Search Results (57)

In the past few decades, a growing body of literature focused on the ‘return of religion’ has added important nuance to the discussion of pluralism, religion, and violence. This paper explores these postsecular critiques through the ancient parable of the Blind People and the Elephant. It argues that secularism maintains an ontology that assumes violence which forecloses the possibility of pluralism. Recent reappraisals of mysticism are at pains to highlight its ethical and political implications. This paper puts these bodies of literature in conversation to offer a mystical basis for pluralist ethics. To this end, a particular western Christian mystic, Nicholas of Cusa, in his work The Vision of God (1453) is shown to provide a theoretical and ethical basis for pluralism. The decision to focus on his mystical work The Vision of God is because the metatheoretical question of pluralism is addressed here in how unity with the divine means unity between the members of a community, which is worked out in an ethical practice of dialogue. By engaging Cusa’s mysticism in the context of postsecular critical theory, an alternate basis for pluralism is offered that sharply contrasts with that offered by secularism. Full article

The periphery of Lomami National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) is experiencing intense and increasing hunting pressure, driven by both local subsistence needs and growing urban demand for bushmeat. This situation poses a serious challenge to sustainable natural resource management and underscores the need to realign protected-area policies with the realities faced by surrounding communities. In the absence of comprehensive ecological monitoring, this study used hunters’ perceptions to assess the current availability of mammalian wildlife around the park. From October to December 2023, surveys were conducted using a snowball sampling method with 60 hunters from nine villages bordering the park. Results show that hunting is a male-dominated activity, mainly practiced by individuals aged 30–40 years, with firearms as the primary tools. It occurs both in the park’s buffer zones and, alarmingly, within its core protected area. This practice has contributed to the local disappearance of key species such as African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus), and to the marked decline of several Cephalophus species. These patterns of overexploitation reveal critical weaknesses in current conservation strategies and point to the urgent need for integrated, community-based resource management approaches. Strengthening law enforcement, improving ranger support, and enhancing participatory governance mechanisms are essential. Equally important is the promotion of sustainable alternative livelihoods—including livestock farming, aquaculture, and agroforestry—to reduce hunting dependence and build long-term resilience for both biodiversity and local communities. Full article

Tropical forage crops vary widely in biochemical composition, resulting in inconsistent silage quality. Understanding how plant traits shape microbial and metabolic networks during ensiling is crucial for optimizing fermentation outcomes. Eight tropical forages—Sorghum bicolor (sweet sorghum), Sorghum × drummondii (sorghum–Sudangrass hybrid), Sorghum sudanense (Sudangrass), Pennisetum giganteum (giant Napier grass), Pennisetum purpureum cv. Purple (purple elephant grass), Pennisetum sinese (king grass), Leymus chinensis (sheep grass), and Zea mexicana (Mexican teosinte)—were ensiled under uniform conditions. Fermentation quality, bacterial and fungal communities (16S rRNA and ITS sequencing), and metabolite profiles (untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, LC-MS) were analyzed after 60 days. Sweet sorghum and giant Napier grass showed optimal fermentation, with high lactic acid levels (111.2 g/kg and 99.4 g/kg, respectively), low NH₄⁺-N (2.4 g/kg and 3.1 g/kg), and dominant Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. In contrast, sheep grass and Mexican teosinte exhibited poor fermentation, with high NH₄⁺-N (6.7 and 6.1 g/kg) and Clostridium dominance. Fungal communities were dominated by Kazachstania humilis (>95%), while spoilage-associated genera such as Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Termitomyces proliferated in poorly fermented silages. Metabolomic analysis identified 15,827 features, with >3000 significantly differential metabolites between silages. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment revealed divergence in flavonoid biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and amino acid pathways. In the sweet sorghum vs. sheep grass comparison, oxidative stress markers ((±) 9-HODE, Agrimonolide) were elevated in sheep grass, while sweet sorghum accumulated antioxidants like Vitamin D3. Giant Napier grass exhibited higher levels of antimicrobial flavonoids (e.g., Apigenin) than king grass, despite both being dominated by lactic acid bacteria. Sorghum–Sudangrass hybrid silage showed enrichment of lignan and flavonoid derivatives, while Mexican teosinte accumulated hormone-like compounds (Gibberellin A53, Pterostilbene), suggesting microbial dysbiosis. These findings indicate that silage fermentation outcomes are primarily driven by forage-intrinsic traits. A “forage–microbiota–metabolite” framework was proposed to explain how plant-specific properties regulate microbial assembly and metabolic output. These insights can guide forage selection and development of precision inoculant for high-quality tropical silage. Full article

