Search

Western societies face a major challenge to control their stray dog population due to its uncontrolled propagation and abandonment. Despite the management programmes implemented in many European countries, the reduction of the stray dog population has not been achieved. This is not only related to dogs’ well-being, but also to their coexistence with humans, especially in urban areas. Problem-solving approaches vary in different countries, as there is no common legislation in the European Community dealing with stray dog control. To realise this research study, data from secondary sources, as well as data collected from thirteen European countries were analysed. A comparative overview of policies and measures was examined to show that stray dog population management depends on the policy implicated by each country. In contrast to countries of northern Europe, signifi-cant problems were faced mainly by the countries of southern Europe and the Balkans. The purpose of this paper was to present the legal framework of management for the stray dog population in ac-cordance with what is implemented in different EU countries and to unveil the need for action for a common European Community Directive or Regulation dealing with stray dog control.

ObjectiveThis report describes our experience in electronic health record (EHR) note modification and creation of an external dashboard to create a local learning health system that contributes to quality improvement and patient care within our pediatric rheumatology clinic.MethodsWe applied quality improvement methodology to develop a more reliable and accurate system to identify patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and track important measures that aide in improving patient care and performance outcomes. From 2019 to 2021, we iteratively modified our outpatient clinic EHR note to include structured data elements to improve longitudinal monitoring. We then validated data transferred to an electronic dashboard external to the EHR and demonstrated utility for identifying an accurate patient population and tracking quality improvement initiatives.ResultsCreation of the structured data elements improved the identification of patients with JIA with >99% accuracy and without requiring manual review of the chart. Using the dashboard to monitor performance, we improved documentation of critical disease activity measures that resulted in improvement in those scores across the local population of patients with JIA. The structured data elements also enabled us to automate electronic data transfer to a multicenter learning network registry.ConclusionThe structured data element modifications made to our outpatient EHR note populate a local dashboard that allows real time access to critical information for patient care, population management, and improvement in quality metrics. The collection and monitoring of structured data can be scaled to other quality improvement initiatives in our clinic and shared with other centers.

Abstract The architectural field has performed a central mediating function in the process of formation of the Brazilian State through the formulation of mechanisms for control, ordering, and management of territories and populations. In the present article, we address three different scenarios in which architectural professional networks played a significant role: national-developmental projects implemented from the 1930s onwards; housing policies developed during the military dictatorship (1964 to 1985); strategic plans for the production of “global cities” following the redemocratization process (1985-today). From among the kaleidoscope of professional practices and meanings mobilized during these periods, we highlight situations and events that triggered the ideal types of the “creative genius”, the “engaged anti-designer” and the “entrepeneurial manager”. By analyzing the interactions between architects and public administration, we hope to contribute to the understanding of the population management technologies and business mechanisms that supported the neoliberal turn in the forms of government in Brazilian cities.

The brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba) is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil and northeastern Argentina, threatened by extinction due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and hunting. Its reduced and isolated populations dramatically decreased and suffered local extinctions after recent yellow fever outbreaks, recommending the species risk uplist from Vulnerable to Endangered. In Brazil, the species occurs along eight states in sparse populations, including some large protected areas, and is being uplisted to Endangered. Following the National Action Plan for Conservation of the Atlantic Forest Primates and the Maned-sloth, and applying the Guidelines for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations (IUCN/CTSG), the Ex Situ Guidelines (IUCN/CPSG) and the One Plan Approach (IUCN/CPSG), a workshop was held on August 2021 to evaluate the need, requisites and roles of an integrated Population Management Program for A. guariba. Such program was developed in June 2022 defining the objectives of (i) restore in situ populations from ex situ populations, prioritizing populations in higher risk to prevent local extinctions, and (ii) establish an ex situ insurance population. This in situ – ex situ integrated management program was approved by ICMBio in February 2023, with actions recommended for all states along the species distribution. In Argentina, the species is Critically Endangered, with a remaining population of 20-50 individuals. Following the National Plan for Primate Conservation in Argentina, in a process similar to that in Brazil, two workshops were held in 2022/2023 to evaluate and define management actions for the long-term recovery of A. guariba. The priorities indicated were (i) reintroduction in ten potential areas in Misiones – due to a lower risk when compared to reinforcement of remaining populations, and (ii) establishing an ex situ management program in Argentina – still non-existent. The progressive collaboration between the initiatives of both countries is promoting the exchange of experiences and the integration of strategies. Here we summarize the planning and management carried out in Brazil and Argentina, highlighting the need for integrated measures. We debate on the progress and challenges, proposing next steps for developing and implementing a binational population management program for the conservation of the brown howler monkey.

Monitoring vital rates allows managers to estimate trends in growth rates of ungulate populations. However, connecting the influence of nutrition on ungulate demography is challenging. Noninvasive sampling offers a low-cost, low-effort alternative for measuring nutritional indices, allowing for an increased understanding of the mechanistic relationships between environmental factors, nutrition, and specific population vital rates. We examined the temporal influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) fawn recruitment. We collected fresh fecal samples from adult female pronghorn in five subpopulations spanning three sampling periods associated with critical maternal life-history stages (late gestation, early lactation, breeding season) for 2 years to investigate both intra- and interannual influences. Intrinsic factors were fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs), nutritional indices (fecal nitrogen (FN) and 2,6-diaminopimelic acid (DAPA)), and dietary composition (protein intake of forbs, graminoids, legumes, other, shrubs), while the extrinsic factor was vegetative greenness (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)). We found variations in DAPA, protein intake of forbs, variation in forb protein intake, and protein intake of legumes during late gestation positively influenced fawn recruitment. Fecal nitrogen during early lactation showed the strongest positive influence on the recruitment of any measured parameter. Finally, breeding season NDVI and the variation in DAPA values positively influenced the subsequent year’s fawn recruitment. Our longitudinal study enabled us to investigate which parameter was most important to specific periods of fawn development and recruitment. We combined the results across five subpopulations, but interpretation and subsequent management decisions should be made at the subpopulation level such that pronghorn subpopulations with low recruitment can be positively influenced by increasing nitrogen on the landscape available to adult females during the early lactation period. As the use of noninvasive monitoring methods continues to expand, we believe our methodologies and results can be broadly applied to other ungulate monitoring programs.

