Wild Animal Conservation Research Articles

Seroprevalence of selected flaviviruses in free-living and captive capuchin monkeys in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and, more recently, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) have a great impact in the public health. In addition, the presence of such viruses might have an impact on wild animal conservation as well as their possible role as animal reservoir. Here, we performed a serological survey searching for antibodies against a panel of flaviviruses [ZIKV, Dengue virus (DENV), Yellow Fever virus (YFV), West Nile virus (WNV), Saint Louis Encephalitis virus (SLEV), Ilheus virus (ILHV) and Rocio virus (ROCV)] using plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90 ) in both free-ranging and captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus flavius and Sapajus libidinosus). Captive and free-living monkeys were sampled between June 2015 and January 2016 in the state of Pernambuco, including in the border with State of Paraíba, the epicentre of the ZIKV epidemics in Brazil. We have found neutralizing antibodies for ZIKV, DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4, YFV, ILHV and SLEV in both S.flavius and S.libidinosus samples. No positives samples were found for ROCV and WNV. Our results suggest that these flaviviruses might be circulating in capuchin monkey in the studied region. The possible presence of these viruses represents a risk for public health, as well as for animal conservation, especially for S.flavius which is a critically endangered species, facing high risk of extinction.

Computerized electrocardiogram in agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha Wagler, 1831) anesthetized with ketamine and midazolam

ABSTRACT: An electrocardiogram is a test that assesses heart electrical activity and is applied more frequently in the veterinary care of wild animals. The present study aimed to define the electrocardiogram pattern of agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha Wagler, 1831) anesthetized with ketamine and midazolam. Eighteen clinically healthy agoutis (D. prymnolopha) were used from the Nucleus for Wild Animal Studies and Conservation (NEPAS) of the Federal University of Piauí, Brazil. The animals were chemically restrained with 5% ketamine hydrochloride at a dose of 15mg/kg and midazolam at a dose of 1mg/kg by intramuscular injection. Electrocardiogram tests were carried out by a computerized method with the veterinary electrocardiogram [Acquisition Model for Computer (ECG - PC version Windows 95) Brazilian Electronic Technology (TEB) consisting of an electronic circuit externally connected to a notebook computer with ECGPC-VET (TEB) software installed on the hard disc. In analysing the EKG results, significant differences were observed for QRS complex duration, PR and QT intervals and for R wave millivoltage between the genders; but we observed a significant influence of weight despite the gender. In the present experiment, the anaesthetic protocol was shown to be well tolerated by the agoutis, and no arrhythmias occurred during the time the animals were monitored. The reference values obtained should be used to better understand the cardiac electrophysiology of the species and for its clinical and surgical management.

Forest Monasteries: A Synthesis of the Process of Managing the Ecosystem for Forest and Wild Animal Conservation in Northeastern Thailand

AbstractThis study explores the ecosystem management process in forest monasteries in northeastern Thailand. The methods used for the study were documentary and field studies. The study was carried out at three temples: 1) Wat Puttanimit (Pukao), Kalasin Province, 2) Wat Tham Pa Mak Haw, Loei Province, and 3) Wat Phraputtabat Panom Din, Surin Province. The research data were analyzed and synthesized for the management process of the ecosystem of forest and wild animal conservation in northeast Thailand. The results show that ecological problems in designated forest temples are mainly due to a lack of personnel to properly care for animals, ecosystems, deforestation, and encroachment. The study found that the elements of the ecosystem of each forest were fully related to one another. Ecological management requires an understanding of local circumstances and problems of ecological systems through close study of each area, organization, and network. There are also short- and long-term plans that contribute to the integrated management of the entire ecosystem. First, these include managing the process of the ecosystem of soil, water, wild animals, religion, community, tourism, education, and cooperation among organizations. Second, the models include the management of plans, participation, law, and Buddhist ways. The whole management process leads to integrated ecosystem management and can help efficiently conserve the ecosystem for forests and animals.

