Wild

Laying additional clutches of eggs, or renesting, can provide birds with more opportunities to breed each season, ultimately increasing reproductive potential. This is important for long-lived species like cranes, that produce relatively few offspring annually. The reintroduced Eastern Migratory Population (EMP) of endangered Whooping Cranes relies on releases of captive-reared juveniles for population growth. Using long-term nest monitoring data, we assessed the renesting propensity of 105 unique pairs of Whooping Cranes during 2005–2024 (n = 359). We used a two-tiered analysis of binomial generalized linear mixed-effects models to evaluate the effects of 15 individual covariates, related to parental age or experience, nest management geography, or chronology. Overall, 37.3% of pairs renested following failed first nesting attempts. We documented higher renesting rates from breeding females that were older or had more years of nesting experience (37.1% increase for each unit increase in female age), pairs outside of the regions in which captive-reared cranes were released (264.0% increase in “other” region compared to Necedah), or that had nests fail earlier in the season (10.1% decline for each day later in the season a first nest failed). Additionally, when eggs were collected from first nests as a part of nest management, pairs were more likely to renest (69.4% renested) than if their nest failed naturally (27.3% renested). Low rates of natural reproduction limit growth rates in the EMP, so understanding effects of management actions and limitations on breeding are important conservation tools which can be applied to other endangered species. Full article

The ability to navigate through both familiar and unfamiliar environments is of critical importance for foraging efficiency, safety, and energy budgeting in wild animals. For animals that remain in the same home range annually, such as grey-footed chacma baboons (Papio ursinus griseipes), movement efficiency is expected to reflect familiarity with the home range as well as the nature of the resources within it. For example, resources that are patchy, transient, or seasonal present a greater spatial cognitive challenge, and travel between them may be less efficient than for more widespread or permanent resources. Here, we analyse daily route efficiency in adult female grey-footed chacma baboons at Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. We use GPS data taken at 15 min intervals from collars deployed on two baboons in each of two study troops (four total) to identify areas of interest used during daily ranging periods (sleep site to sleep site). We then compare the length of the route taken between a given day’s patches to routes calculated by two alternate optimisation heuristics as follows: the nearest neighbour method, in which the subject repeatedly travels to the next most proximate patch and does not necessarily return to the same place, and the Concorde algorithm, which calculates the shortest possible route connecting the day’s patches. We show that baboons travel more efficient routes than those yielded by the nearest-neighbour heuristic but less efficient routes than the Concorde method, implying some degree of route planning. We discuss our novel method of area of interest identification using only remote GPS data, as well as the implications of our findings for primate movement and cognition. Full article

All animals require the ability to use visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory information to survive through activities including locating and identifying conspecifics including potential mates, locating food or shelter, or noticing an approaching predator. Detecting such information invariably requires sensory organs. The morphology of sensory organs evolves under natural selection to optimise the ability to detect salient cues and signals against the background noise in the natural environment. The rapidly proliferating anthropogenic impacts on almost all natural environments include light, noise, and chemical pollution, which can interfere with an animal’s ability to detect visual, acoustic or seismic, and olfactory information, respectively. Many studies examine the resulting changes in the characteristics of signals or the behavioural responses to them in affected natural populations, but very few examine the resulting changes in the sensory organs required to detect the signals; those that do all find evidence of morphological changes. Here, I review the current knowledge on the impact of anthropogenic pollution on sensory organ morphology in wild and captive populations, highlighting knowledge gaps and future directions for addressing them. This is especially important in the context of the growing recognition of the cruciality of sensory ecology in the design of effective threatened species conservation programs and invasive species management strategies. Full article

The Guangdong Province is rich in waterways, including those of the Pearl River. The entire watershed of the Pearl River system spans the territory of six provinces. Considering the overarching objective of building a ‘beautiful Bay Area’ under the guidance of Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as well as the ecological problems that span over river basins and regions in Guandong Province, public interest litigation is a useful tool in protecting the environment. Analyzing 95 first-instance (trial) judgements handed down in Guangdong Province between 2018 and 2021, we sought to evaluate public interest litigation as a means of safeguarding aquatic ecology in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), China. Cases were categorized for: firstly, their approach to determining the extent of ecological damage; secondly, the procedure used for receiving and auditing restorative compensation; thirdly, the collaboration between the court and government departments in the management and use of restorative compensation; and fourthly, the collaborative ‘public–private’ supervision utilized to monitor the implementation of restorative compensation and actual restoration. Our insights are intended to provide guidance for cooperative opportunities in the large transregional water systems and offshore areas of mainland China. Full article