The widespread practice of deliberate human displacement for biodiversity conservation remains a contentious issue in the Anthropocene era. This study explores the ecological impacts of conservation-led resettlement (ER) in Nepal’s Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), a biodiverse region under significant conservation and development pressures. Although ER aims to enhance ecological integrity, the role of displacement in conservation has been understudied. Using case studies from the TAL, we examined ecological indicators in vacated settlement areas within parks and newly resettled sites outside protected zones. Data were collected through a review of secondary literature, 240 household interviews, 5 focus group discussions, 25 key informant interviews, and multiple field visits across resettlement sites. Between 1973 and 2019, TAL gained 922.52 sq. km of core protected areas (displacing over 4800 households) and dispossessed communities from 2120.12 sq. km of buffer zones, significantly expanding protected areas and upgrading conservation standards from IUCN category IV to II. This contributed to the recovery of key species such as tigers, rhinos, and elephants. However, resettlements, often located along critical biological corridors and buffer zones, led to habitat fragmentation, endangering the gene pool flow and creating isolated habitats. Results show that, in general, most ecosystem and environmental variables were perceived significantly different (p < 0.05) among resettled communities in the study area. The cultural and land-based attachments of displaced communities were overlooked. These findings highlight the risks of short-term resettlement planning, which can exacerbate pressures on critical corridors, escalate human–wildlife conflicts, and provide a clear indication of the trade-off between conservation benefits and social costs. Full article

Background: The interaction and co-evolution between the gut microbiome and the host play important roles in the host’s physiology, nutrition, and health. Diet is considered an important driver of differences in the gut microbiota; however, research on the relationship between the gut microbiota and diet in Asian elephants remains limited. Methods: In this study, we explored the gut microbiota structure and its relationship with diet in different populations of Asian elephants through metagenomic sequencing, combined with previously published dietary data. Results: This study found that the dominant gut microbiota of Asian elephants includes the phyla Bacillota (29.85% in BP, 22.79% in RC, 21.89% in SM, 31.67% in ML, and 33.00% in NGH), Bacteroidota (25.25% in BP, 31.44% in RC, 16.44% in SM, 25.73% in ML, and 23.74% in NGH), and Spirochaetota (3.49% in BP, 6.18% in RC, 1.71% in SM, 2.69% in ML, and 3.52% in NGH), with significant differences in the gut microbiota among different populations. Correlation analysis between the gut microbiota and diet revealed that dietary diversity did not directly affect the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota. However, specific food types might play a key role in shaping the gut microbiota structure by regulating the abundance of certain microbiota. Conclusions: This study reveals significant differences in the gut microbiota structure among different populations of Asian elephants and explores the impact of diet on the structure. The results provide foundational data for a deeper understanding of the gut microbiota structure of Asian elephants and offer important references for the scientific conservation and precise management strategies of this species. Full article

In Nigeria, Chromolaena odorata poses significant threats to agriculture by disrupting ecosystem structure and function, thereby altering ecosystem services. However, our understanding of its impact, potential uses, and control measures, particularly from the perspective of local communities who interact directly with the plant, presents opportunities for a balanced approach to sustainable management. The aim of this study was to document the knowledge and perceptions of the introduction and spread of C. odorata, its ethnopharmacological applications, and its effects on crops, livestock, and wildlife, as well as discuss control strategies. Using participatory rural appraisal techniques, we administered semi-structured questionnaires to 150 respondents across six villages in Edo State, Nigeria. The findings reveal that C. odorata is a well-recognized invasive species that has been present for several decades and is commonly referred to by its local name, “Awolowo weed”. Although many respondents were unsure of the reasons behind its introduction, most were familiar with its mode of dispersal. A significant proportion of respondents view the weed as a serious threat to agriculture and a major hindrance to human movement by foot to and from their farmlands where C odorata is dominant. However, many also reported its relative ease of management. Interestingly, 92.7% acknowledged the medicinal value of C. odorata, citing its use in treating fever, wounds, and stomach aches, while 84% reported its ability to enhance soil fertility. Most respondents did not perceive the plant as harmful to livestock or wildlife. Though many believe that the plant has continued to spread, 83.8% oppose its complete eradication. Instead, they highlighted Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) as a more problematic weed that requires immediate intervention. In summary, exploring the local benefits of C. odorata highlights the importance of leveraging local knowledge and practices to develop a robust, integrated approach for its sustainable long-term management. Full article

