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The use of fireworks to celebrate various occasions, socio-cultural events of great importance and to honor traditions has a long history. However, as the human population grows, phenomena that previously had little impact on the environment are now becoming more powerful due to economies of scale. The increasing level of intensification of such impacts should be treated as one of the manifestations of anthropopressure. Scientific research shows more and more clearly what damage fireworks explosions cause to fauna. Public awareness in this regard is growing, and numerous activities are being organized to limit the use of fireworks. Awareness of the multi-range negative impact of fireworks on animals applies not only to companion animals but also to wild animals and animals in zoos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbiome studies targeting hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene are suitable for understanding interactions between animals and their associated bacteria. While many studies focus on the gut microbiome, assessments of blood microbiota remain scarce despite the prevalence of blood-borne pathogens in vertebrates. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial community in blood samples from 79 living and 7 road-killed lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), a vulnerable species, sampled in two biomes in midwestern Brazil: Pantanal and Cerrado. Animals were categorized by condition (living or road-killed), sex, age, and biome. V3–V4 16S rRNA fragments were obtained from 86 blood samples and 4 negative controls. After filtering contaminants, 13,742,198 sequences representing 2146 ASVs were analyzed. Alpha diversity significantly differed by condition, while beta diversity differed by condition, site, and age (adults vs. sub-adults). For living animals (79/86 samples), alpha diversity showed no significant differences, but beta diversity differed by age. Different vector-borne bacterial pathogens, including Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella, and Borrelia spp., were detected. Additionally, evidence of transient translocation of microbial communities from other body regions to the bloodstream was observed. Amplification of bacterial 16S rRNA from blood samples of wild T. terrestris provided novel information about the diversity of blood-borne microbiota of lowland tapirs, members of a poorly studied mammalian family. Next-generation sequencing proved to be a valuable tool for screening potential vector-borne pathogens in this host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klebsiella spp. are a genus of Gram-negative, opportunistic bacteria frequently found in the flora of the mucosal membranes of healthy animals and humans, and in the environment. Species of this group can cause serious infections (meningitis, sepsis, bacteraemia, urinary tract infections, liver damage) and possible death in immunocompromised organisms (and even in immunocompetent ones in the case of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae) that are exposed to them. K. pneumoniae is part of the ESKAPE organisms, and so it is important to understand this genus in terms of multidrug-resistant bacteria and as a carrier of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. As it is a durable bacterium, it survives well even in hostile environments, making it possible to colonize all kinds of habitats, even the mucosal flora of wildlife. This systematic review explores the prevalence of Klebsiella spp. bacteria in wild animals, and the possibility of transmission to humans according to the One Health perspective. The isolates found in this review proved to be resistant to betalactams (blaTEM, blaOXA-48...), aminoglycosides (strAB, aadA2...), fosfomycin, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, trimethoprim, phenicols (catB4), and polymyxins (mcr4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Peccaries are distributed from the southern United States to southern South America. Although they were initially described as being from the pig genus Sus, they are very different. This species is currently being used on commercial farms as a source of animal protein; however, there are no studies about their salivary glands, which are important for digestion and in developing feeding strategies. Thus, this work aims to study the major salivary gland morphology of peccaries during their growth. During growth, the parotid enlarges and the mandibular gland loses weight. Histologically, the parotid has serous production, and the sublingual has mucus production, like most species; however, the mandibular gland produces mucus, unlike other animals, including pigs, which produce seromucous secretion. Histochemically, the parotid produces more acidic mucins than pigs and it undergoes maturation during development; the mandibular, especially the sublingual gland, produces more acidic and basic mucopolysaccharides than pigs. The major salivary glands reacted positively to different lecithins and showed a stronger reaction than in pigs. We conclude that peccaries have a salivary secretion that facilitates the digestion of carbohydrates, improving digestibility and performance. Their biometric characteristics and positive reactions to lecithins facilitate adaptation to foods with antinutritional factors, making them a promising production animal. This work aims to study the major salivary gland morphology of peccaries during their growth. The glands were analyzed using macroscopic description, light microscopy, electron microscopy, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry. Topographically, the salivary glands resemble other animals, including domestic animals and pigs. During growth, the parotid enlarges and mandibular gland loses weight. Histologically, the parotid has serous production, and sublingual has mucous production, resembles most species, however, mandibular gland produces mucous, unlike other animals, including pigs, which produce seromucous secretion. Histochemically, parotid produces more acidic mucins than pigs and it undergoes maturation during development; mandibular, and especially the sublingual gland, produce more acidic and basic mucopolysaccharides than pigs. The results found with transmission and scanning electron microscopy techniques corroborate the histological and histochemistry findings. The major salivary glands were positive to different lecithins (Com-A, BSA-I-B4, WGA and PNA), which were also more positive than in pigs and sheep. We conclude that collared peccaries have a salivary secretion that facilitates the digestion of carbohydrates, and biometric characteristics and positivity to lecithins that facilitate adaptation to foods with antinutritional factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buruli ulcer is a chronic ulcerative disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans. Although Australian possums are known to be susceptible to Buruli ulcer, many aspects of the disease in possums, including welfare impacts, remain largely unreported. Severe clinical Buruli ulcer was identified in four common ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) from Melbourne, Victoria. All four possums were euthanased due to the presence of deep ulcerative lesions on paws, with extensive tissue necrosis that exposed bones and tendons in three cases. Histologically, there was severe ulcerative necrotising pyogranulomatous dermatitis, panniculitis and myositis, with intralesional acid‐fast bacteria. M. ulcerans was detected by real‐time PCR in all swabs, tissues and faeces collected from all four cases. Buruli ulcer may be an important and under‐recognised cause of poor possum welfare in endemic areas. The physical impacts of the severe cutaneous lesions, especially those extending to underlying bones and joints, would have directly impaired the mobility of these possums, affecting navigation of their natural environments and expression of natural behaviours including foraging and socialising. Systemic distribution of M. ulcerans throughout all major internal organs, as observed here, may further impact the health and fitness of infected possums. Faecal shedding of M. ulcerans in all four cases supports the role of possums as zoonotic reservoirs. Further research is needed to investigate the epidemiology, pathogenesis and welfare impacts of Buruli ulcer in possums and to inform the design of interventions that may protect their health and welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Francisella tularensis is an intracellular gram-negative bacterium known as the causative agent of tularemia, which can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with wild animals or by tick bites. Although F. tularensis is highly pathogenic, its recent prevalence in Japan is underreported due to the small number of reported cases. To clarify the current situation of F. tularensis in wild animals, we conducted surveillance on various species of wild animals in Yamaguchi prefecture. In this study, we screened 809 samples collected from 90 Japanese black bears, 105 Japanese monkeys, 168 sika deer, 205 wild boars, and 84 bats. For seroprevalence analysis, we tested 177 serum samples from 75 black bears and 102 monkeys using the microagglutination test. The results showed that serums from five black bears exhibited slight agglutination. Western blot was performed as a confirmatory test on these five samples, but no positive signals were detected. Additionally, molecular surveillance was conducted using DNA extracted from 464 whole blood and 168 tissues, targeting the gene encoding 23 KDa hypothetical protein by real-time PCR and outer membrane protein A gene by conventional PCR. No positive samples of F. tularensis were detected by either real-time or conventional PCR. Although we did not detect any F. tularensis-positive samples through serological and molecular analyses, continuous surveillance studies are necessary since sporadic human cases have been reported in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether harmonious or tense over time, the ways in which encounters with wild animals are narrated reflect perspectives on nature and human interaction with it. In this regard, the article reveals documents recorded by the author during fieldworks conducted among Carpathian shepherds.

