Use Of Wildlife Resources Research Articles

Angry Birds… All in a Twitter about Trophy Hunting: Are the Big Five Safe under the Eaves?

Trophy hunting has turned into a contentious global debate opposing urban westerners and rural African communities. The former argue for animal rights. The latter argue for human rights, de-colonialism and legitimacy over their resources, relying on the principle that legal rights should be given back to local people to sustainably use their wildlife. While human geography studies have examined both trophy hunting and social media influences on people and places, conservation as a body of knowledge has not yet caught up with the role of cyber-movements in spreading discourses. This paper presents a case study using netnography, content analysis and the Cycle of Aggression theory to capture the perception of Twitter users towards trophy hunting in Africa. Rural African communities are demanding a new deal in which they are shareholders rather than disempowered stakeholders in their own wildlife resource use and management. Thus, externally imposed bans, including import bans, undermine not only the foundations of sustainable wildlife management but also the rights of local peoples.

Leveraging limited data from wildlife monitoring in a conflict affected region in Venezuela

Efficient monitoring of biodiversity-rich areas in conflict-affected areas with poor rule of law requires a combination of different analytical approaches to account for data biases and incompleteness. In the upland Amazon region of Venezuela, in Canaima National Park, we initiated biodiversity monitoring in 2015, but it was interrupted by the establishment of a large-scale mining development plan in 2016, compromising the temporal and geographical extent of monitoring and the security of researchers. We used a resource selection function model framework that considers imperfect detectability and supplemented detections from camera trap surveys with opportunistic off-camera records (including animal tracks and direct sighting) to (1) gain insight into the value of additional occurrence records to accurately predict wildlife resource use in the perturbated area (deforestation, fire, swidden agriculture, and human settlements vicinity), (2) when faced with security and budget constraints. Our approach maximized the use of available data and accounted for biases and data gaps. Adding data from poorly sampled areas had mixed results on estimates of resource use for restricted species, but improved predictions for widespread species. If budget or resources are limited, we recommend focusing on one location with both on-camera and off-camera records over two with cameras. Combining camera trap records with other field observations (28 mammals and 16 birds) allowed us to understand responses of 17 species to deforestation, 15 to fire, and 13 to swidden agriculture. Our study encourages the use of combinations of methods to support conservation in high-biodiversity sites, where access is restricted, researchers are vulnerable, and unequal sampling efforts exist.

A mixed black and whitelist approach for wildlife trade regulation in China: Biodiversity conservation is made of shades of gray

AbstractThe Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requires effective actions to bend the curve of biodiversity loss by 2030. Wildlife trade, a direct drive of biodiversity decline, calls for more effective regulations to both protect wildlife populations in the wild and facilitate sustainable use of wildlife resources to meet human needs. This call has become particularly urgent in light of the COVID‐19 pandemic. In 2021, China's List of State Key Protected Wild Animals, a list of fauna under the strictest protection by national legislation, has been updated in the year 2021, 32 years after its first release, increasing its coverage (from the original 13%) an 11% of species across taxa. Combined with the updated List of State Protected Terrestrial Wild Animals which covers species with lower protection priority, these two national lists already cover 77% terrestrial vertebrate species of China. Such a blacklist approach, placing threatened species under a list of legal protection, is a common practice globally in species conservation. We discussed pros and cons of this dominant strategy and further explored the potential integration with a whitelist approach, listing all wildlife and only permitting regulated uses of certain species. We propose a mixed approach combining black and whitelists at different administration levels which could perhaps be first adopted in China. This is mainly due to the fact that in addition to illegal harvesting from the wild, traded wildlife in China are mostly from captive breeding and related laundering of wild‐caught animals.

Immediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of wildlife as food among indigenous people and local communities in South America

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a range of effects on the environment and particularly on wildlife, through diverse and sometimes contradictory impact pathways. In this study, based on data collected among indigenous people and local communities from South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Peru), we investigated changes in the use of wildlife resources for food during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study generated unique data collected from 756 households in 60 communities and nine sites. We confirm the hypothesis that wildlife use increased as a short-term response to food insecurity during the pandemic, and fish played a more significant role than wild meat in that endeavor. The increase in wild-meat consumption as a response to food insecurity was conditioned by prices and availability (unsuccessful hunts). Wildlife use did not increase as an alternative means to generate income, because communities were cut off from the market economy for several months. Also, whereas the reliance on wildlife emerged as an immediate solution during the first months of the crisis, longer-term strategies prioritized at household level involved diversifying food sources through domestic meat and crop production. Among all available animal-based proteins, local chicken came just after fish as the animal-based source of protein whose consumption increased the most during the first months of the crisis, as a response to food insecurity. We caution that relying on wildlife as a safety net may constitute a poverty trap in cases where the resource is depleted. Although not specifically studied here, access to land and the transmission of traditional knowledge/skills are possible additional determinants of the role that wildlife may play in times of crisis, and this is proposed as an area for future research. Results also attest to local communities expecting more support from their respective national governments, and confirm results from Walters et al. (2021) that governments were generally absent or unable to react quickly during the pandemic, leaving households (or their local leaders) with the responsibility to innovate with local solutions and pro-actively adapt to the rapid impacts of the crisis.

Shifting cultivation and hunting across the savanna-forest mosaic in the Gran Sabana, Venezuela: facing changes.

BackgroundHuman encroachment and overexploitation of natural resources in the Neotropics is constantly increasing. Indigenous communities all across the Amazon, are trapped between a population rise and a hot debate about the sustainability of hunting rates. The Garden Hunting hypothesis states that shifting cultivation schemes (conucos) used by Amazon indigenous communities may generate favorable conditions, increasing abundance of small and medium wildlife species close to the ‘gardens’ providing game for indigenous hunters.MethodsHere, we combined camera trap surveys and spatially explicit interview dataset on Pemón indigenous hunting scope and occurrence in a mosaic of savanna and forest in the Gran Sabana, Venezuela to evaluate to what extent the wildlife resource use corresponds to Garden Hunting hypothesis. We applied the Royle–Nichols model and binomial regression in order to: (1) assess whether abundance of small and medium wildlife species is higher close to conucos and (2) evaluate whether hunters select hunting localities based on accessibility to wildlife resources (closeness to conuco) more than wildlife abundance.ResultsWe find mixed evidence supporting the Garden Hunting hypothesis predictions. Abundance of small and medium species was high close to conucos but the pattern was not statistically significant for most of them. Pemón seem to hunt in locations dominated by forest, where species abundance was predicted to be higher, than in close vicinity to conucos. Hunting scope was focused on the most abundant species located close to the conuco (Cuniculus paca), but also in less abundant and unavailable species (Crax alector, Tapirus terrestris and Odocoileus virginianus).ConclusionsOur research provided the first attempt of a systematic sampling survey in the Gran Sabana, generating a quantitative dataset that not only describes the current pattern of wildlife abundance, but sets the base-line to monitor temporal and spatial change in this region of highland Amazon. We discuss the applicability of the estimates generated as a baseline as well as, environmental challenges imposed by economic, social and cultural changes such as mining encroachment for wildlife management.

Anthropogenic impact on wildlife resource use: Spatial and temporal shifts in elephants’ access to water

AbstractExpansion of human settlements and development have undeniable impacts on wildlife and habitats. Yet wildlife continues to persist in human‐modified environments. While shifting patterns of wildlife landscape use in response to development is well established, less is known about how risk avoidance by animals impacts their resource access. Our research addresses this question by assessing spatial and temporal patterns in access to water resources for savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) relative to anthropogenic features in the Okavango Panhandle of Botswana. We combined GPS collar data from 39 elephants (2014–2018) with spatial data on permanent water sources and human development to quantify patterns of water access. We modelled a multi‐scale resource selection function that showed elephants selected water access points in areas with less human development (p < 0.0151). Elephants visited water more evenly across day and night in areas with no buildings nearby, but shifted to a significantly more nocturnal pattern in areas of higher building density (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Analysing spatial and temporal patterns of elephant resource access in the context of anthropogenic features provides compelling insight into the potential consequences of human‐modified landscapes on the behaviour, fitness, and persistence of threatened species and our coexistence with them.

