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Studies on the diet of the Jaguarundi are scarce; it feeds on small mammals, birds, and, to a lesser extent, fruits, reptiles, arthropods, and fish. We report eight food items for the species based on a review of the stomach contents of a female roadkill. We found the records of the snake Drymobius margaritiferus, the lizard Sceloporus sp., the rodent Sigmodon toltecus (two individuals), Passeriformes birds (three), and another snake belonging to Colubridae. A review of 11 other studies of jaguarundi food habits in Mexico and Brazil documents 120 food items, 59% of which are mammals, and most items reflect the diurnal behavior of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban roads are known to affect wildlife fauna but most assessments of the impacts of roads have been done in cities of the developed world with comparable studies still lacking from sprawling cities of the developing countries. This gap precludes the ability of the city management authorities in designing the appropriate mitigation and conservation measures especially during this era where the road networks in African cities is expanding steadily. We surveyed 48 km of roads transcending an urban-rural gradient in Morogoro city, Tanzania to understand the patterns of road kills, taxonomic composition and used the Generalized linear modeling to determine the ecological and environmental factors mostly influencing the road kill abundances. We also assessed the conservation status of the road kills to propose measures to improve biodiversity conservation in this urban landscape bordering a global biodiversity hotspot. We found 929 killed animals belonging to 62 families and 23 orders and 5 taxa (classes) with the majority kills being insects. There was a significant difference on road kill abundance between taxa but no significant difference in kill abundance across the urban-rural gradient. Furthermore, we found that designated road speed limit was significantly positively associated with increased road kills with the insect taxon occurring most abundant in the kill. Additionally, we found three species involved in the animal-vehicle collision threatened with extinction and over 50% of the recorded road kills lacking information on their conservation status on the red list at all. These data may be useful in improving the strategies to reducing the animal-vehicle collisions and to inform the potential biodiversity monitoring in the study area and elsewhere in Africa's cities faced with similar urbanization challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study investigates the genetic variability of Hydatigera taeniaeformis in black rats (Rattus rattus), a common tapeworm that infects cats and rodents worldwide. Despite its widespread presence and zoonotic potential, little is known about the genetic diversity of this parasite in the Americas. Methods: We conducted DNA barcoding analysis using mitochondrial cox 1 gene sequences using samples collected from 171 invasive wild black rats, captured in the temperate rainforest of Southern Chile. We also included two adult parasites isolated from road killed Kodkods (Leopardus guigna), a small felid species native to the Americas. Results: Our findings revealed only two haplotypes, suggesting low genetic variability in a parasite that arrived in the Americas with the Spanish colonization. Discussion: These haplotypes are more closely related to parasite populations from Peru, Africa, Australia, and Europe, suggesting an origin linked to the Spanish colonization, possibly from North Africa via the Canary Islands. The study also analyzed infection rates, parasite size, and their correlation with host body size, age, and weight, revealing significant patterns. These results provide new insights into the biogeography and genetic diversity of H. taeniaeformis in a new geographical area, enhancing our understanding of its evolutionary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, road fatalities affect wildlife populations and ecosystems, leading to ecological imbalances, economic losses, and safety hazards for both animals and humans. However, the emotional toll on humans is less well understood. This research explores tourists' responses to roadkill, using emotional geography as the overarching framework, and focusing on the island state of Tasmania in Australia. Tasmania is known for its diverse and abundant native wildlife, as well as the unfortunate distinction of having Australia's highest rate of wildlife fatalities caused by vehicle collisions, commonly referred to as roadkill. A mixed‐method questionnaire asked respondents to share emotions, and we then considered their relationships to socio‐demographic attributes. Around 97% of respondents encountered roadkill during their stays, and 63% encountered live animals on or near the road. Tourists identified sadness as the most felt emotion when confronted with the consequences of wildlife–vehicle collisions. Anger and disgust were also experienced, primarily because of the unpleasant sight of roadkill and the realisation that animals suffered. Women reported being more negatively affected than men. Tourists who had visited to see wildlife were more affected than those who had not. Analysis leads to the conclusion that unplanned, sporadic, unexpected, and confronting encounters with dead animals detract from the tourism experience for most, especially encounters with wildlife was anticipated as a positive experience on tour. Such findings have wider implications for those working in the tourism industry in mainland Australia, Canada, and South Africa, where roadkill is also problematic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike most canids, versatile and capable of navigating vast landscapes, endangered Ethiopian wolves (Canis simensis) are endemic to an archipelago of Afroalpine islands. As a habitat specialist, the Ethiopian wolf is ill‐equipped to move across a highly transformed and densely populated agriculture matrix. Hard borders imposed by expanding subsistence agriculture lock Ethiopian wolves into further isolation, with few opportunities for dispersal and recolonisation. We report and evaluate empirical information from long‐term monitoring across the species' range to understand processes of habitat loss, recolonisation and extinction in recent and historical times, and to assess what conservation measures and strategies would ensure their persistence. Ethiopian wolves occurred in six isolated populations, totalling 454 wolves (population sizes ranged between 281 and 24) occupying 2700 km2 of Afroalpine habitat. We describe three population extinctions and three local extinctions within fragmented populations, and present evidence of factors accelerating the extinction process, such as disease (rabies and canine distemper virus), persecution, road kills and poisoning. Of all the suitable habitat available to wolves, 86% was included within nine protected areas, including three new Community Conservation Areas and two national park extensions in the past 10 years. As all Ethiopian wolf populations are small and vulnerable to stochastic events and environmental perturbation, conservation efforts to ensure the long‐term survival of the species need to integrate: 1) support for protected areas to halt agriculture encroachment and to regulate sustainable uses of natural resources; 2) efforts to minimise all causes of mortality, including but not limited to disease; and 3) conservation translocations to overcome fundamental barriers to dispersal in the highlands of Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have analysed the different causes of admissions of stone martens (Martes foina), genets (Genetta genetta) and pine martens (Martes martes) in two rehabilitation centres in Castilla y León (Spain) during 32 years (1991–2022). The results indicate that the most important factor for stone martens was road kills with 227 martens (53.4 %) followed by electrocutions with 90 martens (21.2 %). From genets, 94 of them (68.6 %) were due to roadkill and 7 (5.1 %) were due to electrocution. The most important cause of admission for pine martens was road kills with 22 (88 %) and 1 (4 %) due to electrocution. Possible explanations for the observed high mortality of stone martens in electric pylons are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We