DOCSLIB.ORG

Trends in Cheetah Acinonyx Jubatus Density in North‐Central Namibia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Trends in Cheetah Acinonyx Jubatus Density in North‐Central Namibia Received: 30 September 2018 Revised: 24 November 2019 Accepted: 8 January 2020 Published on: 26 February 2020 DOI: 10.1002/1438-390X.12045 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Trends in cheetah Acinonyx jubatus density in north- central Namibia Ezequiel Chimbioputo Fabiano1 | Chris Sutherland2 | Angela K. Fuller3 | Matti Nghikembua4 | Eduardo Eizirik5,6 | Laurie Marker4 1Department of Wildlife Management and Ecotourism, University of Namibia, Abstract Katima Mulilo, Namibia Assessing trends in abundance and density of species of conservation concern 2Department of Environmental is vital to inform conservation and management strategies. The remaining Conservation, University of population of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) largely exists outside of protected Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts areas, where they are often in conflict with humans. Despite this, the population 3U.S. Geological Survey, New York status and dynamics of cheetah outside of protected areas have received rela- Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research tively limited attention across its range. We analyzed remote camera trapping Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York data of nine surveys conducted from 2005 to 2014 in the Waterberg Conser- 4Ecology Division, Cheetah Conservation vancy, north-central Namibia, which included detections of 74 individuals Fund, Otjiwarongo, Namibia (52 adult males, 7 adult females and 15 dependents). Using spatial capture– 5Laboratório de Biologia Genômica e recapture methods, we assessed annual and seasonal trends in cheetah density. Molecular, Escola de Ciências, Pontifícia We found evidence of a stable trend in cheetah density over the study period, Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do 2 Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil with an average density of 1.94/100 km (95% confidence interval 1.33–2.84). 6Instituto Pró-Carnívoros, Atibaia, Brazil This apparent stability of cheetah density is likely the result of stable and abun- dant prey availability, a high tolerance to carnivores by farmers and low turn- Correspondence Ezequiel Chimbioputo Fabiano, over rates in home range tenure. This study highlights the importance of Department of Wildlife Management and promoting long-term surveys that capture a broad range of environmental varia- Ecotourism, University of Namibia, tion that may influence species density and the importance of nonprotected Private Bag 1096, Winela Road, Katima Mulilo, Namibia. areas for cheetah conservation. Email: [email protected] KEYWORDS Funding information Acinonyx jubatus, camera trapping, density, scent posts, spatial capture-recapture Coordenaç~ao de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior—Brasil (CAPES), Grant/Award Number: Finance Code 001 1 | INTRODUCTION less than 10% (Durant et al., 2017; Wolf & Ripple, 2017). This reduction in cheetah range is the largest among the Apex predators play a major role in ecosystem functioning large carnivores of greatest conservation concern (Wolf & (Estes et al., 2011), but worldwide most carnivore Ripple, 2017). Such losses can alter ecosystem functions populations are rapidly declining both in distribution and (Ripple et al., 2014), affect humans through the loss of abundance (Wolf & Ripple, 2017). For example, the leopard income from ecotourism, and changing disease dynamics (Panthera pardus) now occurs in only 37% of its historical (Ordiz,Bischof,&Swenson,2013;vanderMeer,Badza,& range (Jacobson et al., 2016), the lion (Panthera leo)in25% Ndhlovu, 2016). Thus, it is important to assess trends in (Riggio et al., 2013) and the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)in density of large carnivores over multiple generations in Population Ecology. 2020;62:233–243. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pope © 2020 The Society of Population Ecology 233 234 FABIANO ET AL. order to improve our understanding of species response to using spatial capture–recapture methods (SCR, Royle, temporal variation in environmental conditions (e.g., Fuller, & Sutherland, 2018, Fabiano, Boast, Fuller, & changes in prey availability or habitat structure), assigning Sutherland, 2018). To date, SCR-derived density estimates conservation status to species, and devising comprehensive for cheetah have been reported for Botswana (Boast, conservation strategies. Reeves, & Klein, 2015; Brassine & Parker, 2015) and Namibia has the second largest population of chee- Kenya (Broekhuis & Gopalaswamy, 2016) but not yet for tahs across the species range (Marker, Boast, & Schmidt- Namibia. Küntzel, 2018), with approximately 95% of individuals In this study, we use a unique 9-year camera trapping occurring in freehold and communal farmlands, that is, data set collected on commercial farmlands in north-central areas without formal protection status (Marker-Kraus, Namibia to