Browsing by Subject "Wild boar"

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    Detection of Stephanurus dentatus in wild boar urine using different parasitological techniques
    (Elsevier, 2021-04-15) Fernández Vizcaíno, Elena; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Moratal, Samantha; Barroso, Patricia; Vicente Baños, Joaquín; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
    Stephanurus dentatus is a nematode that parasitizes the urinary tract of domestic and wild Suidae, especially in tropical areas. However, there is a lack of information about stephanurosis in wild boar (Sus scrofa), thus making it necessary to develop sensitive techniques with which to diagnose this pathogen in order to carry out further research. In Spain, the high prevalence of this nematode has been evidenced in Do˜nana National Park (DNP). The objective of the present work is twofold. The first is to compare the efficacy of three parasitological techniques to detect S. dentatus eggs in the urine of infected wild boar: (i) gravity sedimentation, (ii) sedimentation by centrifugation, and (iii) flotation techniques, while the second is to determine whether the quantification of eggs can serve as an indicative value of the host’s parasite intensity. In order to accomplish these purposes, 27 wild boars from DNP were necropsied, and the urinary system of each animal was examined in order to determine parasite intensity. While all the aforementioned techniques can be used to detect eggs in urine, the most effective in terms of egg quantification are sedimentation by gravity and by centrifugation, as they allow a greater number of S. dentatus eggs to be detected. However, none of the results obtained with these techniques significantly correlated with the number of adult nematodes parasitizing the host, signifying that counts in urine can provide guidance on only the parasite intensity of wild boar.
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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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    Harmonization of the use of hunting statistics for wild boar density estimation in different study areas: report based on comparison of case studies in different wild boar populations representative of the different management and habitat conditions across Europe.
    (Wiley, 2019-08-29) ENETWILD-consortium; Vicente, Joaquín; Palencia, Pablo; Plhal, Radim; Blanco Aguiar, José Antonio; Laguna, Eduardo; Soriguer, Ramón; Fernández López, Javier; Podgórski, Tomasz; Petrović, Karolina; Apollonio, Marco; Scandura, Massimo; Ferroglio, Ezio; Zanet, Stefania; Brivio, Fracesca; Keuling, Oliver; Smith, Graham C.; Guibert, Miguel; Villanua, Diego; Rosell, Carme; Colomer, Joana; Armenteros, Jose Ángel; González Quirós, Pablo; Hernández Palacios, Orencio; Ferreres, Javier; Torres, José Antonio; Pareja, Pablo; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Fafián, José Antonio; Escribano, Fernando; Esteve, Carles; Acevedo Lavandera, Pelayo; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
    Hunting statistics can be suitable to determine wild boar density estimates if a calibration with an accepted rigorous method is performed. Here, densities calculated from drive counts during collective drive hunting activities are compared against density values calculated by camera trapping using the random encounter method. For this purpose, we selected 10 study sites in Spain, from North to South representing a diversity of habitats, management and hunting traditions without artificial feeding, plus one study site in Czech Republic where artificial feeding was practiced. Density values estimated from both drive counts and camera trapping were strongly positively correlated (R2=0.84 and 0.87 for linear and non-linear models, respectively) and showed a good agreement. Drive counts data might be therefore used as a density estimate to calibrate models for estimating density in large areas and potentially, to compare densities among areas. For these purposes, there is still the need to harmonise hunting data collection across Europe to make them usable at a large scale. Our results need to be confirmed across a wider number of European populations to provide valid geographical wild boar density predictions across Europe.
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    High prevalence and intensity of Stephanurus dentatus in a population of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in south western Spain
    (Elsevier, 2018) Moratal, Samantha; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Barroso, Patricia; Granados, José Enrique; Höfle, Úrsula; Martínez Carrasco-Pleite, Carlos; Acevedo, Pelayo; Vicente, Joaquín; Sanidad Animal
    In the period from October 2016 to February 2017, the urinary tracts of 390 wild boar (Sus scrofa) from four areas of south central Spain (102 from Doñana National Park; 150 from Sierra Morena and the Toledo Mountains; 84 from Sierra Nevada; 54 from Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park) were examined for the presence of adult specimens of Stephanurus dentatus (Nematoda: Strongyloidea). This parasite was only detected in the wild boar population of Doñana National Park, with high prevalence (76.5 ± 4.2%; 78/102), mean intensity (43.2 ± 4.4) and mean abundance (33.1 ± 3.8). Juvenile wild boar had significantly lower prevalence and abundance than subadult and adult wild boar. The intensity of infestation was significantly higher in male than in female wild boar. The detection of a focus of S. dentatus infestation in the wild boar population in Doñana National Park will provide further opportunities for understanding the epidemiology of this parasite.