A review of 113 scientific and other publications on the smallest and most abundant deer in Lithuania, the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), is presented, along with an analysis based on compound annual population growth rates of population numbers, hunting bags, and roadkill. This review covers the species’ history in the country from the last glaciation onwards, the changes in numbers from 1934 to 2023, hunting bag changes from 1965 to 2022, roadkill numbers from 2002 to 2022, data on roe deer reproduction, habitat selection, genetic diversity, pathogens, and damage to forest stands. It also provides an overview of species management and selection for trophies. Despite the exponential increase in roe deer numbers since 1990 and the dominance of this species in roadkill, even on urban roads, the number and density of animals and the damage they cause to forest stands are relatively low compared to other European countries. Within the observed period, drops in numbers were related to harsh winters in 1969/1970 and 1995/1996. Poaching, especially coinciding with weakened enforcement during the period of political–economic transition in the early 1990s, has also had a negative impact on population numbers, as have recent increases in the number of large predators. Population growth over the recent period does not correlate with hunting mortality, which has remained stable at an average of 16.9% since 2002.

Abstract Predictive models can improve the efficiency of wildlife management by guiding actions at the local, landscape and regional scales. In recent decades, a vast range of modelling techniques have been developed to predict species distributions and patterns of population spread. However, data limitations often constrain the precision and biological realism of models, which make them less useful for supporting decision‐making. Complex models can also be challenging to evaluate, and the results are often difficult to interpret for wildlife management practitioners. There is therefore a need to develop techniques that are appropriately robust, but also accessible to a range of end users. We developed a hybrid species distribution model that utilises commonly available presence‐only distribution data and minimal demographic information to predict the spread of roe deer (Capreolus caprelous) in Great Britain. We take a novel approach to representing the environment in the model by constraining the size of habitat patches to the home‐range area of an individual. Population dynamics are then simplified to a set of generic rules describing patch occupancy. The model is constructed and evaluated using data from a populated region (England and Scotland) and applied to predict regional‐scale patterns of spread in a novel region (Wales). It is used to forecast the relative timing of colonisation events and identify important areas for targeted surveillance and management. The study demonstrates the utility of presence‐only data for predicting the spread of animal species and describes a method of reducing model complexity while retaining important environmental detail and biological realism. Our modelling approach provides a much‐needed opportunity for users without specialist expertise in computer coding to leverage limited data and make robust, easily interpretable predictions of spread to inform proactive population management.

Although free-roaming and feral cat control techniques are often applied in human communities, community engagement is not always considered. A systematic literature review following an update of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) methodology was conducted to evaluate whether community engagement influences the effectiveness of control techniques, excluding culling, in managing cat populations. The degree of community engagement was estimated based on the number of roles reported during the application of the control technique, which included adoption, trapping, care, and/or education. Education followed by adoption was the determining factor in the decreasing cat populations over time. The limited evaluations of control technique effectiveness, narrow geographical scope, and our simple measure of engagement emphasize the need for more detailed studies. These studies should evaluate the effectiveness of control techniques, while considering community engagement more comprehensively.

Introduction: Population Health Management (PHM) focusses on keeping the whole population as healthy as possible. As such, it could be a promising approach for long-term health improvement in type 2 diabetes. This scoping review aimed to examine the extent to which and how PHM is used in the care for people with type 2 diabetes. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched between January 2000 and September 2021 for papers on self-reported PHM initiatives for type 2 diabetes. Eligible initiatives were described using the analytical framework for PHM. Results: In total, 25 studies regarding 18 PHM initiatives for type 2 diabetes populations were included. There is considerable variation in whether and how the PHM steps are operationalized in existing PHM initiatives. Population identification, impact evaluation, and quality improvement processes were generally part of the PHM initiatives. Triple Aim assessment and risk stratification actions were scarce or explained in little detail. Moreover, cross-sector integration is key in PHM but scarce in practice. Conclusion: Operationalization of PHM in practice is limited compared to the PHM steps described in the analytical framework. Extended risk stratification and integration efforts would contribute to whole-person care and further health improvements within the population.

The positive phototaxis showed by adults of some pestiferous chironomid species, annoying to waterfront residents and businesses, was investigated at Lake Trasimeno (Italy) to develop a strategy against their massive swarms. Two experimental devices (ChiroTraps), located at Passignano sul Trasimeno (PA) and at Sant’Arcangelo (SA), were employed in 2019 and 2020. The total biomass attracted by the traps amounted to 6498.78 g at PA and to 8597.05 g at SA. Chironomids biomass constituted 99.66% and 96.59% of the biomass in these sites, respectively. Only a few specimens of other fauna except chironomids were found at PA. In contrast, the values at SA were considerable, being 91- and 35-fold (number of taxa and weight, respectively) higher than in PA. These results demonstrated that exploiting the light attraction behaviour of adult chironomids is an efficient method for managing their pestiferous populations, thereby reducing the necessity of using insecticides. By comparing the biodiversity in the two sites, it was evident that the differences were linked primarily to the environmental conditions. Finally, it is suggested that light trapping systems should be located in urban centres or floated on the lake surface to maximise the efficiency of trapping chironomids and minimising the impact on biodiversity.

