévy walk-style searching pattern as they move through their home range. Employing a Lévy walk increases the likelihood of encountering prey items that are distributed sparsely in the environment, in turn maximising the potential hunting return for effort expended. These findings will allow managers to adopt a more targeted approach when undertaking feral cat management programs in these habitats by providing information on where to deploy traps, baits or other control measures.

Preface

Preface

A self-contained acoustic station with a digital radiotelemetry channel for monitoring seismic acoustic signals on the shelf

The Shelf-09 self-contained acoustic station has been developed at the Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute for long-term (up to 1 month) stationary measurements (on the shelf) of acoustic pressures varying in a 2- to 15 000-Hz band. The station is intended for monitoring of characteristics of seismic acoustic signals and noises produced by a seismic survey ship operating on the shelf at the boundaries of the nearest known range of rare marine animals so as to exclude possible anthropogenic influence on them. To arrange online monitoring of industrial noises and pulse seismic acoustic signals, the acoustic data measured in a 2- to 2000-Hz band are transmitted to a coastal post or ship via a digital VHF radiotelemetry channel. The Shelf-09 station has successfully passed tests under laboratory and field conditions.

First observations of nest attendance behavior by wild maned wolves, Chrysocyon brachyurus

In many species of canids the male's role in reproduction extends to providing extensive or some parental care to his offspring. Maned wolves are a monogamous canid species whose males have been observed providing parental care to their offspring in captivity, but no field observations exist. We observed a wild pair of maned wolves at their nest site in a period soon after the female had given birth for a total period of 65 days. We made five observation sessions with an average of 3-4 days each separated by approximately 2 weeks. Direct visual observations of maned wolves were made each 30 min during the hours of darkness (17:00-07:00) using night-vision binoculars and confirmed by VHF radiotelemetry. During observations we recorded the location of the male and the female in relation to the nest (i.e., in the nest, nearby or long way from the nest). The results showed that the female spent more than 60.44% of her time in or near the nest. The male spent 28.90% of his time in or near the nest. There was a positive significant correlation between the female and the male in terms of the amount of time spent in or near the nest (P<0.01). The maned wolves showed a strong temporal variation in time spent in or near the nest. In conclusion, our data show that wild male maned wolves--probably--provide parental care through provision of food to their female and presumed offspring rather than "babysitting."

Ranging behavior of the Asian elephant in Sri Lanka

We studied the ranging patterns of 10 elephants in and around the Yala protected area complex, southern Sri Lanka, using VHF radio telemetry. All tracked elephants displayed similar ranging patterns. The observed home ranges were small (mean=115.2±64.0 km 2) relative to reported home ranges in India, possibly in response to high habitat productivity and abundant perennial water sources. Elephants showed high fidelity to their ranges. Home ranges had relatively large core areas, suggesting intensive use of habitat. No geographically distinct seasonal ranges or migratory behavior was observed. Home range overlap was high, and territoriality was absent. Male musth ranges were considerably larger than non-musth ranges and may signify mate searching. Most elephants ranged both in and outside protected areas, suggesting that resources outside protected areas were important for their survival. Thus, translocating and restricting elephants to protected areas will be detrimental to their survival, as it limits resource access. The ranging patterns of Asian elephants suggest that conservation of the species requires their management both in and outside protected areas.

Foraging Locations of Double-crested Cormorants in the Beaver Archipelago of Northern Lake Michigan: Potential for Impacts on Smallmouth Bass

Abstract The breeding population of Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) increased in the Beaver Archipelago of northern Lake Michigan, while simultaneously, a Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieui) population in the region declined. However, the role that cormorants played in this decline has remained uncertain. During summer 2003, VHF radiotelemetry and rafting locations were used to determine whether birds foraged primarily in bass habitat. The foraging activities of ten breeding cormorants were monitored by radiotelemetry from both land and water on a daily basis, weather permitting, throughout the breeding season. In addition, cormorant foraging raft locations were documented by boat survey throughout the breeding season. Radiotelemetry indicated that cormorants typically foraged 2.5 km away from their colonies, at the northeastern end of Beaver Island. This area overlaps with the area determined from rafting locations; however the latter were centered further south. These data allow fo...