The Role of Traditional Taboos and Custom as Complementary Tools in Wildlife Conservation Within Mount Cameroon National Park Buea

This study was carried out to examine the use of traditional taboos and custom in wildlife conservation in the Mount Cameroon National Park. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 13 villages from the 41 villages surrounding the park. A total number of 130 respondents were randomly selected for the study and data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. From the results, majorities (76.67%) of the respondents were male and, fall within the age range of 50–59 years (62.5%), attained secondary education and 80.83% were Christians. As the results reveal, a good percentage of the respondents were conversant with cultural practices and its impact in wild animal conservation as 70.83% and 20.83% of the respondents strongly agree and agree respectively that cultural practices are used for conserving wildlife species. Religion, migration and westernization were found to be responsible for the decline of cultural practices in wildlife conservation within the study area. One animal, the African forest elephant is reverenced as a deity throughout the study area, although there were taboos forbidding indigenes/residents from killing or eating some particular wildlife species (Chimpanzee, Western bush pig, African python, Preuss monkey, Blue duiker, Drill, African civet, African wild dog, Black kite, White-face owl and snail spp). Illegal communal hunting is still practiced in the area. It is recommended that new and holistic wildlife conservation policies that will blend traditional systems of regulation, myths, rituals, and perceptions with existing wildlife legislation in the country be implemented to enhance conservation in this area.

Does <i>Culicoides</i> spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Not Suck Human Blood in Riparian Habitat of a National Park

Is the wild animal conservation result in Taiwan good enough to provide the blood resources for the blood sucking insect and cause the insect behavior changed? Based on the bimonthly investigation of Culicoides sp. in Wuling area, Sheipar National Park, by both human bait method and light trap method, we found that there were totally 13,191 individuals trapped by light trap and collected but no one single Culicoides sp. trapped by human bait during the study period of Wuling Long Term Ecological Research (WLTER) in 2012. Two of the three sites were recorded and reported as the midge attacked the ranger and tourists of Sheipa National Park in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Along with the study of WLTER some wild animals encounter more often than before, especially the bird population in the riparian ecosystem of the mountain river Chi Chia Wan Stream. On the other end, Culicoides sp. preferred to the blood of birds and amphibians as well as mammals according to the article review. So, the effectiveness of blood resource from wild animals may cause the behavior of blood sucking insect like as Culicoides sp. shifted to or returned back to the original and the favorite blood resource.

A study on the tolerance level of farmers toward human-wildlife conflict in the forest buffer zones of Tamil Nadu.

Aim:The aim of this work was to study the tolerance level of farmers toward different human-wildlife conflict (HWC) situations.Materials and Methods:This study was conducted in 24 villages of nine blocks from Kancheepuram, Coimbatore, Erode, and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu by personally interviewing 240 farmers affected with four different HWC situations such as human-elephant conflict (HEC), human-wild pig conflict (HPC), human-gaur conflict (HGC), and human-monkey conflict (HMC). A scale developed for this purpose was used to find out the tolerance level of the farmers.Results:In general, the majority (61.70%) of the farmers had medium level of tolerance toward HWC, whereas 25.40% and 12.90% belonged to a high and low category, respectively. The mean tolerance level of the farmer’s encountering HMC is low (8.77) among the other three wild animal conflicts. In tackling HWC, the majority (55.00%) of the HEC farmers drove the elephant once it entered into their farmland. In the HPC, more than three-fourths of the respondents drove away the wild pig once they were found in farmlands. With regard to the HMC, a less number of them (1.70%) drove the monkey away if monkeys were spotted in their village. With regard to HGC, 95.00% of the respondents frightened the gaurs if their family members were threatened by gaurs.Conclusion:The present study suggests that that majority of the farmers had medium level of tolerance toward HWC. The tolerance level of the HMC farmers was lower than other three HWC affected farmers. This study emphasizes the need for necessary training to tackle the problem in an effective manner for wild animal conservation.

How Bees Deter Elephants: Beehive Trials with Forest Elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) in Gabon.