Simple Summary: Unsatisfactory, erroneous, inadequate, or inapplicable laws can lead to negative effects on human and animal health. Such can be the case with the uncontrolled and legally unregulated spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) with possible zoonotic potential. This disease is spreading in cervids across Europe and other continents. In the context of historical experience with prion diseases, and taking into consideration the "one health" approach, CWD poses a serious challenge. The CWD problem should be properly managed in the European Union before the scale of the disease increases to resemble the situation in North America. The legal comparative analysis conducted in this study indicates that the experience gained by countries that have been struggling with the disease for years should be taken into account when drawing up community legislation. Prions cause infectious and fatal neurodegenerative diseases in mammals. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects wild and farmed cervids. The increasing number of cases in Europe, the resistance of prions to external conditions, and the persistence period threaten not only wild cervid populations but also the economy. The possible zoonotic potential of CWD is of growing concern. CWD is a relevant issue as far as the idea of "one health" is concerned, which is a fundamental principle of European veterinary law. Methods of legal text analysis and interpretation are used for this comparative legal study. Research reveals that countries struggling to tackle CWD employ different normative approaches to the problem and use different control and eradication schemes. The results of this study indicate that it is reasonable to issue uniform regulations in the European Union at the common, rather than national, level. The European legislation should creatively draw on the experience of North American countries that have been struggling with the discussed disease for a long time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of my scientific research so far, I have investigated many areas of professional administration from the point of view of how information communication devices (especially smartphones and drones) can improve and make the administration of the area more efficient. Of these, hunting management stands out for me and is particularly important, which is the main focus of this study. There are several reasons for this. On the one hand, I hunt myself, and as a senior official of the county's hunting civil organizations, I have a broader knowledge and network of contacts about the background of the area's administration and operating rules than the general citizen's perspective. On the other hand, in this area, I came to the formulation of a research result, which I hope will be able to be put into practice in the future, to convince the legislator of its raison d'etre. There are many opinions regarding what hunting can be considered: a leisure activity, a form of sport, or a way of life. I myself am a supporter of the latter definition, since we are talking about a complex activity that cannot be grasped solely from the aspect of one characteristic. Accordingly, the regulation of hunting is also a complex area of law covering several branches of law, which includes elements of civil law, criminal law and, of course, administrative law, but can also be approached from an environmental law point of view.1 I believe that this fact also clearly shows that it is useful and by now even expected that the authorities can carry out better administrative processes in relation to the administration of the area with the help of the best possible technical support. In the following, I would like to support the applicability of drones and smartphones, especially by presenting the concept of the e-register of hunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to overcome the impact of complex environmental backgrounds on the recognition of wildlife in monitoring images, thereby exploring the role of a deep learning-based intelligent wildlife recognition system in biodiversity conservation. The automatic identification of wildlife images is conducted based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Target detection technology, based on regression algorithms, is initially employed to extract Regions of Interest (ROI) containing wildlife from images. The wildlife regions in monitoring images are detected, segmented, and converted into ROI images. A dual-channel network model based on Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG16) is implemented to extract features from sample images. Finally, these features are input into a classifier to achieve wildlife recognition. The proposed optimized model demonstrates superior recognition performance for five wildlife species, caribou, lynx, mule deer, badger, and antelope, compared to the dual-channel network model based on VGG16. The optimized model achieves a Mean Average Precision (MAP) of 0.714, with a maximum difference of 0.145 compared to the other three network structures, affirming its effectiveness in enhancing the accuracy of automatic wildlife recognition. The model effectively addresses the issue of low recognition accuracy caused by the complexity of background information in monitoring images, achieving high-precision recognition and holding significant implications for the implementation of biodiversity conservation laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trapping, an ancient method employed for hunting or poaching in the wild, has witnessed minimal change in its impact on both targeted and non-targeted wildlife populations, with snares emerging as a prevalent trapping tool. Motivations for adopting snares include increased bush meat demand, rituals, and entrenched beliefs driven by their cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This study explores various snare types and examines their scientific implications for the demographic impacts on terrestrial mammals and birds. Data were procured from national and international web portals related to crime scene investigations and evidence, which aided in identifying taxonomic diversity and the frequency of occurrence of susceptible species. Our review highlights that the increasing wildlife crimes, driven by forest exploitation and encroachment, are threatening endangered species. This underscores the need for actionable management strategies and the broad dissemination of research findings. Utilizing tools like the Spatial Monitoring Tool (SMART) is crucial for effectively combating snare hunting and poaching. Although snaring impacts wildlife, some regions still have thriving populations, emphasizing the need for continuous patrolling and monitoring. To address these challenges, we recommend routine security patrolling, the involvement of forensic experts, and adherence to standard operating procedures with skilled personnel to enhance wildlife protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the human history, hunting has been an important economic and social activity, requiring various techniques and hunting equipment. In the literature discussing the Late Iron Age of the South Pannonian Danube valley, the hunting strategies and the importance and meaning of wild animals are rarely discussed. In order to better understand this aspect of life, this paper reconsiders the already existing archaeo-zoological data on wild animals from the settlements, as well as the objects usually interpreted as hunting equipment, as indicators of the hunting strategies, the mode of usage and the social role of wild animals, along with the potential status differences among the settlements of the Late La Tène period. On the grounds of the acquired data, it may be concluded that hunting was a regular activity in the majority of the Late La Tène settlements in the South Pannonian Danube valley. The differences in the frequency of wild animals in the settlements in Bačka and Banat, compared to the ones in Srem, may be interpreted as the consequence of differing economic/social strategies, and not as a sign of marked differences in the availability of resources. The results have shown that the high percentage of game animals is not restricted solely to the fortified settlements. However, the traces of aurochs and brown bear, registered only in the fortified settlements, as well as the preference towards hunting large wild boar males registered at Židovar, may be the indicators of the groups of inhabitants with higher social and economic capacities situated in the fortified sites. Although on the central European sites of the same period the high frequency of wild animals is not a common trait, on a number of spatially close sites in Romania a similar archaeo-zoological situation is registered and interpreted as the indicator of the presence of the elites. This interpretation is plausible, but it should also be taken into account that in the case of the settlements analyzed in this paper other potential causes may be cited, such as the times of crisis and the decrease in the number of the domesticated animals. This interpretation is plausible, but it should also be taken into account that in the case of the settlements analyzed in this paper other potential causes may be cited, such as the times of crisis and the decrease in the number of the domesticated animals visible in the archaeo-zoological assemblages. It is necessary, however, to bear in mind that the registered archaeo-zoological situation need not be explained by the same reasons on all the sites. Namely, although the period in question spans just over one century, the Late La Tène is the time of dynamic and perpetually changing internal and external relations, causing the changes in the subsistence strategies as well. The data on the hunting equipment is very scarce. Since very few finds are associated to these activities, it is necessary to conduct more detailed specialized studies, not only of the metal objects, but also of the ones made of other material, that may be associated to the hunting practices (e.g. net weights, bone and lithic projectiles).

Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of infectious diseases at the human-animal interface highlight the global challenge of mitigating zoonotic risks. The One Health approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, urging for holistic and interdisciplinary strategies in disease prevention. Despite growing interest, the attention to wildlife in pandemic prevention remains limited. This systematic literature review aims to evaluate recent One Health research on zoonotic diseases and wildlife in terms of study design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and participatory approaches. Key questions addressed include the consideration of One Health domains, disciplinary involvement, and the inclusion of non-academic stakeholders. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed and Web of Science were searched for primary research papers on zoonotic diseases and wildlife from 2018 to 2023. Eligibility criteria included a focus on wildlife, zoonotic diseases, and adoption of the One Health approach. Results: A total of 228 primary research papers were retrieved. Out of these, 105 studies were included in the review. Few studies integrated human, animal, and environmental domains simultaneously in data collection (4.8 %) and knowledge generation (29.5 %). While extensive knowledge was generated for animal health (97.1 %) and human health (84.8 %), environmental health (34.3 %) remained underrepresented. Laboratory methods predominated (82.9 %), with limited integration of social science methodologies (19 %). The majority were epidemiological studies (86.7 %), yet analytical design within these was sparse (17.1 %). Participation of non-academic stakeholders was limited (36.2 % included non-academics; 3.8 % encompassed participative approaches). Conclusions: The synthesis of the domains human, animal and environmental health remained fragmentary in the studies reviewed. Environmental health is underrepresented and the interdisciplinary involvement of social sciences lacks. Neglecting these fields of competence impedes comprehensive understanding of disease dynamics and hampers effective zoonosis prevention strategies. In result, greater inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, along with participatory approaches, are still needed for advancing One Health research.

Anthropogenic activities, such as hunting wild animals for food, increase the risk of zoonotic transmission of infective stages of parasites to humans. The handling, processing and consumption of wild animal meat, popularly known as ‘bushmeat’, as well as exposure to wildlife habitats, can pose a significant risk to human health through the transfer of parasitic infective stages. This study sought to assess the enteric helminth parasite burden and potentially zoonotic helminths in fresh, wild animal carcasses being processed for food. Parasitological analysis of samples of rectal and intestinal contents collected from a total of fifty (50) wild animal carcasses belonging to eight (8) different species at the Atwemonom Bushmeat Market in Kumasi showed nine (9) genera of enteric helminth parasites with an overall prevalence of 71.0%. Individual parasite species prevalence was assessed, with Ascaris sp. showing 25% and 87.5% by coprological and molecular assessment, respectively. Molecular analysis showed a higher parasite species prevalence in all samples analyzed. Species-specific analysis indicated the presence of two potentially zoonotic parasites, Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura, in wild animals, indicating the need to intensify one health approach in wild animal parasitic infections. Data from this study suggest that wild animals in addition to being natural hosts, may also serve as reservoirs for numerous parasites of medical and veterinary importance.

Abstract Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a fatal zoonosis caused by ticks in East Asia. As SFTS virus (SFTSV) is maintained between wildlife and ticks, seroepidemiological studies in wildlife are important to understand the behavior of SFTSV in the environment. Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, is an SFTS-endemic area, and approximately 100 feral horses, called Misaki horses (Equus caballus), inhabit Cape Toi in Miyazaki Prefecture. While these animals are managed in a wild-like manner, their ages are ascertainable due to individual identification. In the present study, we conducted a seroepidemiological survey of SFTSV in Misaki horses between 2015 and 2023. This study aimed to understand SFTSV infection in horses and its transmission to wildlife. A total of 707 samples from 180 feral horses were used to determine the seroprevalence of SFTSV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Neutralization testing was performed on 118 samples. In addition, SFTS viral RNA was detected in ticks from Cape Toi and feral horses. The overall seroprevalence between 2015 and 2023 was 78.5% (555/707). The lowest seroprevalence was 55% (44/80) in 2016 and the highest was 92% (76/83) in 2018. Seroprevalence was significantly affected by age, with 11% (8/71) in those less than one year of age and 96.7% (435/450) in those four years of age and older (p

The transmission of pathogens from animals to humans is the cause of the appearance of the majority of newly emerging diseases. The purpose of this review is to assess the danger of zoonotic pathogens of dangerous and especially dangerous viral infectious diseases as potential agents of pandemics. Materials and methods. The paper presents an analysis of data published in domestic and English-language scientific publications, as well as posted on the Internet. The research method is analytical. The discussion of the results. At least 70 % of all emerging diseases have a zoonotic reservoir. The exponential growth of human activity in previously undeveloped territories determines the increasing influence of zoonotic pathogens. The infection of people with zoonotic pathogens occurs in direct and indirect contact with infected animals and surfaces contaminated with their secretions, transmissible transmission through arthropod bites, food transport through the consumption of contaminated food and drinking water. Two different transmission models have been established among zoonoses from wild animals to man. One of these models assumes, that human infection is a random event with a low probability, in the future, the pathogen is transmitted from person to person. In the second model, direct or vector-mediated pathogen transfer from animal to human is a link in the natural cycle of the pathogen. The risk of transmission of the virus from the zoonotic reservoir to humans is the highest in animal species adapted to human habitats. Conclusions. The highest level of danger as a source of zoonotic diseases represent primates, ungulates, carnivores and especially bats, which are natural reservoirs for a number of dangerous and especially dangerous viral diseases. Representatives of families Poxviridae, Ortomyxoviridae and Coronaviridae have already been caused pandemics, which caused enormous damage to all spheres of human activity. These pathogens can be considered as the most likely agents of future pandemics.