In countries and regions where Asian elephants are distributed, human–elephant conflict has become an important ecological and socio-economic issue. As one of the major habitats of Asian elephants, China faces severe challenges. Based on the theory of planned behavior and the risk perception theory, this study takes the survey data of 449 smallholder farmers in the Asian elephant distribution areas of Pu’er City, Yunnan Province as samples and uses the Tobit model and the mediating effect model to empirically analyze the impact of human–elephant conflict on farmers’ land use efficiency and its mechanism. The results show the following: (1) The human–elephant conflict risk perception has a significant negative impact on farmers’ land use efficiency. A one-unit increase in risk perception decreases land use efficiency by 250.34 CNY/mu. (2) Social networks positively moderate the negative impact of the human–elephant conflict risk perception on farmers’ land use efficiency, further strengthening the negative impact of risk perception. (3) From the perspective of the mechanism, the human–elephant conflict risk perception increases the likelihood of farmers changing their land use behavior. Farmers with high risk perception tend to reduce agricultural capital investment, which in turn leads to a decline in land use efficiency. In view of this, this paper puts forward suggestions in terms of strengthening ecological monitoring and control, increasing support for agricultural production, and guiding rational social network communication, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for alleviating human–elephant conflict and improving farmers’ land resource use efficiency. Full article

The deployment of wildlife fences in Africa serves as a crucial intervention to balance wildlife conservation with human safety and agricultural productivity. This review synthesizes current research and case studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the implications, benefits, and drawbacks of wildlife fencing in Africa. Information was drawn from 54 articles selected through a thorough search of the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Results indicate that the primary reason for fencing was the mitigation of human–wildlife conflicts. Electric fences were the most commonly mentioned type, prominently used to protect agricultural lands from crop-raiding species. In addition, the prevention of livestock depredation and disease transmission was also an important driver for fencing. Elephants were the most studied species concerning wildlife fencing, and they caused the most damage to fences, creating pathways for other species to move beyond protected areas. Antelopes and large carnivores were also common targets for wildlife fences. Fences were found to be effective mainly against crop raiding particularly when well-maintained through frequent inspections for damages and permeability. Several authors documented challenges in fencing against primates, burrowers, and high-jumping species like leopards. The cost of fences varied depending on the materials, design, and maintenance, significantly impacting local communities near conservation areas. Despite their benefits, wildlife fences posed ecological challenges, such as habitat fragmentation and restricted animal movement, necessitating integrated management approaches that include wildlife corridors and crossing structures. This review provides insights for policymakers and conservationists to optimize the use of fences in the diverse environmental contexts of the African continent. Full article

Objectives: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a life-threatening condition that requires emergent surgical intervention. Numerous surgical approaches exist for ATAAD, and controversy remains regarding the optimal arch interventions for ATAAD patients. Aortic Arch Interventions: Approaches to ATAAD repair include hemiarch repair or extended arch repairs, including the hemiarch with a hybrid stent implantation, such as the AMDS hybrid Prosthesis, total arch replacement (TAR), and the use of an elephant trunk and frozen elephant trunk. While indications for each procedure exist, such as entry tears in the arch, arch aneurysms, and head vessel communications for TAR and malperfusion and a reduced risk of distal anastomotic new entry tears in Debakey I aortic dissection for the AMDS and frozen elephant trunks, the optimal intervention depends on numerous factors. Surgeon and center experience, resource availability, patient risk, and anatomy all contribute to the decision-making process. TAR has improved in safety over the years and has been demonstrated to be comparable to the hemiarch repair in terms of safety in many settings. TAR may also prevent adverse remodeling and can effectively treat more distal diseases, the presence of arch tears, arch aneurysms, and branch vessel involvement or malperfusion. Conclusions: Numerous surgical approaches exist to manage ATAAD, allowing for the surgeon to tailor the repair to the individual patient and pathology. TAR allows for single or staged repair of extensive pathologies and can address distal entry tears, the aneurysmal arch, and head vessel pathologies. In cases with malperfusion, an AMDS can be used in many cases. The management strategy for ATAAD should always involve performing the best surgery for the patient, although in cases where a total arch is indicated but cannot be performed safely by a non-aortic surgeon, the safest approach may be to perform a hemiarch initially and to plan for an elective arch reoperation in the case it is required following close surveillance. Full article