In Gabon, like elsewhere in Africa, crops are often sources of conflict between humans and wildlife. Wildlife damage to crops can drastically reduce income, amplifying poverty and creating a negative perception of wild animal conservation among rural people. In this context, crop-raiding animals like elephants quickly become “problem animals”. To deter elephants from raiding crops beehives have been successfully employed in East Africa; however, this method has not yet been tested in Central Africa. We experimentally examined whether the presence of Apis mellifera adansonii, the African honey bee species present in Central Africa, deters forest elephants (Loxodonta Africana cyclotis) from feeding on fruit trees. We show for the first time that the effectiveness of beehives as deterrents of elephants is related to bee activity. Empty hives and those housing colonies of low bee activity do not deter elephants all the time; but beehives with high bee activity do. Although elephant disturbance of hives does not impede honey production, there is a tradeoff between deterrence and the quantity of honey produced. To best achieve the dual goals of deterring elephants and producing honey colonies must maintain an optimum activity level of 40 to 60 bee movements per minute. Thus, beehives colonized by Apis mellifera adansonii bees can be effective elephant deterrents, but people must actively manage hives to maintain bee colonies at the optimum activity level.

CARDIOTHORACIC RATIO AND VERTEBRAL HEART SCALE IN CLINICALLY NORMAL BLACK-RUMPED AGOUTIS (DASYPROCTA PRYMNOLOPHA, WAGLER 1831).

Wild rodents, such as the lowland paca (Cuniculus paca), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris), guinea pig (Cavia aperea), and black-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) are intensely hunted throughout Amazonia and at the semiarid regions of northeastern Brazil. To contribute to the preservation of these species, more information about their anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology is needed. The aim of this study was to standardize the vertebral heart scale (VHS) and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) in clinically normal black-rumped agouti, as well as to compare the results of these two methods, which are commonly used to evaluate the cardiac silhouette in domestic animals. Twelve healthy black-rumped agoutis, divided into two groups (six males and six females), obtained from the Nucleus for Wild Animal Studies and Conservation at the Federal University of Piauí, were radiographed in right and left lateral and dorsoventral projections. The values of the VHS were 8.00±0.31v (the number of thoracic vertebral length spanned by each dimension, starting at T4) for males and 8.11±0.41v for females, and there was no statistical difference between the decubitus (right and left) or between males and females (P>0.05). The CTR mean values obtained were 0.51±0.03 for males, and 0.52±0.02 for females, and there was no statistical difference between the genders (P>0.05). However, there was positive correlation between VHS and CTR (r=0.77 right decubitus and r=0.82 left decubitus). The thoracic and heart diameter had mean values of 6.72±0.61 and 3.48±0.30 cm (males), and for the females, it was 6.61±0.51 and 3.5±0.30 cm, respectively, and there was statistical difference between the genders. The results demonstrated high correlation between the VHS and CTR producing similar results, indicating similar clinical precision for assessing the size of the cardiac silhouette in the black-rumped agoutis.

Vulnerable Wild Animal Species, Conservation and Genetic Investigations

To date, approximately 5,600 species of animals are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) against over-exploitation through international trade. Among mammals, 300 species are considered threatened with extinction. Conservation efforts rely on a wide spectrum of measures, from rising public awareness to adapted legal framework. In this context, wild animal conservation centers represent a core aspect. Accurate management is required also through qualified veterinary care and research activities, including genetic investigations to support conservation strategies.

How far a protected area contributes to conserve habitat species composition and population structure of endangered African tree species (Benin, West Africa)

The Pendjari Biosphere Reserve located in the Sudanian zone of Bénin, is a protected area well managed, but mainly aimed at wild animal conservation. This study assessed its effectiveness to conserve habitat species composition and population structure of three endangered African tree species: Afzelia africana Sm., Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. and Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss. We randomly sampled 120 plots in the protected and surrounding unprotected habitats by inventorying plant species. For the three target species, we estimated adult and juvenile densities and recorded size classes. According to floristic composition four habitats groups were recognized in relation to human disturbance, vegetation type, and moisture. These were protected savannas, unprotected savannas, old fallows and gallery forests. The estimated adult densities of A. africana were similar between protected (14±1.2tree/ha) and unprotected savannas (17±0.9tree/ha) while for P. erinaceus the adult density was significantly higher in protected (12±3.7tree/ha) than in unprotected savannas (5±1.9tree/ha). Estimated adult density of K. senegalensis was also significantly higher in protected gallery forest (40±5.8tree/ha) than in unprotected one (29±4.8tree/ha). Juvenile densities of A. africana, K. senegalensis and P. erinaceus were higher in protected habitats than in unprotected ones but the difference was not significant. Skewness coefficient indicated that populations of investigated trees were declining in their protected habitats. However, in the case of A. africana and K. senegalensis populations seemed to be mostly threatened in the protected area. We concluded that although the studied protected area is effective to conserve some habitats species compositions, protection is not sufficient to guarantee future conservation of some threatened tree species.

