scholarly journals Wariness of coyotes to camera traps relative to social status and territory boundaries

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (12) ◽  
pp. 2015-2025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eveline S Séquin ◽  
Michael M Jaeger ◽  
Peter F Brussard ◽  
Reginald H Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Canis Latrans ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Vantage Point ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Approach Response ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Camera Systems ◽  
Set Up

The primary objective of this study was to develop a better understanding of coyote (Canis latrans) wariness particularly as it related to social status. We determined that territory status (controlling alpha, resident beta, or nonterritorial transient) affected vulnerability to photo-capture by infrared-triggered camera systems. All coyotes were wary of cameras, leading to relatively low numbers of photo-captures, most of which occurred at night. Alphas were significantly underrepresented in photographs and were never photo-captured inside their own territories. Betas were photographed inside and outside their territories, whereas transients were most often photographed on edges of territories. Both alphas and betas were photographed more often on territorial edges when outside their territories. We next addressed the question of how alphas were better able to avoid photo-capture. Alphas tracked human activity within their territories and presumably learned the locations of cameras as they were being set up. They did this either by approaching our location directly or by moving to a vantage point from where they could observe us. Betas and transients either withdrew or did not respond to human activity. Trials in which a dog was present were more likely to elicit an approach response from alphas. Avoidance of camera stations and the tracking of human activity implied wariness toward objects or locations resulting from their learned association with human presence rather than neophobia toward the objects themselves.

scholarly journals Occurrence and Activity of Roe Deer in Urban Forests of Warsaw

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Karolina D. Jasińska ◽  
Mateusz Jackowiak ◽  
Jakub Gryz ◽  
Szymon Bijak ◽  
Katarzyna Szyc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Urban Forests ◽  
Anthropogenic Disturbances ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Human Disturbances ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Big Cities ◽  
High Level

Human presence or activities are perceived by animals as those associated with predation risk so activity and exploration patterns of animals should be shaped by indices of anthropogenic disturbances. The high level of human disturbances is noticed in big cities. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of roe deer in Warsaw and its activity in the Warsaw urban forests. We used snow tracking on transect routes (winter seasons 2016, 2017, 2018; 115.1 km in total) to determine roe deer occurrence in four habitats: forests, open areas, parks, and built-up areas. The number of tracks was highest in forests (4.6 tracks/1 km/24 h), followed by open areas, built-up areas, and parks. We used camera traps to determine the activity of roe deer in selected urban forests. We collected 697 observations of roe deer in Warsaw forests in the years 2016–2019 (per 4826 trap-days in total). The peak of roe deer activity was noticed between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. Animals were least active at 1:00–2:00 p.m. and between 11:00 p.m.–01:00 a.m. Our research showed that roe deer inhabiting the urban area avoided human presence by using well-covered habitats and being active in periods when humans’ disturbances’ level is lower.

Using complementary remote detection methods for retrofitted eco-passages: a case study for monitoring individual koalas in south-east Queensland

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 369 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Dexter ◽  
R. G. Appleby ◽  
J. P. Edgar ◽  
J. Scott ◽  
D. N. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Road Construction ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Correlated Data ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Monitoring Method ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
The Individual

Context Vehicle-strike has been identified as a key threatening process for koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) survival and persistence in Australia. Roads and traffic act as barriers to koala movement and can impact dispersal and metapopulation dynamics. Given the high cost of wildlife mitigation structures such as purpose-built fauna-specific underpasses or overpasses (eco-passages), road construction and management agencies are constantly seeking cost-effective strategies that facilitate safe passage for fauna across roads. Here we report on an array of detection methods trialled to verify use of retrofitted road infrastructure (existing water culverts or bridge underpasses) by individual koalas in fragmented urban landscapes in south-east Queensland. Aims The study examined whether the retrofitting of existing road structures at six sites facilitated safe passage for koalas across roads. Our primary objective was to record utilisation of retrofitted infrastructure at the level of the individual. Methods We used a combination of existing monitoring methods such as GPS/VHF collars, camera traps, sand plots, and RFID tags, along with a newly developed animal-borne wireless identification (WID) tag and datalogging system, specifically designed for this project, to realise the study aims. Key results We were able to verify 130 crossings by koalas involving a retrofitted structure or a road surface over a 30-month period by using correlated data from complementary methods. We noted that crossings were generally uncommon and mostly undertaken by only a subset of our tagged individuals at each site (21% overall). Conclusions An important element of this study was that crossing events could be accurately determined at the level of the individual. This allowed for detailed assessment of eco-passage usage, rather than the more usual approach of simply recording species’ presence. Implications This study underscores the value of identifying the constraints of each individual monitoring method in relation to site conditions. It also highlights the benefits of contingency planning to limit data loss (i.e. using more than one method to collect data). We suggest an approach that uses complementary monitoring methods has significant advantages for researchers, particularly with reference to improving understanding of whether eco-passages are meeting their prescribed conservation goals.

