Context. The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is one of the four species of South American camels, and is the largest native mammal inhabiting arid and semi-arid environments in South America. Although the guanaco was abundant and widely distributed in the past, currently its density and distribution range are substantially reduced, inhabiting mainly Southern Patagonia in small isolated groups. The decline in guanaco populations is most likely related to the Anthropocene defaunation process that is affecting large mammals in developing countries worldwide, but the extent and causes of these changes are not well understood.

Aims. To explore both the changes in the distribution of guanaco populations in Northwest Patagonia and the environmental and anthropic factors that shaped the distribution patterns, by employing a long-term perspective spanning from the end of the Late Holocene to present times (i.e. the last 2500 years).

Methods. We combine archaeological information, ethnohistorical records and current observations and apply Species Distribution Models using bioclimatic and anthropic factors as explanatory variables.

Key results. Guanaco spatial distribution in Northwest Patagonia changed significantly throughout time. This change consisted in the displacement of the species towards the east of the region and its disappearance from northwest Neuquén and southwest Mendoza in the last 30 years. In particular, the high-density urban settlements and roads, and secondly, competition with ovicaprine livestock (goats and sheep) for forage are the main factors explaining the change in guanaco distribution.

Conclusions. Guanaco and human populations co-existed in the same areas during the Late Holocene and historic times (16th to 19th centuries), but during the 20th century the modern anthropic impact generated a spatial dissociation between both species, pushing guanaco populations to drier and more unproductive areas that were previously peripheral in its distribution.

Implications. As with many other large mammal species in developing countries, Northwest Patagonia guanaco populations are undergoing significant changes in their range due to modern anthropic activities. Considering that these events are directly related to population declines and extirpations, together with the striking low density recorded for Northwest Patagonia guanaco populations, urgent management actions are needed to mitigate current human impacts.

Context. Small mammals are undergoing significant declines across the tropical savannas of northern Australia despite a lack of widespread land clearing. The causes of these declines remain unresolved, but a growing body of evidence suggests that the structural simplification of savannas, namely the degradation of under- and overstorey vegetation by frequent fires and high densities of exotic megaherbivores, is likely to be a significant contributing factor.

Aim. We sought to investigate how declining mammals use critical denning resources in high-biomass mesic savannas to help explain drivers of mammal decline in more open and less mesic areas and inform management priorities.

Methods. We fitted VHF/GPS collars to nine northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus), an Endangered scansorial predatory mammal, from a remnant population located on bauxite plateaus on Cape York Peninsula, Australia, to monitor their nocturnal movement patterns and den use over 1 month.

Key results. During this period, northern quolls exclusively denned in trees (either standing hollow trees or fallen logs). The most frequently used den trees tended to be larger, with pronounced trunk leans and multiple hollow entrances from 5 to 20 cm in diameter, whereas the most frequently used den logs tended to be longer and had more hollow entrances from 10 to 20 cm in diameter. All home ranges were confined to the high-biomass savanna habitat found on the bauxite plateaus, with males having a mean home range almost double the size of the mean female home range.

Conclusions. The reliance of this population of northern quolls on large hollow-bearing trees for shelter may explain the regional contraction of the northern quoll to high-biomass mesic savannas with an abundance of large trees.

Implications. These high-biomass savanna habitats, such as the bauxite plateaus found on the Cape York Peninsula, are likely to be critical for the persistence of the northern quoll, and should be appropriately protected, through management of fire and avoidance of clearing and logging.

Context. Feral cats (Felis catus) have an impact on native wildlife populations around the world but are difficult to control because of their neophobic behaviours and preference for live prey over scavenging poisoned baits. Felixers™ address these challenges by squirting poison-gel directly onto feral cats, exploiting their fastidious oral grooming tendencies to facilitate poison ingestion.

Aims. This study trialled Felixers in a landscape-scale arid-ecosystem site to assess their capacity to sustainably manage cat populations in a semi-bounded in situ predator training area and to eradicate cat incursions into a feral-free safe haven. Specifically, the aims were to determine target specificity and firing rates; optimise installation sites to exploit cat behaviour and landscape features; assess the fate of individuals following Felixer interaction; and assess the overall cost, performance and efficacy of Felixers compared with conventional cat control methods.

Methods. Up to nine Felixers were simultaneously deployed across three trial periods, spanning 30 months (4,642 trap nights) in Sturt National Park in the Strzelecki Desert dunefields of Australia. Felixers were deployed within and outside of feral-free safe havens, at varying cat densities, with populations monitored through camera-trap activity indices and individual behaviour monitored through satellite tracking.

Key results. Felixers fired at 20.3–43.9% of cats that passed in front (292 of 1,144 cats), with the remainder failing to satisfy the discriminatory algorithm’s target criteria. The devices had 99.93% target specificity from 17,425 interactions with moving animals and objects. Overall cat activity was lower in a semi-bounded 10,400 ha landscape-scale area where Felixers were intensively used, relative to an adjacent unbounded area where no cat control was occurring, over a 12-month subset of the 30-month trial. Felixers also resolved one of two incursions by cats into a 2,000 ha safe haven. Optimisation of Felixer placement and upgrading of software drove improvements in technical reliability and target identification during the trial. Shortcomings included cost and high incidence of technical faults, causing significant downtime and requiring regular investment of field staff time for monitoring and resolution.