Conserving biodiversity in mixed-land-use areas is essential, as nearly 80% of South Africa’s wild species exist outside protected areas. This study investigated mammalian diversity within the Baviaanskloof catchment, a mixed-use landscape in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It also evaluated how camera setup parameters impact species detectability. Using 131 camera traps over four survey sessions from January 2020 to April 2022, 34 mammalian species were recorded over 21,020 trap days. Biodiversity indices revealed high species diversity with substantial variability across camera locations. Species discovery reached an asymptote at approximately 153 sampling days, though extended monitoring detected rarer species. Cameras positioned at heights of 40–70 cm improved detection rates, while heights above 100 cm reduced captures. However, elevation effects varied across species, highlighting the need for species-specific optimization. Optimal detection angles ranged from 50 to 90°, with extreme angles decreasing capture frequency. North- and south-facing cameras yielded better detection rates, while west-facing orientations introduced glare and reduced visibility. These findings underscore the biodiversity significance of the Baviaanskloof and emphasize the need to optimize camera configurations to enhance wildlife monitoring and conservation strategies in complex, mixed-use landscapes. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global challenge that affects environmental, animal, and human health, with reports of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes becoming increasingly common across these domains. This study aimed to systematically review and compare the occurrence of AMR in bacterial isolates from wild animals in South America, focusing on environments with varying levels of anthropogenic impact. Half of the countries in South America documented AMR in wild animals at least once. Most studies focused on specific animal classes, particularly Aves and Mammalia, with a notable emphasis on the orders Chiroptera and Rodentia, as well as the bacterial species Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. Subgroup meta-analyses revealed that, for most antimicrobials, the proportion of AMR was significantly higher in environments with a high anthropogenic impact compared to those with a low anthropogenic impact. However, there were no significant differences between the two types of environments for some antimicrobials. Interestingly, certain beta-lactams showed a higher proportion of AMR in environments with low anthropogenic impact. These findings raise important questions regarding the origins and spread of AMR in wild animals, underscoring the necessity for further research to understand the dynamics of AMR in areas with varying levels of human intervention. Full article

Global environmental and climatic changes have become an ever-increasing trepidation worldwide due to the unprecedented changes in temperatures, precipitation, weather, and ecosystems at the international, regional, and local levels. This study attempts to find out the impacts and vulnerabilities of climate-induced hazards and environmental degradation on the lives of Indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), along with finding out the factors of environmental degradation in Indigenous communities. This study also explores the adaptation strategies of Indigenous people in adverse situations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. For conducting this study, a critical ethnographic approach is adopted, together with participant observation, in-depth interviews (N = 55), and focus group discussions (FGDs) (N = 5, 48 participants), following purposive sampling over one year (October 2019 to October 2020). The findings of this study indicate that climate-induced hazards and environmental crisis brings unprecedented suffering to the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous people. Climate change and variability together with human causes contribute to creating an environmental crisis that threatens food security, creates water scarcity, and disrupts agricultural activities and household properties in Indigenous communities. The findings also indicate that Indigenous people are bound to change their traditional jhum cultivation and adjust their traditional housing structure apart from searching for alternative livelihoods due to climatic events and environmental crises. However, Indigenous people try to adapt to this adverse situation following their life-long experiences and local knowledge. This study helps policymakers as well as governments to understand the major drivers of environmental crisis and climatic events in Indigenous communities, together with finding out the solutions and recuperating the living conditions of the marginalized groups in Bangladesh and beyond. Full article

Sea turtles use specific nesting strategies to maximize the survival of their offspring. Few studies have investigated the nesting behavior of leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles. The aim of this study was to characterize the nesting behavior of these two species, taking into account anthropogenic and natural impacts, and to compare behavior between species. Nocturnal monitoring was conducted from 2020 to 2024 on three beaches in Martinique: Madiana, Diamant, and Salines. The average duration of the nesting sequence for leatherback turtles was 101.50 min, with camouflage being the dominant behavior for 27.06% of the total time. For hawksbill turtles, nesting duration was 109.49 min, with digging as the predominant activity (31.68% of total time). No effect of anthropogenic disturbances and obstacles on the behavior of leatherback turtles was observed, while that of hawksbill turtles was significantly influenced by light and the presence of roots. The results revealed behavioral differences between these two species, as well as between two other species: loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles. These differences could be explained by morphological differences, nesting habitat peculiarities, beach characteristics, and different evolutionary strategies. Further research is needed to better understand these behaviors and improve conservation efforts. Full article