Bad news for bobtails: understanding predatory behaviour of a resource-subsidised corvid towards an island endemic reptile

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 595
Author(s):  
W. Oversby ◽  
S. M. Ferguson ◽  
R. A. Davis ◽  
P. W. Bateman
Keyword(s):  
Human Activity ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Human Settlement ◽  
Tourism Impacts ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Island Endemic ◽  
Predation Rates

Context Resource subsidisation as a result of urbanisation and other human activity can have positive impacts for some opportunistic predators. Many species of corvid have benefitted from the expansion of human-dominated habitats; however, their impacts on co-occurring prey fauna are generally poorly understood. Aims We aimed to test the hypothesis that urbanisation associated with tourism impacts the predator–prey relationship between Australian ravens, or wardongs (Corvus coronoides), a ubiquitous corvid of southern Australia, and Rottnest Island bobtails (Tiliqua rugosa konowi), a subspecies of bobtail lizard isolated to a small (19km2) island off the coast of Western Australia. Methods Using clay model lizards and camera traps, we assessed the wardongs’ attack rates by distance from the settlement and by whether the model was in closed or open habitat. Key Results We found that while wardongs preyed upon Rottnest Island bobtails, predation was not affected by proximity to human settlement despite the highest number of wardongs being found there. Models in closed vegetation were attacked by wardong significantly more than were those in open vegetation. Implications Increased predation rates in closed vegetation suggests that current revegetation efforts on the island may be increasing the availability of preferred hunting habitat for the wardong. This finding may influence decisions by management on whether to control the large population of wardongs on the island.

scholarly journals River Otter Distribution and Food Habits in Grand Teton National Park as Part of an Ongoing Project in the GYE

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 75-78
Author(s):  
Kelly Pearce ◽  
Tom Serfass
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Lontra Canadensis ◽  
Flagship Species ◽  
River Otter ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
River Otters

Grand Teton National Park is part of the known range of the North American river otter, however not much is known about this semi-aquatic mammal within the park. The results presented here are part of a larger project to investigate the potential of the river otter (Lontra canadensis) to serve as an aquatic flagship (species that engender public support and action) for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. River otters, known for their charismatic behavior have the potential to serve as an aquatic flagship species to promote conservation of aquatic ecosystems. The primary objective of this portion of the study was to identify river otter latrines on portions of the Snake River, between Flagg Ranch and Jackson Lake, and between Jackson Lake Dam and Pacific Creek, collect river otter scats to determine diet of the river otter, and employ remote cameras to determine activity patterns of the river otters. Between 20 June and 1 July 2015, 26 river otter latrines were identified during shoreline surveys, 186 river otter scats were collected, and cameras were deployed at 6 latrines between 7 July and 24 August 2015. River otter scats have been cleaned and prepared for analysis, but have not all been processed to date. Camera traps recorded 222 images, of which 7% (n = 14) were of carnivores, 70% (n = 155) were of non-carnivore mammals, and 9% (n = 22) were of birds. River otters were detected at 1 of the 6 latrines, a total of 5 independent times during the study.

scholarly journals The potential impacts of a digital preoperative assessment service on appointments, travel-related CO2 emissions, and user experience: a case study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison Milne-Ives ◽  
John Leyden ◽  
Inocencio Maramba ◽  
Ray Jones ◽  
Arunangsu Chatterjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Preoperative Assessment ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Patient Feedback ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Evaluation Of Data