extensively reviewed scientific literature and extracted a large dataset with roadkill events for reptile species. We examined 300 articles from 33 European countries, gathering 1688 records of reptiles killed by vehicle traffic. A total of 125 taxa were found documented as roadkill (100 native and 25 exotic species). We calculated each species' occurrence frequency within the database (henceforth 'relative roadkill frequency'). The relative roadkill of species was strongly and significantly correlated when comparing the whole dataset and the subset of systematic studies. We modelled the inter‐specific variation in relative roadkill frequency across the European reptilian phylogeny concerning species traits, evolutionary uniqueness, and distribution range using a phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) model. Overall, reptile casualties are more pronounced for more closely related species. However, the relative roadkill frequency was unrelated to the level of evolutionary distinctiveness of European reptiles. Additionally, relative roadkill frequency was not correlated to the distribution range but was positively correlated with the species' body mass. The reptiles more frequently cited as road casualties were overall relatively large species: Montpellier snake Malpolon monspessulanus, European grass snake Natrix natrix, and Caspian whipsnake Dolichophis caspius. Additionally, more active species during the crepuscular hours were less affected by roadkill. From a conservation point of view, our results suggest that roadkill frequency is not more significant for evolutionary, more unique reptiles than for other species in Europe, while at the same time, widely distributed species are not the main target of roadkill events. Then, the main causes of roadkill in reptiles must be associated with other factors, such as behavioural traits or density of populations, rather than simply the size of their distribution range. Keywords: evolutionary uniqueness, phylogenetic signal, reptile species, roadkill incidence, wildlife conservation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important microsporidian protozoa that causes intestinal disorders in humans. We collected 191 fecal samples from roadkill deer carcasses, among which 13 (6.8%) showed positive reaction for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 distinct genotypes, 1 of which was novel. All genotypes belonged to Group 1, which has low host specificity, indicating possible transmission through sylvatic cycle. E. bieneusi infection was predominant in female deer (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Angiostrongylus vasorum, commonly known as the "French heartworm," is a nematode belonging to the Metastrongyloidea superfamily. This parasite was first identified in Toulouse, France in 1853 infecting the pulmonary arteries and the right side of the heart of a Pointer dog. Angiostrongylosis is an important infection due its severe clinical signs and potential for causing high morbidity and mortality in domestic dogs. This nematode has not been studied in Algeria. The aim of this study was investigate the presence of lungworms among different mammal species in a number of Algerian regions. Methods: Between February 2022 and September 2023, 47 road-killed animals were collected from six administrative units (departments) in Algeria. All carcasses underwent a full parasitological necropsy, and lung tissues were preserved in 10% buffered formalin and concentrated ethanol for further study. All collected samples were subjected to histological and PCR (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene) analyses for lungworm identification. Results: Histological examination revealed the presence of nematode eggs and larvae in the alveolar space and chronic obstructive vascular changes were detected in a single golden African wolf (Canis lupaster) collected from the department of Constantine. First-stage larvae were collected and morphologically identified as Angiostrongylus spp. The molecular identification confirmed the presence of A. vasorum. All other animals tested were negative for lungworms. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of A. vasorum infection in an African golden wolf (Canis lupaster). We report a new host association, highlighting the importance of further studies to update the geographical distribution of A. vasorum and its epidemiology across Algeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roadkill, the result of collisions between vehicles and wildlife, is becoming one of the most important conservation issues. This is especially evident in regions such as the Cerrado savannas which are under strong land use conversion, forcing animals to move more through the landscape and thus increasing exposure to roadkill. Herein, we assess the temporal and spatial patterns of roadkill of the striped hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus semistriatus) as well as its interaction with surrounding land use in the Brazilian Cerrado. To do so, we sampled BR-050, a nationally-important highway, for roadkilled C. semistriatus between 2015 and 2020 and used location and date to identify temporal and spatial patterns of roadkill. Furthermore, we assessed whether different land uses affected wildlife-vehicle collisions using a random forest model. We recorded 672 roadkilled individuals of C. semistriatus, and detected both monthly and yearly temporal hotspots as well as spatial hotspots. These hotspots were significantly surrounded by soy, which along with savannas and crops were the most impactful land uses. Since conservation practitioners need to know when and where there are higher risks of wildlife-vehicle collision, our results are essential for the conservation of C. semistriatus in the Cerrado by incorporating land use into roadkill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roads can impact population abundance due to mortality from collisions with vehicles, habitat degradation and loss of connectivity. Some species, however, can be unaffected or even positively affected by roads and roadside environments. Despite this, there is scarce information on population‐level responses to roads. To fill this knowledge gap, we sampled medium and large mammals with camera traps near two paved roads with low and high traffic volumes in agricultural landscapes in the Brazilian Cerrado. We used Royle‐Nichols' occupancy models to investigate the effects of road proximity on the local abundance of 12 mammal species with varying susceptibility to roadkill. We found that road proximity affected only three species, all of which had high roadkill rates. While two of these species exhibited lower abundance near roads, the third showed the opposite response. For most species, irrespective of their roadkill rates, variations in local abundance were strongly correlated with habitat quality and connectivity. Species' life‐history traits, individual behaviour and the impact of roads and traffic on populations over time may explain these idiosyncratic responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research to date suggests that air pollution may affect children's cognitive development. This study followed 12,159 children in the Millennium Cohort Study in England for 17 years to assess the impacts of lifetime PM2.5 exposure at home and school on cognitive performance while accounting for the inter-related environmental factors of greenness and road noise. Lifetime environmental exposures were measured at home from age 9 months and at school from age 5 years. The relationships between PM2.5 and cognitive test performance at ages 3, 5, 7, 11, 14 and 17 years were investigated using multivariable linear regression models accounting for survey design and controlling for greenness, road noise, and other individual, family, school, and areal characteristics. The results suggest little evidence of observable associations between PM2.5 and cognitive performance in England, with or without adjustment for greenness and road noise, at any age in the study population. These findings also apply to greenness and road noise. This is the first study to quantify the relationship between air pollution, greenspace, noise, and children's cognitive performance in a longitudinal cohort study in England. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Golden jackal is one of the higher trophic level wild animals in rural Bengal. Their ecological significance is undeniable in regional ecosystems and biodiversity. But gradually they become threatened due to habitat contraction, road killing, poisoning and human persecution. The documentation of jackal death by road accident within the 12-km district highway which is a single lane bituminous road in Patshpur-I Community Development Block under Purba Medinipur district, India, reveals an unpredictable ecological circumstance (n-154). Jackals are killed by road accidents from 2022 to 2023. On behalf of this blameless situation, the present study conducted intensive observations, case studies and spatial-ecological analysis. The study also included stakeholder's perceptions to reach and relates the background of this fact. After observation and analysis, it has been found that the jackal deaths have a spatio-temporal signature and are connected with food and forage ground loss from their habitat-influenced area. Another outcome is that roadside habitat becomes an alternative food source and forage ground for them due to trench construction both alongside of the district highway and illegal dumping of meat wastes and domestic wastes. The seasonal biological activities of the jackals, local weather phenomena and car driver negligence are responsible for the accidental death of jackals along the district highway. Considering all the observed factors, the present study shared some reliable measures to control, protect and conserve this animal for balancing regional ecosystem as well as biodiversity in rural Bengal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) are semiaquatic mammals distributed throughout the North American continent. They are generalist carnivores with a high potential to affect community structure and dynamics. However, habitat degradation and ecosystem changes have the potential to impact their trophic interactions. Therefore, investigating their diet is critical to understand how anthropogenic disturbances can affect their ecological roles, particularly in the urbanised ecosystems in Florida, where such diet information is currently unavailable. Due to their elusive nature, direct observation of feeding events is a major challenge. Here, we have applied DNA metabarcoding of faecal matter (fDNA), opportunistically collected from river otters killed by road traffic in eastern Florida. Two mitochondrial markers were used to identify prey species' DNA—one for fish and one for vertebrates. A total of 23 unique exact sequence variants (ESVs) were identified, the majority belonging not only to teleosts but also to amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The prey species identified are known dietary resources for river otters and the recovered dietary profiles provided independently by the fish and vertebrate assays were similar. Among the identified teleost prey, three fish species are considered invasive. Here, we show that when sufficient reference sequences are available, fDNA metabarcoding provides high prey species resolution. The collection and metabarcoding of faecal samples is particularly advantageous for scaling diet studies, both geographically and longitudinally, highlighting the potential of fDNA metabarcoding for the investigation of the diet of predators. This can provide foundational information on the organisation of ecological networks, which is vital for implementing successful ecosystem‐based conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest roads have been recognized as one of the significant contributors to soil erosion processes in forested areas. The construction and maintenance of forest roads can cause severe environmental impacts, including soil erosion, sedimentation, and degradation of aquatic ecosystems. The main objective of the present study is to analyze the impact of forest road networks on soil erosion and sedimentation in the context of the Zagros forestlands, Iran. This study aims to assess the soil erosion and sedimentation on forest roads in four case studies in the Zagros forestlands. This study collected data using field surveys and SEDMODL equations to determine input factors and sedimentation and erosion rates. This study found that roadside erosion is strongly correlated with geological factors, road width, and precipitation factors. The height changes of 144 benchmarks were recorded during one study year (2021–2022) on four study roads, and the measured results of erosion benchmarks indicated an average soil erosion of 3, 2.6, 4.7, and 3.5 mm per year around the Bideleh, Kohian, Nazi, and Tabarak roads, respectively. This study measured soil erosion and sedimentation at three distances (5, 15, and 25 m) from the road, and found a significant difference in the height changes of the benchmarks at varying distances from the study roads. A hot-spot analysis was conducted using GIS 10.8, and the results indicated that a significant portion of the studied forest roads had very high erosion production and hot spots. The results of the hot-spot analysis indicated that 30.8%, 22.6%, 39.8%, and 14.5% of the study forest roads, Nazi, Tabarak, Bideleh, and Kohian roads, respectively, are identified as areas with very high erosion production and hot spots. These results highlight the need for effective management strategies to minimize the impact of erosion on road infrastructure and the surrounding environment. Overall, this study provides important insights into the soil erosion and sedimentation on forest roads, and the findings presented here can be used to inform future road construction and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied species composition and monthly patterns of roadkill of large and medium sized mammal species along 778 km of Slovenian highways in the period 2018–2020. Apart from providing the first comprehensive data on monthly patterns of roadkill as a proxy of wildlife-vehicle collisions at Slovenian highways and identifying linear collision hotspots (using KDE + methodology), we also tested the impact of acoustic deterrents installed at highway interchanges in late 2018 on WVC frequency. In the three-year period, we registered in total 2046 roadkill cases, with red fox (Vulpes vulpes), (N = 790; 39.6%), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (N = 592; 28.9%), and European badger (Meles meles), (N = 423; 20.7%) being the most exposed species. Temporal collision patterns with evident species-specific monthly peaks reflect the behaviour and activity of these three species. We identified 268 KDE + hotspots, accounting for 48.5% of all roadkill and covering 9.3% (72.6 km) of the highway network. Recognising these hotspots is crucial for implementing mitigation measures to reduce WVC on Slovenian highways. However, our findings indicate no decrease in roadkill after installation of acoustic deterrents (2019–2020), therefore additional effort is needed to find adequate and effective approach for reducing roadkill and hence increasing road safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Galapagos Islands, the main road in Santa Cruz is one of the elements involved in bird road mortality along with vehicles and the impacted species. This study reports the number of roadkilled birds found on the road from the Itabaca Channel to Puerto Ayora, and the main factors, whether avian or environmental, involved in bird roadkill mortality. We collected individual carcasses in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2018 with a prevalence of 278, 252, 265, and 294, respectively, across 21 species. The endemic Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia aureola was the most affected bird. We used a PRIDIT model to rank the top avian and environmental predictors of road mortality. We found that for the sampled years, bird body size (i.e., 8–35 g) and the endemism status (i.e., endemic/native) were the main predictors of roadkill mortality, along with seasonality (i.e., hot season). Weaker predictors related to the bird (i.e., age and sex) and the environment (ecosystem, road slope, vegetation, or precipitation) are also reported as determinants of roadkill mortality. This study on avian mortality aims to inform conservation strategies to reduce the rate of wildlife avian roadkill on Santa Cruz Island and other islands with similar problems.