A vital component of small population management in captivity is forecasting future population trends. Until recently, little was known about the demographic structure of the recently retired captive former biomedical research chimpanzee population (Pan troglodytes). We used age- and sex-specific survivorship probabilities from current life tables to model the likely population extinction date and estimate total lifetime maintenance costs until extinction. Leslie matrix projections indicated that population extinction will occur in 2062 or 38 years from now. That date was 26 years longer than a recent government study of 2036, 8 years longer than the original research chimpanzee projection of 2054, and 5 years longer than our pilot projection of 2057. Median, lower, and upper quartiles of colony per diems plus median biomedical inflation were used to estimate lifetime maintenance costs. Without inflation, median lifetime expenses were USD 148.0 M, with a lower bound of USD 72.7 M and an upper bound of USD 209.9 M. With inflation, median lifetime expenses were USD 229.3 M (lower bound USD 112.7 M, upper bound USD 326.1 M). Extinction projections and associated cost estimates are essential components of any science-based small captive population management plan. These projections can be used for the long-term planning and rational management of the now-retired captive former research chimpanzee population. Full article

Honeybees provide a variety of services and products that are beneficial to humans, including pollination, honey, propolis, and other harvested products. In South Africa, it is believed that honey harvesting from wild (unmanaged) honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies is widely practiced. However, there is limited knowledge regarding this practice. Using structured questionnaire surveys and site visits for validation, we aimed to (1) confirm the practice of honey harvesting and ascertain the extent to which it is practiced; and (2) quantify the economic benefits of this practice to communities’ livelihoods. We found that honey and other products (i.e., brood and pollen) harvesting from wild honeybee colonies is still a common practice among the rural communities of selected areas within the Vhembe District, which was confirmed by 44% of the respondents. These products are either consumed by the harvesters or sold, helping to generate total household incomes ranging from R500.00 ($26USD) to R2000.00 ($112USD) South African Rands (ZAR), which contribute towards offsetting various household costs. Although the overall population and health status of the wild honeybees in the area is unknown, the survey respondents (29%) indicated that they are generally healthy. From these findings, we were able to establish a good level of dependence on wild honeybee colonies by rural communities for income generation, albeit at a small scale. Given the wide array of pressures on insect pollinators, particularly honeybees, from factors such as habitat loss, climate change, pests, pathogens, and pesticides, our findings serve as a strong basis for considering protection and preservation mechanisms for these populations. These could be accommodated under various local and provincial conservation efforts, especially those preventing habitat loss. Full article

Virtual field trips in zoogeomorphology can allow students to explore the dynamic influence of beaver activity within the landscape. Education theory-informed virtual learning experiences (VLEs) of zoogeomorphologic topics, such as ecosystem engineers, are still underdeveloped for natural science learning communities. Through dam-building activities, beavers significantly alter stream hydrology, sediment transport, and vegetation organization and structure, promoting landscape heterogeneity. To effectively communicate this complexity of landscape modification, we developed an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment using historical photographs and detailed field notes to visualize the temporal and spatial transformations caused by beaver activity. A design and development process (TECCUPD), a philosophical framework for physical geography (TREE-PG), and a planning tool (VRUI conceptual model) are used to guide VLE architecture. Collectively, this information serves as a virtual proxy of an abandoned beaver pond field site to support student evaluation of the influence of sediment trapping and flooding on vegetation patterns on the landscape. This virtual place-based, experiential narrative environment is a proxy to capture the complexity of beaver-modified landscapes through ecological and geomorphological interactions. The integration of immersive VR technologies and generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education with learning theories that guide VR application design and development is applied in virtual field trips to support pedagogical goals and improve learning outcomes. Finally, we use an evaluation scale (TIPS) to assess the fidelity of learning theory implementation in a virtual field trip. Virtual field experiences in zoogeomorphology, informed by theory and utilizing immersive landscapes and scientific educational tools, can help students discern the effects of beavers on stream hydrology and geomorphic processes, as well as their potential role in mitigating water insecurity in climate adaptation efforts. Full article

