Wildlife Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was put in charge of managing native wild horses that reside on public lands in the United States. Since the passage of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses & Burros Act, the BLM has twisted the law through a series of relabeling landmass in areas where the horses reside, and then managing them differently based on the label the area was given. This has resulted in nearly half the land given the horses being removed from the program, and the remainder is managed illegally using the mandate of multiple-use in the Federal Land Policy Management Act. The twisting and creation of new regulations have been an unconstitutional act against the original intent of the 1971 Act to protect this species. The result is that the BLM claims there are too many horses when in fact the pastures have been made too small.

Sediment-water fluxes of hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOC) may affect the quality of surface waters. Here, we present an approach to derive such fluxes from (a) in situ HOC concentration gradients measured with passive samplers and (b) mass transfer coefficients measured with a novel flux method using Empore disks. For eight undisturbed sediments, this method identified whether the sediment acted as a source or as a sink for HOCs. The analysis also identified which type of transport resistance governed sediment water exchange. For seven inland locations, exchange was limited by benthic boundary layer transport, showing no dependencies on sediment or chemical properties other than concentration. For one river mouth location, exchange was limited by slow in-bed intraparticle diffusion. A biphasic dual compartment radial diffusion model adequately described the data for this location. Fast desorption was interpreted as molecular diffusion retarded by microscale dual domain sorption to amorphous as well as black carbon (BC). Slow desorption was invariant with LogK(ow) and consistent with intraorganic matter diffusion through BC particles. Finally, it is discussed how these findings can be translated into a general framework for flux based exposure assessment.

During 1997–1999, 32 Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were translocated from the Sustut Herd to the Telkwa Mountains in westcentral British Columbia to augment recovery of the Telkwa Caribou Herd. The animals were fitted with radiocollars and located during 1997–2000 to determine selection of habitat features and terrain variables. Six Caribou calves were also collared to determine causes and timing of calf mortality during summer 1999. Defining available habitat for newly translocated animals is often arbitrary and subjective, and we based the analyses on ranks for habitat use and availability as this is less sensitive to the inclusion or exclusion of a questionable resource. This method represents some loss of information but provides indications of the relative importance of various habitat types without classifying any as avoided. High elevation habitat (> 1700 masl) on moderate slopes (16 – 45°) received the highest ranks, as did “warm” (136 – 315°) aspects and f...

All serious  wild life enthusiasts have had, at one time or another, the experience of being charged down by an enraged wild elephant in the national parks. This is a most frightening experience to have a 4+ tonne giant bearing down at you. Sometimes this ends in calamity, although most often if handled well, the event can be circumvented without major problems.

Le bassin méditerranéen abrite des populations de rapaces réparties sous forme de métapopulation dans le sud de l’Europe et le nord de l’Afrique. Ces sous-populations quasi continues ont permis l’échange d’individus entre les deux rives méditerranéennes, ce qui représente un atout pour la conservation globale de ces espèces.
Aux XIXe et XXe siècles, et encore actuellement, de nombreuses espèces de rapaces ont connu une diminution importante de leurs effectifs et de leur aire de répartition. La protection de ce groupe d’oiseaux pendant la seconde moitié du XXe siècle au niveau international et, en particulier, dans un grand nombre de pays de la Méditerranée, a permis la conservation et la reconstitution de quelques populations, principalement sur la rive nord du bassin méditerranéen. En Afrique du Nord, malgré cette protection prévue par la loi, de nombreuses populations de rapaces ont disparu ou ont diminué jusqu’à atteindre des niveaux critiques, même si les populations de quelques espèces restent viables.
L’une des principales difficultés dans le cadre de la conservation des populations de faune sauvage, est le manque de connaissances sur l’état et les tendances de ces populations ainsi que les menaces pesant sur elles, ces informations étant indispensables pour concevoir et mettre en oeuvre des mesures et actions de conservation.
Pour cette raison, le Centre de Coopération pour la Méditerranée de l’UICN (UICN-Med), en collaboration avec le Groupe CSE/UICN de spécialistes des vautours et la Junta de Andalucía (gouvernement régional d’Andalousie), a organisé le premier séminaire-atelier sur la gestion transfrontalière des rapaces menacés, en vue de mettre en place un mécanisme de planification d’actions de conservation de ces oiseaux en Afrique du Nord, en s’appuyant sur la solide expérience en matière de gestion acquise en Espagne pour la conception et la mise en oeuvre de plans de conservation et de suivi des espèces menacées.

