Search Results (78)

Background/Objectives: This qualitative study examines strengths and strains faced by professionals working with young carers throughout the United Kingdom (UK) in the context of society’s youngest carers; young carers in early childhood (YCEC) (0–8 years). Methods: The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) was utilised to map key findings of three focus groups. This conceptual lens offers a narrative-based understanding of ways in which power operates in society. Increasingly applied to explore experiences of individuals, communities, and groups, the PTMF proposes that concepts of distress are founded in broader contexts of injustice and social inequalities. Twenty-four participants were recruited from throughout the UK via the Carers Trust Young Carers Alliance. Results: Findings highlight the strength of legal, ideological, and economic power shaping societal beliefs and policy concerning YCEC. This informs constructs of perceived social norms regarding who young carers are most likely to be, and where they may be found. This power threatens the health and well-being of YCEC, impacting the ability of professionals to provide optimal support. Inappropriate policy formed from these assumptions disempowers those providing services to young carers at the frontline of service delivery. Professionals and adults with living experience of caring in their early childhoods reflect upon silent tensions that exist within society, suggesting that YCEC remain the ‘elephant in the room’. Conclusions: We make recommendations to review the efficacy of statutory mandates concerning the needs assessment of young carers in England, and to align policy concerning early childhood and young carers to embed young carers’ rights consistently, starting in early childhood. Full article

Understanding hormone patterns in free-ranging African elephants can provide critical insights for the management of elephants in human care, particularly in addressing reproductive anomalies and the rising prevalence of obesity in zoo populations. This study is the first to establish baseline values for glucose, insulin, and leptin, and their potential relationships with reproductive and stress hormones. We measured the hormones in serum samples collected opportunistically in Kruger National Park between 2000 and 2016. Endocrine profiles were compared across age groups in both male and female elephants and between the wet and dry seasons. In females, progestogen and prolactin levels were highest in adults, and were not significantly correlated with the glucose-to-insulin (G/I) ratio or leptin. In males, testosterone levels were higher in adults, and the G/I ratio was a significant predictor of testosterone concentrations. Seasonal variations revealed that, in males, testosterone levels were higher, and cortisol concentrations were lower during the rainy season. In females, cortisol concentrations were negatively associated with progestogen levels during the dry season. These benchmarks offer zoos a reference point to assess whether current management approaches are effective, and how natural variation with the season may impact hormone levels. Full article

Free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) pose a significant but often overlooked threat to wildlife populations and global conservation efforts while also having the potential to contribute positively to conservation initiatives. As generalist predators and scavengers, these adaptable animals can lead to biodiversity loss through predation, disease transmission, competition, and behavioral disruption of native species. This review synthesizes global studies on their ecological impact, highlighting notable cases of predation on endangered species, such as the markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis) in Pakistan and elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in Mexico, as well as the spread of zoonotic diseases like Echinococcus spp. and canine distemper. A growing concern is hybridization between free-ranging dogs and wild canids. Such genetic mixing can erode local adaptations, reduce genetic purity, and undermine conservation efforts for wild canid populations. Current management strategies—including lethal control, trap–neuter–release, and vaccination—have produced mixed results and face challenges related to data limitations, regional variability, and cultural barriers. This review advocates for integrated, context-specific management approaches that consider ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Future research should prioritize standardized definitions and data collection, long-term evaluation of intervention effectiveness, and the socio-economic drivers of dog–wildlife interactions to develop sustainable solutions for mitigating the multifaceted threats imposed by free-ranging dogs to global diversity. 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