(1) Background: Mangroves are critical ecosystems that provide essential services, including coastal protection, biodiversity support, and carbon storage. However, urbanization and infrastructure development increasingly threaten their sustainability. This study investigates the spatio-temporal trends of mangrove canopy cover in Benoa Bay, Bali, Indonesia, which is an urban area and a center of tourism activities with various supporting facilities. The analysis was conducted from 2013 to 2023, using Landsat 8 satellite imagery and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis. In addition, the analysis was also linked to mangrove area management policies. (2) Methods: The annual NDVI time series based on Landsat 8 imagery, obtained through the Google Earth Engine (GEE), was used to characterize the vegetation canopy cover in the study area. Statistical analysis of the annual linear trend of the NDVI was conducted to examine the spatio-temporal variation in canopy cover. Additionally, policies related to regional spatial planning and area protection were analyzed to assess their role in preserving mangrove forests in urban areas. (3) Results: There was a net decrease in mangrove area in Benoa Bay of 3.97 hectares, mainly due to infrastructure development and tourism facilities. The NDVI trend shows an overall increase in canopy cover due to reforestation and natural regeneration efforts, although there was a local decrease in some areas. Conservation policies, such as the establishment of the Ngurah Rai Forest Park, have supported mangrove protection. (4) Conclusions: The analysis demonstrated that mangroves surrounded by urban areas and tourism activity centers can still be maintained quite well with the right policies. Full article

Multi-source remote sensing fusion and machine learning are effective tools for forest monitoring. This study aimed to analyze various fusion techniques, their application with machine learning algorithms, and their assessment in estimating forest type and aboveground biomass (AGB). A keyword search across Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar yielded 920 articles. After rigorous screening, 72 relevant articles were analyzed. Results showed a growing trend in optical and radar fusion, with notable use of hyperspectral images, LiDAR, and field measurements in fusion-based forest monitoring. Machine learning algorithms, particularly Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), leverage features from fused sources, with proper variable selection enhancing accuracy. Standard evaluation metrics include Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Overall Accuracy (OA), User’s Accuracy (UA), Producer’s Accuracy (PA), confusion matrix, and Kappa coefficient. This review provides a comprehensive overview of prevalent techniques, data sources, and evaluation metrics by synthesizing current research and highlighting data fusion’s potential to improve forest monitoring accuracy. The study underscores the importance of spectral, topographic, textural, and environmental variables, sensor frequency, and key research gaps for standardized evaluation protocols and exploration of multi-temporal fusion for dynamic forest change monitoring. Full article

In sub-Saharan Africa, protected areas are located in close proximity to communities, leading to frequent negative encounters between humans and wildlife. This is coupled with increased pressure from communities seeking park resources to support their livelihoods. To address this, land use plans have been designed around protected areas. For example, in Kenya, wildlife conservancies have been created out of private and community lands. The aim of these conservancies is to contribute to improved livelihoods, reduce human–wildlife conflicts, and increase support for conservation. However, limited research exists on how the conservancies have achieved their aims among local communities. This study focuses on the Maasai Mara region in Kenya and examines how livelihoods and human–wildlife conflicts influence support for conservation among conservancy members. Data were gathered from 411 households adjacent to the reserve through a survey conducted in June and July 2024. The findings indicate a high incidence of human–wildlife conflict and improved security in health and education only. Despite this, there is high satisfaction with the conservancy model and strong support for conservation. Although these findings highlight the significance of conservancies in mitigating human–wildlife conflict, enhancing livelihoods, and garnering conservation support, more attention is needed for food and financial security. Full article

This study examined the grazing pressure and interactions between four species of wild kangaroos (Red Kangaroo Osphranter rufus, Common Wallaroo O. robustus, Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus, Western Grey Kangaroo M. fuliginosus), free-ranging feral goats (Capra hircus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and stocked Merino sheep (Ovis aries). The study site comprised two contiguous pairs of stocked and unstocked paddocks, one a sloping run-off zone, the other a flat run-on zone, covering a total area of 2158 ha. These paddocks on Fowlers Gap Station in far north-western New South Wales, Australia, are representative of the arid chenopod (Family: Chenopodiaceae) shrublands stocked with sheep. Sheep and red kangaroos dominate the mammalian herbivores by biomass. The study examined the relative grazing pressure exerted by the seven species of mammalian herbivores in stocked and unstocked conditions, where only sheep were confined, across a three-year period that included rain-deficient (drought) months. The effects of climate (especially rainfall and temperature) and herbivore density on the standing biomass of pasture were teased out at a macro-scale. Herbivory at a micro-scale was examined using open and exclosed plots with detection of herbivore species by fecal deposition and time-lapse videography. Sheep exerted the highest grazing pressure and there was no compensatory increase in grazing pressure by other herbivores in unstocked paddocks. Rainfall was a key driver of pasture biomass and condition and loss by senescence typically outweighed grazing pressure. Grazing effects at a micro-scale were plot-specific and complex. The results are discussed in relation to the sustainable management of rangelands for production and wildlife. Full article