Abstract Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are invading many areas globally and impacting biodiversity and economies in their non‐native range. Thus, wild pigs are often targeted for eradication efforts. Age‐ and sex‐specific body measurements are important for informing these eradication efforts because they reflect body condition, resource availability, and fecundity, which are common indicators of population trajectory. However, body mass is often difficult to collect, especially on large individuals that require specialized equipment or multiple people to weigh. Measurements that can be rapidly taken by a single land or wildlife manager on any size wild pig without aid from specialized equipment would be beneficial if they accurately infer wild pig body mass. Our goals were to assess whether morphometric measurements could accurately predict wild pig body mass, and to provide tools to directly input these measures and estimate wild pig body mass. Using linear models, we quantified the relationship between body mass and morphometric measurements (i.e., body length, chest girth, ear length, eye to snout length, hindfoot length, shoulder length, and tail length) from a subset (n = 102) of wild pigs culled at the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Mississippi, USA. We evaluated separate models for each individual morphometric measurement. We then used the model coefficients to develop equations to predict wild pig body mass. We validated these equations predicting body mass of 1592 individuals collected across eight areas in Australia, Guam, and the USA for cross‐validation. Each developed equation remained accurate when cross‐validated across regions. Body length, chest girth, and shoulder length were the morphometrics that best predicted wild pig body mass. Our analyses indicated it is possible to use the presented equations to infer wild pig body mass from simple metrics.

Free-roaming domestic cats (Felis catus) pose numerous risks to biodiversity conservation, especially in island ecosystems. However, the removal of cats is costly, labor-intensive, and often demands more resources than land managers have at their disposal. These costs might be reduced, however, if trapping effort is regularly scaled to match the prevalence of cats on the landscape rather than consistently exhausting trapping resources even when cats are scarce. Here we analyze the efficacy of a long-term (2014 – 2021) cat removal program which uses motion-activated camera traps to determine monthly trapping effort in the Florida Keys. Furthermore, we compare the trapping effort required for this program against that of a hypothetical removal program with the same resources which does not use surveillance-informed trapping. We hypothesized that cat detections would decline over the study period as a result of the removal program, and that the surveillance-informed approach would require less trapping effort than uninformed trapping would. Our analyses reveal that the sustained, year-round trapping program has reduced the volume and geographic extent of cat detections within the study area. Furthermore, the use of camera traps to inform removal efforts has reduced the number of trap nights required to achieve these goals compared to the hypothetical removal program that did not use surveillance-informed trapping. While climatic and landscape variables also contribute to monthly cat detections, our study reveals that long-term surveillance-informed trapping reduces cat detections without exhausting resources. Such an approach may aid other land managers in their efforts to conserve biodiversity by removing invasive predators.

Abstract Amphibian biodiversity is declining globally, with over 40% of species being considered threatened to become extinct. Crucial to the success of conservation initiatives are a comprehensive understanding of life history and reproductive ecology of target species. Here we provide an overview of the Pseudacris genus, including breeding behaviour, reproduction, development, survival and longevity. We present an updated distribution map of the 18 species found throughout North America. We also summarize the conservation status at the national and subnational (state, provincial, and territorial) levels, in Canada, USA, and Mexico, to evaluate the relationship between life history traits and extinction risk. Results show a high degree of consistency in the life history traits of Pseudacris species considering their relative diversity and wide distribution in North America. However, data are lacking for several species, particularly in the Fat Frog and West Coast clades, causing some uncertainties and discrepancies in the literature. We also found that the most threatened populations of chorus frog were located in the east coast of the USA, potentially as a result of increased levels of anthropogenic disturbance. We suggest that the similarities in life history traits among chorus frog species provides an opportunity for collaboration and united efforts for the conservation of the genus.

Space use and the use of a den during the winter period as an adaptation of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) to increase survival during a period of food shortage, are important aspects of the ecology in the practice of the population management. Despite this, the subject of the den locations in relation to space use of brown bears and movements associated with a den entry and exit were practically not considered by researchers. Using radio-telemetry methods between 1993–2012, we studied the space use of 15 brown bears in Sikhote-Alin, three in Kamchatka and two on Sakhalin. The location of 25 dens of tagged animals was determined. The majority of brown bears, mostly males, used space further from the den than from the average of all locations, and the overwhelming majority of dens were outside the core area of their home ranges. So, for brown bears, the spatial location of dens was away from preferred locations in the non-denning period. The same brown bears selected den sites in different denning seasons, both at relatively small distance from each other (1.3 km) and at a considerable distance (20.2 km). Females on Sakhalin moved to dens 7–9 days before the den entry. After leaving their dens, two females in Kamchatka moved 1.7 and 5.0 km on the first day, while on Sakhalin, two females did not move more than 0.1 km from their dens for the first 4 and 10 days. Female that gave birth to cubs in the denning period lingered the longest at the den. The distance of females from their dens and their movement activity decreased in the pre-denning period (10 days before denning, the variations in movement stabilised at a low level) and increased in the post-denning period (specifically after 10 days from the moment of emergence).