Self-treatment against harmful parasites is found among a wide range of animals, from caterpillars or butterflies to porcupines and different wild animals and up to the African great apes. Many rural people share such knowledge of the animals and use similar herbs among themselves to treat diseases with similar types of symptoms as observed in the ailing animals. Chimpanzees, Bonobo, etc. are genetically very similar to humans, and many self-treatment reports are there among such animals. So, such knowledge of the self-treatment of animals by using plant materials can be considered for the prevention and treatment of many dangerous diseases prevalent among humans. Sixty-four (64) such plants are identified for their anti-parasitic uses and listed in this article. The succulent plant materials effective among these animals have a very high probability of effectiveness for humans also. A new concept of the use of such biomedicines at their succulent condition in bio-encapsulated form can be considered for their widespread therapeutic use. In addition to the Ayurveda and alike medical systems, Homoeopathy as well as in Modern medicine, where therapeutic use of dry parts of the medicinal plants, their extracts, or synthetic analogs of the components are only considered, therapeutic use of the succulent biomedicine may open a new window of therapy of many so-called hard-to-cure diseases caused by various invading parasites. As the succulent plant materials contain a huge number of phytoconstituents and all of them work together to bring the desired health impacts, there is a very low chance of development of resistance against all of them together. These biomedicines can also supply many other additional health benefits to patients without any added effort.