quantify temporal trends in cheetah density, Kraus, Barnett, & Hurlbut, 1996). As a result of human– and to investigate aspects of their spatial ecology including cheetah conflict, cheetahs are killed or translocated to sex- and season-specific space use. This region is of signifi- farms where owners are more tolerant (henceforth cance for cheetah conservation in Namibia as it is consid- referred to as “removed”) due to perceived or true conflict ered to have the highest density in the country (Marker, with farmers (Marker-Kraus et al., 1996), but removals are Dickman, Wilkinson, Schumann, & Fabiano, 2007). Sam- reported to have reduced significantly (Marker, Dickman, plingthisareaacrossmultiple years and seasons offers Mills, Jeo, & Macdonald, 2003). The decline in removals is important insights into the existence, if any, of interannual primarily attributed to the growth and engagement of non- or seasonal patterns in density(e.g.,populationtrends,or governmental organizations with farmers (e.g., Cheetah transience, respectively) and spaceuseinrelationtotempo- Conservation Fund, AfricCat, World Wildlife Fund, ral variations in environmental conditions, life history strat- Namibia Association Community Organization), training egies (e.g., home range tenure), and indirectly, the impact and capacity building in local communities, and the estab- of conservation interventions. Our prediction was that this lishment of commercial and communal conservancies population was stable given the various conservation initia- (Marker & Dickman, 2003). Conservancies consist of adja- tives in the study area. We discuss our findings in the con- cent landowners that voluntarily manage their lands sus- text of requirements for continuing to promote effective tainably as a single unit while accruing direct (e.g., trophy conservation measures for carnivores, the importance of hunting, employment) and/or indirect (e.g., building of long-term monitoring, and the need to replicate this study clinics) benefits (NACSO, 2015). Approximately 42% of the across Namibia and elsewhere. total land in Namibia is under some form of conservation, including 6 and 20% in freehold and communal conser- vancies, respectively (NACSO, 2015). Thus, conservancies 2 | METHODS have been critical in transforming the Namibian landscape into a conservation-oriented country, and they can play a 2.1 | Study area significant role in preventing further population declines of large carnivores. Camera-trapping surveys were located in the Waterberg A critical aspect of conservancies is the promotion of Conservancy in north-central Namibia in the Otjozondjupa sustainable wildlife management practices informed by region (202805600S17202400E, Figure 1). The area is semi- long-term population monitoring. Monitoring is con- arid with annual rainfall of 400–500 mm concentrated dur- ducted through indices (e.g., counts at waterholes and ing the summer season (November to February) (Barnard, track counts) and direct observations (e.g., distance sam- 1998). The study area is an unfenced, free-movement area pling) (NACSO, 2015), but these techniques are often characterized by thornbush and tree and woodland savanna inappropriate for monitoring carnivores such as cheetah vegetation (Geiss, 1971) where bush encroachment was unless they are calibrated (Funston et al., 2010). Addi- prevalent (Barnard, 1998). Primary land use practices tionally, cheetahs are wide-ranging, elusive and occur at include livestock (cattle and small stock) farming and wild- low densities (Marker, Fabiano, & Nghikembua, 2008) life ranching, including fenced game farms, eco-tourism making monitoring challenging. Thus, there is a lack of and trophy hunting (Marker-Kraus et al., 1996). The area information on trends in cheetah abundance and density supports a diversity of ungulates, most of which are at all spatial scales (local or regional) in Namibia and included in the cheetah diet including kudu (Tragelaphus across its range (but see Durant et al., 2011). strepsiceros), eland (Taurotragus oryx), springbok (Anti- Remote camera traps are often employed to obtain dorcas marsupialis), steenbok (Raphicerus campestris), scrub individual encounter data for species with individually hare (Lepus saxatilis), oryx (Oryx gazella), red hartebeest identifiable pelage patterns, such as cheetahs. These data (Alcelaphus buselaphus), warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) can be used to generate spatially explicit density estimates and springhare (Pedetes capensis). Carnivores in the study FABIANO ET AL. 235 area sympatric with the cheetah include black-backed radius of a female cheetah in the study (Marker, Dickman, jackal (Canis mesomelas), brown hyaena (Hyaena brunnea), Mills, Jeo, & Macdonald, 2008). Additionally, historical daily caracal
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Wily and Courageous Red Fox: Behavioural Analysis of a Mesopredator at Resource Points Shared by an Apex Predator