This paper provides an overview of wolf research in Russia at the beginning of the 21st century. Wolf research covered various directions, including population density estimation, management methods and minimization of human-wildlife conflicts, general and behavioral ecology, behavior, wolf population genetics and morphology, paleontology, dog domestication, helminthology and the wolves’ role in the rabies transmission. Some studies are performed with state-of-art methodology using molecular genetics, mathematical modeling, camera traps, and GPS telemetry.

Population policy, once a core environmental concern globally, has long since shifted its focus and is typically informed by considerations of maternal/fetal health. Yet, in many countries, environmental progress will remain elusive as long as the population continues to grow. Israel already exhibits adverse ecological impacts as a result of its rapidly growing population and needs to begin to adopt policies that prioritize demographic stability. This article reviews the current literature as well as the current status of population growth and environmental devastation in Israel, from a public policy perspective. The authors call on Israel and other high-fertility countries to foster strategic discussions about sustainable population policies. Along with an emphasis on the intrinsic advantages of small families, they should also include a dispassionate presentation of the anticipated environmental impacts associated with continued demographic growth.

Abstract Environmental stress can have a profound effect on inbreeding depression. Quantifying this effect is of particular importance in threatened populations, which are often simultaneously subject to both inbreeding and environmental stress. But while the prevalence of inbreeding–stress interactions is well known, the importance and broader applicability of such interactions in conservation are not clearly understood. We used seed beetles, Callosobruchus maculatus, as a model system to quantify how environmental stressors (here host quality and temperature stress) interact with inbreeding as measured by changes in the magnitude of inbreeding depression, δ, as well as the relative importance of inbreeding–stress interactions to overall fitness. We found that while both environmental stressors caused substantial inbreeding–stress interactions as measured by change in δ, the relative importance of these interactions to overall survival was modest. This suggests that assessing inbreeding–stress interactions within the framework of δ alone may give an inaccurate representation of the relevance of interactions to population persistence. Furthermore, we found that the effect of environmental stress on fitness, but not inbreeding depression, varied strongly among populations. These results suggest that the outcomes of inbreeding–stress interactions are not easily generalized, an important consideration in conservation settings.

Abstract Conservation and population management decisions often rely on population models parameterized using census data. However, the sampling regime, precision, sample size, and methods used to collect census data are usually heterogeneous in time and space. Decisions about how to derive population‐wide estimates from this patchwork of data are complicated and may bias estimated population dynamics, with important implications for subsequent management decisions. Here, we explore the impact of site selection and data aggregation decisions on pup survival estimates, and downstream estimates derived from parameterized matrix population models (MPMs), using a long‐term dataset on grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) pup survival from southwestern Wales. The spatiotemporal and methodological heterogeneity of the data are fairly typical for ecological census data and it is, therefore, a good model to address this topic. Data were collected from 46 sampling locations (sites) over 25 years, and we explore the impact of data handling decisions by varying how years and sampling locations are combined to parameterize pup survival in population‐level MPMs. We focus on pup survival because abundant high‐quality data are available on this developmental stage. We found that survival probability was highly variable with most variation being at the site level, and poorly correlated among sampling sites. This variation could generate marked differences in predicted population dynamics depending on sampling strategy. The sample size required for a confident survival estimate also varied markedly geographically. We conclude that for populations with highly variable vital rates among sub‐populations, site selection and data aggregation methods are important. In particular, including peripheral or less frequently used areas can introduce substantial variation into population estimates. This is likely to be context‐dependent, but these choices, including the use of appropriate weights when summarizing across sampling areas, should be explored to ensure that management actions are successful.

The European snow vole is a widespread rodent species of Europe having a highly fragmented range and a number of isolated populations. The species’ distribution is mainly restricted to high mountains of Europe and Asia Minor. The European snow vole is represented in the mammal fauna of Ukraine by an isolated population in the subalpine zone of the Carpathians. An extensive survey of all collection samples of the species deposited in zoological museums of Ukraine was conducted, including analysis of 149 available specimens. The paper presents a review of all known records of the species in Ukraine with an updated map of distribution. Morphological features of the local isolated population belonging to the subspecies C. n. ulpius is also presented with a focus on external and craniometrical characters of adult specimens. The European snow vole is a rather large rodent compared to other vole species of the local fauna. No sex-related variation by linear body dimensions was revealed in adult specimens of the species. Analysis of craniometrical characters and their comparison with those of two other subalpine vole species (Microtus agrestis and Terricola subterraneus) showed a substantial distinctness of the European snow vole, which might be related to existing niche differentiation between the three vole species supporting stability and low trophic and spatial competition within the subalpine rodent complex. The current state of the local snow vole population along with the specifics of its habitat preferences in the Ukrainian Carpathians are discussed with particular attention on the European snow vole’s role in the local subalpine small mammal community as an indicator species. The abundance of the species in the Ukrainian Carpathians is quite high within the species’ key habitats. In particular, the European snow vole dominated in samples trapped in all types of plant associations of the Chornohora massif. As an endemic and relict species with a restricted distribution, the European snow vole is protected in Ukraine and listed as vulnerable in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. Current conservation issues are discussed along with possible measures necessary for sustainable development of the local snow vole population.