Trunk-like robots have attracted a lot of attention in the community of researchers interested in the general field of bio-inspired soft robotics, because trunk-like soft arms may offer high dexterity and adaptability very similar to elephants and potentially quite superior to traditional articulated manipulators. In view of the practical applications, the integration of a soft hydrostatic segment with a hard-articulated segment, i.e., a hybrid kinematic structure similar to the elephant’s body, is probably the best design framework. It is proposed that this integration should occur at the conceptual/cognitive level before being implemented in specific soft technologies, including the related control paradigms. The proposed modeling approach is based on the passive motion paradigm (PMP), originally conceived for addressing the degrees of freedom problem of highly redundant, articulated structures. It is shown that this approach can be naturally extended from highly redundant to hyper-redundant structures, including hybrid structures that include a hard and a soft component. The PMP model is force-based, not motion-based, and it is characterized by two main computational modules: the Jacobian matrix of the hybrid kinematic chain and a compliance matrix that maps generalized force fields into coordinated gestures of the whole-body model. It is shown how the modulation of the compliance matrix can be used for the synergy formation process, which coordinates the hyper-redundant nature of the hybrid body model and, at the same time, for the preparation of the trunk tip in view of a stable physical interaction of the body with the environment, in agreement with the general impedance–control concept. Full article

In planning and monitoring measures to protect wildlife in an area, it is important to have a reliable baseline estimate of population size and trends. There has been minimal published information on a small population of elephants, a keystone and endangered species, in a large area west of Etosha National Park in Namibia, known locally as the Northern Highlands. It is a highly remote, mountainous area in which it is difficult to count elephants. It is semi-desert, where the protection of wildlife is at increasing risk from climate change events, and research on the elephant population is a priority. We interviewed 34 community game guards in the Northern Highlands, focusing on the number of elephants and distinguishing features in known groups. Based on the collated knowledge, and analysis to reduce double counting of known groups, we estimate that there are between 78 and 212 elephants in the Northern Highlands, with a best estimate of 128. The wide range is an indication of the current uncertainties in the method. However, we conclude that this low-cost method, if adapted based on lessons from this pilot study, would be applicable for longer-term ecological monitoring in areas that have a low population density. Full article

This research introduces a hybrid approach combining bio- and nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms to enhance scheduling efficiency and minimize energy consumption in Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UASNs). Five hybridized algorithms are designed to efficiently schedule nodes, reducing energy costs compared to existing methods, and addressing the challenge of unscheduled nodes within the communication network. The hybridization techniques such as Elephant Herding Optimization (EHO) with Genetic Algorithm (GA), Firefly Algorithm (FA), Levy Firefly Algorithm (LFA), Bacterial Foraging Algorithm (BFA), and Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) are used for optimization. To implement these optimization techniques, the Scheduled Routing Algorithm for Localization (SRAL) is introduced, aiming to enhance node scheduling and localization. This framework is crucial for improving data delivery, optimizing Route REQuest (RREQ) and Routing Overhead (RO), while minimizing Average End-to-End (AE2E) delays and localization errors. The challenges of node localization, RREQ reconstruction at the beacon level, and increased RO, along with End-to-End delays and unreliable data forwarding, have a significant impact on overall communication in underwater environments. The proposed framework, along with the hybridized metaheuristic algorithms, show great potential in improving node localization, optimizing scheduling, reducing energy costs, and enhancing reliable data delivery in the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT)-based network. Full article