    animals Article The Wily and Courageous Red Fox: Behavioural Analysis of a Mesopredator at Resource Points Shared by an Apex Predator Eamonn Wooster *, Arian D. Wallach and Daniel Ramp Centre for Compassionate Conservation, University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia; [email protected] (A.D.W.); [email protected] (D.R.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 21 September 2019; Accepted: 31 October 2019; Published: 4 November 2019 Simple Summary: The red fox is one of the Earth’s most widespread mammalian predators. Human globalisation has further expanded its range, so that today they are found on most continents. Despite their abundance, knowledge of fox behaviour remains limited. Most studies have observed foxes either in captivity or in their native range where both they and their predators are killed by humans. We conducted a behavioural study on foxes outside of their native range in Australia, at a unique location where all wildlife are protected. We developed an ethogram to explore fox behaviour at resource points shared with a potentially deadly apex predator, the dingo. We were surprised to find that foxes were in a confident state more often than in a cautious state, even leaving territorial markings over those of dingoes. One possible explanation for the confidence of foxes is that the social stability of both foxes and dingoes makes their world more predictable. Abstract: The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a widespread and ecologically significant terrestrial mesopredator, that has expanded its range with human globalisation. Despite this, we know relatively little about their behaviour under the wide range of ecological conditions they experience, particularly how they navigate the risk of encounters with apex predators.
    [Show full text]
  • Variation of Parasite Burden Within the European Badger
    Variation of parasite burden within the European badger (Meles meles): the effect of season, habitat, body condition, gender & age on the prevalence of Eimeria melis and Capillaria Submitted by Elizabeth Rosemarie Anne Cottrell to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Master of Science by Research in Biosciences in October 2011 This thesis is available for library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. I certify that all material in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has been previously submitted and approved for the award of a degree by this or any other University. Signature………………………………………………………………….. E. R. A. Cottrell MSc by Research in Biosciences – Wildlife Disease Management Table of Contents Research Project – Variation of parasite burden within the European badger (Meles meles): the effect of season, habitat, body condition, gender & age on the prevalence of Eimeria melis and Capillaria....................................................................................................1 Introduction...................................................................................................................2 Materials and Methods.................................................................................................7 Results..........................................................................................................................10 Discussion....................................................................................................................12
    [Show full text]
  • Saleh MA, Helmy I, Giegengack R. 2001. the Cheetah, (Acinonyx Jubatus, Schreber 1776) in Egypt (Felidae, Acinonychinae)
    Saleh MA, Helmy I, Giegengack R. 2001. The cheetah, (Acinonyx jubatus, Schreber 1776) in Egypt (Felidae, Acinonychinae). Mammalia 65(2):177-94. Keywords: 1EG/Acinonyx jubatus/cheetah/conservation measure/human impact/illegal hunting/ morphology/prey/Qattara Depression/status Abstract: Field survey of known and potential cheetah habitats in the northern sector of the Egyptian Western Desert was carried out to collect data on the present distribution and status of that animal in Egypt. Data were also gathered on the ecological characteristics of present cheetah habitats and the status of known and potential cheetah prey species in the area. Impacts of human activities on the cheetah, and on its preys and habitats were also investigated. The results show that the cheetah has disappeared from most of its former range in the northern part of the Egyptian Western Desert. Its entire population has been reduced to what appears to be few individuals confined to a highly inaccessible area in the northern and western parts of the Qattara Depression. These individuals appear to be essentially nomadic, roaming over a vast area of the desert in search of prey. Habitats presently occupied by the cheetah in Egypt include uninhabited oasis depressions within the Qattara Depression. Large groves of Acacia raddiana west and southwest of these habitats appear to be regularly visited by cheetahs. The survey also showed that gazelles, which constitute an important cheetah prey item, have been largely exterminated throughout the study area as a result of uncontrolled illegal hunting with the exception of a small population which still survives in the western part of the Qattara Depression.