Between the state and the market: informal practices in the use of wildlife resources in Siberian villages

Between the state and the market: informal practices in the use of wildlife resources in Siberian villages

Inadequate community engagement hamstrings sustainable wildlife resource management in Zambia

AbstractWe propose improvements for addressing the inadequate sustainable use of wildlife resources in the community‐based natural resource management (CBNRM) programme in game management areas (GMAs) using case study data from Mumbwa and Lupande GMAs in Zambia. Firstly, we assess the sustainability of wildlife resources in these GMAs using design principles for enduring common pool institutions. Secondly, we propose the steps required to address the lack of sustainability of wildlife resources in the CBNRM programme in the two GMAs by building on indicators suggested by Ostrom's principles. The resource use patterns in the two GMAs were assessed according to their socio‐economic and institutional factors. Comparisons were made between the two GMAs in relation to Ostrom's design principles. Accordingly, the combination of socio‐economic and institutional factors restrains the sustainable use of wildlife resources in the two GMAs. Unless the Zambian government provides local communities with meaningful decision‐making powers and benefits for the utilisation and management of wildlife, this resource is likely to disappear outside national parks.

Resident Perceptions of Black Bear Management in South Central Kentucky

The growth and sprawl of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) population have been observed and monitored in the past two decades, especially in south-central Kentucky. To better manage human-black bear interaction and develop informed policy and best practices, the current study sought to 1) understand south-central Kentucky residents’ current knowledge of and previous experience with black bears, 2) investigate residents’ attitudes toward black bears and regulated hunting in wildlife management; and 3) identify residents’ level of acceptance of various black bear related management actions in south-central Kentucky. From February to April 2017, residents of London and Stearns districts (southeastern regions) of the Daniel Boone National Forest, a black bear habitat, were invited to participate in this study. The results from 139 completed surveys showed that residents lacked sufficient knowledge about black bear populations in the region and received minimal information regarding black bear management efforts. In comparison to education efforts and relocation, regulated black bear hunting could be a cost-effective option to promote responsible use of wildlife resources and black bear population control. This study provided lessons and recommendations for black bear management in south-central Kentucky and may be of utilization for any other wildlife conservation areas.

Food and livelihoods in park-adjacent communities: The case of the Odzala Kokoua National Park

Protected areas (PAs) in Central Africa provide unprecedented opportunities to maintain ecosystem integrity and safeguard the unique wildlife of one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. However, conflicts exist between wildlife protection, and the needs of human populations adjacent to PAs. Although the use of wildlife resources within PAs is nominally regulated, wildlife exploitation in the areas surrounding parks benefit human nutrition and livelihoods of adjacent populations. In 2013–2014, we interviewed 28% of all known households in 37 villages surrounding the Odzala Kokoua National Park (OKNP), Republic of Congo. We gathered information on bushmeat consumption, income, material assets, and hunter perception of the state of wildlife. We show that bushmeat species (mostly duikers, small monkeys and porcupine) were consumed in 38–48% of meals, and 20–30% of households earned cash from hunting wildlife in most villages; more than any other single source of revenue, except cocoa. Although it remains unknown whether the park was a reservoir for wildlife for areas around the studied villages, we showed that more bushmeat was consumed closer to OKNP. By contrast, income from bushmeat sales in villages closer to markets was greater, and as a corollary, market access and household wealth were positively correlated. Overall, total household income, income from bushmeat sales, travel time, and distance to the OKNP were good predictors of household wealth. Wildlife, although considered more abundant around villages closest to the park, was perceived as generally declining around all village groups. Our results highlight the possible importance of PAs and adjacent areas as reservoirs of wildlife and in maintaining wild meat resources used by the surrounding human populations.

笹岡正俊著『資源保全の環境人類学-インドネシア山村の野生動物利用・管理の民族誌-』（書評）

笹岡正俊著『資源保全の環境人類学-インドネシア山村の野生動物利用・管理の民族誌-』（書評）

Local knowledge of the Co Tu in the use of wildlife resources

Co Tu ethnic group lives mainly in mountain regions, where forest elements play an important role in the domination of their material and spiritual life. Along with gathering, hunting is considered daily activities and an important source of food supply to the inhabitants. However, to effectively exploit these nature-endowed resources, for so long, the Co Tu people have accumulated a consistent system of knowledge. This knowledge is the specific characteristics of the Co Tu, expressing their behavior with their living environment, and distinguishing from local knowledge of other ethnic groups.