Over the past decade, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have contributed to a major paradigm shift in thrombosis management, replacing vitamin K antagonists as the most commonly prescribed anticoagulants in many countries. While DOACs provide distinct advantages over warfarin (eg, convenience, simplicity, and safety), they are frequently associated with inappropriate prescribing and adverse events. These events have prompted regulatory agencies to mandate oversight, which individual institutions may find difficult to comply with given limited resources. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has leveraged technology to develop the DOAC Population Management Tool (PMT) to address these challenges. This tool has empowered VHA to update a 60‐year standard of care from one‐to‐one provider‐to‐patient anticoagulation monitoring to a population‐based management approach. The DOAC PMT allows for the oversight of all patients prescribed DOACs and leads to intervention only when clinically indicated. Using the DOAC PMT, facilities across VHA have maximized DOAC oversight while minimizing resource usage. Herein, we discuss how the DOAC PMT was conceived, developed, and implemented, along with the challenges encountered throughout the process. Additionally, we share the impact of the DOAC PMT across VHA, and the potential of this approach beyond anticoagulation and VHA.

The current use of health index algorithms is mainly limited to single assessments of the unit’s condition or the device comparison. The paper focuses on the changes in the health index values between the consecutive analyses. The algorithm used for this purpose was previously developed by the authors. The test group included 359 complete oil evaluation results from 86 power transformers monitored over several years. For each outcome, the influence of the sub-components of the main score was calculated. Additional health index increase simulations were performed based on the IEC 60599 standard guidelines. The highest increases and decreases in the total score were listed and analyzed to determine the main factors behind the changes. The study has shown that the changes in dissolved gases concentrations have a much more significant influence on the health index values than the changes in physicochemical properties of the oil and furfural content. Based on the magnitude of the observed changes and the simulation outcomes, the authors have proposed two assessment thresholds—the 50th percentile health index increase within a population as an alarm zone, and the 90th or 95th percentile increase as a pre-failure zone.

The Joint Directorate of the State Nature Reserves «Orenburg» and «Shaitan-Tau» (later – FSFI «Orenburg Reserves») elaborated the Programme on establishing a semi-free population of the Przewalski's horse in the Orenburg State Nature Reserve (Russia). It was launched in a 165.38 km2 natural steppe area called «Pre-Urals Steppe». The first stage of the Programme was funded by the UNDP/GEF Steppe Project 00072294 «Improving the Coverage and Management Efficiency of Protected Areas in the Steppe Biome of Russia» and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation. The Pre-Urals Steppe was totally fenced to prevent the escape of Przewalski's horses from the strictly protected area. A Reintroduction Centre was constructed inside the fenced area. The Centre consists of permanent acclimatisation enclosures for horses, touristic infrastructure and a house for personnel (the ranger-station). All the work with Przewalski horses in the Pre-Urals Steppe are financed from the federal budget on permanent basis. A total of 36 Przewalski's horses were brought to the Pre-Urals Steppe from the Association pour le Cheval de Przewalski: TAKH, France, and the Hortobagy National Park, Hungary in 2015–2017. The horses were kept in the enclosures for about one year or more before being released into the main area. In March 2019, there were two free-roaming harems in the Pre-Urals Steppe. A third harem and a bachelor group are still kept in acclimatisation enclosures. One foal and six foals were born in 2016 and 2018 accordingly. The foaling rate was 50% in 2018. One of the imported harem stallions is probably infertile, despite the fact that he was many times observed mating his females and in general, demonstrating normal sexual behaviour. The mortality of the imported Przewalski's horses is 8.3%; foal mortality totals 28.6%. There are 38 Przewalski's horses (16 males and 22 females) in the Pre-Urals Steppe area on 31 March 2019. The personnel of the Reintroduction Centre examine the whole Przewalski's horse population regularly. They identify the animals and watch their body condition and behaviour. The location of each free-roaming group is recorded with a GPS navigator. Any changes in the composition of the groups are recorded. Faeces are collected from each individual monthly for calculating parasite eggs in the samples. Every year a reserve stock of hay to feed the Przewalski's horses in the Pre-Urals Steppe is made to pass potential natural disaster such as severe drought, a snowy winter and/or heavy icing. Various scientific research including both Przewalski's horses and other components of local ecosystems is conducted in the Pre-Urals Steppe. The initial stage of the Programme has been successfully completed.

Abstract We formulate a stochastic impulse control model for animal population management and a candidate of exact solutions to a Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman quasi-variational inequality. This model has a qualitatively different functional form of the performance index from the existing monotone ones. So far, optimality and unique solvability of the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman quasi-variational inequality has not been investigated, which are thus addressed in this paper. We present a candidate of exact solutions to the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman quasi-variational inequality and prove its optimality and unique solvability within a certain class of solutions in a viscosity sense. We also present and examine a dynamical system-based numerical method for computing coefficients in the exact solutions.

Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus or milu) is a highly endangered species originating from China, and many deer are currently being raised in captivity for gradual re-introduction to the wild. Wild and captive deer currently live in the same region but have vastly different diets. In this study, we used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to identify the healthy core microbiome in the gut of wild and captive Père David’s deer and investigate how dietary factors influence the gut microbiome by comparing their differences. A core shared gut microbiome was identified in healthy Père David’s deer, which was similar to that of other ruminants, mainly comprising the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. There were no differences in the richness or diversity of the gut microbiome between the wild and captive deer. However, PCA and ANOSIM demonstrated clear differences in the microbial community structure between the captive and wild deer, which mainly manifested as changes in the relative abundance of 39 bacterial genera. As the majority of these genera were not dominant in the deer gut, no significant difference was detected in functional modules related to the microbiome between the two groups. Therefore, the difference in dietary factors does not appear to affect the healthy core gut microbiome between captive and wild Père David’s deer, suggesting strong co-evolution and the possibility of re-establishment in the wild. These data could guide future applications of population management in Père David’s deer conservation.