Attitudes towards wild animal conservation: a comparative study of the Yi and Mosuo in China

Global wild animal resources are declining due to various pressures, which will greatly affect local biodiversity and ecosystem services. Understanding local people's attitudes towards wild animal conservation in high biodiversity areas is of major importance for conservation efforts. Sampling and questionnaire survey methods were employed to examine people's attitudes toward wild animal conservation in a comparative case study of two minority ethnic groups, the Mosuo (n = 91) and Yi (n = 169) in Ninglang, China. Attributes influencing people's attitudes (p < 0.05) include ethnicity, awareness, culture, level of education, religious beliefs and gender. The Mosuo are more positive towards wild animal conservation than the Yi. Women are more positive than men in both ethnic groups. Yi males and Mosuo females are more active in educating children. People with a higher level of education and a religion show more support for wild animal conservation in both ethnic groups. The results suggest that encouraging and reinforcing traditional culture and informal restrictions, strengthening understanding and recognising gender differences in wild animal conservation practices should be used to improve biodiversity conservation in Ninglang. Furthermore, the implications of enhancing local enforcement on the supervision of tourism and compensation schemes for human-wildlife conflicts are also discussed.

Wild animal conservation and welfare in agricultural systems

AbstractAt least one-third of the land on earth is used for agricultural production and conflicts with the interests of wildlife are inevitable. These conflicts are likely to escalate as the human population expands and as the scale and intensity of agricultural production increases. This paper argues that the same underlying causes frequently affect both wild animal welfare and conservation. Three key threats are discussed: disease transmission from domestic animals and the interventions used to manage wildlife reservoirs of zoonotic diseases; physical operations such as harvesting and the conversion of wildlife habitat to farmland; and the use of agrochemicals, particularly for pest control. While direct effects, such as accidental poisoning, tend to attract the most public attention, it is argued that indirect effects, such as the reduction in food supplies or the disruption of social structures, are likely to be of greater importance. The suffering of pest animals has traditionally been undervalued. There is a need for broader adoption of integrated, ecologically based strategies which minimise suffering and also minimise the numbers of animals involved by preventing population resurgence. New research is urgently required to compare the effects of alternative, economically viable farming strategies on both wildlife conservation and welfare, possibly within the framework of ecosystem services assessments.

Application of mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis in the forensic identification of Chinese sika deer subspecies

As a direct and indirect consequence of human activities, only two subspecies, Cervus nippon sinchuanicus and Cervus nippon kopschi, currently subsist in the wild of China. However, a large population of Cervus nippon hortulorum and Cervus nippon nippon is raised in order to gain deer parts for Chinese traditional medicine. According to Chinese Wild Animal Conservation Law, hunting, capturing and trading of the wild sika deer are strictly banned, however, raising and trading of the domestic individual are permitted. Thus, it is very necessary to identify the subspecies of sika deer in China in forensic tests. In our study, we used mitochondrial DNA control region sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis to identify the subspecies of sika deer. Mitochondrial DNA control region sequences analysis revealed that two haplotypes came from the unknown samples. One is the same as the haplotype that came from the samples of wild population of C. n. kopschi. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the two haplotypes of unknown samples clustered with the haplotypes of C. n. kopschi, and had significant difference from the haplotypes of the other subspecies. These results together revealed that the unknown samples came from two individuals that belong to the wild population of C. n. kopschi living in the Qinglingfeng State Natural Reserve of Zhejiang province. Therefore, the results provide forensic evidence of illegal wild animal hunting.