Etorphine hydrochloride as used during November-March 1976-1978 to immobilize 12 wolves (Canis lupus) captured in traps (n = 9) or via helicopter (n = 3). All immobilized wolves were subsequently observed in the wild, and none appeared to have suffered adverse effects of drugging.

A 45-year-old female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) was presented with urinary incontinence and solid masses at the perineal area. Vaginoscopy revealed stricture of the vaginal vestibule. Trans skin and rectal ultrasonography demonstrated presence of hyperechogenic uroliths. Episiotomy and urethrotomy were performed after standing sedation with xylazine and perineal infiltration with lidocaine. Total of 8 kg urethral calculi were retrieved manually. Calcium carbonate was identified as the main component of the stones. Due to acute urinary obstruction after the operation, an episiotomy was left open allowing urine to pass through the incision. Following urine scalding, necrotic tissues were detected along the tracts below the incision wound through umbilicus. Daily wound cleaning and antibiotics treatment for one month were performed. The episiotomy wound was left to heal by secondary intention and led to a 2 cm stricture. The healing process completed in 5 months post-operatively....

Le tecniche di cattura e contenimento della fauna selvatica hanno origini remote e
godono di un’ampia documentazione che comprende le metodiche più primitive sino alle più complesse tecnologie odierne. Queste tecniche sono da tempo oggetto di discussione e di studio, poiché oltre all’importanza della messa in sicurezza degli operatori coinvolti, è andata crescendo l’attenzione e la sensibilizzazione nei confronti della condizione e del benessere dell’animale catturato.
In questo elaborato vengono trattate le diverse metodiche di cattura dell’orso impiegate
nelle differenti aree di distribuzione di questo mammifero, fornendo una panoramica sulle
possibili tecniche utilizzabili per questo tipo di procedura e ponendo l’attenzione su quelli che possono essere gli effetti positivi e negativi derivanti dal loro utilizzo.
Dopo aver descritto la biologia dell'orso e di alcune specie nello specifico, fornendo informazioni riguardo alcune peculiarità di queste ultime, si descrivono le tecniche di cattura meccanica e farmacologica maggiormente utilizzate su questo mammifero. Inizialmente si pone l'attenzione sulle valutazioni preliminari necessarie per riuscire in una cattura sicura ed efficace, successivamente vengono descritte le tre principali tecniche di cattura meccanica: la cattura aerea, il laccio di Aldrich e la Culvert trap indicandone pregi e difetti, luoghi e specie di utilizzo ed eventuali modifiche e migliorie apportate agli strumenti nel corso del tempo. Vengono poi descritte le diverse possibilità per la cattura farmacologica sia riguardo la scelta degli strumenti e delle attrezzature impiegabili, sia in merito alle combinazioni di farmaci adottabili. Si descrivono i siti di inoculo, i diversi dardi anestetici e i vari strumenti di tiro fornendo precisazioni sulle loro caratteristiche e modalità di funzionamento. Vengono infine riportati i principali protocolli anestesiologici a disposizione per la cattura di questi animali ponendo l'attenzione sui possibili effetti negativi e positivi che possono portare, indicando alcuni dosaggi utilizzati da diversi esperti nel corso di alcuni studi e indicando le specie in cui vengono maggiormente utilizzati.
Si conclude affermando che la cattura negli orsi comporta diversi rischi all'animale e al personale coinvolto e che, dopo le opportune valutazioni, spesso é la giusta combinazione di tecniche di cattura meccanica e farmacologica a determinare il successo di una procedura sicura ed efficace.

