DOCSLIB.ORG

Environmental Drivers of the Distribution and Density of The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Environmental Drivers of the Distribution and Density of The Environmental drivers of the distribution and density of the European badger (Meles meles): a review Carme Piza Roca1,2, Maurice J.J. La Haye1,2 & Eelke Jongejans1 1Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Animal Ecology and Ecophysiology group, P.O. Box 9100 (mail box 31), NL-6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands, email: [email protected] 2Dutch Mammal Society, P.O. Box 6531, NL-6503 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands Abstract: Knowing the environmental factors affecting species’ distribution is an important basic step in ecologi- cal research. Here, we present a literature review on the environmental factors influencing European badger (Meles meles) distribution and density. According to the published literature, the badger is a highly adaptive species, capa- ble of using different environmental services and adapting to different conditions. However, when studying badger populations across their distribution, a general pattern of preferred environmental characteristics and influencing factors arises. These environmental characteristics may indicate the badger’s realised niche and may potentially give an approximation of its fundamental niche. A combination of environmental factors favouring both sett (bur- row) location and food availability appears to drive local badger success: terrain characteristics (both suitable soil type for sett excavation and terrain heterogeneity for visual hiding), wood coverage and earthworm-rich grassland. The presence and density of badgers vary depending on the geographic study area and the relative importance of these specific environmental drivers. We discuss how these insights can assist spatial modelling studies, conserva- tion and management, and future research on habitat suitability and badger density. We stress that more research is needed to understand how each component of the life cycle of badgers is affected by environmental drivers, and what the cumulative effect is on their spatial population dynamics. Key words: environmental factors, European badger, fundamental niche, Meles meles, occurrence, review, sett. Introduction the European badger is now described as a distinct species from the Asian badger (Meles The European badger Meles( meles) is present leucurus) and the Japanese badger (Meles in almost all European countries, from the anakuma) (Abramov 2001, 2003, Wozen- British Islands eastwards to the west bank of craft 2005, Abramov & Puzachenko 2005, the River Volga (figure 1). The species belongs 2006). The Asian badger occurs from the to the family of Mustelidae, in the order of east of the Volga River to China and Korea, Carnivora. Recent studies showed that the till the border of the distribution of the Euro- genus Meles includes several distinct species, pean badger throughout the Lower and Mid- while this was considered only one species in dle Volga and the interfluves of the Volga the past, the Eurasian badger. Accordingly, and Kama (Abramov & Puzachenko 2006). A clear geographic border in the northern © 2014 Zoogdiervereniging. Lutra articles also on the Caucasus between Meles leucurus and Meles internet: http://www.zoogdiervereniging.nl meles has not yet been clearly defined, as they Piza Roca et al. / Lutra 2014 57 (2): 87-109 87 Lutra_57_2_Text_v3.indd 87 06/02/2015 21:27 Figure 1. Distribution range of the European badger (Meles meles), based on the distribution maps of Del Cerro et al. (2010) and Abramov & Puzachenko (2013). can occur sympatrically and may even repro- breeding at an age of two years, that annual duce, giving hybrids with mixed characters juvenile survival (63%-77%) is lower than (Abramov & Puzachenko 2007). The Japanese adult survival (76%-88%), giving a genera- badger occurs on the Japanese Islands (Bary- tion time of 5.8 years, and that by an age of 7.3 shnikov et al. 2003). Finally, Del Cerro et al. years an average female has contributed half (2010) provide evidence for a fourth species of of what she is going to contribute (through badger named Meles canescens, distributed in reproduction) to population growth in her South-West Asia, from south of the Caspian life (Macdonald et al. 2009, van de Kerk et al. see and the Northern Caucasus to Tajikistan. 2013). See figure 2 for a graphic representation The taxonomic status of the badger nowadays of the badger’s life cycle based on the study of admits therefore four distinct species (Abra- Macdonald et al. (2009). mov & Puzachenko 2013). The European badger is relatively abundant The European badger is a generalist, highly in Europe, being only uncommon or present adaptive, species which is capable of exploit- in lower densities in the Netherlands, Bel- ing a wide variety of habitats (Feore & Mont- gium, Estonia, Slovakia and Poland (Kranz et gomery 1999, Kauhala & Auttila 2010). It is al. 2008). Nevertheless, there is a general con- only absent from arctic zones, high altitude cern about this species because it has showed regions and some islands (Griffiths & Thomas strong fluctuations in numbers in many coun- 1993). Analyses of the dynamics of an Eng- tries in the last century (Griffiths & Thomas lish population have shown that badgers start 1993). In the 1970s and 1980s badgers obtained 88 Piza Roca et al. / Lutra 2014 57 (2): 87-109 Lutra_57_2_Text_v3.indd 88 06/02/2015 21:27 Figure 2. Matrix projection model for a European badger population near Oxford (Macdonald et al. 2009), based on post-breeding census data. The first stage therefore represents newborn cubs (zero-year olds). The population model consists of five parameters: age of first reproduction (2), age of last reproduction (15), juvenile survival (0.717), adult survival (0.837), and fertility (0.267). Figure 3. Countries where the studies containing data relevant to the search topic were performed, i.e. the factors influencing distribution and density of the European badger as presented in this review. a protected status in Britain, Ireland, Spain, tions. Therefore, knowledge is required about Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, the environmental factors driving the distribu- Albania, Greece, Estonia, Luxemburg and tion and density of badger, which makes it pos- Hungary (Griffiths 1991b). In 2008 the species sible to quantify habitat requirements, weigh- was ranked as Lower Risk/Least Concern on ing management options, and assessing the the European Red List (Baillie & Groombridge impact of habitat change. In broader ecological 1996, Kranz et al. 2008), which means that pro- studies, it is also of great importance to know tection had positive results. With its history as the interaction of the species of interest with its a threatened species it is an interesting object environment in order to situate the species in to formulate and study policy recommenda- the ecosystem, its used niche and so on. Piza Roca et al. / Lutra 2014 57 (2): 87-109 89 Lutra_57_2_Text_v3.indd 89 06/02/2015 21:27 Lutra_57_2_Text_v3.indd 90 90 Table 1. Main environmental drivers of badger spatial population dynamics. Environmental Components Contribution Potential effect on Effect Literature driver Climate Rainfall range Higher seasonality Badger presence, spatial organisation, pop- Negative 1–3 Temperature range Higher seasonality ulation size and density and group size. Negative Rain, temperature between 5– 15ºC Favours earthworm availability. Positive 4–8 and high air humidity Cold winters, dry summers and wind Decreases earthworm availability. Negative 9 Spring rainfall and high temperature Increase cub parasitic susceptibility. Negative Terrain character- Suitable geology Facilitates digging and drainage. Badger presence, Limiting fac- 10–21 istics and sett site Slope Favours earth removal. size and shape of occupied territory and tor availability Aspect Selection of sites on south to west-facing spatial organisation. slopes. Terrain heterogeneity Visual hiding Vegetation cover or small landscape Visual hiding elements Groundwater level Sett building Abandoned old setts Possibility for recolonisation Positive 22 Presence of habited setts Induces construction of new setts. Piza Roca et al. et Piza Roca Habitat type Woodland Offers cover, shelter, structural support Population density, group size and terri- Positive 1, 4–5, for sett building and additional source of tory size. 10–15, food items. 23–32 Hedgerows and scrub Cover and shelter Grassland and pasture Foraging, source of earthworms. Short grass is more suitable. / Lutra 201457(2):87-109 /Lutra Arable fields: e.g. maize, wheat, barley Food source: cultivated food and earth- worm content. Food availability Large variety of items: e.g. earth- Food source. Population size and density, territory size Limiting fac- 1, 11, 24, worms, other invertebrates, birds’ eggs and shape and spatial organisation. tor 29, 33, 43 and chicks, rodents, carrion, fruits, cereals 06/02/2015 21:27 Lutra_57_2_Text_v3.indd 91 Piza Roca et al. al. et Piza Roca Built-up areas Urban infrastructure Decreases sett site availability. Badger presence, density and spatial Negative 26–27, Habitat destruction. organisation. 44–48 Fragmentation. Human population density. Disturbance on habitat. Population size and density. Negative Agricultural land Habitat destruction. Badger presence and spatial organisation. Negative / Lutra 201457(2):87-109 / Lutra Fragmentation. Population size and density. Urban and industrial areas Provide anthropogenic food sources. Population size and density. Positive 10, 14 Roads Increase mortality. Badger presence and spatial organisation. Negative 14, 26, Habitat destruction.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Taxonomic Status of Badgers (Mammalia, Mustelidae) from Southwest Asia Based on Cranial Morphometrics, with the Redescription of Meles Canescens
    Zootaxa 3681 (1): 044–058 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2013 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3681.1.2 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:035D976E-D497-4708-B001-9F8DC03816EE The taxonomic status of badgers (Mammalia, Mustelidae) from Southwest Asia based on cranial morphometrics, with the redescription of Meles canescens ALEXEI V. ABRAMOV1 & ANDREY YU. PUZACHENKO2 1Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab. 1, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia. E-mail: [email protected] 2Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Staromonetnyi per. 22, 109017 Moscow, Russia. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The Eurasian badgers (Meles spp.) are widespread in the Palaearctic Region, occurring from the British Islands in the west to the Japanese Islands in the east, including the Scandinavia, Southwest Asia and southern China. The morphometric vari- ation in 30 cranial characters of 692 skulls of Meles from across the Palaearctic was here analyzed. This craniometric anal- ysis revealed a significant difference between the European and Asian badger phylogenetic lineages, which can be further split in two pairs of taxa: meles – canescens and leucurus – anakuma. Overall, European badger populations are very sim- ilar morphologically, particularly with regards to the skull shape, but differ notably from those from Asia Minor, the Mid- dle East and Transcaucasia. Based on the current survey of badger specimens available in main world museums, we have recognized four distinctive, parapatric species: Meles meles, found in most of Europe; Meles leucurus from continental Asia; M.