A central challenge in understanding the evolution of cognition is the ability to compare a set of species differing in a trait of interest while being ecologically and phylogenetically close. Here, we examine whether differences in bower‐building flexibility are related to differences in cognitive flexibility between two Tanganyikan cichlids. Cognitive flexibility enables animals to modify their decision rules when faced with new situations, and inhibitory control, the ability to inhibit a normally favoured response, is an essential component of this capacity. We tested male Aulonocranus dewindti and Cyathopharynx furcifer in a choice‐against‐preference paradigm. Both species clean their bowers of foreign objects and we found that both preferred to remove a snail shell over a stone. We tested their ability to modify this preference and learned to preferably select the stone instead of the shell. Although neither species showed clear learning of the new preference rule, both demonstrated inhibitory control through increased decision times and manipulations of the objects when selecting the stone. Specifically, A. dewindti, the species exhibiting greater behavioural flexibility in the construction of their bowers, selected the stone in fewer trials than C. furcifer, providing support for a link between behavioural flexibility in bower construction and cognitive flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circadian activity of selected mammal species and the temporal overlap with human presence or between species were analysed in 2013–2014 on the territory of the Sinite Kamani Nature Park, Eastern Stara Planina. The purpose of this study was to determine how the human presence affected the circadian activity of mammal species in this protected area. The wild boar (n = 68) showed 22% overlap with the humans (n = 54) in its circadian activity (Δ = 0.22, CI 0.02–0.21) while the roe deer (n = 144) activity overlapped in 49% with the human activity (Δ = 0.49, CI 0.29–0.51). The European brown hare (n=26) activity had a 23% overlap (Δ = 0.23, CI 0.07–0.26), the golden jackal (n = 42) – 36% (Δ = 0.36, CI 0.22–0.49) and the red fox (n = 131) – 24% (Δ = 0.24, CI 0.06–0.25). The overlap between the red fox and European brown hare activity was 81% (Δ = 0.81, CI 0.71–0.93), between red fox and golden jackal – 71% (Δ = 0.71, CI0.49–0.77) and between red fox and Martes sp. – 81% (Δ = 0.81, CI 0.72–0.93). The target species avoided the range of time when humans were active. This forced the species to use a narrower temporal niche when sharing the same space. These results provided insights for the better management of the species in the protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Leishmania infantum is a single-celled trypanosomatid responsible for canine leishmaniasis, a serious disease that causes a generalized inflammatory reaction including, among others, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly in dogs. Increasing information on leishmaniasis in wildlife shows that many mammalian species can act as reservoirs, being a serious threat to domestic dog populations and public health. Our case describes a female wolf suffering from lameness due to an ulcerative wound on the right forepaw, with hyper-gammaglobulinemia, high serum GPT levels, and positive ELISA tests for antibodies to Leishmania infantum antigens as confirmed by PCR. The wolf responded positively to conventional treatment of leishmaniasis, and all altered parameters were restored. Leishmaniasis in wild canids is a vector-borne disease caused in Europe by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum. To date, there is limited information on clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities in wolves due to leishmaniasis. The current clinical case report described a female Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) housed in semi-captivity conditions at the Centro del Lobo Ibérico "Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente", in Robledo de Sanabria, Zamora (Spain), with an interdigital ulcerous wound at the right forepaw, hyper-gammaglobulinemia, and abnormal liver blood parameters. Definitive serodiagnosis of leishmaniasis was established using antileishmanial serum antibodies and PCR analysis of different biological samples. A gold-standard anti-L. infantum treatment protocol consisting in subcutaneous meglumine antimoniate and oral allopurinol combination was installed. However, the presence of pain at the site of injection due to meglumine antimoniate administration forced its substitution by oral miltefosine. A progressive reduction of the levels of anti-L. infantum serum antibodies and the concentrations of gamma-globulin fraction was detected after antileishmanial treatment as well as a decline of liver GPT. To our knowledge, this is the first case of leishmaniasis diagnosed in a wolf housed in semi-captivity conditions, with the condition subsequently treated and successfully cured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a fatal zoonosis caused by ticks in East Asia. As SFTS virus (SFTSV) is maintained between wildlife and ticks, seroepidemiological studies in wildlife are important to understand the behavior of SFTSV in the environment. Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, is an SFTS-endemic area, and approximately 100 feral horses, called Misaki horses (Equus caballus), inhabit Cape Toi in Miyazaki Prefecture. While these animals are managed in a wild-like manner, their ages are ascertainable due to individual identification. In the present study, we conducted a seroepidemiological survey of SFTSV in Misaki horses between 2015 and 2023. This study aimed to understand SFTSV infection in horses and its transmission to wildlife. A total of 707 samples from 180 feral horses were used to determine the seroprevalence of SFTSV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Neutralization testing was performed on 118 samples. In addition, SFTS viral RNA was detected in ticks from Cape Toi and feral horses. The overall seroprevalence between 2015 and 2023 was 78.5% (555/707). The lowest seroprevalence was 55% (44/80) in 2016 and the highest was 92% (76/83) in 2018. Seroprevalence was significantly affected by age, with 11% (8/71) in those less than one year of age and 96.7% (435/450) in those four years of age and older (p < 0.0001). The concordance between ELISA and neutralization test results was 88.9% (105/118). SFTS viral RNA was not detected in ticks (n = 516) or feral horses. This study demonstrated that horses can be infected with SFTSV and that age is a significant factor in seroprevalence in wildlife. This study provides insights into SFTSV infection not only in horses but also in wildlife in SFTS-endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study described the pathological aspects of a metastatic grade II simple tubulopapillary mammary carcinoma in a freeliving senile female maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). The diagnosis was based on histopathological findings of malignant epithelial cells arranged in tubular and papillary patterns, with marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis and metastases to regional lymph nodes, lungs, parietal pleura, and pericardium. Also associated to positive immunolabeling of neoplastic cells for Cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and negative for P63, Calponin and Cox-2, added to the cell proliferation index of 26.8%. The findings demonstrated that free-ranging wild canids develop mammary neoplasms similar to those observed in domestic canids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing frequency of zoonotic spillover events and viral mutations in low and middle-income countries presents a critical global health challenge. Contributing factors encompass cultural practices like bushmeat consumption, wildlife trade for traditional medicine, habitat disruption, and the encroachment of impoverished settlements onto natural habitats. The existing "vaccine gap" in many developing countries exacerbates the situation by allowing unchecked viral replication and the emergence of novel mutant viruses. Despite global health policies addressing the root causes of zoonotic disease emergence, there is a significant absence of concrete prevention-oriented initiatives, posing a potential risk to vulnerable populations. This article is targeted at policymakers, public health professionals, researchers, and global health stakeholders, particularly those engaged in zoonotic disease prevention and control in low and middle-income countries. The article underscores the importance of assessing potential zoonotic diseases at the animal-human interface and comprehending historical factors contributing to spillover events. To bridge policy gaps, comprehensive strategies are proposed that include education, collaborations, specialized task forces, environmental sampling, and the establishment of integrated diagnostic laboratories. These strategies advocate simplicity and unity, breaking down barriers, and placing humanity at the forefront of addressing global health challenges. Such a strategic and mental shift is crucial for constructing a more resilient and equitable world in the face of emerging zoonotic threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-host pathogens that infect various animal species and humans are considered of great importance for public and animal health. Leishmania spp. parasites are a characteristic example of such pathogens. Although leishmaniosis in humans is endemic for about 100 countries around the world it is classified as a neglected tropical disease. There are three main forms of leishmaniosis in humans: cutaneous (CL), visceral (VL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniosis (MCL). Each year, about 30,000 new cases of VL and more than 1 million new cases of CL are recorded. In Europe L. infantum is the dominant species with dogs being reservoir hosts. Apart from dogs, infection has been recorded in various animals, which suggests that other species could play a role in the maintenance of the parasite in nature. Herein we provide an in-depth review of the literature with respect to studies that deal with Leishmania infantum infections in domestic and wild animal species in Europe. Given the fact that domesticated and wild animals could contribute to the incidences of leishmaniosis in humans, the aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review which could potentially be used for the development of measures when it comes to the control of the Leishmania infantum parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Captivity is an important and efficient technique for rescuing endangered species. However, it induces infertility, and the underlying mechanism remains obscure. This study used the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) as a model to integrate physiological, metagenomic, metabolomic, and transcriptome analyses and explore whether dysbiosis of the gut microbiota induced by artificial food exacerbates infertility in captive wild animals. Results revealed that captivity significantly decreased testosterone levels and the testicle weight/body weight ratio. RNA sequencing revealed abnormal gene expression profiles in the testicles of captive animals. The microbial α-diversity and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio were drastically decreased in the captivity group. Bacteroidetes and Muribaculaceae abundance notably increased in captive pikas. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the alteration of flora increased the capacity for carbohydrate degradation in captivity. The levels of microbe metabolites' short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were significantly high in the captive group. Increasing SCFAs influenced the immune response of captivity plateau pikas; pro-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated in captivity. The inflammation ultimately contributed to male infertility. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between Gastranaerophilales family abundance and testosterone concentration. Our results provide evidence for the interactions between artificial food, the gut microbiota, and male infertility in pikas and benefit the application of gut microbiota interference in threatened and endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing UAV edge computing technology to monitor the movement pattern and population dynamic of wild animals has become a widely adopted technique among researchers. Traditional tracking algorithms demand high computational power, and pose challenges for onboard edge device with limited hardware resources, especially in complex outdoor environment where real-time tracking is difficult to achieve. To address issues such as tree cover and background interference that hinder accurate real-time tracking during UAV-based wild animals monitoring in outdoor settings, we selected northeast China’s wild animals species, including the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), roe deer (Capreolus pygargus mantschuricus), and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus phylarchus), as research subjects. Leveraging YOLOv7-Tiny+Bot-SORT as the detection and tracking framework, we proposed a lightweight UAV tracking algorithm. Initially, we employed the Faster⁃Net network to reduce redundant computations in the model and enhance focus on target regions in feature maps. Subsequently, an efficient channel attention mechanism facilitated local inter-channel communication to mitigate the impact of complex environments on detection networks, thereby improving detection capability. Finally, to lower computational costs, we substituted the re-identification network to enhance UAV tracking speed. Results revealed that the proposed real-time tracking method achieved accuracy rates of 79. 93% for multi-object tracking accuracy (MOTA) and 73. 48% for multi-object tracking precision (MOTP), with tracking speed increasing from 3. 4 to 43. 4 frames per second. These findings demonstrate not only excellent performance in enhancing tracking accuracy and speed but also suitability for edge devices with limited computational resources, thereby providing robust technical support for biodiversity conservation and population behavioral studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various parasitic infestations are very characteristic of wild animals. The frequency of parasites and their species composition is much richer than in farm animals. At the same time, public catering, which is an important sphere of life of modern man, under the influence of fashion and the development of gastronomic culture keeps the range of dishes offered from the meat of wild animals. Available in the sphere of public catering significant demand for products from the meat of wild animals increases the risk of human infection with their parasites and makes it relevant to consider this issue. The review and analysis of available data on the main parasitic infestations of wild ungulates, the meat of which is used for food are based on information from the most popular scientific bases. As a result of the generalization of information, analysis, and synthesis of data on their basis, the factors influencing the distribution of the main parasites among wild animals, features of their life cycle, and potential threats in terms of their infection of humans were determined. The collected material will contribute to the systematic improvement of the biosafety level of food products from wild meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-treatment against harmful parasites is found among a wide range of animals, from caterpillars or butterflies to porcupines and different wild animals and up to the African great apes. Many rural people share such knowledge of the animals and use similar herbs among themselves to treat diseases with similar types of symptoms as observed in the ailing animals. Chimpanzees, Bonobo, etc. are genetically very similar to humans, and many self-treatment reports are there among such animals. So, such knowledge of the self-treatment of animals by using plant materials can be considered for the prevention and treatment of many dangerous diseases prevalent among humans. Sixty-four (64) such plants are identified for their anti-parasitic uses and listed in this article. The succulent plant materials effective among these animals have a very high probability of effectiveness for humans also. A new concept of the use of such biomedicines at their succulent condition in bio-encapsulated form can be considered for their widespread therapeutic use. In addition to the Ayurveda and alike medical systems, Homoeopathy as well as in Modern medicine, where therapeutic use of dry parts of the medicinal plants, their extracts, or synthetic analogs of the components are only considered, therapeutic use of the succulent biomedicine may open a new window of therapy of many so-called hard-to-cure diseases caused by various invading parasites. As the succulent plant materials contain a huge number of phytoconstituents and all of them work together to bring the desired health impacts, there is a very low chance of development of resistance against all of them together. These biomedicines can also supply many other additional health benefits to patients without any added effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae is the property of Uniwerystet Kardynala Stefana Wyznskiege w Warzawie 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.)