This report summarises progress, lessons learnt and opportunities identified in the Sustainable Wildlife Enterprise (SWE) trials, which are testing if commercial value of wildlife can be an incentive for changing on-farm land management practices. The trials are about greater use of wildlife species that are adapted to the Australian environment and climate to provide resources such as food, while at the same time encouraging biodiversity conservation and habitat protection.
Progress could have been faster. The drought hampered initial progress. Turnover of Landcare project officers have been regular and disruptive. Continuity of support is most important to maintaining the commitment of landholders especially when they are under stress. Testing whether landholders can benefit from the kangaroos on their properties takes a long time because it requires a major change in land use, making continuity of support even more critical.
Nevertheless the trials have begun to show the promise that commercial value of wildlife can act as an incentive to engage landholders in wildlife management, conservation of biodiversity, maintenance and even restoration of on-farm wildlife habitat.

For nearly two and a half decades now the Protected Area Update (PAU) has religiously presented a consolidated account of India’s wildlife and protected area (PA) network. Published six times a year, it carries in a tightly edited format, news and information of what is happening in, to and around these national parks and sanctuaries that have been at the core of India’s wildlife conservation strategy.
In the second of a series of edited books that synthesis this huge body of information on geographical lines The State of Wildlife and Protected Areas in Maharashtra - News and information from the Protected Area Update 1996–2015 presents a consolidated historical account of developments in the PA network in Maharashtra over two decades. While the primary unit still remains the individual protected area, the time line has changed from two months of one issue to 20 years that this publication covers.
In following one news item after another about any particular PA we see what happened month after month, year after year; what developments recurred at what periodicity; what were the issues that were important and what was done about them – it’s an important glimpse into the contemporary history of a place (many places) marked on the map as a protected area.
Published 2019 ISBN:9788192326931 Price Rs. 400.
Order at a 20% discount by writing to psekhsaria@gmail.com; also on amazon at https://tinyurl.com/vz5aet3

This chapter highlights several criticisms of zoos, then provides a vision for new zoos: “nooz.” Offering a new name to these institutions makes a clear break from the old model, which is fundamentally exploitative. The common denominator between zoos and nooz is that both foster nonhumans who are neither domestic pets nor farmed animals—they keep “wild” animals. Nooz are nonexploitative, benevolent, and are designed for nonhumans, to provide safe-haven for those individuals who have been misused by zoos or science, or injured by humans. This essay also explores “benevolent” reasons for keeping nonhuman animals in zoos, such as captive breeding programs and injured wildlife, and acceptable parameters for nooz, including such topics as retribution for previous exploitation and the problem of carnivory.

