scholarly journals The illegal pet trade is driving Madagascar's ploughshare tortoise to extinction

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo R. Mandimbihasina ◽  
Lance G. Woolaver ◽  
Lianne E. Concannon ◽  
E. J. Milner-Gulland ◽  
Richard E. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Trade Routes ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Line Transects ◽  
North Western

AbstractThe illegal wildlife trade is driving declines in populations of a number of large, charismatic animal species but also many lesser known and restricted-range species, some of which are now facing extinction as a result. The ploughshare tortoise Astrochelys yniphora, endemic to the Baly Bay National Park of north-western Madagascar, is affected by poaching for the international illegal pet trade. To quantify this, we estimated population trends during 2006–2015, using distance sampling surveys along line transects, and recorded national and international confiscations of trafficked tortoises for 2002–2016. The results suggest the ploughshare tortoise population declined > 50% during this period, to c. 500 adults and subadults in 2014–2015. Prior to 2006 very few tortoises were seized either in Madagascar or internationally but confiscations increased sharply from 2010. Since 2015 poaching has intensified, with field reports suggesting that two of the four subpopulations are extinct, leaving an unknown but almost certainly perilously low number of adult tortoises in the wild. This study has produced the first reliable population estimate of the ploughshare tortoise and shows that the species has declined rapidly because of poaching for the international pet trade. There is an urgent need for increased action both in Madagascar and along international trade routes if the extinction of the ploughshare tortoise in the wild is to be prevented.

scholarly journals Wildlife Trade Influencing Natural Parrot Populations on a Biodiverse Indonesian Island

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 483
Author(s):  
Dudi Nandika ◽  
Dwi Agustina ◽  
Robert Heinsohn ◽  
George Olah
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Line Transects ◽  
Fixed Radius ◽  
Parrot Species ◽  
Multiple Species

Indonesia has been identified as the highest priority country for parrot conservation based on the number of species, endemics, and threats (trapping and smuggling). It is crucial to understand the current population status of parrots in the wild in relation to the illegal wildlife trade but the ecology and population dynamics of most parrot species in this region remain poorly understood. We conducted a parrot survey around an area of high biodiversity in the Manusela National Park, in Seram Island, Indonesia. We used a combination of fixed-radius point counts and fixed-width line transects to count multiple species of parrots. We recorded nearly 530 wild parrots from 10 species in and around Manusela National Park. The dominant parrot species were Eos bornea, Trichoglosus haematodus, and Geoffroyus geoffroyi. We applied the Savage selectivity index to evaluate poaching of parrot species in proportion to their abundance and which species had higher than expected poaching pressure. This study has important implications for the conservation status of endemic parrots (Cacatua moluccensis, Lorius domicella, and Eos semilarvata) and shows that parrots in the Manusela NP are largely threatened by poaching.

scholarly journals Quantifying the illegal parrot trade in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, with emphasis on threatened species

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Herrera ◽  
Bennett Hennessey
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Small Proportion ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Wild Animal ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Parrot Species

AbstractWe monitored the illegal pet trade in Los Pozos pet market from August 2004 to July 2005. As indicated in Bolivian law, all unauthorized trade in wild animal species is illegal, especially species considered threatened by IUCN. During this period, we recorded 7,279 individuals of 31 parrot species, including four threatened species, two of which were being transported from Brazil through Bolivia to markets in Peru. The most frequently sold species was the Blue-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva with 1,468 individuals observed during our study, the majority of which (94%) were believed to have been captured in the wild. Most of the purchased birds remain within Bolivia, while the more expensive, threatened species frequently head to Peru; some individuals may even reach Europe. We believe our study describes only a small proportion of the Bolivian parrot trade, underscoring the potential extent of the illegal pet trade and the need for better Bolivian law enforcement.ResumoMonitoreamos el comercio ilegal de aves en el mercado de mascotas de Los Pozos, desde agosto de 2004 a julio de 2005. De acuerdo a lo que establece la ley boliviana, todo comercio no autorizado de animales salvajes es ilegal, especialmente de especies consideradas Amenazadas por la IUCN. Durante este periodo, grabamos 7.279 individuos de 31 especies de loros, incluyendo 4 especies amenazadas, de las cuales dos fueron transportadas desde Brasil a través de Bolivia hacia mercados en Perú. La especie más frecuentemente vendida fue el Loro Frente Azul Amazona aestiva, con 1.468 individuos observados durante nuestro estudio, de los cuales creemos que un 94% ha sido capturado en su hábitat natural. La mayoría de la compra de aves permanece dentro de Bolivia, mientras que las más caras especies amenazadas, se dirigen a Perú; algunos individuos pueden incluso alcanzar Europa. Creemos que nuestro estudio describe sólo un pequeão porcentaje del comercio de loro boliviano, subrayando el grado potencial del comercio ilegal de mascotas y la necesidad de una mejor aplicación de la ley boliviana.