Abstract Structured decision‐making (SDM) has become popular in natural resource management but has been underused in reintroduction programs. We illustrate how conservation managers can use SDM to guide management decisions after initial reintroduction, when data are still limited and uncertainty around vital rates estimates is high. In 2013, the hihi (Notiomystis cincta), an endangered New Zealand forest bird, was reintroduced to Bushy Park (BP), a managed conservation reserve. High post‐release mortality in females led to the population remaining small after 2 years, raising the question of whether more females should be released. We built a model to evaluate three management alternatives, including no further translocation and translocations of 15 additional females (from the only possible source population) in either 2015 or 2016. The fundamental objectives identified were to maximize the number and persistence of female hihi in BP, minimize the impact on the source population, and minimize costs. Our decision analysis incorporated uncertainties in parameter estimation, model selection, and demographic stochasticity. It produced distributions of final scores for each management alternative based on population projections for both the BP population and source population, and objective weights assigned by stakeholders. Although the distributions of final scores overlapped greatly, the “no translocation” alternative was largely stochastically dominant over other management options, that is, it was clearly the best choice in most projections and the choice was ambiguous in the remaining projections. The decision was also unaffected by variation in stakeholder values. Although the underlying modeling was complex, the output provided a simple visualization of outcomes that allowed the recovery group to make an informed decision (no further translocation) that fully considered the uncertainties.

The management of the power transformer population is a complex process, as the grid companies operate thousands of devices. For this issue, the health index method can be applied to facilitate asset management. The algorithm can be used not only in the technical assessment of the individual units, but also to determine the relationships within the whole population. In this paper, the presented health index method consists of periodic oil diagnostics, including the physicochemical properties, dissolved gas analysis, and furfural content, and further assessment in terms of the criticality of the device to determine the technical condition. The algorithm was specifically designed to reflect even the smallest changes of the input parameters in the final score. The performance of the health index was tested on 620 oil analyses from 220 transformers divided into four subpopulations based on the service conditions. The results have proven to be largely dependent on the criticality level and the operating conditions of the device. The analysis of the study group has shown the influence of corrective maintenance on the mean value of the health index score.

Surgical sterilisation is a core activity of free-roaming dog population management (DPM) programmes globally. However, there is limited published evidence on its impact at the population level. To support evidence-based decision making in this field, it is important that research conducted is relevant to those involved in working with free-roaming dogs and implementing such programmes. The aim of this study was to adapt the James Lind Alliance (JLA) user involvement approach to systematically identify the top 10 research priorities regarding the impact of canine sterilisation. International stakeholders with experience working in DPM were asked in an online survey what unanswered questions they had regarding the impact of sterilisation programmes. Thematic analysis of survey responses was used to develop a long list of collated indicative research questions (CIRQs). A literature review was performed to identify questions that were ‘true uncertainties’ (had not been answered by evidence review). These questions were reduced to a shortlist via an online interim prioritisation survey, and a Delphi consensus process determined the top 10 priorities. The top 10 questions related to dog population size and turnover, dog bite incidents, rabies control, implementation in the field and human behaviour change. These priorities were identified and shaped by people with direct experience of canine surgical sterilisation programmes, and as such are an essential resource for directing future funding and research. Addressing these priorities will generate evidence that is directly applicable to policy makers and practitioners who make decisions regarding the management of free-roaming dogs (FRDs) worldwide.

Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. is a widely distributed conifer species in the Republic of Korea with economic and ecologic importance. However, P. densiflora is negatively influenced by various factors, such as forest fires, clearing of large numbers of trees infected with Pinus disease, and dieback. We aimed to use microsatellite markers to estimate the genetic diversity, differentiation, and structure of P. densiflora populations in the Republic of Korea. A total of 1844 samples from 60 populations were evaluated using 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers. The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity were 0.652 and 0.673, respectively. The mean genetic differentiation among the populations was 0.013. Moreover, P. densiflora showed high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation compared with conifer species, including Pinus species with similar life histories. Principal coordinates analysis and Bayesian clustering showed that P. densiflora has a weak geographical structure. The P. densiflora population at Mt. Halla, Jeju Island, showed the lowest genetic diversity and significant genetic differentiation compared with other mainland populations due to genetic drift and restricted gene flow. These findings can be useful for designing new conservation, management, and breeding strategies for P. densiflora populations in response to future environmental changes.

The Italian locust is a common species and one of the most important pest in the steppes, semi-deserts, and deserts of Central and Southwestern Asia and also in the Mediterranean Region. The aim of this paper is to discuss some problems arising from studies of eco-geographical distribution and long-term dynamics of this species, especially in the southern part of West Siberia, and their consequences for management of pest species and rare forms. Peculiarities of the Italian locust populations’ distribution and long-term dynamics are discussed for the north-eastern part of the species range (south-eastern West Siberian Plain, North-East and, partly, East Kazakhstan). Notable differences between local populations are revealed. Some issues arising from results of insecticide experimental treatments (mainly effectiveness of barrier applications with different compounds in variable environment) and ecological association between the Italian locust and rare Orthoptera are also discussed. Some suggestions as to requirements for improved monitoring, supervision, control, and forecasting of the Italian locust populations’ distribution and dynamics are also provided.