    [Show full text]
  • Baylisascariasis
    Baylisascariasis Importance Baylisascaris procyonis, an intestinal nematode of raccoons, can cause severe neurological and ocular signs when its larvae migrate in humans, other mammals and birds. Although clinical cases seem to be rare in people, most reported cases have been Last Updated: December 2013 serious and difficult to treat. Severe disease has also been reported in other mammals and birds. Other species of Baylisascaris, particularly B. melis of European badgers and B. columnaris of skunks, can also cause neural and ocular larva migrans in animals, and are potential human pathogens. Etiology Baylisascariasis is caused by intestinal nematodes (family Ascarididae) in the genus Baylisascaris. The three most pathogenic species are Baylisascaris procyonis, B. melis and B. columnaris. The larvae of these three species can cause extensive damage in intermediate/paratenic hosts: they migrate extensively, continue to grow considerably within these hosts, and sometimes invade the CNS or the eye. Their larvae are very similar in appearance, which can make it very difficult to identify the causative agent in some clinical cases. Other species of Baylisascaris including B. transfuga, B. devos, B. schroeder and B. tasmaniensis may also cause larva migrans. In general, the latter organisms are smaller and tend to invade the muscles, intestines and mesentery; however, B. transfuga has been shown to cause ocular and neural larva migrans in some animals. Species Affected Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are usually the definitive hosts for B. procyonis. Other species known to serve as definitive hosts include dogs (which can be both definitive and intermediate hosts) and kinkajous. Coatimundis and ringtails, which are closely related to kinkajous, might also be able to harbor B.
    [Show full text]
  • Integrating Black Bear Behavior, Spatial Ecology, and Population Dynamics in a Human-Dominated Landscape: Implications for Management
    Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 8-2017 Integrating Black Bear Behavior, Spatial Ecology, and Population Dynamics in a Human-Dominated Landscape: Implications for Management Jarod D. Raithel Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons Recommended Citation Raithel, Jarod D., "Integrating Black Bear Behavior, Spatial Ecology, and Population Dynamics in a Human- Dominated Landscape: Implications for Management" (2017). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 6633. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6633 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INTEGRATING BLACK BEAR BEHAVIOR, SPATIAL ECOLOGY, AND POPULATION DYNAMICS IN A HUMAN-DOMINATED LANDSCAPE: IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT by Jarod D. Raithel A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Ecology Approved: _______________________ _______________________ Lise M. Aubry, Ph.D. Melissa J. Reynolds-Hogland, Ph.D. Major Professor Committee Member _______________________ _______________________ David N. Koons, Ph.D. Eric M. Gese, Ph.D. Committee Member Committee Member _______________________ _______________________ Joseph M. Wheaton, Ph.D. Mark R. McLellan, Ph.D. Committee Member Vice President for Research and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2017 ii Copyright Jarod Raithel 2017 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Integrating Black Bear Behavior, Spatial Ecology, and Population Dynamics in a Human-Dominated Landscape: Implications for Management by Jarod D.