BACKGROUND The NHS cannot keep up with the demand for operations and procedures. Preoperative assessments, which can last 30 minutes to 2 hours, could be conducted online to save patient and clinician time, reducing wait times for operations. MyPreOp is a cloud-based platform where patients can set up an account and complete their preoperative questionnaires. This data is reviewed by a nurse, who determines if they need a subsequent face-to-face appointment. OBJECTIVE The primary objective was to describe the potential impact of MyPreOp® (Ultramed Ltd, Penryn, UK) the number of face-to-face appointments. Secondary objectives were to examine the time spent on preoperative assessments completed using MyPreOp in everyday use in NHS Trusts and user ratings of usability and acceptability. METHODS A case study service evaluation of data collected by the MyPreOp system from two NHS Trusts (Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Royal United Hospitals Bath) and the private BMI Bath Clinic during the four-month period of September to December 2020. MyPreOp is delivered by the hospital conducting the preoperative assessment but is typically completed at home at the patients’ convenience. Participants were adults of any age and health status at the participating hospitals who used MyPreOp to complete a preoperative assessment before a scheduled surgery. The primary outcome was the number of face-to-face appointments avoided by patients who used MyPreOp. Secondary outcomes were the length of time spent by nurses completing preoperative assessments, associated travel-related CO2 emissions, and quantitative user feedback. RESULTS Data from 2,500 participants was included. Half of the patients assessed did not need a further face-to-face appointment and required a median of only 5.3 minutes of nurses’ time. The reduction in appointments was associated with a small saving of CO2e emissions (9.05 tonnes). Patient feedback was generally positive: 80% of respondents rated MyPreOp as easy or very easy to use and 85% thought the overall experience was good or very good. CONCLUSIONS This evaluation demonstrated potential benefits of MyPreOp. However, further research using rigorous scientific methodology and a larger sample of NHS Trusts and users is needed to provide strong evidence of MyPreOp’s efficacy, usability, and cost-effectiveness.

scholarly journals Evaluating the aerobic xylene-degrading potential of the intrinsic microbial community of a legacy BTEX-contaminated aquifer by enrichment culturing coupled with multi-omics analysis: uncovering the role of Hydrogenophaga strains in xylene degradation

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinchan Banerjee ◽  
Anna Bedics ◽  
Péter Harkai ◽  
Balázs Kriszt ◽  
Nagaraju Alpula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Contaminated Site ◽  
Whole Genome Analysis ◽  
Contaminated Aquifer ◽  
Degrading Bacteria ◽  
Research Outcome ◽  
Xylene Isomers ◽  
Set Up

AbstractTo develop effective bioremediation strategies, it is always important to explore autochthonous microbial community diversity using substrate-specific enrichment. The primary objective of this present study was to reveal the diversity of aerobic xylene-degrading bacteria at a legacy BTEX-contaminated site where xylene is the predominant contaminant, as well as to identify potential indigenous strains that could effectively degrade xylenes, in order to better understand the underlying facts about xylene degradation using a multi-omics approach. Henceforward, parallel aerobic microcosms were set up using different xylene isomers as the sole carbon source to investigate evolved bacterial communities using both culture-dependent and independent methods. Research outcome showed that the autochthonous community of this legacy BTEX-contaminated site has the capability to remove all of the xylene isomers from the environment aerobically employing different bacterial groups for different xylene isomers. Interestingly, polyphasic analysis of the enrichments disclose that the community composition of the o-xylene-degrading enrichment community was utterly distinct from that of the m- and p-xylene-degrading enrichments. Although in each of the enrichments Pseudomonas and Acidovorax were the dominant genera, in the case of o-xylene-degrading enrichment Rhodococcus was the main player. Among the isolates, two Hydogenophaga strains, belonging to the same genomic species, were obtained from p-xylene-degrading enrichment, substantially able to degrade aromatic hydrocarbons including xylene isomers aerobically. Comparative whole-genome analysis of the strains revealed different genomic adaptations to aromatic hydrocarbon degradation, providing an explanation on their different xylene isomer-degrading abilities.

scholarly journals GEOMETRIC CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION OF ULTRACAM AERIAL SENSORS

2016 ◽  
Vol XL-3/W4 ◽  
pp. 51-53
Author(s):  
Michael Gruber ◽  
Bernhard Schachinger ◽  
Marc Muick ◽  
Christian Neuner ◽  
Helfried Tschemmernegg
Keyword(s):  
Aerial Images ◽  
Camera System ◽  
Geometric Calibration ◽  
Calibration And Validation ◽  
Camera Systems ◽  
Laboratory Calibration ◽  
Software Product ◽  
Validation Procedure ◽  
Set Up

We present details of the calibration and validation procedure of UltraCam Aerial Camera systems. Results from the laboratory calibration and from validation flights are presented for both, the large format nadir cameras and the oblique cameras as well. Thus in this contribution we show results from the UltraCam Eagle and the UltraCam Falcon, both nadir mapping cameras, and the UltraCam Osprey, our oblique camera system. This sensor offers a mapping grade nadir component together with the four oblique camera heads. The geometric processing after the flight mission is being covered by the UltraMap software product. Thus we present details about the workflow as well. The first part consists of the initial post-processing which combines image information as well as camera parameters derived from the laboratory calibration. The second part, the traditional automated aerial triangulation (AAT) is the step from single images to blocks and enables an additional optimization process. We also present some special features of our software, which are designed to better support the operator to analyze large blocks of aerial images and to judge the quality of the photogrammetric set-up.