The article analyses survey data of small mammals collected by the method of live trapping on two trap lines, the dynamics of beaver numbers in one of the colonies, and random encounters of roadkill mammals in the Homilshanski Lisy National Nature Park and nearby areas. The data were collected in 2015–2022 during field research. Small mammals were studied on the second, pine barren terrace of the Siverskyi Donets River. Two trap lines (trapping trenches with five traps in each, made of two-litre PET bottles) were laid in the pine forest. The first was in an undamaged area of the forest, and the second was in an area damaged by a grassland fire in 2005 and currently undergoing natural forest ecosystem restoration. A total of six species of small mammals were recorded during the survey period, including Sylvaemus uralensis, Myodes glareolus, Sylvaemus tauricus, Mus musculus, Sorex araneus, Crocidura suaveolens, as well as an unidentified Sylvaemus sp. The research has shown that, during the years of peak numbers, not only the abundance of individual species increases, but also the number of recorded species. The beaver colony, where the surveys were conducted, is located in a floodplain on the left bank of the Siverskyi Donets River in a system of three small lakes interconnected by channels. There are also seasonal peaks in the numbers of roadkill species. In total, 17 species have been recorded dead on the roads, which is almost a third of all mammalian species of the Homilshanski Lisy National Nature Park (as of 2020, 60 species have been registered in the Park). It was found that there is a positive correlation between population increase in different groups of mammals and the frequency of deaths of different groups of mammals and the number of species killed on roads. We identified the places where certain anthropogenic factors (poaching, road repairs) are superimposed on natural phenomena and how this affects the state of fauna protection in the National Nature Park. In general, the population dynamics of mammals over the years correlates with the dynamics of encounters of roadkill birds, reptiles, and amphibians, which we also studied during this period. We have proposed a number of recommendations for developing a strategy for the protection of various species in the National Nature Park and its protected area: measures to reduce the risk of animal death on highways.

Background: Anthropogenic activities occurring throughout the Sonoran Desert are replacing and fragmenting habitat and reducing landscape connectivity for the Sonoran desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai). Understanding how the structure of the landscape influences tortoise habitat use and movement can help develop strategies for mitigating the impacts of these landscape alterations, which are conservation actions needed to support the species' long-term persistence. However, how natural and anthropogenic features influence fine-scale habitat use and movement of Sonoran desert tortoises remains unclear. Methods: The goals of this study were to (1) understand how characteristics of the landscape shape tortoise habitat use and movement in order to (2) identify factors that may reduce habitat use or threaten landscape connectivity for the species by discouraging or restricting movement. We collected GPS telemetry data from 17 adult tortoises tracked for two summer monsoon seasons, when tortoises are most active, in a U.S. National Monument along the international border between Arizona, USA and Sonora, Mexico. We used Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to assign GPS locations to an encamped or a moving state. We used the moving state data in integrated Step Selection Analyses (iSSA) to examine how range-resident Sonoran desert tortoises select habitat and respond to landscape features while moving. Results: Tortoises selected to move through areas of intermediate vegetation cover and terrain ruggedness and avoided areas far from desert washes and close to low-traffic roads. Tortoises increased their speed when approaching or crossing low-traffic roads but showed no detectable response to a highway. Conclusion: Bare earth or high vegetation cover, flat or extremely rugged terrain, areas far from desert washes, and low-traffic roads may discourage or restrict tortoise movement. Therefore, preventing the development of roads, activities that degrade washes, and activities that thin, remove, or greatly increase vegetation cover may encourage tortoise habitat use and movement within those habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: Many bird species in the Galapagos Islands are killed on the roads by cars that transport citizens and tourists to their daily activities. This study reports the number of wild bird species killed near roads in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2018 and uses a statistical analysis (PRIDIT) to rank the main intrinsic (avian) and extrinsic (environmental) predictors of mortality. About 250 birds (21 species) were found dead each year on the road. Our results show that for all studied years, small-endemic birds are especially at risk of roadkill during hot days on the main road of Santa Cruz. The Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia aureola is the most affected species, particularly during the hot season. On the other hand, owls are a bigger species than the Yellow Warbler and, therefore, are less affected. However, the impacts of vehicle strikes are important to follow up on because owls are endangered. Although controlling the factors affecting bird mortality is complex, our results can inform management actions to mitigate avian mortality resulting from collisions with vehicles and other human activities. In the Galapagos Islands, the main road in Santa Cruz is one of the elements involved in bird road mortality along with vehicles and the impacted species. This study reports the number of roadkilled birds found on the road from the Itabaca Channel to Puerto Ayora, and the main factors, whether avian or environmental, involved in bird roadkill mortality. We collected individual carcasses in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2018 with a prevalence of 278, 252, 265, and 294, respectively, across 21 species. The endemic Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia aureola was the most affected bird. We used a PRIDIT model to rank the top avian and environmental predictors of road mortality. We found that for the sampled years, bird body size (i.e., 8–35 g) and the endemism status (i.e., endemic/native) were the main predictors of roadkill mortality, along with seasonality (i.e., hot season). Weaker predictors related to the bird (i.e., age and sex) and the environment (ecosystem, road slope, vegetation, or precipitation) are also reported as determinants of roadkill mortality. This study on avian mortality aims to inform conservation strategies to reduce the rate of wildlife avian roadkill on Santa Cruz Island and other islands with similar problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of wildlife roadkill significantly threatens the persistence of wildlife populations and disrupts the ecological functionality of ecosystems. This study investigates the impact of roadkills on wildlife in the Paraguayan Chaco, focusing on a 250‐km segment of Route 9 'Dr. Carlos Antonio López' between Villa Hayes and Pozo Colorado. We conducted a road survey for 15 months and recorded 2338 carcasses, identifying 87 species, with mammals (41.3%), reptiles (32.3%) and birds (19.8%) being the most observed groups. The species most frequently killed included Cerdocyon thous, Caracara plancus, Thamnodynastes hypoconia and Procyon cancrivorus. We also recorded species with conservation concern. Additionally, we estimated mortality rates by accounting for sampling errors such as carcass removal and searcher efficiency, revealing annual roadkill rates of 5183 mammals, 19 402 birds and 5020 reptiles on the 250 km per year. Spatial analysis using Ripley's K statistic and HotSpot Identification highlighted significant variation in roadkill distribution across different taxonomic groups and seasons, with 51 km of road identified as hotspots when analysing all groups together. Notably, there was minimal overlap in hotspot locations between seasons and taxonomic groups, emphasizing the need for targeted mitigation strategies. Our findings challenge previous macroecological assessments suggesting low roadkill rates in Paraguay, underscoring the importance of local studies in accurately assessing ecological impacts. This study provides critical baseline data for conservation efforts and calls for further research to develop and implement effective roadkill mitigation strategies in Latin America, especially in Chaco region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of suitable habitats and roadkill hotspots allows for the prioritization of areas of conservation and the identification of road sections that require