    [Show full text]
  • Black Bear Tracking Dog License Application (PDF)
    For Office Use Only LICENSE DURATION 1 Year or 5Years Black Bear License # ________________ Fee Paid $ _______________ LICENSE FEE Tracking Dog License ☐ ☐ $25.00 1 Year Check # _____________ Application ☐ 00 $100. 5 Year ☐ M.O. # ______________ For more information on this license visit www.dec.ny.gov/permits/25006.html *APPLICANT INFORMATION name / date of birth ____________________________________________ _____________________________________ _________ ___________________ Last First M.I. DOB (mm/dd/yyyy) address _______________________________________ _______________ ________________________________________________________ Street Address Apartment/Unit City ______________________________________________________________________________ ________________ ______________________ County State Zip Code email / ____________________________________________________________________________________ ( _________ ) _________ - ______________ telephone Email Telephone *Provide your NYS Hunting License ID # (must be current year license) *FACILITY / BUSINESS INFORMATION (Complete this section if different from above.) facility / business name ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ address _________________________________________ _______________ _____________________________________________________ Street Address Apartment/Unit City _______________________________________ ___________ ___________________ ( _________ ) __________ - ________________ County State Zip
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Term Trends in Food Habits of the Raccoon Dog, Nyctereutes Viverrinus, in the Imperial Palace, Tokyo
    Bull. Natl. Mus. Nat. Sci., Ser. A, 42(3), pp. 143–161, August 22, 2016 Long-term Trends in Food Habits of the Raccoon Dog, Nyctereutes viverrinus, in the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Akihito1, Takako Sako2, Makito Teduka3 and Shin-ichiro Kawada4* 1The Imperial Residence, 1–1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100–0001, Japan 2Imperial Household Agency, 1–1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100–8111, Japan 3Field Work Office, 4–29–2 Asahi-cho, Akishima, Tokyo 196–0025, Japan 4 Department of Zoology, National Museum of Nature and Science, 4–1–1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305–0005, Japan *E-mail: [email protected] (Received 31 March 2016; accepted 22 June 2016) Abstract The food habits of the raccoon dogs in the Imperial Palace were examined by fecal analysis focused on the long term trend for five years. A total of 95 taxa (including 58 taxa identi- fied as genera or species) of plant seeds were detected from 163 collected feces in 164 weekly sur- veys. Among them, eight taxa were selected as the food resources for the raccoon dogs in the Imperial Palace. The intakes of these taxa showed seasonal succession, i.e. Aphananthe aspera in January, Idesia polycarpa in February, Rubus hirsutus from May to July, Cerasus spp. in May and June, Morus spp. in June, Machilus thunbergii in July and August, Aphananthe aspera from Sep- tember to December until the following January, and also Ficus erecta in September and Celtis sinensis in December. In March and April, plant harvest is rather poor, and therefore raccoon dogs feed on the inside endosperm of Ginkgo biloba and family Fagaceae to supply the insufficient nutrients as observed by broken seed coats from feces.
    [Show full text]
  • The Nature of Teller Coyotes Physical Description Coyotes (Canis Latrans
    The Nature of Teller Coyotes Physical Description Coyotes (Canis latrans) are members of the canine family. Of the 19 subspecies, the mountain coyote is the one you’ll encounter in Teller County. They have gray, white, tan, and brown fur. The coyote in the photograph was taken from Edlowe Road. They are about the size of a medium-size dog, weighing 20 to 50 pounds. Their long, bushy tails are helpful species identifiers. Coyotes run with their tails down while domestic dogs run with tails up and wolves run with tails straight out. Life History In many areas, coyotes are solitary outside of the breeding season; but their social organization is influenced by prey size. In populations where the majority of prey are small rodents, coyotes tend to be solitary. In populations where larger animals are available (elk and deer), large groups of coyotes (packs) may form. Like other canines, coyotes do not hibernate. A male and female will pair off and remain together for several years, although they may not be life mates. Mating occurs between January and March. They establish dens abandoned by other animals, or dig one themselves. Litters of 5-7are born sightless and hairless two months after mating. Their eyes open after 10 days, and they leave the den between 8-10 weeks of age. Movement of pups from one den to another is common. The reason is unknown, but disturbance and infestation by parasites may be factors. Coyotes in captivity may live as long as 18 years, but in wild populations few coyotes live more than 6 to 8 years.