Differences in activity patterns of the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis between rivers of two Brazilian ecoregions

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Lopes Rheingantz ◽  
Caroline Leuchtenberger ◽  
Carlos André Zucco ◽  
Fernando A.S. Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Kernel Density ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Use Of Time ◽  
Activity Behaviour ◽  
Lontra Longicaudis

Abstract:Circadian use of time is an important, but often neglected, part of an animal's niche. We compared the activity patterns of the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis in two different areas in Brazil using camera traps placed at the entrance of holts. We obtained 58 independent photos in the Atlantic Forest (273 camera trap-days) and 46 photos in Pantanal (300 camera trap-days). We observed different kernel density probabilities on these two areas (45.6% and 14.1% overlap between the 95% and 50% density isopleths respectively). We observed the plasticity in Neotropical otter activity behaviour with different activity patterns in the two areas. In the Pantanal, the Neotropical otter selected daylight (Ivlev = 0.23) and avoided night (Ivlev = −0.44), while in the Atlantic Forest it selected dawn (Ivlev = 0.24) and night (Ivlev = 0.14), avoiding daylight (Ivlev = −0.33). We believe that this pattern can be due to human activity or shifts in prey activity.

Evaluation of camera traps for monitoring European rabbits before and after control operations in Otago, New Zealand

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 621 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. David M. Latham ◽  
Graham Nugent ◽  
Bruce Warburton
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Vantage Point ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Control Operation ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
European Rabbits

Context European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are reaching plague proportions again in some parts of New Zealand as the effect of rabbit haemorrhagic disease begins to wane. Effective monitoring techniques are required to quantify the success of alternative methods of controlling rabbits, such as poisoning. Aim To evaluate camera traps as a method of estimating the percentage of rabbits killed in a poison control operation, and to compare results obtained from cameras with those from traditional monitoring methods (spotlight transects and vantage-point counts). Methods We deployed cameras and conducted vantage-point counts and spotlight transects to compare a priori statistical power. We then used these monitoring methods to estimate percentage kill from a case study rabbit-control operation using sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080). Key results Cameras had good statistical power to detect large reductions in rabbit numbers (>90%) and the percentage kill estimated using cameras was comparable with spotlight transects and vantage-point counts. Conclusions Cameras set up at fixed sampling locations can be an effective method of quantitatively assessing rabbit population control outcomes. We recommend that ≥6 cameras per 100 ha should remain active for at least 5 days before and 5 days following control, so as to obtain reliable estimates of percentage kill. Implications Cameras may be preferable to conventional monitoring methods where there is insufficient area to walk or drive transects, terrain is too rugged or scrubby for transects, and there are no or few vantage points from which to count rabbits.

scholarly journals Testing camera traps as a potential tool for detecting nest predation of birds in a tropical rainforest environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laís Ribeiro-Silva ◽  
Daniel Fernandes Perrella ◽  
Carlos Biagolini-Jr ◽  
Paulo Zima ◽  
Augusto J. Piratelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Size Range ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Monitoring Devices ◽  
Potential Tool

Identification of the predators of bird nests is essential to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses and to make practical management decisions. A variety of nest monitoring devices have been proposed but many remain difficult to set up in the field. The aim of this study was to test camera traps as a potential tool to study predation of natural nests in a tropical rainforest environment. Specifically, we registered the predators, assessed their size range, and we compared the use of one and two cameras per nest. Of 122 nests from 24 bird species, 45 (37%) were depredated, and the cameras recorded the predator species in 29 of the total of depredated nests (64%). We identified predators in eight of 16 depredated nests (50%) in which we used one camera trap per nest, and we identified predators in 21 of 29 depredated nests (72%) when we used two camera traps per nest. The predators included six species of birds and six species of mammals, with body masses varying from 20 g to 16.5 kg. Causes for 10 of the 16 detection failures were identified and are discussed. These results suggest that camera traps are viable tools to investigate nest predation in a tropical rainforest area.

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