    [Show full text]
  • Cranial Morphology of Five Felids: Acinonyx Jubatus, Panthera Onca, Panthera Pardus, Puma Concolor, Uncia Uncia
    Russian J. Theriol. 11(2): 157170 © RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF THERIOLOGY, 2012 Cranial morphology of five felids: Acinonyx jubatus, Panthera onca, Panthera pardus, Puma concolor, Uncia uncia Margaret E. Sims ABSTRACT. Felid skulls often appear as evidence in wildlife forensic casework at the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory (NFWFL). Five species commonly seen in U.S.-imported trophy shipments include cheetah, jaguar, leopard, puma, and snow leopard. Because these species are given different levels of protection under federal, state, and international law, an effective prosecution requires species-level identification. There is limited comparative morphological information available to identify these skulls to species when country of origin is unknown. The purpose of the project was twofold: 1) to research species- specific characteristics that will differentiate five species of medium-sized felids based on skull morpholo- gy and 2) to develop identification aids to help wildlife law enforcement officers distinguish mid-size cat skulls. A visual comparison of qualitative non-metric features, such as the shape of the ectotympanic process and the expression of canine grooves, is sufficient to distinguish the five species. A flowchart and identification guide were developed to assist law enforcement officers in identifications when measuring devices cannot be used, especially when conducting undercover investigations. KEY WORDS: cranial morphology, skull, Felidae, wildlife forensics. Margaret E. Sims [[email protected]], National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, 1490 East Main Street, Ashland, OR 97520. USA. Ìîðôîëîãèÿ ÷åðåïà ïÿòè âèäîâ êîøà÷üèõ: Acinonyx jubatus, Panthera onca, Panthera pardus, Puma concolor, Uncia uncia Ì.Å. Ñèìñ ÐÅÇÞÌÅ.  ïðàêòèêå Íàöèîíàëüíîé êðèìèíàëèñòè÷åñêîé ëàáîðàòîðèè ðûáîëîâñòâà è äèêîé ïðè- ðîäû (NFWFL) ÷åðåïà êîøà÷üèõ ÷àñòî ôèãóðèðóþò â êà÷åñòâå óëèê â ñóäåáíûõ äåëàõ ïî âîïðîñàì îõðàíû ïðèðîäû.