Optimization of net returns from wildlife consumptive and non-consumptive uses by game reserve management

SUMMARYLandowners and game reserve managers are often faced with the decision whether to undertake consumptive (such as hunting) and/or non-consumptive (such as tourism) use of wildlife resources on their properties. Here a theoretical model was used to examine cases where the game reserve management allocated the amount of land devoted to hunting (trophy hunting) and tourism, based on three scenarios: (1) hunting is separated from tourism but wildlife is shared; (2) hunting and tourism co-exist; and (3) hunting and tourism are separated by a fence. The consumptive and non-consumptive uses are not mutually exclusive; careful planning is needed to ensure that multiple management objectives can be met. Further, the analysis indicates that the two uses may be undertaken in the same area. Whether they are spatially, or temporally separated depends on the magnitude of the consumptive use. When consumptive use is not dominant, the two are compatible in the same shared area, provided the wildlife population is sufficiently large.

Zooarchaeology in the Paraná River flood plain: GIS implementation at a regional scale

Zooarchaeology in the Paraná River flood plain: GIS implementation at a regional scale Julieta Sartori, María Belén Colasurdo, Fernando Santiago Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of wildlife resources that human populations which inhabited the Paraná River floodplain during the late Holocene carried out. To that end, zooarchaeological information from 26 archaeological sites analyzed by different research teams was collected. In order to perform the analysis of the composition of the sets, a Geographic Information System (GIS) is used, since this tool facilitates the comparison between the representations of the different taxa spatially and temporally. This allows us to establish similarities and differences in the use of wildlife resources carried out by the groups of hunters, gatherers and fishers in the region. Most of the zooarchaeological analyses are performed at a micro-regional level; however, due to the fact that this study is developed at a regional scale, it enables a comprehensive understanding of the structure of the different archaeofaunal assemblages in the diverse landscape units which make up the Parana River floodplain. The application of the GIS to this analysis provides simple graphics to visualize and interpret data and its variations in terms of space. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jaa.v2n2a4

Contested identities of indigenous people: Indigenization or integration of the Veddas in Sri Lanka

Traditionally, the identity of indigenous people was defined in relation to closeness to nature and use of wildlife resources. Such an identity has been put under pressure due to development programmes, neo‐liberal policies and increasing market economy, forcing these people to redefine their identity within new socio‐economic and geopolitical contexts. Based on ethnographic research, the situation of the Vedda people in Sri Lanka is analysed. First, we unravel how they define their identity through a ‘meaningful relationship’ with the place in which they used to live prior to their displacement because of a large scale development project. Second, we analyse how the Veddas (re‐)negotiate their identity in a context of limited access to land, lack of education, unemployment, and an increasing demand for indigenous tourism. It is found that the Veddas redefine their identity by pursuing two survival strategies: tourist development and re‐indigenization, and integration into mainstream Sinhalese society. Both strategies pose challenges and opportunities.

Environmental perception and use of fauna from a Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) in Brazilian semiarid

This paper analyzes the Environmental Perception about the potential use of wildlife resources by the population surrounding the RPPN Stoessel de Britto. Through open and closed questions, we interviewed 90 residents at Laginhas community (87% of domiciles), which performed 367 citations for 79 species, belonging to 78 genera and 55 families. The interviewees showed the utility of 41 species, for various purposes, the feeding purpose was the most mentioned. The most cited animal (27) was Tolypeutes tricinctus (Linnaeus, 1758), the three-banded armadillo. The knowledge of this community is rich and could be considered and used to define conservation strategies and as subsidies to elaborate the Plan of Management of Conservation Units.