appropriate planning and development. Understanding the factors that influence the species' presence and those contributing to its road-related fatalities is crucial. This study demonstrates the use of MaxEnt modeling to map the potential distribution of the striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) in Batna province (East Algeria) using occurrence records and a set of environmental variables. The results indicated that the two primary environmental variables that influence the distribution of the species are the shrubland, and the slope with a contribution of 37.5 and 30.2 %, respectively, followed by built-up areas (12 %) and distance to roads (7.2 %). The species may occupy steep terrain with shrubland near anthropized areas. Road collisions represent a threat to the species, with 28 documented casualties from 2010 to 2020 in Batna. The kernel density estimation revealed an important roadkill hotspot along the national roads 3 and 28. This study represents a preliminary step for the use of wildlife ecological niche modeling and road management in Algeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volunteer‐based roadkill monitoring schemes, including road carcass sampling, can represent considerable advances with respect to classical methods employed in conservation biology. We studied the genetic diversity, structure, and dynamics of the European polecat (Mustela putorius) across the Iberian Peninsula. We used samples of road carcasses collected by volunteers because this carnivore is an elusive species otherwise difficult to monitor with standard field protocols. We gathered 238 samples obtained from 2004 to 2022 from 13 different areas (8–31 samples/area). Using microsatellite loci, we identified 4 genetic units with gene flow among 3 of them in the Iberian Peninsula. The genetic variability was steadily low in 1 of the areas (Girona) for all the parameters evaluated. This area is also genetically isolated from the other studied areas. The inbreeding coefficient was significant in the north‐ and south‐Iberia units, and we did not detect a bottleneck signature in any of the 4 genetic units. Future conservation actions should consider the genetic dissimilarity among detected units and elucidate the ecological factors that have led to the observed genetic patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As many as 4,601 people were injured or killed on the roads in Norway in 2022. This number is too high and highlights the necessity of putting road safety on the agenda. The car industry today is represented by a vast increase in advanced technology for drivers to interact with, and knowing how and when to use this technology is crucial for safe driving. Thus, our research question was: Does the Norwegian driver training industry teach advanced driver assistance technology (ADAS) and touch screens in their driver training? A survey was distributed to 1,058 driving schools in Norway, resulting in 333 responses. The results showed that driving instructors spend considerably more effort on teaching inbuilt driving assist technologies that enhance driving safety than on those that are designed to enhance safety but that, if not understood well, could lead to hazardous outcomes. Suggestions on how to improve driver training and driving instructor education are made. Research and practical implications are presented to make sure that driving education is updated and aligned with technological advancements in the automobile industry and to ensure traffic safety for all road users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The knowledge about forest growth, influenced by factors such as tree species, tree age, and environmental conditions, is a key for future forest preservation. Height and age data can be combined to describe forest growth and used to infer known environmental effects. Methods: In this study, we built 14 height growth curves for stands composed of monospecific or mixed species using ground measurements and satellite data. We built a random forest height model from tree species, age, area of disturbance, and 125 environmental parameters (climate, altitude, soil composition, geology, stand ownership, and proximity to road and urban areas). Using feature elimination and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis, we identified six key features explaining the forest growth and investigated how they affect the height. Results: The agreement between satellite and ground data justifies their simultaneous exploitation. Age and tree species are the main predictors of tree height (49% and 10%, respectively). The disturbed patch area, revealing the regeneration method, impacts post-disturbance growth at 19%. The soil pH, altitude, and climatic water budget in summer impact tree height differently depending on the age and tree species. Discussion: Methods integrating satellite and field data show promise for analyzing future forest evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The expansion of human activities in their many forms increases the frequency, diversity, and scale of human-wildlife interactions. One such negative form is the expansion of road infrastructure, causing road kill and traffic-related noise as well as habitat loss and fragmentation. Even so, habitats around road infrastructure are attractive foraging areas that attract certain bird species. We assessed the impact of road infrastructure on the foraging strategies of the common buzzard Buteo buteo. Methods: Birds were observed during two winter seasons in two land-use types, along an expressway and an open agricultural landscape. Individual birds were tracked for a 10-min sequence as a separate sample was analysed. The material, covering 1,220 min along the expressway, and 1,100 min in the agricultural landscape, was collected. Results: Time spent by buzzards on medium-height sites was higher along the expressway than in farmland. Buzzards changed their hunting sites following the mean wind speed. Also, they more often changed their sites along the expressway than in farmland. The land-use types, snow cover, and the mean wind speed mediated the number of attacks on prey. These results illustrate the high plasticity of the buzzards' behaviour, which can adapt their hunting strategies to both foraging locations (expressway and farmland) and weather conditions. Roadsides along expressways are attractive foraging areas for this diurnal raptor, so reducing the risk of vehicle collisions with this and other birds of prey may require targeted planning efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road mortality can be a serious threat to different animals, including snakes. However, mortality patterns can vary between species, intraspecific groups, locations and time. We compared the number of road-killed individuals (carcasses) of two semiaquatic water snakes (Natrix natrix and N. tessellata) on 58 km of road sections bordered by an active floodplain and a flood-protected former floodplain on one side and mountainous areas on the other in NE Hungary based on surveys conducted once every two weeks in three non-consecutive years. The results showed high road mortality of snakes, with a spring and an autumn peak corresponding to the times when snakes emerge from and return to hibernating sites. The results show that small-scale spatial differences in road mortality were mediated by landscape structure along the road, while the effects of traffic volume, flood regime and the age and sex of the individuals were negligible. For conservation, the study suggests that establishing culvert passages under the road and/or artificial hibernating sites on the floodplain-side of the roads in critical sections can be promising in reducing road-related mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Humaniora dan Politik (JIHHP) is the property of Dinasti Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Globally, collisions with vehicles result in millions of animal deaths every year, representing a major issue for wildlife conservation and management. Consequently, and importantly, much research has focused on understanding patterns of animal–vehicle collisions with the aim to reduce roadkill of wildlife. However, existing data on animal–vehicle collisions might also represent a novel opportunity to monitor wildlife populations. For this purpose, we compared data of >1.2 million hunter‐shot deer and >40,000 deer–vehicle collisions collected over 11 years in Denmark. We show that deer–vehicle collision data can be useful for population monitoring of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and red deer (Cervus elaphus). Roe deer was the most numerous species, representing 90% of observations based both on deer–vehicle collisions and on hunting bag statistics. After accounting for factors related to road infrastructure (road length and density, traffic volume), local (municipality) deer–vehicle collisions were highly correlated with hunting bag data for roe and red deer (Pearson's r > 0.7) but not fallow deer, likely due to biases in hunting bags. Moreover, we used deer–vehicle collision data to map spatiotemporal changes in the distribution of fallow and red deer, and demographic changes in all species. Combined, our results suggest that animal–vehicle collision data can be a useful tool to supplement existing methods for monitoring wildlife populations, which will be relevant for the management of these populations. We point to important shortcomings in both animal–vehicle collision and hunting bag data and provide recommendations on how to improve their accuracy in the future, to be applicable for a broader range of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An examination of the scale of energy trade between China and the countries along the Belt and Road, as well as the terrorist activities in these countries from 2008 to 2019, has been conducted in this study. The spatial and temporal evolution law is revealed through the use of exploratory spatial data analysis. The spatial Durbin model is employed to investigate the impacts and spatial spillover effects of terrorist activities along the Belt and Road on China's energy trade with these countries. The findings of the study are as follows: Spatial clustering is exhibited by the energy scale of China's imports and exports with countries along the routes and terrorist activities along the routes, with energy imports concentrated in West Asia and North Africa, energy exports concentrated in Southeast Asia, and terrorist activities concentrated in West Asia and North Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia. A negative effect on the scale of China's energy imports from the countries along the route is exerted by the terrorism index, and a positive spatial spillover effect is present. The number of terrorist activities and deaths have a negative effect on the scale of China's energy imports from the countries along the route, but there is no spatial spillover effect. The terrorism index does not affect the scale of energy exports from China to countries along the route, but there is a negative spatial spillover effect. There are differences in the spatial spillover effects of the number of terrorist activities and deaths on the scale of China's energy exports. The level of economic development, liner transportation convenience, and energy exports dependence of the countries along the route also significantly influence China's energy trade with these countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wildlife–vehicle collisions continue to threaten Tasmanian wildlife and cause animal welfare issues. As Tasmanian residents often consider roadkill as part of the landscape, tourists' attitudes and behaviour could provide new insights when seeking solutions. Using a self-reporting questionnaire, we found that most tourists view wildlife–vehicle collisions as a serious issue, and humans must take responsibility for minimising the problem. Even though residents seem hardened to roadkill, they appear to play an important role in communicating the issue to tourists. Tourists express a willingness to adopt mitigation strategies, such as altering travelling speed or travelling times. However, this research reveals that the importance of safely removing carcasses and checking on the victims and their surviving young is not fully understood. Tourists indicated that they do not know what to do or whom to contact when confronted with injured, surviving, or deceased wildlife. We suggest that the tourism industry, alongside other stakeholders, can play a significant role in raising awareness and education, as well as inform campaigns tailored to Tasmanian residents. The surge in wildlife–vehicle collision research has not yet translated into a substantial decrease in animal fatalities. In line with the prevailing view, we suspect that drivers' behaviour may be the most crucial element. We address a research gap in drivers' attitudes towards and behaviour in response to wildlife–vehicle collisions from a tourist perspective. We designed a questionnaire to examine tourists' attitudes and behaviour in relation to wildlife–vehicle collisions while driving in Tasmania. We found that the respondents' sociodemographic attributes had minimal effect on their practical responses to roadkill. Tourists consider wildlife–vehicle collisions a serious problem for both biodiversity loss and animal welfare reasons, and their willingness to change their behaviour was high. However, many respondents did not stop to check for surviving pouch young. This inaction resulted either from overlooking the importance of pouch checking or a lack of knowledge on what action needed to be taken. There may also be a lack of understanding that roadkill left on the road leads to secondary roadkill incidents. Even though tourist behaviour does not automatically represent residents' behaviour, these findings will help to improve and tailor educational approaches to rectify the driver awareness/behaviour gap for both tourists and residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Uganda Carnivore Program (UCP), located in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), has--among other large carnivore research and conservation measures--engaged in human-carnivore conflict mitigation and prevention efforts since 2015. UCP's experiential lion tourism program funds compensation to local communities for livestock losses to promote carnivore tolerance and conservation. But while UCP's conflict mitigation and prevention trials--through direct payments in response to forensically determined cases of livestock depredation by lion (Panthera leo)--may be aiding in the goal of maintaining lion viability in QENP and the greater Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area (QECA), compensation does not preclude ongoing challenges. These include unsustainable resource uses from human population growth and illegal expansions, subsequent land use changes, illegal livestock grazing and related husbandry practices, and compensation financing shortages. Of note regarding compensation is assessing whether claims of livestock depredation are genuine or not. Nevertheless, disruption to UCP's experiential lion tourism and compensation programs could result in increased retaliatory killings of lions, thus further reducing an already low lion population. As compensation includes the area's large carnivore guild, disruption could also mean further reductions in leopard (Panthera pardus) andspottedhyena (Crocuta crocuta) populations from retaliatory killings. Based on a perspective of UCP's compensation trials and related challenges, several recommendations, including the introduction of compensation percentage rates based on rewards-based frameworks, would strengthen human-carnivore conflict mitigation as part of lion and other large carnivore conservation. This would benefit QENP, greater QECA, and other protected areas where people, livestock, and large carnivores share space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of scavengers in ecosystems, with a focus on the scavenger community in the Kluane region of the Yukon in Canada. The study challenges the common perception of scavengers, revealing that they include not only expected species like ravens and magpies but also unexpected ones like Canada jays, lynx, and chipmunks. The research emphasizes the complex impacts of prey species on food webs and highlights the need for further study of scavengers. The article also discusses the global presence of scavengers and their importance in nutrient recycling. It concludes by highlighting the positive contributions of scavengers, such as vultures, in waste removal and disease prevention. The decline in vulture populations in India, linked to the use of diclofenac, has led to an increase in stray dog populations and an increase in dog bites and exposure to rabies in humans. In Spain, vultures have saved farmers an estimated $50 million by consuming livestock carcasses. Scavengers also play a crucial role in reducing disease risk by removing animal remains infected with brucellosis. Pumas contribute significantly to scavenger communities in North and South America, while brushtail possums in the Australian Alps are unexpected scavengers of kangaroo carcasses. However, scavengers face threats from climate change and habitat loss, and further research is needed to fully understand their role in ecosystems and disease transmission. [Extracted from the article]