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Copyright of Zycie Weterynaryjne is the property of Polish National Veterinary Chamber 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.)

In recent years, avian medicine has advanced in the recognition of kidney diseases, but little is known about the morphology and renal morphometry of the common ostrich Struthio camelus Linnaeus, 1758. This study aimed to describe the morphometry and location of kidneys in the common ostrich. Twenty-six cadavers, aged one to seven days, which died of natural causes on a farm in the municipality of Magé, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were donated to the Department of Animal and Human Anatomy at the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). The specimens were identified, sexed, and fixed in a 10% aqueous solution of formaldehyde. The kidneys and renal divisions were measured using a precision digital caliper. The kidneys of S. camelus are elongated, and lobular, and have three renal divisions (cranial, middle, and caudal). The average length of the right kidney was 6.69 ± 0.83 cm, and the left kidney was 6.87 ± 0.81 cm. The body length correlated positively and significantly with the lengths of the right kidney (r = 0.8273, p = 0.0017) and left kidney (r = 0.8534, p = 0.0008) in females. The renal cranial limit was observed at the eighth lumbar vertebra (L8) in 22 kidneys (42.3%), and the caudal limit, at the eighth sacrocaudal vertebra (Sc8) in 11 kidneys (21.2%), and the second caudal vertebra (C2) in 11 kidneys (21.2%). The morphometric dimensions and skeletopy of the ostrich kidney contribute to the field of comparative avian anatomy and assist in the interpretation of imaging techniques.

Heartwater is an economically important disease of livestock and some wild ruminants in Southern Africa. The study used retrospective laboratory data from Lephalale Veterinary Laboratory, Limpopo to establish the prevalence and seasonal occurrence of heartwater in commercial farms of Lephalale Municipality between 2010 and 2022. A total of 472 brain samples from livestock (cattle, goats, sheep) and game carcasses brought to the laboratory for postmortem examination were subjected to heartwater testing using Giemsa staining technique. The overall prevalence of heartwater in Lephalale Municipality was 34.1% (95% CI = 29.9–38.6, p

The present article discusses the ways of nomination of wild animals in German paremias. Wild animals are free beings living in the natural environment and representing three parts of the World Tree: upper, middle and lower. The upper part is associated with birds, the middle – with animals, the lower – with insects, fi sh, amphibians, arthropods, reptiles, and molluscs. Indeterminate creatures are also associated with the lower tier. Paremia is defi ned through the prism of a small form of folk poetic creativity – a proverb and a saying that summarizes the history, culture, experience, and wisdom of the Germanic-German ethnos about the animal world. This testifi es to the fact that paremias belong to ancient written records. A feature of Germanic paremias is their use of the so-called initial rhyme, with the help of which alliteration is created. The remains of the initial rhyme are recorded, for example, at the beginning of words with the sound b (Bär bleibt Bar ), f (Den Fuchs muss man mit Füchsen fangen) or with the phoneme ʃ (In der schönsten Haut steckt die gefährlichste Schlange), etc. M.D. Stepanovaʼs theory of word formation was chosen to study the ways of naming wild animals in German paremias. This theory makes it possible to diff erentiate the ways of word formation, systematize their means, reconstruct models, outline the paradigm of grammatical suffi xes and infl ections, word forms, trace the word-forming rules or laws of language that regulate the use of methods of forming the names of wild animals. The methodological base of the proposed study combines general scientifi c and special scientifi c methods. It was found that the conceptual and terminological apparatus correlates with the dominant linguistic paradigm, national scientifi c traditions and the subject of the study. It was established that the register of wild animals is more diverse than that of domestic animals, and it was found that the method of nomination of wild animals is infl uenced by non-linguistic and linguistic factors. The role of language factors in the creation of the phenomenon was assessed to a greater extent. According to the type of word-forming form, the names of wild animals in German paremias are conventionally classifi ed into four varieties: 1) root, 2) derived, 3) complex, 4) compound, 5) sentence. The root method of word formation dominates; word formation resonates with syntactic constructions, i.e. it is subject to grammatical laws that generalize from the individual and specific.

Microbiome studies targeting hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene are suitable for understanding interactions between animals and their associated bacteria. While many studies focus on the gut microbiome, assessments of blood microbiota remain scarce despite the prevalence of blood-borne pathogens in vertebrates. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial community in blood samples from 79 living and 7 road-killed lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), a vulnerable species, sampled in two biomes in midwestern Brazil: Pantanal and Cerrado. Animals were categorized by condition (living or road-killed), sex, age, and biome. V3–V4 16S rRNA fragments were obtained from 86 blood samples and 4 negative controls. After filtering contaminants, 13,742,198 sequences representing 2146 ASVs were analyzed. Alpha diversity significantly differed by condition, while beta diversity differed by condition, site, and age (adults vs. sub-adults). For living animals (79/86 samples), alpha diversity showed no significant differences, but beta diversity differed by age. Different vector-borne bacterial pathogens, including Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella, and Borrelia spp., were detected. Additionally, evidence of transient translocation of microbial communities from other body regions to the bloodstream was observed. Amplification of bacterial 16S rRNA from blood samples of wild T. terrestris provided novel information about the diversity of blood-borne microbiota of lowland tapirs, members of a poorly studied mammalian family. Next-generation sequencing proved to be a valuable tool for screening potential vector-borne pathogens in this host.