    [Show full text]
  • Cheetah Acinonyx Jubatus WIDELY KNOWN AS the PLANET’S FASTEST LAND ANIMAL, the CHEETAH IS ALSO the LEAST DANGEROUS BIG CAT
    Photo by: Craig Taylor For more information visit Panthera.org visit more information For Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus WIDELY KNOWN AS THE PLANET’S FASTEST LAND ANIMAL, THE CHEETAH IS ALSO THE LEAST DANGEROUS BIG CAT. TODAY, THERE ARE ESTIMATED TO BE ONLY 7,100 CHEETAHS LEFT IN THE WILD – AND THEIR FUTURE REMAINS UNCERTAIN. CHEETAH CONSERVATION STATUS 91% 79% Cheetahs have vanished from approximately 90 79% OF ALL CHEETAH POPULATIONS percent of their historic range in Africa, and are CONTAIN 100 OR FEWER INDIVIDUALS extinct in Asia except for a single, isolated popula- tion of perhaps 50 individuals in central Iran. POPULATION There are estimated to be only 7,100 cheetahs left in the wild, and their future re- mains uncertain across their range. CURRENT HISTORIC Cheetah Range Cheetah Range Cheetahs are listed as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, but after a recent study revealed significant population declines, scientists are calling for cheetahs to be uplisted to “Endangered.” In North Africa and Asia, they are considered “Critically Threats to Endangered.” the Cheetah SAVING THE CHEETAH Panthera’s Cheetah Program aims to protect cheetahs by addressing direct threats to them, their prey base, and their habitats. To do this, Panthera gathers critical eco- 1 Cheetahs are frequently killed by farmers, either preemptively or in logical data by surveying and monitoring populations and their prey, collaborating retaliation for livestock predation, with local law enforcement officials and partners, and working with local communi- even though the actual damage they ties to mitigate conflict and create cheetah-positive landscapes within communities.
    [Show full text]
  • The Endangerment and Conservation of Cheetahs (Acinonyx Jubatus), Leopards (Panthera Pardus), Lions (Panthera Leo), and Tigers (Panthera Tigris) in Africa and Asia
    The endangerment and conservation of cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), leopards (Panthera pardus), lions (Panthera leo), and tigers (Panthera tigris) in Africa and Asia Britney Johnston * B.S. Candidate, Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Stanislaus, 1 University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382 Received 17 April, 2018; accepted 15 May 2018 Abstract Increasing habitat depletion, habitat degradation, and overhunting in Africa and Asia have resulted in the designation of the four largest species of felid (cheetah, leopard, lion, tiger) as vulnerable or endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Scientists interested in understanding and potentially slowing the disappearance of these species need access to causal factors, the past and current range of each species, the life history, and importance of conservation. This article presents one such resource with all of this information compiled in a place that Is easy for people to get to. The primary target of this article is educators but will be useful to anyone interested in these species, their current state, and their future peril. Keywords: cheetah, leopard, lion, tiger, endangered species, conservation, Old World, big cats, habitat Introduction world with some species programs. These steps are used to analyze whether or not a species is in danger and are Conservationism is a common term heard in many then used to halt the decline and reverse it. The first is settings in the modern world, implying that an effort to population decline; this is the obvious decline in a conserve species needs to be made and enforced. population that incites a need for a change to be made.
    [Show full text]
  • The Red Fox Applied Animal Behaviour Science
    Author's personal copy Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116 (2009) 260–265 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Applied Animal Behaviour Science journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/applanim Feeding enrichment in an opportunistic carnivore: The red fox Claudia Kistler a,*, Daniel Hegglin b, Hanno Wu¨ rbel c, Barbara Ko¨nig a a Zoologisches Institut, Universita¨tZu¨rich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zu¨rich, Switzerland b SWILD, Urban Ecology & Wildlife Research, Wuhrstrasse 12, CH-8003 Zu¨rich, Switzerland c Division of Animal Welfare and Ethology, Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Giessen, D-35392 Giessen, Germany ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: In captive carnivores, species-specific behaviour is often restricted by inadequate feeding Received 18 November 2007 regimens. Feeding live prey is not feasible in most places and food delivery is often Received in revised form 9 September 2008 highly predictable in space and time which is considerably different from the situation in Accepted 16 September 2008 the wild. As a result, captive carnivores are often inactive, show little behavioural Available online 4 November 2008 diversity and are prone to behavioural problems