Abstract Background Dogs are ubiquitous in human society and attempts to manage their populations are common to most countries. Managing dog populations is achieved through a range of interventions to suit the dog population dynamics and dog ownership characteristics of the location, with a number of potential impacts or goals in mind. Impact assessment provides the opportunity for interventions to identify areas of inefficiencies for improvement and build evidence of positive change. Methods This scoping review collates 26 studies that have assessed the impacts of dog population management interventions. Results It reports the use of 29 indicators of change under 8 categories of impact and describes variation in the methods used to measure these indicators. Conclusion The relatively few published examples of impact assessment in dog population management suggest this field is in its infancy; however this review highlights those notable exceptions. By describing those indicators and methods of measurement that have been reported thus far, and apparent barriers to efficient assessment, this review aims to support and direct future impact assessment.

One of the main objectives of conservation programs is the maintenance of genetic diversity because this provides the adaptive potential of populations to face new environmental challenges. Genetic diversity is generally assessed by means of neutral molecular markers, and it is usually quantified by the expected heterozygosity under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and the number of alleles per locus or allelic diversity. These two measures of genetic diversity are complementary because whereas the former is directly related to genetic variance for quantitative traits and, therefore, to the short-term response to selection and adaptation, the latter is more sensitive to population bottlenecks and relates more strongly to the long-term capacity of adaptation of populations. In the context of structured populations undergoing conservation programs, it is important to decide the optimum management strategy to preserve as much genetic diversity as possible while avoiding inbreeding. Here we examine, through computer simulations, the consequences of choosing a conservation strategy based on maximizing either heterozygosity or allelic diversity of single-nucleotide polymorphism haplotypes in a subdivided population. Our results suggest that maximization of allelic diversity can be more efficient in maintaining the genetic diversity of subdivided populations than maximization of expected heterozygosity because the former maintains a larger number of alleles while making a better control of inbreeding. Thus, maximization of allelic diversity should be a recommended strategy in conservation programs for structured populations.

This paper gives an analysis of the size of populations of sika deer (Cervus nippon) that were introduced to the Czech Republic at the end of the 19th century. Control methods are applied to underlying data taken from the official statistics of the Czech Statistical Office with the aim to check retrospectively their accuracy. Based on statistical data of third‑level territorial administrative units available, the recent population expansion of sika deer in the Czech Republic is evaluated as well as the manner and intensity of their spread into new, previously unpopulated areas. Results of applied control methods indicate errors in population management due to underestimation of overall population size data, in particular in the category of female deer.

Pet domestic cat (Felis catus) populations are increasing all around the world, resulting in an increase in contact with humans and wildlife, potentially spreading zoonotic diseases and predating on wildlife. With the recently identified rise in cat populations in remote Indigenous communities in Australia, culturally appropriate cat population management strategies are required. A systematic review process was conducted to review the current global cat population management practices that are suitable for owned, free-roaming cat populations in these communities. Eight articles on in-situ field cat populations and five studies simulating computer modelled cat populations reported results of 66 population management interventions. Surgical Sterilisation (SS) was used in all socialised owned cat articles. The trap–neuter–release (TNR) method was used most frequently on unsocialised cats and gained the best results when the trap–remove (TR) method was used concurrently to adopt out unwanted social cats and euthanise ill or injured cats. The results of this review suggest that long-term TNR/SS programs supplemented with TR provide the current most ethically sound best practice, humane method of managing cat populations in remote Australian Indigenous communities. It is also recognised that no one plan will fit all, and that further research on the micro-level techniques used to deploy both TNR and TR needs to occur, and that culturally appropriate community consultation during all processes is vital in achieving a sustainable management program.

Objective—Feline upper respiratory infection (URI) is a common, multi-factorial infectious disease syndrome endemic to many animal shelters. Although a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in shelter cats, URI is seldom formally monitored in shelter cat populations. Without monitoring, effective control and prevention of this often endemic disease is difficult. We looked at an integrated case management software system a for animal care organizations, widely used in shelters across the United States. Shelter staff routinely enter information regarding individual animals and disease status, but do not commonly use the software system to track frequency of disease. The purpose of this study was to determine if the software system a can be used to track URI frequency and selected risk factors in a population, and to evaluate the quality and completeness of the data as currently collected in a shelter. Design (type of study)—Descriptive Survey. Animals (or Sample)—317 cats in an animal shelter. Procedures—Reports from the software system a containing data regarding daily inventory, daily intake, animal identification, location, age, vaccination status, URI diagnosis and URI duration were evaluated. The reports were compared to data collected manually by an observer (Ann Therese Kommedal) to assess discrepancies, completeness, timeliness, availability and accuracy. Data were collected 6 days a week over a 4 week period. Results—Comparisons between the software system a reports and manually collected reports showed that 93% of inventory reports were complete and of these 99% were accurate. Fifty-two percent of the vaccination reports were complete, of which 97% were accurate. The accuracy of the software system’s age reports was 76%. Two-hundred and twenty-three cats were assigned a positive or negative URI diagnosis by the observer. The predictive value of the URI status in the software system a was below 60% both for positive and negative URI diagnosis. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—data currently collected and entered into the software systems in the study shelter, was not useful for tracking URI frequency and risk factors, due to issues with both data quality and capture. However, the potential exists to increase the practicality and usefulness of this shelter software system to monitor URI and other diseases. Relevant data points, i.e., health status at intake and outcome, vaccination date and status, as well as age, should be made mandatory to facilitate more useful data collection and reporting.