Conclusions. Felixers provide a safe tool for cat management and eradication at intensively managed conservation sites. Efficacy could be improved through reductions in cost and improvements in reliability.

Implications. Overall Felixers appear to be an effective tool for cat management, when used in an integrated approach.

Context. Gaining a better understanding of the foraging ecology of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in different regions can improve the effectiveness of conservation and management strategies for this species. New South Wales (NSW), in eastern Australia, has been identified as a region requiring improved information on foraging ecology and habitat use by green turtles.

Aims. The aim of this study was to use stable-isotope analyses to investigate diet composition and foraging ecology of green turtles found stranded along the NSW coastline from 2018 to 2021.

Methods. This study measured δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S in macrophyte (mangrove, seagrass, and algae) samples collected along the NSW coastline, between March and June 2021, and epidermis tissue from green turtles that stranded in the same region between 2018 and 2021. In addition, stable-isotope values for animals known, or expected, to be consumed by green turtles were sourced from the literature. Macrophyte stable-isotope values were mapped to display spatial variations, then combined with literature-sourced animal matter and measured epidermis isotope values into stable-isotope mixing models. Mixing models were used to determine diet structure for each stranded green turtle, and their similarity to regional macrophyte isotope values to infer potential foraging locations.

Key results. High variation was present in δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S values of macrophyte sources along the NSW coastline, limiting the potential to infer the recent foraging locations of stranded green turtles. High δ¹⁵N values in green turtle epidermis samples indicated that most sampled turtles were feeding two to three trophic levels above primary producers within algal-based food webs. Mixing models suggested that these food webs were predominantly supported by algae (mean ± s. d. = 51.2 ± 6.1%) and animal material (31.4 ± 4.7%), with mangrove (13.4 ± 2.0%) and seagrass (4.0 ± 2.5%) representing much smaller proportions of overall diet composition.

Conclusions. The results showed that green turtles stranded along the NSW coastline feed primarily in algae-dominated food webs, with evidence of omnivory. These findings suggest that sampled individuals display diet compositions alternative to those of their Queensland counterparts, who feed primarily in seagrass-dominated habitats. Management and conservation programs in NSW should focus on limiting anthropogenic disturbances in algae-dominated habitats.

Implications. This novel finding demonstrated the importance of algae-dominated habitats for green turtle conservation and management in south-eastern Australia. The generated isoscapes are useful in examining isotopic variations in macrophytes along the NSW coastline.

Context. Understanding the spatial ecology of endangered species is important for their management. With flatback turtles (Natator depressus) Vulnerable and the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) Endangered under Australia’s EPBC Act 1999, it is important to understand their movement activity to assess exposure to threats better and appropriately manage population demographics.

Aims. Describe, quantify, and compare the foraging patterns of flatback turtles from the Arafura Sea genetic stock and olive ridley turtles from the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria (GoC) genetic stock.

Methods. Satellite telemetry was used to track post-nesting flatbacks (n = 16) and olive ridleys (n = 8) to identify foraging-activity behaviour and locations between 2013 and 2017.

Key results. Overall, core foraging home ranges showed considerable variability from strong site fidelity to extensive spatial movement (flatback: 1–1065 km², olive ridley: 2–113 km²). Foraging areas for both species were identified to cross over state and international boundaries (Torres Strait, eastern GoC, western GoC, Kakadu coast, Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and the Arafura Sea within Australia and Indonesia), with nine individuals foraging in Indonesian waters and five foraging in both Indonesian and Australian waters.

Conclusions. Flatback and olive ridley turtles in northern Australia have a large, widespread spatial distribution with varying use levels across the space. Foraging hot spots identified in this study can improve and guide the designation of biologically important areas. Inter- and intra-specific overlaps between foraging grounds were consistent with previous research, strengthening the understanding of foraging hot spots for flatbacks and olive ridleys in Indonesia and the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.

Implications. This study thus emphasises the importance of area-based management to benefit highly mobile species from multiple populations and taxa, potentially from all life-cycle phases.

Context. Wildlife agencies spend considerable effort developing comprehensive communication programs to educate various publics about chronic wasting disease (CWD). Deer hunters are important in CWD management, especially regarding surveillance and testing.

Aims. This article examined the influence of the number of years CWD had been in a state on hunters’ knowledge of the disease. Knowledge level was then related to perceived risks associated with CWD, trust in the agency responsible for managing CWD and beliefs about CWD management.