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    Salmonella seroprevalence in wild boar from Southeast Spain depends on host population density
    (Elsevier , 2020-08-01) Ortega Hernández, Nieves; Fanelli, Angela; Serrano, Alfonso; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Escribano, Fernando; Tizzani, Paolo; Candela, Monica G.; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
    Salmonellosis is the second most prevalent zoonosis in Europe and it has considerable economic and health implications for its monitoring and control as well as being among the most prevalent pathogens on livestock farms. The wild boar (Sus scrofa) has been identified as a competent host and spreader of Salmonella spp. There has been a significant increase in wild boar population in Europe in recent decades, and it is even present in urban areas. This study evaluates the spatial distribution of the seroprevalence of Salmonella spp. in wild boar from Murcia (Southeast Spain) and its relationship with host-related risk factors (sex, age, location and density). The presence of antibodies against S. Typhimurium and Choleraesuis in 269 serum of wild boars hunted in Murcia between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed using a commercial ELISA test (PrioCHECK porcine Salmonella kit). The seroprevalence were spatially distributed using Kernel function, and wild boar density using Gaussian kernel estimates (spatialEco version 1.1.1). The risk function was estimated as the ratio between the intensity of positive samples and the wild boar density The overall seroprevalence was 19.3% (IC95% 16.9–21.8), showing a significant spatial aggregation. The highest seroprevalence detected was 51.8% (IC95% 42.2–61.5) in a specific area with high risk of infection (76–100%) and was related to the wild boar density. Only marginal differences were detected for sex and age. The use of ELISA combined with QGIS (version 3.6.0) has allowed the identification of areas of Salmonella occurrence associated with high density as risk factor.
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    Vigilancia activa de la tuberculosis bovina (Mycobacterium bovis) en poblaciones de jabalíes (sus scrofa) de Andalucía (España)
    (Universidad de Murcia, 2015) Cubero Pablo, María José; Miralles, A.; Rayas, E.; Zorrilla, I.; Rodríguez, E.; Camacho, L.; Gómez-Guillamón, F; Sales, M.R
    El jabalí está considerado como una de las especies cinegéticas más importantes en España y en las últimas décadas ha incrementado notablemente la densidad poblacional. El Programa de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de la fauna silvestre en Andalucía (PVE) se puso en marcha en septiembre del 2009, con el objetivo de determinar el estado sanitario de las especies silvestres y detectar la aparición de enfermedades. La tuberculosis bovina, causada por Mycobacterium bovis, es una enfermedad infecciosa extendida por todo el mundo, que afecta a un amplio rango de hospedadores (seres humanos, ganado doméstico y fauna silvestre) y el jabalí ha sido considerado como un reservorio natural de la tuberculosis. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: (1) determinar la prevalencia de la tuberculosis bovina en las poblaciones de jabalíes en Andalucía y (2) conocer los principales factores de riesgo asociados con la infección por Mycobacterium bovis en esta especie. Se analizaron 190 ejemplares de jabalí (Sus scrofa) abatidos en 11 áreas cinegéticas de Andalucía durante 2009 a 2011. En el estudio serológico retrospectivo utilizamos la técnica ELISA indirecta (Vacunek®). Hemos obtenido una elevada prevalencia (38%, 72/190) de infección tuberculosa y se han encontrado individuos seropositivos en todas las áreas cinegéticas muestreadas y en todas las provincias andaluzas, lo que indica que la infección por M. bovis es endémica en las poblaciones de jabalí de Andalucía. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las distintas áreas cinegéticas, detectándose mayor prevalencia en Sierras Sur de Jaén (55%, 10/18) y en Marisma (51%,17/33). Las muestras del área cinegética Sierras Sur de Jaén procedían de cotos de caza privados, por lo que la alta prevalencia obtenida podría ser consecuencia de los actuales sistemas de gestión cinegética. En el área cinegética “Marisma”, que incluye el Espacio Natural Protegido de Doñana, la prevalencia de infección por Mycobacterium bovis fue superior en la zona norte, donde la densidad poblacional de jabalíes es mayor, y disminuye hacia la zona sur. Los jabalíes juveniles presentaron significativamente (p<0.05) mayor prevalencia (62%, 10/16) que los adultos (29%, 38/128) y sub-adultos (52%, 24/46). Aunque no se observaron diferencias significativas entre sexos, se detectó mayor prevalencia en las hembras (41%, 39/95) que en los machos (34%, 33/95). La prevalencia estimada en el año 2010 (42%, 30/71) resultó significativamente (p<0.05) mayor que en el año 2009 (7%, 1/15) y fue ligeramente inferior en el 2011 (39%, 41/104). La elevada seroprevalencia frente a Mycobacterium bovis detectada en las poblaciones analizadas en el periodo 2009 a 2011 indica que del jabalí actúa como reservorio natural de la tuberculosis en los ecosistemas mediterráneos andaluces lo que va a dificultar el avance favorable de los programas de erradicación en los animales domésticos.