Wildlife–vehicle collisions (roadkill) have a direct effect on survivorship of wildlife and are a serious problem for conservation in the protected areas. Amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna) are characterized by their seasonal activity, slow movements, and use of roads as habitat, making them especially vulnerable to roadkill. With the aim of assessing the road-related herpetofauna mortality in a protected area boundary, I performed systematic sampling from June 2015 to February 2016 along a 94-km section of Provincial Route (RP) No. 17 in Cordoba Province, Argentina. I analyzed the species composition, roadkill frequency per km, and spatial and seasonal roadkill patterns. Thirty-six herpetofauna roadkills (belonging to six species) were recorded on RP No. 17, with a roadkill frequency per km of 0.0106. Reptiles were more affected than amphibians, with Philodryas patagoniensis and Tupinambis merianae being the most commonly killed species. A stretch of 23.7 km of the sampled road was identified as a roadkill hotspot. Number of roadkills increased with monthly mean temperature, with a snake roadkill peak in spring and a lizard roadkill peak in early summer. Here, I consider which factors could be related to the identified spatial and seasonal patterns of roadkill in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationships between species and their habitat are strongly related to their feeding habits making its description essential for understanding the species' biology and plan their conservation. This study describes the diet of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), a specialist insectivorous mammal, and evaluates potential sex-related intraspecific variation. We analyzed fecal matter from live individuals and from road-kills (N = 29 individuals) collected from October 2018 to April 2020 in the Cerrado savanna of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Anteater's diet was described by the relative frequency (RF; proportion of the sample mass represented by the prey item) and the frequency of occurrence (FO; proportion of samples in which the item was detected) of each prey item, which was classified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. The diet was composed of 14 morphotypes of termites (Blattodea), 28 morphotypes of ants (Formicidae) and grass seeds (Poacea). They fed primarily on termites (FO = 89.65%; RF = 75.85%) and ants (FO = 100%; RF = 23.08%), with no significant differences between sexes. Termites of the genus Syntermes (RF = 75.55%) represented most of the dietary sample mass, and ants of the genus Pheidole represented the most frequent item found in the samples (FO = 96.55%). M. tridactyla is a myrmecophagous specialist that consumes a great richness of prey species associated with multiple habitats. Hence, the preservation of the natural heterogeneity of the Cerrado landscape and their habitats is essential for the conservation of this vulnerable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertebrates' roadkill impacts many species in natural areas. However, data on this topic in the Amazon domain are still scarce, especially within protected areas. In this study, we analysed data from 2 years of monitoring amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds' roadkill on five types of terrestrial transport infrastructure in a protected area in the Brazilian Amazon. We tested which vertebrate classes and feeding guilds were most recorded, the influence of seasonality and the spatial pattern of roadkill. In the studied area, 2795 roadkills were recorded, with amphibians suffering the most casualties. Most of the roadkills occurred during the rainy season (57%). Correcting the roadkill data using observer efficiency and carcass persistence time data, we concluded that mortality rates might be underestimated by up to 40 times when compared to raw data. There was no significant difference between feeding guilds concerning the number of fatalities, and rainfall and temperature significantly affected the roadkill pattern of all vertebrate classes. The spatial pattern of roadkill varied between traffic routes and vertebrate class types. The results indicate that amphibians are the most common victims of roadkill, although they are neglected in many roadkill monitoring. Consequently, mitigation strategies should prioritize periods with the highest mortality rates, as rainfall and temperature influence the frequency of these accidents. In addition, different classes of vertebrates have different patterns of impact concentration along traffic routes, which makes mitigation planning more complex. Therefore, planning to reduce vertebrate deaths from roadkill must consider each taxon's particularity and seasonality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Field Ornithology is the property of Resilience Alliance and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Approximately 1.35 million people worldwide are killed in road accidents every year. Mandatory first aid training for learner drivers has been introduced in some European countries but no such requirements are in effect in Australia. The current study aimed to pilot and evaluate a first aid eLearning program for Australian learner drivers undertaking their mandated supervised driving hours. Methods: A total of 103 participants (M age = 20.57; 52.4% female, 96% completion rate) responded to an online survey immediately before and two weeks after completing the Learner Driver First Aid program. Participants completed measures of first aid self-efficacy, first aid knowledge, and attitudes towards first aid, and provided qualitative feedback on the program. Paired samples t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests assessed improvements in first aid self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitudes, and qualitative feedback were analysed thematically. Results: Participants showed significant pre-post program improvements in first aid self-efficacy (p <.001) and first aid knowledge (p <.001); however, there were no significant changes in attitudes towards first aid (p =.028). Self-efficacy and knowledge improvements were significantly greater for those without prior first aid training (p <.001). Participants rated the usability of the online program favourably and most (93.2%) were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the program. Qualitative feedback suggested participants found the program to be accessible and interactive but noted concerns about the transfer of skills to the real-world context. Conclusions: The findings provide support for the efficacy of online first aid training for Australian learner drivers. However, further improvements to the eLearning program based on participant feedback should be considered. This study recommends the Learner Driver First Aid program be refined and rolled out to the Australian public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented global event in recent history. Beginning with an initial outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the virus spread rapidly across the globe, causing millions of deaths and triggering an unprecedented health, economic, and social crisis. The initial response to the outbreak in many countries was the implementation of social distancing measures, including the closure of schools and businesses, the cancellation of mass events, and the banning of travel. These measures were aimed at reducing the virus' spread and preventing health systems from being overwhelmed by the numerous severe COVID-19 cases. However, these measures also had a devastating economic impact, especially on precarious workers and freelancers, as well as those who were unable to work from home. As the pandemic (also considered a syndemic or synergistic epidemic) dragged on, countries adopted more flexible approaches to dealing with the virus, adopting mitigation measures rather than social distancing measures. These included the use of masks, testing and contact tracing, and the opening of businesses and schools with the implementation of additional safety measures. This paper highlights the social consequences of the pandemic, ultimately arguing that it is a total social fact (from the French fait social total), based on Marcel Mauss' categorization, since it encompassed and impacted all facets of human life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay provides a revised history of the James River Canal, the first navigational canal with locks in the United States. It corrects previous assumptions about the location of the canal and emphasizes the importance of preserving the canal-related archaeological sites and structures. The construction of the canal involved the work of John Ballendine and his son Thomas, as well as the James River Company. The canal played a significant role in transportation and trade in colonial America, particularly in the Richmond area. Although it was eventually overshadowed by railroads, the remains of the canal can still be seen today in the James River Park system. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the APUS Analog Research Group (AARG) and its research and outreach initiatives within space analog environments. Topics include the evaluation of digital stress measurement tools in analog astronaut missions, the impact of science communication efforts during analog missions, and the development and testing of supply cache systems for extended human exploration on Mars.