such as stereotypic pacing. Using artificial feeding devices to substitute for natural food resources is a way to address these Keywords: problems. In a group of four red fox (Vulpes vulpes), we compared a conventional feeding Environmental enrichment method to four different methods through the use of feeding enrichment that were Feeding enrichment Foraging based on natural foraging strategies of opportunistic carnivores. Feeding enrichments Red fox consisted of electronic feeders delivering food unpredictable in time which were Vulpes vulpes successively combined with one of the three additional treatments: a self-service food Animal welfare box (allowing control over access to food), manually scattering food (unpredictable in Behavioural diversity space), and an electronic dispenser delivering food unpredictably both in space and time.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of Feeding Enrichment on Behavioral Measures of Welfare in Four Bear Species
    THE EFFECTS OF FEEDING ENRICHMENT ON BEHAVIORAL MEASURES OF WELFARE IN FOUR BEAR SPECIES by JASON DANIEL WAGMAN Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Department of Biology CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY August, 2015 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES We hereby approve the thesis of _______________Jason Wagman________________ candidate for the degree of _________Master of Science__________. _____________Mandi Wilder Schook, PhD____________ (chair of the committee) _________________ Kristen E. Lukas, PhD_____________ _______________ Pam Dennis, DVM, PhD_____________ _________________Mark Willis, PhD_________________ _________March 19, 2015__________ *We also certify that written approval has been obtained for any proprietary material contained therein. To my parents, for loving me like only parents can, for always taking me to zoos, for instilling in me a passion for wildlife, and for some wonderful times in wild places. To my wife. For saying yes at a crazy time in our lives, and for giving so much love during some of the most difficult times in our lives. I couldn’t have done it without you. i Table of Contents List of Tables ……………………………………………………………………………. iii List of Figures ………………………………………………………………………….... iv Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………..v List of Abbreviations …………………………………………………………………… vii Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………... viii Introduction …………………………………………………………………………….... 1 1. Animal Welfare ……………………………………………………………..… 1 1.1 Definition of Welfare ………………………………………………... 1 1.2 Animal Welfare in Zoos….…………………………………..……….. 2 1.3 Behavioral Evaluations of Animal Welfare ...…………………….….. 3 1.4 Using Behavioral Data to Inform and Assess Improvements in Animal Welfare …………………………………………………………...…...6 2. Bear Biology and Behavior ……..…………………………………………….. 7 2.1 Behavior in the Wild ………...…………………………………….… 7 2.2 Behavior in Zoos ….………………………………...……....……..... 10 2.3Effects of the Environment on Behavior and Welfare ……...………..
    [Show full text]
  • Human–Black Bear Conflicts
    HUMAN–BLACK BEAR CONFLICTS A REVIEW OF COMMON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Carl W. Lackey Stewart W. Breck Brian F. Wakeling Bryant White HUMAN-WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS MONOGRAPH NUMBER 2 Human-Wildlife Interactions: Monograph 2. A publication of the Jack H. Berryman Institute Press, Wildland Resources Department, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We are indebted to a large number of people and organizations for their support of this publication and their assistance in bringing it to fruition, including Richard Beausoleil (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), Jeremy Hurst (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation), and Carole Stanko (New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife). We would also like to thank Reid DeWalt, Mark Vieira, Melanie Kaknes, Casey Westbrook (Colorado Parks and Wildlife), Heather Reich (Nevada Department of Wildlife), and Tom Decker (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) for reviewing this document. This document was requested, reviewed, and endorsed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). Significant portions of this document were drawn with permission from the North East Black Bear Technical Committee’s 2012 document, An Evaluation of Black Bear Management Options (Hurst et al. 2012), which in turn drew upon several state and provincial black bear management plans across North America. We express our gratitude to all fellow bear managers in North America for their willingness to share this valuable information. Members of the AFWA ad hoc Human–Black Bear Conflicts Task Force include: Richard Beausoleil (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), Stewart W. Breck (USDA-WS-National Wildlife Research Center), Michael Boudreau (Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources), Maria Davidson (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries), Jeremy Hurst (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation), Carl W.