Elephants exhibit remarkable cognitive and social abilities, which are integral to their navigation, resource acquisition, and responses to environmental challenges such as climate change and human–wildlife conflict. Their capacity to acquire, recall, and utilise spatial information enables them to traverse large, fragmented landscapes, locate essential resources, and mitigate risks. While older elephants, particularly matriarchs, are often regarded as repositories of ecological knowledge, the mechanisms by which younger individuals acquire this information remain uncertain. Existing research suggests that elephants follow established movement patterns, yet direct evidence of intergenerational knowledge transfer is limited. This review synthesises current literature on elephant navigation and decision-making, exploring how their behavioural strategies contribute to resilience amid increasing anthropogenic pressures. Empirical studies indicate that elephants integrate environmental and social cues when selecting routes, accessing water, and avoiding human-dominated areas. However, the extent to which these behaviours arise from individual memory, social learning, or passive exposure to experienced individuals requires further investigation. Additionally, elephants function as ecosystem engineers, shaping landscapes, maintaining biodiversity, and contributing to climate resilience. Recent research highlights that elephants’ ecological functions can indeed contribute to climate resilience, though the mechanisms are complex and context-dependent. In tropical forests, forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) disproportionately disperse large-seeded, high-carbon-density tree species, which contribute significantly to above-ground carbon storage. Forest elephants can improve tropical forest carbon storage by 7%, as these elephants enhance the relative abundance of slow-growing, high-biomass trees through selective browsing and seed dispersal. In savannah ecosystems, elephants facilitate the turnover of woody vegetation and maintain grassland structure, which can increase albedo and promote carbon sequestration in soil through enhanced grass productivity and fire dynamics. However, the ecological benefits of such behaviours depend on population density and landscape context. While bulldozing vegetation may appear destructive, these behaviours often mimic natural disturbance regimes, promoting biodiversity and landscape heterogeneity, key components of climate-resilient ecosystems. Unlike anthropogenic clearing, elephant-led habitat modification is part of a long-evolved ecological process that supports nutrient cycling and seedling recruitment. Therefore, promoting connectivity through wildlife corridors supports not only elephant movement but also ecosystem functions that enhance resilience to climate variability. Future research should prioritise quantifying the net carbon impact of elephant movement and browsing in different biomes to further clarify their role in mitigating climate change. Conservation strategies informed by their movement patterns, such as wildlife corridors, conflict-reducing infrastructure, and habitat restoration, may enhance human–elephant coexistence while preserving their ecological roles. Protecting older individuals, who may retain critical environmental knowledge, is essential for sustaining elephant populations and the ecosystems they influence. Advancing research on elephant navigation and decision-making can provide valuable insights for biodiversity conservation and conflict mitigation efforts. Full article

The commercial wildlife trade involves billions of animals each year, consumed for various purposes, including food, fashion, entertainment, traditional medicine, and pets. The experiences of the animals involved vary widely, with negative welfare states being commonplace. To highlight the broad scope of animal welfare impacts across the commercial wildlife trade, we present ten case studies featuring a range of species traded globally for different purposes: (1) Ball pythons captured and farmed to serve as pets; (2) Zebrafish captive bred to serve as pets; (3) African Grey Parrots taken from the wild for the pet industry; (4) Sharks de-finned for traditional medicine; (5) Pangolins hunted for traditional medicine; (6) Crickets farmed for food and feed; (7) Frogs wild-caught for the frog-leg trade; (8) Crocodilians killed for their skins; (9) Lions farmed and killed for tourism; and (10) Elephants held captive for tourism. The case studies demonstrate that wild animals commercially traded can suffer from negative welfare states ranging from chronic stress and depression to frustration and extreme hunger. The individuals involved range from hundreds to billions, and their suffering can last a lifetime. Given the welfare issues identified and the growing recognition and scientific evidence for animal sentience, we propose reducing and redirecting consumer demand for these consumptive wildlife practices that negatively impact animals. Full article

Monitoring coastal marine wildlife is crucial for biodiversity conservation, environmental management, and sustainable utilization of tourism-related natural assets. Conducting in situ censuses and population studies in extensive and remote marine habitats often faces logistical constraints, necessitating the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of monitoring efforts. This study investigates the utilization of aerial imagery and deep learning methodologies for the automated detection, classification, and enumeration of marine-coastal species. A comprehensive dataset of high-resolution images, captured by drones and aircrafts over southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) and South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) colonies in the Valdés Peninsula, Patagonia, Argentina, was curated and annotated. Using this annotated dataset, a deep learning framework was developed and trained to identify and classify individual animals. The resulting model may help produce automated, accurate population metrics that support the analysis of ecological dynamics. The resulting model achieved F1 scores of between 0.7 and 0.9, depending on the type of individual. Among its contributions, this methodology provided essential insights into the impacts of emergent threats, such as the outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 during the 2023 austral spring season, which caused significant mortality in these species. Full article

The timing, cause, and magnitude of mammalian extinctions during the African Middle Pleistocene remain largely unresolved. The demise of Elephas/Palaeoloxodon recki, a lineage that had a great geographic and temporal span, represents a particularly enigmatic case of megafaunal extinction. Previous studies of Early Pleistocene fossil material have proposed that this lineage was a strict C₄-grazer, with its dietary specialization causing its extinction during a period of climatic instability that coincided with the Late Acheulean. Others have associated its disappearance with overhunting by hominins during the same period. We contribute to this debate by analyzing carbon and oxygen isotope data from the tooth enamel of late Early and Middle Pleistocene Palaeoloxodon specimens from various localities in the Afar Rift. To contextualize the isotopic data of Palaeoloxodon within its broader ecosystem, we also provide data from non-elephant species. Carbon isotope values indicate that while C₄ plants dominated diets, varying amounts of C₃ vegetation were also consumed throughout this period. Oxygen isotope values reflect an initial focus on stable water sources that were later broadened to include transient sources. Serially sampled teeth of P. cf. recki recki from Late Acheulean contexts in the Megenta research area show no significant seasonal shifts in δ¹³C or δ¹⁸O values, even during a period of heightened climatic instability regionally. Taken together, our results suggest that Palaeoloxodon was capable of flexibility in diet and drinking habits which belies its morphological specializations. Our results do not support the idea that an inability to adapt to climatic instability caused the extinction of P. recki recki during the Late Acheulean. There is also currently no solid evidence that hominin hunting activities were the cause. However, we cannot discount the potential cumulative impact of climatic-induced environmental pressures and advancements in hominin hunting technologies during the early Middle Stone Age on the eventual extinction of the Palaeoloxodon lineage during the Middle–Late Pleistocene interface. Full article