The negative effects of pesticide use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are often blamed on the "misuse" of pesticides. The industry and government narrative is that the use of highly hazardous pesticides is safe when instructions are followed, and that harm occurs due to "irrational" and "improper" human behavior, linked to lack of knowledge by farmers. This assumption does not consider the real-life situations of pesticide users in LMICs, including structural, economic, and social barriers that make it impossible to follow "safety practices." This "blame the farmer" narrative leads to ineffective risk mitigation measures, perpetuating and increasing people's exposure to pesticide harms and endangering their lives. It is governments that allow the use of highly hazardous pesticides in their jurisdictions, and pesticide companies that produce them—not individual pesticide users in LMICs—who should bear the main responsibility for the prevention of the negative impact of these products. A human rights-based approach to pesticide management and the interpretation of international guidance that avoids the blaming narrative but puts real people, their health, and human rights first is needed to reduce and eliminate toxic exposure and save lives and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common view has it that since we are far likelier to be killed in some road or household accident than in a terror attack, our fear of the latter is exaggerated. I argue that terrorism's relatively limited death toll need not mean that fearing it is unreasonable, nor does it immediately imply that counter‐terrorism policies are unjustified – whatever other, legitimate concerns these policies give rise to. First, I argue that in the special case of terrorism, it is misleading to focus on risk per capita, as critics typically do. Second, while terrorism has a probabilistic component which should be relevant to decision‐making, risk is not entirely or even primarily what terrorism is all about. Third, I argue that fearing terrorism may be reasonable even while recognizing the small probability of personal harm. Due to terrorism's random character, the belief that one will escape harm rests on little more than statistical evidence. As I explain, this leaves some room for reasonable doubt, and a justified level of fear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is currently considered an invasive species in parts of its range in the USA, and this range continues to expand to the north and east. Nine-banded armadillos are one of a handful of mammals known to contract leprosy (also known as Hansen's disease); range expansion thus leads to public health concerns about whether this might increase human exposure to infected animals. We collected blood samples from 61 road-killed armadillos over two summers (2021 and 2022) in Tennessee, a US state near the northern extreme of the species' current range, and screened them for exposure to Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy. All animals were seronegative, providing no evidence that range expansion is increasing the distribution of leprosy in the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the dynamics of perceived livestock depredation over the last 2 years (from 2021 to 2022) in villages close to Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania. The findings revealed that sheep were the most frequently affected livestock (57.1%), followed by goats (36.7%) and cattle (6.1%). Attacks primarily occurred at home (59.2%) and during the night (65.3%), with a higher prevalence during the dry season (75.5%). The majority of respondents (81.6%) perceived a decrease in attacks. Logistic regression indicated village proximity to the park as a significant predictor in explaining the reported incidents related with livestock depredation, with closer villages experiencing higher risks. Gender, age, education level, and resident status showed no significant correlation with the reported livestock depredation incidents. Spotted hyena sightings varied significantly based on village proximity to the park (p = 0.039), while other factors showed no significant differences. Mitigation measures against livestock depredation included guarding livestock (28.3%), employing noise and scaring tactics (42.2%), and utilizing domestic dogs (29.4%). These findings offer valuable insights into human-wildlife conflicts and inform targeted interventions for mitigating livestock losses not only in the surveyed villages but also in other areas globally facing similar challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roadkill is a global conservation problem, and India is no exception. Animal-vehicle accidents on roads are a leading cause of death for a variety of animal species both within and near protected areas. However, roadkills are rarely documented due to field limitations and the unavailability of dedicated IT platforms. The lack of documentation and unavailability of traffic fatality data pose major limitations for government agencies and conservationists. In 2018, as part of a citizen science program to collect opportunistic data, we launched a free "ArRM" mobile app and website, www.arrm.org.in. In 2022, we conducted a systematic random survey of 10,500 km covering the entire road network in Amravati district, Maharashtra, India. Through citizen science and our efforts, 364 roadkills (336 wild, 28 domestic) from 70 species were recorded. Our project aims to overcome the non-documentation of roadkills in the Amravati district and provide data on an interactive map that is freely accessible in the public domain. This will help wildlife authorities, conservationists, and policymakers plan or implement effective measures to reduce the number of wildlife killed on roads.

This study reports the first official record of a golden jackal (Canis aureus) in the capital city of Austria, Vienna. The specimen, a young male individual, was discovered as a roadkill in the northern part of the city on January 25th, 2023. It suffered from notable endoparasite and ectoparasite infestations, as well as bacterial pneumonia. Additional field studies with bioacoustic stimulation and the use of a scat detection dog to search for further indications of presence in the area of the accident revealed no further proof of other golden jackals, indicating a high probability of this animal being a disperser in search of a mating partner. This event exemplifies the species' range expansion, driven by a combination of factors. The significance of this discovery and the challenges within the context of mammal research and urban ecology are discussed.