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Associations between escape behaviours of birds approached by humans and life history traits differ between continents. This suggests environment and history have shaped the evolution of escape at the continental scale. We compared the escape behaviour of birds between eastern Australia (relatively low density and shorter history of human presence) and eastern Africa (high density and substantially longer history of human presence), in relation to life and natural history traits known to influence escape behaviour. We examined associations between flight initiation distance (FID) and life and natural history variables, using phylogenetically controlled analysis and model selection procedures, for 9372 FIDs from 516 bird species. Overall, African birds had shorter FIDs than Australian birds; however, this difference was only observed among nonmigratory (resident) species. Migratory birds showed no continental level differences in FIDs. Across continents, birds in 'wetland' and 'treed' habitats both had significantly longer FIDs than birds in 'scrub' habitats. Diet and social traits (cooperative breeding and flocking) did not significantly influence FID. The relationship between body mass and FID was positive for Australian birds but not so for African birds. This study (1) suggests that resident eastern African birds are more tolerant of humans and (2) supports the contention that some principles regarding escape behaviour of birds might represent universal patterns (e.g. longer FIDs in open wetland habitats), others (e.g. longer FIDs in larger birds) vary geographically or with habituation, perhaps in relation to the history of cohabitation between humans (and other predators) and birds. • We analyse 9372 avian flight initiation distances (FIDs) in Africa and Australia. • Resident African birds had shorter FIDs than resident Australian birds. • No difference in FIDs in migratory species occurred between continents. • Longer FIDs were associated with larger body mass in Australia but not Africa. • Birds in wetland and treed habitats both had longer FIDs than birds in scrub. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In April 2006, a group of chimpanzees escaped from the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone, resulting in the death of 1 local citizen and injury of another. The chimpanzees caused no further damage after the initial incident. Of the 31 escaped chimpanzees, 27 returned to the sanctuary by the end of 2006, 21 of them voluntarily. The sanctuary is in a forest reserve, a habitat of wild chimpanzees. Ironically, the tragic incident provided an opportunity to observe the behavior of the escaped chimpanzees and their adaptability in the forest. As a result of the incident, local communities could have come to fear the chimpanzees or develop negative feelings toward the sanctuary and its activities, which include keeping a colony of orphaned chimpanzees for rehabilitation and promoting the protection of wild populations. However, collaboration and understanding among the sanctuary, local communities, and government authorities resulted in peaceful handling of the situation and the humane retrieval of 27 of the escaped chimpanzees. As the number of chimpanzees in African sanctuaries increases, they are responsible more than ever for minimizing hazards to surrounding communities. It is important for sanctuaries to develop understanding and to raise support from local communities and government authorities to help them avoid crises and continue their activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: The Cape lobster Jasus lalandii is fished commercially on the southwest coast of South Africa and undersized individuals are often left exposed to air during fishing operations before being returned to sea. In addition, mass strandings leave beached individuals exposed to air. The effects of exposure to air on undersized J. lalandii (carapace lengths 60–74mm) were analysed for a range of exposure periods (0, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 300min) that realistically spanned conditions experienced during fishing operations or following mass strandings. Four approaches were used to assess the effects: (1) changes in the speed and nature of escape responses; (2) frequencies of capture by a predator; (3) changes in haemolymph chemistry; (4) growth rates. The time-to-first-response of lobsters after being returned to water was correlated with duration of exposure to air, ranging from 0.2s by unexposed (control) lobsters to 13min by individuals exposed for 300min. The number of tail flips, the distance swum after release and the efficacy of escape from an octopus also decreased significantly as exposure to air increased. A progressive decrease of haemolymph pH from 7.5 in control lobsters to 6.89 in those exposed for 300min indicated increasing metabolic acidosis. Haemolymph l-lactate concentration increased linearly with emersion time from 1.07μmol/ml in controls to 18.5μmol/ml in lobsters exposed for 300min, reflecting at least a partial switch to anaerobic metabolism. Overall, these physiological effects diminished the lobsters’ response time and ability to escape, leaving them vulnerable to predation. No effects of exposure to air on subsequent growth rate were detected. Due to the severity of the effects of prolonged air-exposure, existing contingency plans to rescue lobsters after mass strandings will be futile unless they can be returned to the sea rapidly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]