Klebsiella spp. are a genus of Gram-negative, opportunistic bacteria frequently found in the flora of the mucosal membranes of healthy animals and humans, and in the environment. Species of this group can cause serious infections (meningitis, sepsis, bacteraemia, urinary tract infections, liver damage) and possible death in immunocompromised organisms (and even in immunocompetent ones in the case of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae) that are exposed to them. K. pneumoniae is part of the ESKAPE organisms, and so it is important to understand this genus in terms of multidrug-resistant bacteria and as a carrier of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. As it is a durable bacterium, it survives well even in hostile environments, making it possible to colonize all kinds of habitats, even the mucosal flora of wildlife. This systematic review explores the prevalence of Klebsiella spp. bacteria in wild animals, and the possibility of transmission to humans according to the One Health perspective. The isolates found in this review proved to be resistant to betalactams (blaTEM, blaOXA-48…), aminoglycosides (strAB, aadA2…), fosfomycin, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, trimethoprim, phenicols (catB4), and polymyxins (mcr4).

This work aims to study the major salivary gland morphology of peccaries during their growth. The glands were analyzed using macroscopic description, light microscopy, electron microscopy, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry. Topographically, the salivary glands resemble other animals, including domestic animals and pigs. During growth, the parotid enlarges and mandibular gland loses weight. Histologically, the parotid has serous production, and sublingual has mucous production, resembles most species, however, mandibular gland produces mucous, unlike other animals, including pigs, which produce seromucous secretion. Histochemically, parotid produces more acidic mucins than pigs and it undergoes maturation during development; mandibular, and especially the sublingual gland, produce more acidic and basic mucopolysaccharides than pigs. The results found with transmission and scanning electron microscopy techniques corroborate the histological and histochemistry findings. The major salivary glands were positive to different lecithins (Com-A, BSA-I-B4, WGA and PNA), which were also more positive than in pigs and sheep. We conclude that collared peccaries have a salivary secretion that facilitates the digestion of carbohydrates, and biometric characteristics and positivity to lecithins that facilitate adaptation to foods with antinutritional factors.