El 18 de enero de 2011 fue aprobado por acuerdo del Consejo de Gobierno de la Junta de Andalucía el Plan de Recuperación del Águila Imperial Ibérica (Aquila adalberti) en Andalucía, tal y como se reflejaba en la Ley 42/2007, del Patrimonio Natural y de la Biodiversidad; la
especie al estar considerada como En peligro de extinción, debe ser objeto de un plan específico de recuperación en el que se definirán las medidas necesarias para reducir la categoría de amenaza a Vulnerable. El Plan es heredero directo del Programa de Actuaciones para la Conservación del Águila Imperial Ibérica implantado en Andalucía desde 2001. Según el censo realizado en el año 2012, la población mundial se cifra en 377 parejas, 368 en España y 9 en Portugal, encontrándose la mayor parte de los territorios en el cuadrante suroccidental de la península Ibérica. La comunidad autónoma andaluza alberga el 21,5% de la población con al menos 81 territorios ocupados en 2012, cifra que asciende a 90 en 2013 (73 en Sierra Morena, 9 en Doñana y 7 en Cádiz). ), cifra que supone un máximo histórico y que confirma que continúa la tendencia ascendente de formación de nuevas parejas, produciéndose un incremento del 11,1% respecto al 2011. Entre 1989 y 2013 se registra una tendencia estadísticamente significativa cercana al 5% de ascenso interanual. En los ocho años trascurridos entre 2003 (cuando ya se tienen datos reales de la población) y 2010 la población se incrementa en 14 parejas; mientras que en solo los 3 últimos aumenta en cerca de 30. Es decir, se ha pasado de un ritmo de incremento de 1,75 nuevos territorios anuales (2003‐2010) a 10 nuevos territorios cada año (2011‐2013). Además del ascenso del número de parejas, se consolida el aumento del área de distribución, de forma que se han unido los distintos subnúcleos reproductores de Sierra Morena en uno sólo y aparecen otras nuevas áreas consolidadas (Cádiz, formado gracias al al programa de reintroducción de la Junta de Andalucía tras haber permanecido extinguida en la zona durante unos 60 años) y valle de Los Pedroches en Córdoba. Aunque la especie intentó criar sin éxito en el 2012 en norte de Huelva, aún no se confirma el asentamiento definitivo aquí. Las principales medidas de conservación dentro del Plan de
Recuperación que se están llevando a cabo son:
1) El seguimiento individualizado de la reproducción de cada uno de los territorios de Andalucía.
2) Actuaciones para la mejora de los parámetros reproductivos:
a. Minimización de molestias en las zonas de nidificación
b. Aplicación de alimentación suplementaria en territorios con escasez de conejo de monte
c. Rescate de pollos en nidos con riesgo de mortalidad
d. Reparación de plataformas de nidificación
3) Radio marcaje y seguimiento de juveniles
4) Análisis de las causas de mortalidad y medidas tendentes a minimizarlas (corrección detendidos eléctricos).
5) Reforzamiento de los núcleos de Doñana y Cádiz con pollos procedentes de rescates en nidadas con riesgo.

Pangolins (Pholidota: Manidae) are frequently hunted as a source of bushmeat in Ghana. However, no information exists with regards to the level of trade of pangolins outside of major bushmeat market surveys in Ghana. The aim of this study was to determine the level of trade among other stakeholders in the bushmeat commodity chain for pangolins in Ghana. Data were collected from 153 stakeholders using semi-structured interviews and direct observation between September 2013 and January 2014. A total of 341 pangolins were recorded to have been traded in this study period. The white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) represented 82 % and the black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) 18 % of the observed pangolins traded by the stakeholders. Chopbar operators accounted for the highest retailer sales to consumers. The number of pangolins traded was negatively correlated to the distance between settlements and protected forest regions. The levels of pangolin trade were previously underestimated in Ghana as the pangolin bushmeat commodity chain does not form the supply chain to the major bushmeat markets where most surveys were undertaken. The Wildlife Conservation Act of 1971 (LI 685) that prohibits the hunting of pangolins can be regarded as ineffective and not serving as a deterrent to poaching.

Over the 20th century, reduced land cultivation has caused an extension of fallow land in several European countries, which has led to a decrease in biodiversity. Knowledge of dynamic vegetation processes and of the impact of human activities on biodiversity provides the basis for land management recommendations, as well as for wildlife management programs. We analysed land-use changes on a small protected island (Ushant, Bretagne, France) using historical documentation (1844) and aerial photographs taken in 1952 and 1992. Over this period, especially during the last 40 yr, Ushant underwent a complete transformation from rural landscape to extensive shrubland. No cultivated area remains, grazed areas were moved from the coastal fringe to the core of the island, while over 40% of the island is fallow land. The relationship between current sheep grazing and vegetation suggests that grazed meadows used to be close to inhabited areas, i.e. 150 m outside the villages. These results allowed us to analyse landcover potential related to changes in the intensity of sheep grazing. The scenarios highlighted by our method provide an objective framework for further assessment of fallow land management.

Giraffe skin disease (GSD) is a disorder of undetermined etiology that causes lesions on the forelimbs of Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi). We estimated occurrence and prevalence of GSD in six wildlife conservation areas of Tanzania. The disjunct spatial pattern of occurrence implies that environmental factors may influence GSD.