    [Show full text]
  • Challenges in Estimating Size and Conservation of Black Bear in West-Central Florida
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of Kentucky University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Master's Theses Graduate School 2004 CHALLENGES IN ESTIMATING SIZE AND CONSERVATION OF BLACK BEAR IN WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA Joshua Hager Brown University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Brown, Joshua Hager, "CHALLENGES IN ESTIMATING SIZE AND CONSERVATION OF BLACK BEAR IN WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA" (2004). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 283. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/283 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT OF THESIS CHALLENGES IN ESTIMATING SIZE AND CONSERVATION OF BLACK BEAR IN WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA The Greater Chassahowitkza Ecosystem black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) population of west-central Florida is likely to be the smallest documented population of the species. It has experienced almost no recruitment since 1997 and exhibits behavior that appears to be a response to human activities. The local diet is dominated by the fruit of saw palmetto and sabal palm, species that exhibit patchy distributions and irregular mast production. These food supplies are often separated by busy highways that have killed 6 bears since 1997, 21% of known individuals. Motion-activated camera surveys suggest that the bear population is declining in this rapidly urbanizing part of Florida; results of the 2002 survey estimated 28 " 18 bears in the GCE, while 2003 estimates recorded 12 " 7 individuals (Lincoln-Petersen).
    [Show full text]
  • Asiatic Cheetah
    Cheetah 1 Cheetah Cheetah[1] Temporal range: Late Pliocene to Recent Conservation status [2] Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1) Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Acinonyx Species: A. jubatus Binomial name Acinonyx jubatus (Schreber, 1775) Type species Acinonyx venator Brookes, 1828 (= Felis jubata, Schreber, 1775) by monotypy Subspecies See text. Cheetah 2 The range of the cheetah The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large-sized feline (family Felidae) inhabiting most of Africa and parts of the Middle East. The cheetah is the only extant member of the genus Acinonyx, most notable for modifications in the species' paws. As such, it is the only felid with non-retractable claws and pads that, by their scope, disallow gripping (therefore cheetahs cannot climb vertical trees, although they are generally capable of reaching easily accessible branches). The cheetah, however, achieves by far the fastest land speed of any living animal—between 112 and 120 km/h (70 and 75 mph)[3] [4] in short bursts covering distances up to 500 m (1600 ft), and has the ability to accelerate from 0 to over 100 km/h (62 mph) in three seconds.[5] Etymology The word "cheetah" is derived from the Sanskrit word citrakāyaḥ, meaning "variegated", via the Hindi चीता cītā.[6] Genetics and classification The genus name, Acinonyx, means "no-move-claw" in Greek, while the species name, jubatus, means "maned" in Latin, a reference to the mane found in cheetah cubs. The cheetah has unusually low genetic variability. This is accompanied by a very low sperm count, motility, and deformed flagella.[7] Skin grafts between unrelated cheetahs illustrate the former point in that there is no rejection of the donor skin.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Copper and Vitamin a Deficiencies Leading To
    Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2014, 5, 1978-1990 Published Online October 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/fns http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/fns.2014.520209 The Role of Copper and Vitamin A Deficiencies Leading to Neurological Signs in Captive Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and Lions (Panthera leo) in the United Arab Emirates Claudia Kaiser1,2, Ulrich Wernery1, Jörg Kinne1, Laurie Marker3, Annette Liesegang2,4 1Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2Institute of Animal Nutrition, Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland 3Cheetah Conservation Fund, Farm Elandsvreugde #367, Otjiwarongo, Namibia 4Center for Applied Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland Email: [email protected] Received 24 August 2014; revised 20 September 2014; accepted 25 September 2014 Copyright © 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Abstract Neurological signs like ataxia and hind limb paresis have often been reported in cheetahs (Aci- nonyx jubatus), lions (Panthera leo) and snow leopards (Panthera unica). As a cause, copper and Vitamin A deficiencies have been discussed. Many cases were seen in cheetahs and lions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the last years. The aim of this study was to find correlations between nutrition, serum, and tissue levels, focusing on copper and Vitamin A. Blood and tissue samples of affected and unaffected animals were analyzed at the Central Veterinary Research La- boratory in Dubai, UAE. Animals were split into three different groups (A, B and C) according to their diets.
    [Show full text]