Background/Objectives: The frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique was introduced as a possible single-stage procedure for treating aortic arch pathologies. However, up to a third of patients are reported to need subsequent completion (extension). This retrospective analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of early (within 30 days; EC group) versus late (>30 days; LC group) endovascular completion with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients treated with FET. Methods: A single-center, retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients for the period between June 2017 and December 2023 who underwent FET and received endovascular extension was conducted. Indications for endovascular extension were aneurysms of the descending aorta, aneurysmal progress, endoleak, malperfusion, distal stent-induced new entry (dSINE), and aortic rupture. Results: A total of 37 of 232 FET patients received endovascular extension (15.9%). Average age at the time of TEVAR was 63.3 ± 10.3 years. There was an increase in the maximum total aortic diameter post-FET from 40.8 ± 9 mm to 45.1 ± 14 mm prior to TEVAR. Only 14 patients (37.8%) had the desired complete occlusion of the false lumen or aneurysm prior to extension; 23 (62.2%) still had relevant perfusion of the false lumen or aneurysm. The EC and LC groups were defined by time between FET and TEVAR: a mean of 4.8 ± 5.2 days in the EC group and 18.4 ± 18 months in the LC group. The EC group had markedly more complex procedures, reflected in intensive care (10.7 ± 6.9 vs. 0.1 ± 0.3 days, p < 0.001) and hospitalization (22.4 ± 14.0 vs. 8.1 ± 5.6 days, p = 0.003) durations. There was one early death due to multiorgan failure in the EC group and there were none in the LC group. There were no major cardiac events in either group. In the EC group, seven patients (50%) suffered from postoperative respiratory failure and four (28.6%) developed acute kidney failure requiring dialysis. Only one patient in the LC group (4.3%) experienced complications. During follow-up, another three patients (21.4%) of the EC group died, but none of the LC group did. Post-extension aortic remodeling was similar in both groups, with complete occlusion achieved in 27 cases (72%) during early follow-up and increased to 90.6% after a mean of 22.0 ± 23.4 months. Conclusions: Following aortic arch repair using FET, there is still a need for second-stage repair in 16% of patients. Endovascular completion post-FET is safe and feasible with a technical success rate of 100%, but early completion is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. TEVAR extension surgery may be better delayed, if possible, until after recovery from the hybrid arch repair. 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

Background: Core muscles serve as a central group within the functional kinetic chain, stabilizing the spine during movement. The Reformer is one of the most popular and primary pieces used in Pilates core exercises, requiring effective control of core muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Reformer spring resistance on core muscle activity. Method: 18 healthy adult females (age: 29.83 ± 4.22 years, body height: 164.98 ± 4.14 cm, body mass: 53.67 ± 5.32 kg) participated in this study. Surface electromyography was recorded from six muscles: rectus abdominis, internal oblique, erector spinae, multifidus, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris during core exercises. Participants performed three core exercises (hip roll, knee-off, and elephant) under three different Reformer spring conditions (fixed platform, platform connected to springs with moderate resistance, platform connected to springs with low resistance). Results: During the hip roll exercise, mean muscle activity of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, multifidus, and biceps femoris was significantly increased on the low-resistance spring platform compared to the moderate-resistance platform and fixed platform conditions (p < 0.001). During the knee-off exercise, mean muscle activity of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, erector spinae, and multifidus significantly increased on the low-resistance platform compared to the fixed platform (p < 0.001). Furthermore, during the elephant exercise, mean muscle activity of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and rectus femoris significantly increased on the low-resistance spring platform compared to the fixed platform (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggest the unstable platform caused by the Reformer spring modification impacts core muscle activity during basic core exercises. Therefore, when designing core exercise programs using the Reformer, platform instability should be considered a key factor for rehabilitation and core stability. 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