scholarly journals Current population status of the endangered Hog Deer Axis porcinus (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae) in the Terai grasslands: a study following political unrest in Manas National Park, India ­

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 14655-14662
Author(s):  
Alolika Sinha ◽  
Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar ◽  
Syed Ainul Hussain
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Current Population ◽  
Line Transects

The Endangered Hog Deer Axis porcinus has experienced drastic population declines throughout its geographical range.  There is limited knowledge of its current population status, particularly from northeastern India.  In this study the population density of Hog Deer was assessed in Manas National Park, which was a deer stronghold prior to the armed conflict that lasted for almost two decades, resulting in depressed deer populations.  With the cessation of conflict, efforts were invested by both government and conservation organisations for the recovery and conservation of charismatic fauna in the park.  Studies on Hog Deer populations, however, were lacking and thus reliable information on current status is unavailable.  Current population status and threats faced by Hog Deer were assessed to aid informed conservation decisions.  Distance sampling techniques (line transects) were applied in the grassland habitat during the dry season of two consecutive years.  The estimated Hog Deer density was 18.22±3.32 km-2.  The potential threats to Hog Deer identified in Manas include habitat loss, habitat degradation due to spread of invasive plant species, illegal hunting, and other anthropogenic disturbances.  Our study suggests that the Hog Deer population, though reviving, needs immediate conservation attention.

scholarly journals Searching for snakes: ball python hunting in southern Togo, West Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 13-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil D’Cruze ◽  
Lauren A. Harrington ◽  
Délagnon Assou ◽  
Delphine Ronfot ◽  
David W. Macdonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Detailed Data ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Python Regius ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Insight Into

The ball python (Python regius) is the single most exported live CITES-listed species from Africa, with a large proportion of snakes being sourced from Togo, West Africa, officially via a system reported nationally as “ranching”. This study represents the first in-depth review of ball python hunting being carried out by rural communities in Togo for nearly 15 years. Our approach, focused at the bottom of the trade chain, permitted extensive detailed data to be collected from hunters, and provides a unique insight into the practices, drivers and impacts associated with this type of large-scale commercial wildlife trade activity. We show that ball python hunting remains an economically valuable endeavour for these rural hunters. However, it also highlights a number of potential legal, conservation and animal welfare issues associated with the current hunting practices being carried out in Togo (and neighbouring range States) to supply the snake farms and ultimately the international exotic pet trade. Our findings suggest that the methods applied on the ground do not accurately reflect those being reported to national authorities and international regulatory mechanisms such as CITES. This irregular, if not illegal, trade may also be unsustainable, as suggested by hunters reporting that there are fewer ball pythons in the wild than there were five years previously. We recommend that additional scientific investigation (focusing on the size and status of the wild population), better management, and enforcement of regulations, are required to ensure that ball python populations are managed in a sustainable, legal and traceable way.

scholarly journals Macroscopic Fungi Exploration in Batang Gadis National Park Resort 7 Mandailing Natal District, North Sumatra

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-151
Author(s):  
Sri Mariani Siagian ◽  
Husnarika Febriani ◽  
Melfa Aisyah Hutasuhut
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Area 7 ◽  
Lentinus Tigrinus ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Line Transects ◽  
Stereum Hirsutum ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
North Sumatra

Introduction: Macroscopic fungi are simple plants that are often found growing wild in the wild. This study aims to determine the types of macroscopic fungi, to recognize the beneficial and harmful macroscopic fungi in Batang Gadis National Park Resort Area 7. Materials and Methods: A descriptive survey method with deliberate sampling using line transects, namely using a plot with a size of 20 m x 20 m as many as 36 plots and the distance of each plot is 10 m. Results: Found in 32 types of macroscopic fungi were obtained which belong to 11 families, such as: Polyporaceae, Ganodermatacea, Marasmiaceae, Stereaceae, Hygrophoraceae, Amanitaceae, Tricholomataceae, Russulaceae, Auriculariaceae, Sparassidaceae, and Psathyellaceae. The diversity index (H') of macroscopic fungi was 2.92 (medium). There are three types of macroscopic fungi that are consumed by the human in Sopotinjak Village as food and traditional medicine, and seven types that are not consumed because they contain toxins. There are 22 other species, namely Trametes cimulata, Lentinus tigrinus (Bull) Fr, Polyporus sp., Hygrophorus psittacinus, Trymyces sp., Hygrophorus aurantica (Wulfen), Polyporus sp.2, Collybia sp., Russula sp., Trametes sp.1, Ganoderma sp, Trametes sp.2, Stereum sp., Lignosus rhinocerus, Trametes versicolor (L), Trametes sp.3, Sparasis crispa (Wulfen), Hygrocybe conica (Schaeff), Polyporus sp.3, Trametes sp.4, Stereum hirsutum (Willd) Gray, Microporus xanthopus (Fr) Kuntze, and Tametes sp.5.