    [Show full text]
  • TROUBLE-MAKING BROWN BEAR URSUS ARCTOS LINNAEUS, 1758 (MAMMALIA: CARNIVORA) – Behavioral PATTERN ANALYSIS of the SPECIALIZED INDIVIDUALS
    Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle © 30 Décembre Vol. LIV (2) pp. 541–554 «Grigore Antipa» 2011 DOI: 10.2478/v10191-011-0032-0 TROUBLE-MAKING BROWN BEAR URSUS ARCTOS LINNAEUS, 1758 (MAMMALIA: CARNIVORA) – BEHAVIORal PATTERN ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIALIZED INDIVIDUALS LEONARDO BERECZKY, MIHAI POP, SILVIU CHIRIAC Abstract. In Romania more than 500 damage cases caused by large carnivores are reported by livestock owners and farmers each year. This is the main reason for hunting derogation despite the protected species status. This study is the result of detailed examination of 198 damage cases caused by bears in 2008 and 2009, in the south- eastern Carpathian Mts in Romania. The goal of the study was to examine whether an individual-specific behavioural pattern among problematic bears exists. We looked for bears which showed repeated killing of livestock, a phenomenon claimed by livestock owners to indicate the presence of a problematic individual in the area. In 27% of the observed cases the problematic bears exhibited specific behaviour patterns: clear specialization on a certain type of damage, high degree of tolerance for humans, selectivity for certain prey items, returning back to the damage site in less than 8 days. Fast adaptation and taking advantage of easily obtainable food around human created artificial sources is characteristic for all bear species, due to their high learning capacity and ecological plasticity, but from the conservation and management point of view dealing with individuals which specialize to live mainly around artificial areas becomes a “problem”. Thus defining and identifying individual behaviour patterns oriented towards conflicting behaviour might be useful for wildlife managers in identifying “problem individuals” in order to apply the proper control methods.
    [Show full text]
  • Glimpse of an African… Wolf? Cécile Bloch
    $6.95 Glimpse of an African… Wolf ? PAGE 4 Saving the Red Wolf Through Partnerships PAGE 9 Are Gray Wolves Still Endangered? PAGE 14 Make Your Home Howl Members Save 10% Order today at shop.wolf.org or call 1-800-ELY-WOLF Your purchases help support the mission of the International Wolf Center. VOLUME 25, NO. 1 THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER SPRING 2015 4 Cécile Bloch 9 Jeremy Hooper 14 Don Gossett In the Long Shadow of The Red Wolf Species Survival Are Gray Wolves Still the Pyramids and Beyond: Plan: Saving the Red Wolf Endangered? Glimpse of an African…Wolf? Through Partnerships In December a federal judge ruled Geneticists have found that some In 1967 the number of red wolves that protections be reinstated for of Africa’s golden jackals are was rapidly declining, forcing those gray wolves in the Great Lakes members of the gray wolf lineage. remaining to breed with the more wolf population area, reversing Biologists are now asking: how abundant coyote or not to breed at all. the USFWS’s 2011 delisting many golden jackals across Africa The rate of hybridization between the decision that allowed states to are a subspecies known as the two species left little time to prevent manage wolves and implement African wolf? Are Africa’s golden red wolf genes from being completely harvest programs for recreational jackals, in fact, wolves? absorbed into the expanding coyote purposes. If biological security is population. The Red Wolf Recovery by Cheryl Lyn Dybas apparently not enough rationale for Program, working with many other conservation of the species, then the organizations, has created awareness challenge arises to properly express and laid a foundation for the future to the ecological value of the species.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology of the European Badger (Meles Meles) in the Western Carpathian Mountains: a Review
    Wildl. Biol. Pract., 2016 Aug 12(3): 36-50 doi:10.2461/wbp.2016.eb.4 REVIEW Ecology of the European Badger (Meles meles) in the Western Carpathian Mountains: A Review R.W. Mysłajek1,*, S. Nowak2, A. Rożen3, K. Kurek2, M. Figura2 & B. Jędrzejewska4 1 Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland. 2 Association for Nature “Wolf”, Twardorzeczka 229, 34-324 Lipowa, Poland. 3 Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland. 4 Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Waszkiewicza 1c, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland. * Corresponding author email: [email protected]. Keywords Abstract Altitudinal Gradient; This article summarizes the results of studies on the ecology of the European Diet Composition; badger (Meles meles) conducted in the Western Carpathians (S Poland) Meles meles; from 2002 to 2010. Badgers inhabiting the Carpathians use excavated setts Mustelidae; (53%), caves and rock crevices (43%), and burrows under human-made Sett Utilization; constructions (4%) as permanent shelters. Excavated setts are located up Spatial Organization. to 640 m a.s.l., but shelters in caves and crevices can be found as high as 1,050 m a.s.l. Badger setts are mostly located on slopes with southern, eastern or western exposure. Within their territories, ranging from 3.35 to 8.45 km2 (MCP100%), badgers may possess 1-12 setts. Family groups are small (mean = 2.3 badgers), population density is low (2.2 badgers/10 km2), as is reproduction (0.57 young/year/10 km2). Hunting by humans is the main mortality factor (0.37 badger/year/10 km2).
