Browsing by Subject "Camera trapping"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Does forest structure influence the abundance of predators and habitat competitors of the endangered Pyrenean capercaillie?
    (MDPI, 2025-07-01) Moreno, Adrian; Navarro, Inmaculada; Chamizo, Rubén; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Sánchez García, Carlos; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
    The Pyrenean capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus) is a forest obligate grouse that has experienced a marked population decline in recent decades owing to the lack of optimal habitats. However, the effect of forest structure on potential predators and habitat competitors has not been well-studied. We conducted a camera-trapping study at three conservation areas in Huesca province (northeastern Spain), which were classified as ‘optimal’, ‘favorable’, and ‘unfavorable’ based on habitat suitability for the capercaillie. This study was conducted for 3417 days at a total of 130 camera locations in autumn–winter and spring–summer, capturing 8757 valid photos. In total, 36 different species were recorded. The most frequently detected species were Southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica; 32.6%), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus; 18%), wild boar (Sus scrofa; 9.6%), red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris; 6.1%), mustelids (5.6%), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes; 4.8%). Capercaillies were photographed in the optimal and favorable habitat areas. Nest predators, such as mustelids and red fox, were more frequently detected in the favorable area during autumn–winter and in the optimal area in spring–summer, while corvids were more frequently detected in the unfavorable habitat area during both periods. No clear pattern was found for wild boar (nest predator and habitat competitor) or cervids (competitors). As capercaillie coexist with a wide range of predators and competitors, and habitat structure may not always explain species relative abundance, factors such as disturbance and food resources should be also taken into account when aiming to develop targeted management for the benefit of the capercaillie.
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    Generating wildlife density data across Europe in the framework of the European Observatory of Wildlife (EOW)
    (Wiley, 2024-10-30) Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; ENETWILD-consortium "et.al."; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
    The European Observatory of Wildlife EOW, as part of the ENETWILD project, represents a collaborative network that has been operating since 2021 to develop and implement standardized protocols to obtain harmonized data on distribution and density of target mammal species. In so doing, the EOW aims at contributing to improving the quality of data that are available for wildlife management and risk assessment on a European scale. This report describes the activities carried out during the 2023 EOW campaign, which was joined by a total of 30 organizations who committed to collect data in 44 sites across 22 different countries. We present data on the distribution and density of three species – wild boar (Sus scrofa), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) – obtained by implementing a camera trapping protocol and by fitting the random encounter model (REM) for density estimation. Camera-trap images were processed using the Agouti platform and some of its tools specifically designed for the management of camera trapping projects. This includes the use of photogrammetry to obtain parameters for the REM directly from the sequences of images. A total of 24 EOW sites were monitored in past years as well, providing multiannual density estimates and population trends and highlighting an improvement in the precision of the estimates, related to the improved study design and protocol implementation. We also describe the activities of the 2024 campaign, carried out as part of ENETWILD 2.0, where big efforts were made to expand the network, focusing on sites at risk of African Swine Fever, with wild boar/pig interactions and containing wetlands, as potential hubs for Avian Influenza. This effort resulted in the engagement of 40 participants monitoring 64 study sites (27 countries), including 28 study sites located either in infected areas or <100km from the ASF frontline, and 25 sites with wetland habitats. Furthermore, in at least 20 sites pig farming is practised either intensively, extensively or as backyard farming. Finally, synergies were established with other international initiatives related to wildlife monitoring and disease prevention, with the aim of sharing experiences and sustaining a transnational data collection and harmonization.
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    Monitoring the dynamics of consumption of ungulate game by-products in vulture feeding stations in Iberian Mediterranean ecosystems
    (Elsevier, 2023-09-23) Paniagua, Jorge; Jiménez Martín, Débora; Cano Terriza, David; Castro Scholten, Sabrina; Barbero Moyano, Jesús; Jiménez Ruiz, Saúl; García Bocanegra, Ignacio; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
    Vulture feeding stations (VFS) are strategic sites for the management of ungulate game by-products, with major implications for the conservation of obligate avian scavengers. These feeding points are designed to prevent access by facultative mammalian scavengers and to reduce the risk of trophically transmitted pathogen infection through scavenging behaviour. The aim of this study, using camera trap video recordings, was to evaluate the feeding dynamics around 32 lots of ungulate game by-products deposited in VFS in southern Spain. During the study period (2017–2022), 11 different avian and mammal scavenger species was detected. Also, many feeding events involving all scavenger species (51.1%; 362/709) and mammal scavenger species (23.4%; 166/709) was recorded. A significantly earlier presence of major obligate scavengers (Gyps fulvus and Aegypius monachus) (P = 0.023) and a lower persistence of by-products deposited (P < 0.001) were detected during October–December compared to January–March. Our results confirm that VFS play an important role in vulture conservation in Iberian Mediterranean ecosystems. However, we also point out the potential risk of VFS as hotspots of foodborne pathogens for mammal scavengers, particularly when the hunting offal persists longer. Consequently, we urge the competent authorities to update the regulations affecting VFS management, and hunting estate managers to make every effort to correctly apply those preventing scavenging mammals from gaining access to VFS. Further studies tackling access of non-target species to VFS are also warranted to properly assess the sanitary implications and geographical extent of these problems for mammal species inhabiting areas where VFS are installed.