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    Wild boar density data generated by camera trapping in nineteen European areas
    (Wiley, 2022-03-17) ENETWILD-consortium; Acevedo, P.; Aleksovski, V.; Apollonio, M.; Berdión, O.; Blanco-Aguiar, J.A.; Río Alonso, Laura del; Ertürk, A.; Fajdiga, L.; Escribano, F.; Ferroglio, E.; Gruychev, G.; Gutiérrez, I.; Häberlein, V.; Hoxha, B; Kavčić, K.; Keuling, O.; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Palencia, P.; Pereira, P.; Plhal, R.; Plis, K.; Podgórski, T.; Ruiz, C.; Scandura, M.; Santos, J.; Sereno, J.; Sergeyev, A.; Shakun, V.; Soriguer, R.; Soyumert, A.; Sprem, N.; Stoyanov, S.; Smith, G.C.; Trajçe, A.; Urbani, N.; Zanet, S.; Vicente, J.; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
    This report presents the results of field activities in relation to the generation of reliable wild boar density values by camera trapping (CT) in 19 areas in Europe, mainly in East Europe. Random Encounter Model (REM) densities ranged from 0.35±0.24 to 15.25±2.41 (SE) individuals/km2. No statistical differences in density among bioregions were found. The number of contacts was the component of the trapping rate that determined the coefficient of variation (CV) the most. The daily range (DR) significantly varied as a function of management; the higher values were detected in hunting grounds compared to protected areas, indicating that movement parameters are population specific, and confirming the potential role of hunting activities in increasing wild boar movement and contact rates among individual or groups. The results presented in this report illustrate that a harmonized approach to actual wildlife density estimation (namely for terrestrial mammals) is possible at a European scale, sharing the same protocols, collaboratively designing the study, processing, and analysing the data. This report adds reliable wild boar density values that have the potential to be used for wild boar abundance spatial modelling, both directly or to calibrate outputs of model based on abundance (such as hunting bags) or occurrence data. Future REM developments should focus on improving the precision of estimates (probably through increased survey effort). Next steps require an exhaustive and representative design of a monitoring network to estimate reliable trends of wild boar populations as a function of different factors in Europe. In this regard, the newly created European Observatory of Wildlife will be a network of observation points provided by collaborators from all European countries capable to monitor wildlife population at European level.
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    Wild ungulate density data generated by camera trapping in 37 European areas: first output of the European Observatory of Wildlife (EOW)
    (Wiley, 2023-03-27) 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, aims to improve the European capacity for monitoring wildlife populations, implementing international standards for data collection, providing guidance on wildlife density estimation, and finally, to promote collaborative, open data networks to develop wildlife monitoring, initially focusing on terrestrial wild mammals. This report presents density estimates for species that are widely distributed (wild boar (Sus scrofa), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus)) by following a standardised camera trapping (CT) protocol, in 48 areas from 28 different countries in Europe, during 2022. Density values are provided for 37 areas from 20 countries, while an additional 9 locations from 8 countries are currently completing the data analysis. The EOW involved different stakeholders over most European countries, which resulted for the first time in a number of reliable (known precision) wild ungulate density estimates, from areas representing different European bioregions. These estimates are the result of a collaborative effort from the network to apply practical systematic and rigorous protocols. The results presented from the first pilot campaign of the EOW cannot be used to accurately describe wildlife population gradients and trends at European level but can be used as first baseline data for future trend analyses. Our results show data gaps, but also provide relevant insights into some of the main drivers of demographic evolution of wild ungulate populations in Europe. We will expand and improve the EOW in the future to include more representative sites. The Agouti app, including photogrammetry methods to estimate CT detection zone size and animal speed of movement using a computer vision process proved useful to reduce the workload and to improve objectivity of measurements for REM method. We discuss the results obtained by the 2022 campaign in relation to the specific objectives of the EOW and propose the next steps.