Simple Summary: Saltator similis is a species of songbird that is a victim of illegal trafficking, native to Brazilian forests, and kept in captivity. Nine fecal samples were collected from free-living birds, and nine birds in captivity were sampled. Total bacterial DNA was obtained from the feces and sequenced. The most predominant phyla were analyzed and compared. The bacterial genera "Candidatus Arthromitus", Acinetobacter, Kocuria, and Paracoccus were identified exclusively in animals living in captivity, which may be potential biomarkers associated with birds in captive environments and under a restricted diet and stressful lifestyle. This study presents the first description of the fecal bacterial community composition of S. similis living in two different lifestyles. Finally, our results suggest that the lifestyle of S. similis birds significantly impacts the composition of their fecal microbiota. The results can bring about new discussions about the management and health of captive birds. The microbiota's alteration is an adaptive mechanism observed in wild animals facing high selection pressure, especially in captive environments. The objective of this study is to compare and predict the potential impact of habitat on the fecal bacterial community of Saltator similis, a songbird species that is a victim of illegal trafficking, living in two distinct habitats: wild and captivity. Nine wild and nine captive S. similis were sampled, and total bacterial DNA was obtained from the feces. Each DNA sample was employed to the amplification of the V4 region of the 16S rDNA following high-throughput sequencing. The most predominant phyla in all songbirds, irrespective of habitat, were Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteriota. Interestingly, a microbiota profile (phylogenetic and abundance relationship) related to habitat was identified. The genera "Candidatus Arthromitus", Acinetobacter, Kocuria, and Paracoccus were exclusively identified in animals living in captivity, which can be a potential biomarker associated with birds in captive environments. This study presents the first description of the fecal bacterial community composition of S. similis living two different lifestyles. Finally, our results suggest that the lifestyle of S. similis birds significantly impacts the composition of the fecal microbiota. The animals living in captivity showed dysbiosis in the microbiota, with some bacteria genera being indicated as biological markers of environmental behavior. Thus, the present research provides a new concept of life quality measure for songbirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast infections are challenging human and animal medicine due to low rates of detection and the emergence of unknown ecology isolates. The aim of this study was to verify the biochemical identification of yeasts and yeast-like microorganisms obtained from animals comparing the results with chromogenic media and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF MS). Between January and August 2023, yeast and yeast-like isolates from samples of animals with suspicion of mycosis were identified using Vitek® 2 Compact, Brilliance® Candida Agar and MALDI Biotyper® MSP. A total of 39 cases were included, and 45 isolations were obtained. Cryptococcus neoformans (15.5%, 7/45), Meyerozyma guilliermondii (13.3%, 6/45), Candida parapsilosis (11.1%, 5/45), Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis (8.9%, each one 4/45) were the most identified organisms. There was full agreement with the three identification methods in 71.1% (32/45) of the isolates, disagreement on species in 17.8% (8/45), disagreement on genus and species in 6.7% (3/45) and, in 4.4% (2/45), there was no matched pattern in MALDI-TOF to compare the results. Biochemical methods are a good option in laboratories where proteomics are not available, and chromogenic media enhances diagnostics by detecting mixed infections. Surveillance must be implemented to improve the detection of agents shared between humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out on the territory of the Kemerovo region-Kuzbass (Western Siberia, Russia). The purpose of the study was to obtain information on the species diversity and population of big-game animals. The monitoring was carried out on the forest territories of the region's administrative districts. In the course of remote sensing using an unmanned aerial vehicle, the presence of all types of animals under consideration, except for the bear, was recorded. The deviation of the population number determined using the traditional method of digital technologies varied up to 50%. It was established that environmental measures organized and carried out by the regional administration and hunting farms improved the situation and stabilized the population of the main group of game animals. It was found that when using a sufficiently high sensitivity of the thermal imager (the used thermal imager had a very high sensitivity class = 60 mK at 300 K), long-haired animals, which are characterized by a lower intensity of thermal radiation (for example, wolves) are identified and recognized in the images. The larger the animal and the worse the thermal insulation layer (wool or feathers), the easier it is to identify it in infrared images and the lower the sensitivity requirements of thermal imagers. The ability to recognize and record smaller animals and birds requires additional research on existing technologies. Our research has confirmed the validity of digital remote monitoring methods for managing the wildlife of hunting farms and nature conservation areas of the Siberian Taiga territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the aetiological agent of paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) in both domestic and wild ruminants. In the present study, using a whole-genome sequence (WGS) approach, we investigated the genetic diversity of 15 Mycobacterium avium field strains isolated in the last 10 years from red deer inhabiting the Stelvio National Park and affected by paratuberculosis. Combining de novo assembly and a referencebased method, followed by a pangenome analysis, we highlight a very close relationship among 13 MAP field isolates, suggesting that a single infecting event occurred in this population. Moreover, two isolates have been classified as Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis, distinct from the other MAPs under comparison but close to each other. This is the first time that this subspecies has been found in Italy in samples without evident epidemiological correlations, having been isolated in two different locations of the Stelvio National Park and in different years. Our study highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach incorporating molecular epidemiology and ecology into traditional infectious disease knowledge in order to investigate the nature of infectious disease in wildlife populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) bioaccumulate in living organisms with adverse health effects. Biomonitoring their presence in the environment is of crucial importance. The European roe deer's interactions with its environment makes it a suitable bioindicator. Using UPLC-HRMS, this study aimed to quantify 15 PFAS in the muscle and liver of roe deer, in relation to the area of provenance, sex and age of the animals. Animals belonging to urbanized areas tended to have a higher PFAS concentration, although it was not statistically significant. The concentration for female and older individuals was higher than that in males and younger animals, respectively. In conclusion, this species might serve as a bioindicator due to its territorial behavior, although the reasons for why females showed higher concentrations of PFASs are not fully known and the higher concentrations in older animals are probably due to a decline in protective hepatic functions and longer exposure time. Due to their physicochemical properties, per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) persist and bioaccumulate in living organisms, causing adverse health effects. Since exposure to xenobiotics is influenced by factors related to both the living organism and the considered compounds, biomonitoring PFASs' presence in the environment is of crucial importance. This study aimed to detect and quantify 15 PFASs in the muscle and liver of 40 roe deer from a specific area in Northern Italy by UPLC-HRMS. In the roe deer, liver PFAS concentrations were higher than those seen in muscle (p < 0.05). Although PFAS content in animals from urbanized areas was higher than those found in deer from rural areas, this difference was not statistically significant. In female roe deer, the concentration was higher than in males (p < 0.05); moreover, older animals showed higher concentrations of PFASs in the liver than younger animals (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the amount of PFASs was higher in tissues from roe deer belonging to urbanized areas, showing that this species might serve as a good bioindicator due to its territorial behavior. PFAS content was significantly higher in female roe deer, although the reason is not fully known. Finally, PFAS concentration was higher in the liver of older animals, probably due to compromised hepatic function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among wildlife species, roe deer stands out as a valuable indicator of environmental pollution due to its ecological significance and role as a game animal. The assessment of poly- and perfluoro substances (PFASs) bioaccumulation is of the utmost importance, relying on the liver and muscles as the main organs of interest. The study concerned the identification of 60 PFAS through a non-target workflow analysis based on HPLC Q-Exactive Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry in a homogeneous group of 18 female roe deer species. The developed strategy allowed us to individuate the 60 PFAS compounds with different levels of confirmation. Apart from seven PFASs identified via analytical standards, the remaining fifty-three features were identified with CL 2 or 3. Moreover, by applying a differential statistic approach, it was possible to distinguish the bioaccumulation patterns in the liver and muscle, identifying 12 PFAS upregulated in the muscle and 20 in the liver. The analysis reveals that specific PFAS compounds present exclusively in either the muscle or in the liver. The study emphasises the specificity of the liver and muscle as significant bioaccumulation sites for PFAS, raising questions about the underlying mechanisms of this process. In conclusion, the presented non-targeted PFAS analysis workflow evidenced promising and reliable results, successfully demonstrating its feasibility in the field of environmental research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined how four hunting organizations in Finland and in the UK (The Finnish Wildlife Agency, Finnish Hunters' Association, The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, and Countryside Alliance) describe wild animals on their web pages and what the moral implications of these descriptions are. How do these hunting organizations define animals, and how does this impact the moral regard given to these animals? Using discourse analysis together with philosophical analysis, our examination revealed that the descriptions focus mainly on physical attributes, leaving out the minds of animals. Therefore, hunting organizations take part in dementalization (underestimation or denial of minds) of nonhuman animals, which interlinks with mechanomorphism (the depiction of animals as biological machines). We argue that dementalization and mechanomorphism in the descriptions serve a strategic purpose, as they hinder the possibility of recognizing animal experiences and individuality and keep animal ethical questions out of view. Further, the organizations tend to approach the ethics of hunting through the perspective of human interests only, whilst the interests and inherent value of animals are sidelined. In sum, the way in which hunting organizations depict animals is prone to sidelining ethical issues concerning the killing of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Affective states, such as emotions, are presumably widespread across the animal kingdom because of the adaptive advantages they are supposed to confer. However, the study of the affective states of animals has thus far been largely restricted to enhancing the welfare of animals managed by humans in non‐natural contexts. Given the diversity of wild animals and the variable conditions they can experience, extending studies on animal affective states to the natural conditions that most animals experience will allow us to broaden and deepen our general understanding of animal welfare. Yet, this same diversity makes examining animal welfare in the wild highly challenging. There is therefore a need for unifying theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches that can guide researchers keen to engage in this promising research area. The aim of this article is to help advance this important research area by highlighting the central relationship between physiology and animal welfare and rectify its apparent oversight, as revealed by the current scientific literature on wild animals. Moreover, this article emphasises the advantages of including physiological markers to assess animal welfare in the wild (e.g. objectivity, comparability, condition range, temporality), as well as their concomitant limitations (e.g. only access to peripheral physiological markers with complex relationships with affective states). Best‐practice recommendations (e.g. replication and multifactorial approaches) are also provided to allow physiological markers to be used most effectively and appropriately when assessing the welfare of animals in their natural habitat. This review seeks to provide the foundation for a new and distinct research area with a vast theoretical and applied potential: wild animal welfare physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acinetobacter bereziniae has recently gained medical notoriety due to its emergence as a multidrug resistance and healthcare-associated pathogen. In this study, we report the whole-genome characterization of an A. bereziniae strain (A321) recovered from an infected semiaquatic turtle, as well as a comparative analysis of A. bereziniae strains circulating at the human-animal-environment interface. Strain A321 displayed a multidrug resistance profile to medically important antimicrobials, which was supported by a wide resistome. The novel Tn5393m transposon and a qnrB19-bearing ColE1-like plasmid were identified in A321 strain. Novel OXA-229-like β-lactamases were detected and expression of OXA-931 demonstrated a 2–64-fold increase in the minimum inhibitory concentration for β-lactam agents. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that most A. bereziniae strains did not carry any antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs); however, some strains from China, Brazil, and India harbored six or more ARGs. Furthermore, A. bereziniae strains harbored conserved virulence genes. These results add valuable information regarding the spread of ARGs and mobile genetic elements that could be shared not only between A. bereziniae but also by other bacteria of clinical interest. This study also demonstrates that A. bereziniae can spill over from anthropogenic sources into natural environments and subsequently be transmitted to non-human hosts, making this a potential One Health bacteria that require close surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental Science & Technology (10036504) is the property of Editorial Board of Environmental Science & Technology 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.)