Breeding and trade of wildlife in Santa Catarina state, Brazil

The wildlife trade is becoming increasingly more relevant in discussions concerning conservation biology and the sustainable management of natural resources. The aim of this study was to document the trade and breeding of wildlife in Santa Catarina state, in southern Brazil. Data was collected from annual reports (1996-2008) of wildlife breeders which were sent to IBAMA. By the end of 2008, there were 79 wildlife breeders and 11 wildlife traders distributed in Santa Catarina. Commercial breeding accounted for the highest number of breeders (51%). In total, there are 213 species of wild animals bred in the state: 177 birds, 19 mammals and 17 reptiles. Of these, 48% are native to Santa Catarina, 32% occur in other Brazilian states and 20% are exotic to Brazil. Nine percent of the species bred are vulnerable or endangered. It was observed that some breeders reported breeding unauthorized species. Altogether, 93 species are bred illegally by 19 breeders. Of these species, 48 are native to Santa Catarina and three are classified as vulnerable or in danger of extinction. We hope the data presented in this paper contributes to the development of conservation strategies and conscious use of wildlife resources in Brazil.

基于熵值法的我国野生动物资源可持续发展研究

在构建我国野生动物资源可持续发展指标体系、采用熵值法确定各指标权重的基础上,研究了野生动物及栖息地的保护与资源经济协调发展情况,分析了野生动物资源可持续发展的总体运行趋势。结果表明:(1)2001-2009年,我国野生动物及栖息地保护综合指数、资源经济综合指数和社会进步综合指数总体呈上升趋势。(2)2001-2005年、2007-2009年,野生动物及栖息地保护与资源经济的协调发展度值在0.14-0.35之间,整体协调发展水平较低,属于失调衰退类;2006年的协调发展度值为0.45,处于保护与利用协调发展的过渡阶段。(3)野生动物资源可持续发展水平呈上升趋势,但总体水平不高,2001-2005年的可持续发展综合指数在0.15-0.31之间,属于传统较落后的发展阶段,2007、2008年的可持续发展综合指数分别为0.45和0.47,属于传统较落后的发展阶段;2006年、2009年的可持续发展综合指数分别为0.55和0.56,实现了由传统发展向可持续发展的过渡。;To achieve sustainable development of wildlife resources, the protection of wildlife and maintenance of ecological balance has become one of the key goals in China. For the protection of wildlife resources, it is necessary to quantitatively study the trend in sustainable development of these wildlife resources. Analysis of the general trend of sustainable development, which is achieved by sustainable development wildlife resources, the protection of wildlife resources and habitat, and ecological balance, has important theoretical meaning as well as practical significance. <br> In this paper, we established a system of wildlife sustainable evaluation indicators. We also used the entropy method to determine the weight of each index, examined the protection of wildlife resources and development of harmonious resource use, and analyzed the overall tendency of sustainable development of wildlife resources. The results show that: (1) From 2001-2009 in China there was an upward trend in the wildlife and habitat protection index, resource economic comprehensive index, and social progress index. (2) The degree of coordination between wildlife and environmental protection and comprehensive resource economics was 0.14-0.35 in 2001-2005 and 2007-2009. Also, the overall coordination development was at a relatively low level, which belonged to the class of disorders of recession. The degree value was 0.45 in 2006, which belonged to the coordination development in the transition phase. (3) Although the wildlife resource sustainable development level was increasing, the overall level was low. The comprehensive index was between 0.15-0.31 from 2001-2005, and between 0.45-0.47 from 2007-2008, which belonged to the traditional backward stage of development. The integrated index was 0.55 in 2006 and 0.56 in 2009, which was achieved by the transition from traditional development to sustainable development. <br> Based on the actual situation of China's wildlife protection, combining the related data analysis affects sustainable development of wildlife resources for the following reasons: (1) negative effects on wildlife and habitat protection; (2) need for more comprehensive wildlife advocacy; (3) the overall level of wildlife breeding industry needs to advance; (4) the wildlife resource industry level needs to be further improved; (5) wildlife resources for the sustainable development of macroeconomics must be regulated and controlled. On this basis we propose the following four methods to promote the sustainable development of wildlife resources in China: (1) Further strengthen the protection of wildlife and habitats. This can be done by developing teams of professional staff to work in wildlife protection, improving staff welfare, establishing community co-management systems, and galvanizing the enthusiasm of residents for the protection of wildlife. (2) Conduct public campaigns for the science behind wildlife conservation. Develop new strategies for wildlife protection and new methods of publicity aimed at educating the public on the importance of reducing their use of wildlife resources. (3) Increasing scientific research on wildlife breeding to overcome current technical barriers. Optimization of industrial structure of wildlife resources to improve the quality of wildlife as a product. (4) Further improve laws and regulations governing wildlife resources, and promote development of a legal system to oversee the resource utilization industry.