A study was undertaken to establish how visiting tourists to Samoa perceived free-roaming dogs (Canis familiaris) and their management, additionally some factors that influence their perceptions were assessed. Questionnaires were administered to 281 tourists across Samoa over 5 weeks. Free-roaming dogs were seen by 98.2% (n = 269/274) of respondents, with 64.9% (n = 137/211) reporting that their presence had a negative effect on overall holiday experience. Respondents staying in the Apia (capital city) area were more likely to consider dogs a problem (p < 0.0001), and there was a significant association between whether the respondent owned a dog and if they thought dogs were a nuisance in Samoa (p < 0.003). Forty-four percent (20/89) of non-dog owners agreed that dogs were a nuisance compared to 22% (80/182) of dog owners. The majority felt that dogs required better control and management in Samoa (81%, n = 222) and that there were too many “stray” dogs (67.9%, n = 188). More respondents were negatively affected by the dogs’ presence (64.9%, 137/211), and felt that the dogs made their holiday worse, than respondents that felt the dogs’ presence improved their holiday experience (35.1%, 74/211). Most respondents stated that the dogs had a low impact (one to three; 68%, 187/275) on their stay in Samoa, whilst 24% (65/275) and 8% (23/275) stated they had a medium or high impact, respectively, on their stay. Respondents showed strong support for humane population management. Free-roaming dogs present a complex problem for Samoa and for its tourism industry in particular. The findings of this study further support the need for more discussion and action about the provision of veterinary services and population management for dogs in Samoa. It also provides information complementing an earlier study of the attitudes of local Samoans.

Invasive alien species are among the major drivers of biodiversity loss, being destructive to native ecosystems, and human economy and well-being. Despite their severe negative impact, tracking the paths of biological invasions and distribution dynamics of invasive species, as well as assessing the scope and character of their interactions with resident species and ecosystems, can be difficult. An interesting case is the naturalization of the American mink in Iceland, with subsequent intensive culling and accurate registration of the number of mink killed by year and area, providing information on mink’s distributional history. Additionally, the Icelandic ecosystem is relatively simple compared to other areas within the non-native range of the American mink. The species was introduced to Iceland in 1931 for commercial fur farming. Escapees spread and multiplied in the following decades. A bounty system for culling was established early, but was unable to halt population growth and the spread of the species. Hunting statistics seem to reflect actual changes in population size and show that population density kept on increasing for three decades after the mink had colonised all suitable habitats. After 2003, the numbers show a rapid > 60% decrease, probably at least in part caused by climate change influencing the marine food web. The American mink seems to have had a negative impact on some bird and freshwater fish populations. The case of the invasive American mink in Iceland improves our understanding of biological invasions, and aids in organizing eradication programmes or control of the species.

The French Atlas of Orchids published in autumn 2010 is a large-scale and intensive survey of orchid populations throughout the France territory. The project was directed by the French Orchid Society and involved 3000 specialists in orchids. Overall, more than 110,000 stations were referenced and 160 taxa were reported with their range on 154 maps. This project is original by synthesizing, at large scale, much accurate naturalistic information from local surveys, thanks to a participative approach and on the basis of scientific objectives. Some orchid populations have been recorded for more than 20 years, revealing demographic trends at the scale of the country. Guidelines for application IUCN Red List criteria at regional level have been applied in order to establish The French Red List of orchid species. This represents one of the few examples of IUICN criteria being applied at a regional scale for a plant family. Based on the IUCN categorization about 1 in 5 species is threatened, one as Regionally Extinct (RE), 4 as Endangered (EN) and 23 as Vulnerable (VU). The main extinction risk consists of population size decrease, mostly due to habitat change. Further investigations are needed for the 33 taxa classified as Data Deficient. Most threatened species benefit already from protection regulations. Some recommendations will be drawn in order to conserve orchid species, paying attention to patrimonial and threatened species.

During the last 10 years the coypu population (Myocastor coypus) in the city of Cottbus caused increasing problems by gnawing on plants, destroying river banks, attacking pets and even pedestrians. The legal situation in the federal state of Brandenburg, the competence of different authorities as well as public opinion made it difficult to find a simple solution. To protect river banks in the city and the waterways of park Branitz, a UNESCO landscape park, the institutions involved and an external consultant bureau developed a specific package of measures. Prohibition of feeding coypu in the city area led to a rapid disintegration of the coypu colonies and stopped the stream bank destruction. Eradication of the park population was successful but a few individuals immigrated within one year, as not all the identified dispersal routes could be closed.

In the global context of the decline in wild species, modeling the distribution of populations is a crucial aspect of ecological management. This can be a major challenge, especially for species, such as the European eel, that have complex life cycles, exhibit cryptic behavior, or migrate over long distances. A review of the literature suggests that eel size data could be used to assess and analyze freshwater distribution of eel. We argue that analyses based on small yellow eels (≤ 300 mm) along the longitudinal course of rivers could provide a valuable tool for population monitoring. We propose a standardized catchment recruitment index and a colonization index based on the probability of occurrence (presence/absence data) using logistic models for different size classes. The model developed here provides a convenient guide for assessing yellow eel stages in freshwater areas, and should have concrete applications for management of the species.

In the global context of the decline in wild species, modeling the distribution of populations is a crucial aspect of ecological management. This can be a major challenge, especially for species, such as the European eel, that have complex life cycles, exhibit cryptic behavior, or migrate over long distances. A review of the literature suggests that eel size data could be used to assess and analyze freshwater distribution of eel. We argue that analyses based on small yellow eels (≤ 300 mm) along the longitudinal course of rivers could provide a valuable tool for population monitoring. We propose a standardized catchment recruitment index and a colonization index based on the probability of occurrence (presence/absence data) using logistic models for different size classes. The model developed here provides a convenient guide for assessing yellow eel stages in freshwater areas, and should have concrete applications for management of the species.