    [Show full text]
  • Ecologists Warn of Japanese Badger Cull 'Crisis' : Nature News & Comment
    NATURE | NEWS Ecologists warn of Japanese badger cull 'crisis' Population crash feared amid a fad for badger meat. Tim Hornyak 09 June 2017 alpsdake/CC BY-SA 4.0 The Japanese badger (Meles anakuma). On Japan’s Kyushu Island, farmers regularly trap and spear local badgers, which are regarded as pests. But ecologists say the practice is getting out of hand. In Kyushu’s Kagoshima Prefecture, they note, killings spiked from a few hundred to more than 4,000 last year — and that might lead to a population crash. “If the cull continues at this pace, there’s a possibility the Japanese badger could become extinct,” says Yayoi Kaneko, an ecologist at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. A culinary fad for badger meat in Japan's restaurants is also taking off, although it's unclear if that is driving the culls, or is a response to the ready supply. Japan’s government should intervene in the cull and take scientific advice on whether it is sustainable, the scientists say. Ecological crisis Kaneko and two other ecologists, Christina Buesching and Chris Newman at the University of Oxford, UK, first raised their concerns in a correspondence published in Nature on 13 April 1. They warned that the rise in killings could lead to an “ecological crisis” unfolding, and say that the cull is being carried out “without scientific advice or strategic planning”. The Japanese badger (Meles Related stories Related stories anakuma) is endemic to Japan. It is • Japan: Unjustified killing • Japan: Unjustified killing smaller than its European of badgers in Kyushu of badgers in Kyushu counterpart and has less-distinct facial stripes.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Leadership Programme: Final Report Final Report
    Conservation Leadership Programme: Final Report Final Report 1. CLP project ID & Project title 03292116; Corridor Capacity Building Program in Northeast China for Amur Leopard 2. Host country, site location and the China; dates in the field Huangnihe Nature Reserve/Hunchun Nature Reserve; 90-100 days in the field 3. Names of any institutions involved in Local forestry department: Huangnihe organising the project or participating Nature Reserve, Hunchun Nature Reserve; NGO: WCS, Tiger and leopard Fund in Korea; Local community (Xibeicha forestry station); Local school (No.2 High school of Hunchun) 4. The overall aim summarised in 10–15 Aiming for Amur leopard habitat words expansion to potential habitats 5. Full names of author(s) YING LI, Hee Kyung RYOO, Hailong LI, Qing LI 6. Permanent contact address, email and Room 803, Building 85, Seoul National website University; [email protected]; [email protected] 7. Date which the report was completed 2018-3-31 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents Conservation Leadership Programme: Final Report .......................................................................................... 1 Instructions ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Project Partners & Collaborators ...........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • American Black Bear (Ursus Americanus)
    FIELD GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN MAMMALS American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) ORDER: Carnivora FAMILY: Ursidae Most Black Bears hibernate for up to seven months, and do not eat, drink, urinate, or exercise the entire time. In the South, where plant food is available all year, not all bears hibernate—but pregnant females do. The female gives birth to 1−6 cubs (usually 2 or 3) in January, while she is deep asleep in her den. The newborn cubs Ursus americanus − eastern, black variant snuggle next to her for warmth and nurse while she fasts. They grow Credit: painting by Consie Powell from Kays and Wilson's Mammals of North America, © Princeton University Press from a birth weight of 200−450 g each (about 7−16 pounds) to the (2002) 2−5 kg they will weigh when the family leaves the den in the spring. Black Bears eat a little meat, and some insects, but they rely on fruit, nuts, and vegetation for the bulk of their nutritional needs. They are not all black. Most are, with brown muzzles, but in some western forests they are brown, cinnamon, or blond, and a few, in southern Alaska and British Columbia, are creamy white or bluish−gray. Also known as: Many common names are given to the many subspecies that have been described, such as: Olympic Black Bear, Glacier Bear, California Black Bear, Florida Black Bear. Sexual Dimorphism: The largest males may be nearly twice as heavy as the heaviest females. Length: Range: 1,44−2,000 mm males; 1,200−1,600 mm females Weight: Average: 120 kg males; 80 kg females Range: 47−409 kg males; 39−236 kg females http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna 1 FIELD GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN MAMMALS Brown Bear, Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) ORDER: Carnivora FAMILY: Ursidae Conservation Status: The Mexican Grizzly Bear, Ursus arcos nelsoni, is Extinct.
    [Show full text]