Implications of ignoring telemetry error on inference in wildlife resource use models

AbstractGlobal Positioning System (GPS) and very high frequency (VHF) telemetry data redefined the examination of wildlife resource use. Researchers collar animals, relocate those animals over time, and utilize the estimated locations to infer resource use and build predictive models. Precision of these estimated wildlife locations, however, influences the reliability of point‐based models with accuracy depending on the interaction between mean telemetry error and how habitat characteristics are mapped (categorical raster resolution and patch size). Telemetry data often foster the assumption that locational error can be ignored without biasing study results. We evaluated the effects of mean telemetry error and categorical raster resolution on the correct characterization of patch use when locational error is ignored. We found that our ability to accurately attribute patch type to an estimated telemetry location improved nonlinearly as patch size increased and mean telemetry error decreased. Furthermore, the exact shape of these relationships was directly influenced by categorical raster resolution. Accuracy ranged from 100% (200‐ha patch size, 1‐ to 5‐m telemetry error) to 46% (0.5‐ha patch size, 56‐ to 60‐m telemetry error) for 10 m resolution rasters. Accuracy ranged from 99% (200‐ha patch size, 1‐ to 5‐m telemetry error) to 57% (0.5‐ha patch size, 56‐ to 60‐m telemetry error) for 30‐m resolution rasters. When covariate rasters were less resolute (30 m vs. 10 m) estimates for the ignore technique were more accurate at smaller patch sizes. Hence, both fine resolution (10 m) covariate rasters and small patch sizes increased probability of patch misidentification. Our results help frame the scope of ecological inference made from point‐based wildlife resource use models. For instance, to make ecological inferences with 90% accuracy at small patch sizes (≤5 ha) mean telemetry error ≤5 m is required for 10‐m resolution categorical rasters. To achieve the same inference on 30‐m resolution categorical rasters, mean telemetry error ≤10 m is required. We encourage wildlife professionals creating point‐based models to assess whether reasonable estimates of resource use can be expected given their telemetry error, covariate raster resolution, and range of patch sizes. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

Ecological and financial impacts of illegal bushmeat trade in Zimbabwe

AbstractUnder conditions of political instability and economic decline illegal bushmeat hunting has emerged as a serious conservation threat in Zimbabwe. Following settlement of game ranches by subsistence farming communities, wildlife populations have been eradicated over large areas. In several areas still being managed as game ranches illegal hunting is causing further declines of wildlife populations (including threatened species such as the wild dog Lycaon pictus and black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis), threatening the viability of wildlife-based land uses. From August 2001 to July 2009 in Savé Valley Conservancy 10,520 illegal hunting incidents were recorded, 84,396 wire snares removed, 4,148 hunters caught, 2,126 hunting dogs eliminated and at least 6,454 wild animals killed. Estimated future financial losses from illegal hunting in the Conservancy exceed USD 1.1 million year-1. Illegal hunters’ earnings account for 0.31–0.52% of the financial losses that they impose and the bushmeat trade is an inefficient use of wildlife resources. Illegal hunting peaks during the late dry season and is more frequent close to the boundary, near areas resettled during land reform and close to water. Illegal hunting with dogs peaks during moonlight periods. Our study highlights several management and land-use planning steps required to maximize the efficacy of anti-poaching and to reduce the likelihood of high impacts of illegal hunting. Anti-poaching efforts should be aligned with the regular temporal and spatial patterns of illegal hunting. Leases for hunting and tourism concessions should ensure minimum adequate investment by operators in anti-poaching. Reserve designers should minimize the surface area to volume ratio of parks. Fences should not be constructed using wire that can be made into snares. Land reform involving game ranches should integrate communities in wildlife-based land uses and ensure spatial separation between land for wildlife and human settlement. Means are required to create stake-holdings for communities in wildlife and disincentives for illegal hunting.