Polar habitats offer excellent sites to isolate unique bacterial strains due to their diverse physical, geochemical, and biological factors. We hypothesize that the unique environmental conditions of polar regions select for distinct strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with novel biochemical properties. In this study, we characterized ten strains of psychrotrophic LAB isolated from hitherto poorly described sources—High Arctic and maritime Antarctic soils and soil-like materials, including ornithogenic soils, cryoconites, elephant seal colonies, and postglacial moraines. We evaluated the physiological and biochemical properties of the isolates. Based on 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes, the four LAB strains were assigned to three Carnobacterium species: C. alterfunditum, C. maltaromaticum, and C. jeotgali. The remaining strains may represent three new species of the Carnobacterium genus. All isolates were neutrophilic and halophilic psychrotrophs capable of fermenting various carbohydrates, organic acids, and alcohols. The identified metabolic properties of the isolated Carnobacterium strains suggest possible syntrophic interactions with other microorganisms in polar habitats. Some showed antimicrobial activity against food pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and human pathogens like Staphylococcus spp. Several isolates exhibited unique metabolic traits with potential biotechnological applications that could be more effectively exploited under less stringent technological conditions compared to thermophilic LAB strains, such as lower temperatures and reduced nutrient concentrations. Analysis of extrachromosomal genetic elements revealed 13 plasmids ranging from 4.5 to 79.5 kb in five isolates, featuring unique genetic structures and high levels of previously uncharacterized genes. This work is the first comprehensive study of the biochemical properties of both known and new Carnobacterium species and enhances our understanding of bacterial communities in harsh and highly selective polar soil ecosystems. Full article

When standard methods of human–elephant conflict mitigation are not successful, free-ranging wild elephants may continue to come into close contact with people. This results in more frequent and severe conflict, with consequences ranging from crop raiding to loss of human and elephant lives. Understandably, in such situations, local communities may want to be rid of entire herds of elephants. Historically, one of the strategies the Myanmar Government practiced to resolve human–elephant conflict was the capture of whole herds using the Kheddah system. This involved trapping the herd in a stockade, immediately followed by on-site post-capture taming. After taming, the captured elephants were utilized as logging elephants. Elephants worked in timber extraction, retired at age 55 years and were then cared for by the Government until they died. The capture of wild elephants by the Kheddah system was formally banned in Myanmar in 1985 but occasional, small-scale, captures were allowed until 2013 under the strict control of the Myanmar Government. These operations were aimed primarily at capturing elephants involved in human–elephant conflict, rather than to supplement the working elephant population. One of the last Kheddah operations, organized and managed by the author, was conducted in 1996 at the Taikkyi township of the Yangon Region, as a last resort to end human–elephant conflict in an emergency. While chemical immobilization was being used at this time, it was not logistically possible with the high numbers of elephants engaged in the conflict. This review aims to record the history of an activity that was an important element of Myanmar’s timber industry more than three decades ago. In this paper, the author presents a description of Kheddah not to endorse it, but to document (1) the Myanmar elephant population management strategy in the past, before it is forgotten, and (2) the practicality of the Kheddha operation when the singly selected commonly- used immobilization or noosing method of elephant capture is unfeasible. The author attempts to shed light on the modern veterinary procedures that may significantly reduce the notorious historical outcome of Kheddha, especially the resulting mortality of captured elephants, should the Kheddha system of capture ever be used as an emergency solution for ongoing problems of human–elephant conflict in the range states of Asia. Full article

In areas of high human-elephant conflict, cultivating crops that are less attractive to elephants can be a viable strategy for coexistence. Farmers in these regions often grow crops like pineapple, which are palatable to elephants and attract them into human-dominated landscapes. This study, conducted in Ruam Thai Village, adjacent to Kuiburi National Park in Thailand, evaluated the socio-economic factors affecting farmers’ interest in alternative crop cultivation and assessed the impact of elephants and environmental threats on plots containing pineapple and alternative crops. Our findings revealed that 70% of households (N = 239) rely on pineapple cultivation as their primary source of income. However, 49% of interviewed pineapple farmers reported that their cultivation was not profitable, largely owing to the high costs of agro-chemical inputs. The majority (91%) of farmers experienced negative consequences from living near wild elephants, and 50% expressed interest in cultivating alternative crops. Farmers who frequently experienced elephant visits, felt they could coexist with elephants, and perceived both positive and negative consequences from them were more likely to be interested in alternative crop cultivation. Elephants eliminated over 80% of the pineapple but less than 6% of any alternative crop species across all test plots. Using a crop scoring system based on ecological, economic, and social factors, we identified lemongrass and citronella as the most suitable alternative crop species for the study site. This multidisciplinary study highlights interventions needed to reduce barriers and increase motivators for local farmers to adopt elephant-friendly agriculture as a sustainable human–elephant coexistence strategy. Full article