Methods. Survey data were obtained from resident deer hunters in the US states of Kansas (n = 1170), North Dakota (n = 3242) and Illinois (n = 1237). State of residence served as one independent variable. The second independent variable was knowledge of CWD. Respondents were asked eight true/false questions regarding CWD (0 = incorrect, 1 = correct). A knowledge index was created by summing the correct responses. The index was categorized as low, medium, and high knowledge. There were four multiple-item dependent variables: risk to deer, risk to humans, hunters’ trust in the CWD management agency, and beliefs about CWD management.

Key results. Kansas hunters had the highest knowledge, followed by North Dakota, then Illinois. As knowledge increased, perceived risk to humans decreased, and perceived risk to deer increased. There was a positive relationship between knowledge and trust in agency information. Across beliefs, high knowledge hunters agreed with positively worded statements and disagreed with negatively worded items more than either of the other two knowledge groups. Low knowledge respondents always reported the lowest belief scores, and the middle knowledge group was always in between the other two groups. All tests were statistically significant, but effect sizes were minimal.

Conclusions. CWD existed in Kansas for only 4 years when the study was conducted. Kansas hunters reported the highest percentage of correct knowledge questions. By comparison, the disease had existed in Illinois for 20 years; Illinois hunters reported the lowest percentage of correct responses. Knowledge is influenced by the newness of a disease. With a new disease, people attend to information campaigns. Over time, experience tempers concerns and knowledge about diseases.

Implications. Findings highlight complexities managers should consider when designing communication strategies to influence wildlife disease knowledge.

Context. Clearcutting of forests reduces food, cover, and stand structure attributes for tree squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Glaucomys sabrinus), small mustelids (Mustela richardsonii, Neogale frenata), and other mammal species. Forest restoration is urgently needed and stand thinning of second-growth forests may help restore habitats for mammals.

Aims. We tested the hypotheses that in thinned stands of second-growth lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) at 30–36 years post-thinning: (H₁) tree dimensions would be comparable to, or higher than those in uncut old-growth forest; activity of tree squirrels, weasels, and mammalian species richness would be higher in (H₂) heavily thinned than lightly thinned stands, and (H₃) higher in uncut old-growth forest than in second-growth thinned stands.

Methods. We measured stand structure attributes and activity of tree squirrels, weasels, and mammalian species richness with camera traps from 2021 to 2023 in replicated (n = 3) treatments of three densities of thinned pine stands and uncut old-growth forest in south-central British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Key results. Thinned and old-growth stands had mean tree diameters ranging from 18 to 22 cm, but mean tree heights were highest in the old-growth stands. Low-density stands tended to have large diameter crop trees with substantial crowns. There was no evidence for a difference in mean activity of T. hudsonicus and G. sabrinus, other common mammal species, and overall species richness among stands. There were more weasel detections per camera-day in the low-density and old-growth stands than other thinned stands.

Conclusions. Comparison of stand structure attributes showed partial support for H₁. There was insufficient evidence to detect biologically meaningful effects among stands in a mean index of activity for T. hudsonicus, G. sabrinus, other common mammal species, and overall species richness, and hence did not support H₂ or H₃. There was weak support for H₂ and H₃ with limited weasel activity.

Implications. Thinned second-growth stands ≤1000 stems/ha may provide habitat at least for the mammal species and post-treatment period outlined in this study. To our knowledge, this is the first convergence of managed coniferous stands (age 43 years) with old-growth forest (age 140–187 years) in terms of some components of stand structure and mammalian species richness.

Context. Fenced conservation reserves are an effective management tool for the conservation of many threatened species. However, conservation fencing is known to inadvertently affect non-target species, ranging from barrier effects to direct mortality. There is a paucity of information on the negative impacts of fencing on reptiles.

Aims. Using the woma python, a species of conservation significance, this research aimed to improve our knowledge of how reptiles interact with fences.

Methods. The spatial ecology of womas was explored in relation to fencing at the Wild Deserts project partnership site, a rabbit-, cat- and fox-proof fenced area of Sturt National Park in arid Australia. A 6-year dataset of opportunistic observations of womas at the study site were analysed for demographic, spatial and temporal patterns in woma fence interactions. Nine adult pythons were radiotracked over a year to assess space use in relation to fencing.

Key results. Twenty-two per cent of all opportunistic woma observations at the site were mortalities associated with entanglements. All 20 entanglement deaths were in 30-mm netting despite 50-mm netting comprising lower segments of 21% of the fence network. Fencing encounters were greatest in dune habitats and during summer and autumn. Fence crossings were infrequent among telemetered pythons and most encounters did not result in entanglement, with four of the nine individuals recorded to have crossed the fence successfully, despite one mortality.

Conclusions. Thirty-millimetre netting, particularly in areas of netting overlap, represents an entanglement risk to womas.

Implications. This research is applicable to the management of conservation fences and can be extended to other large snake and reptile species. The impacts of small-aperture netting on large snakes and other non-target species should be considered in the planning phases for conservation fencing and mitigation strategies should be sought in the planning phases where possible. Large-aperture netting is preferable to 30-mm netting for pythons, where exclusion of rabbits is not necessary. However, larger netting apertures may disproportionately affect other non-target species such as bearded dragons.