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is a measurement of landscape “greenness” and is used as a proxy for productivity to assess species distributions and habitats. Seasonal levels of productivity have been strongly related to avian population dynamics, suggesting dependence upon biomass production for completing annual life cycle events. The breeding season is a critical component of the avian life cycle that involves higher nutritional requirements to feed young, avoiding predators, and attracting mates. Our objective was to determine how the NDVI affects avian abundance and richness across breeding seasons with varied rainfall in South Texas, USA. Breeding bird point-count surveys were conducted, and MODIS Terra NDVI data were collected. We observed both positive and negative effects between May and June avian abundance, richness, and the NDVI depending upon the year (i.e., wet or average rainfall) and NDVI values in the months prior to (i.e., April) and during the peak of breeding season (May), with no significant effect of the NDVI in June, suggesting the months prior to peak breeding season may be most influential. This information can aid land management recommendations and better predict how environmental changes like rainfall may affect avian dynamics on a landscape for both wildlife and domestic animals. Full article

The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR) is in the south of the Yucatán Peninsula and is known for its great biological diversity. However, despite the great diversity of species, they are under intense pressure from hunting activities, especially the larger ones that can be used for human food. Therefore, the objective of this study was to obtain knowledge about the hunting importance of populations of three species of birds (Crax rubra, Meleagris ocellata, and Penelope purpurascens) in the southern zone of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche. Sampling was conducted with transects where a total of 46 camera traps were installed from November 2021 to November 2022, distributed in two types of vegetation. Likewise, data on species presence were collected and analyzed with Principal Component Analysis and ANOSIM (ANOSIM; R = 0.10, p = 0.22) to relate abundances with vegetation types and seasons of the year. No significant differences were found between the two vegetation types. This study provides relevant information on the populations of game birds in the southern region of Calakmul, which is currently little explored, and constant monitoring of these species throughout the CBR is necessary. Full article

Colonization of the “remnants of the natural world” or “last wild spaces” is a process that continues at the present time. This colonization is mainly happening in unprotected spaces outside the global protected area network but is sometimes also attracted by natural resources near or within these “Anthropocene refugia”. Critical perspectives consider that protection measures keeping people far away do not guarantee the saving of wild nature but are another way to colonize it under the neoliberal imperative. This article essays an image composition based on available explicit spatial data from public sources as a representation of human settlement distribution within and around (buffer zone) the Wild Protected Areas System in Southern Chile. From an interpretative perspective beyond the dichotomic framework of pristine wilderness versus anthropogenic pressures, this article explores patterns configurating complex assemblages with diffuse limits which challenge the mainstream conservation model adopted by the State, in which people remain invisible, to think about human activity within protected areas and the unprotected space around them in a different way. In conclusion, the current system of protected areas, by itself, is not sufficient to maintain diversity, while the change processes driven by neoliberal exploitation remain within a framework dominated by political economy. New directions in interdisciplinary research and policy interactions must be explored to develop innovative measures, such as the idea of refugia against the demands of the Anthropocene. Full article

In line with the Italian “Farmers-Nature Project” aimed at reducing conflicts between wild predators and livestock farmers, the spatiotemporal activity of the red fox was monitored in a protected area of central Italy over a one-year period. In parallel, farmers living in the study area were asked to participate in an interview about their perception of the red fox and its predatory activity towards livestock. Analysis of data obtained by camera trapping revealed that a higher number of red fox sightings was recorded in February and March in relation to the search for food, while a lower number was recorded in July when food is more abundant. Red fox primarily moves at night, with a peak of activity between 9 and 10 p.m., staying around an area close to the den. Interviews with farmers revealed a generally positive view of the red fox, as its predation on livestock was rare, suggesting that the fox can find sufficient food resources in the environment. Full article