scholarly journals Estimating tiger and its prey abundance in Bardia National Park, Nepal

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69
Author(s):  
J. B. Karki ◽  
Y. V. Jhala ◽  
B. Pandav ◽  
S. R. Jnawali ◽  
R. Shrestha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Prey Abundance ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Mark Recapture ◽  
Line Transects

We estimated tiger and wild prey abundance in the Bardia National Park of Nepal. Tiger abundance was estimated from camera trap mark recapture in 85 days between December, 2008 to March, 2009 by placing 50 camera trap pairs in 197 trap locations with a sampling effort of 2,944 trap nights. We photo captured 16 individuals (≥1.5 year old) tigers identified on the basis of their unique stripe patterns. The number and density (per 100 km2) of tiger was 19 (SE 3.3) and 1.31 (SE 0.32), respectively. Distance sampling was used to assess the prey abundance on 170 systematically laid line transects between May–June, 2009. The density of all the wild prey (individuals/km2) was 56.3 (SE 6.5). The density (individuals/km2Banko JanakariA Journal of Forestry Information for NepalVol. 26, No. 1, Page:  60-69, 2016

scholarly journals Habitat preference of the Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata inhabiting Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 18148-18155
Author(s):  
Tariq Mahmood ◽  
Shaista Andleeb ◽  
Faraz Akrim
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preference ◽  
National Park ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Natural Area ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Different Types ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Line Transects ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Unique Species

The Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata, is an ‘Endangered’ mammal species native to Pakistan but facing a risk of extinction due to hunting pressure for its scales used in trade.  The current study investigated habitat preference of this unique species in the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, from September 2011 to August 2012.  Three habitat types, viz, human vicinity area, agricultural land, and wild/natural area, were searched for recording signs of Indian Pangolin.  Data on habitat preference was collected from direct and indirect signs of the species by monitoring 85 line transects, each measuring 500m in length and 50m in width, in 17 different sampling sites.  A total of 323 signs of Indian Pangolin were recorded including 299 burrows, 10 live sightings, and 14 scats of the species.  The maximum number of signs were recorded in wild or unmodified natural area (55.1%), followed by those in vicinity to human use area (20.12%), while the least (24.76%) were found in agricultural area.  Statistical comparison using one-way analysis of variance of pangolin field signs, among three different types of habitats studied, differed significantly (df= 48, F= 13.723, p <0.001).  Similarly, LSD analysis further revealed that field signs of Indian pangolin recorded on natural or wild habitat significantly differed from those which were on agricultural land and human vicinity area (p <0.001).  The study concludes that the Indian Pangolin prefers habitats in the wild or natural area over those close to human vicinity and agricultural lands. 

THE ESSENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF CAPTIVE SUMATRAN ELEPHANT IN ELEPHANT TRAINING CENTER, WAY KAMBAS NATIONAL PARK FOR WILDLIFE GENETICS CONSERVATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elly Lestari Rustiati ◽  
Priyambodo Priyambodo ◽  
Yanti Yulianti ◽  
Eko Agus Srihanto ◽  
Dian Neli Pratiwi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Training Center ◽  
Conservation Effort ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Wildlife Genetics ◽  
Way Kambas National Park ◽  
Human Conflict ◽  
Essential Contribution

Way Kambas National Park (WKNP) is home of five protected big mammals including sumatran elephants.  It shares its border with 22 of 37 villages surrounding the national park.  Understanding their existence in the wild is a priority, and  wildlife genetics is a crucially needed. Besides poaching and habitat fragmentation, wildlife-human conflict is one big issue.  Elephant Training Center (ETC) in WKNP is built for semi in-situ conservation effort on captive sumatran elephants that mainly have conflict histories with local people.  Participative observation and bio-molecular analysis were conducted to learn the importance of captive Sumatran elephant for conservation effort.  Through captive sumatran elephants, database and applicable methods are expected to be developed supporting the conservation of their population in the wild.  Participative observation and molecular identification was carried on captive sumatran elephants in ETC, WKNP under multiple year Terapan grant of Ministry of Research and Technology Higher Education, Indonesia. Gene sequence and cytological analyses showed that the captive sumatran elephants are closely related and tend to be domesticated.  Translocation among ETC to avoid inbreeding, and maintaining the captive sumatran elephant as natural as possible are highly recommended. Developing genetic database can be a reference for both captive and wild sumatran elephants.

scholarly journals Linking Conservation, Community Knowledge, and Adaptation to Extreme Climatic Events: A Case Study in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6478
Author(s):  
Amemarlita Matos ◽  
Laura Barraza ◽  
Isabel Ruiz-Mallén
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Extreme Climatic Events ◽  
Water Provision

This study is based on ethnographic research that analyzes how traditional knowledge and local beliefs on biodiversity conservation relates to the local ability to adapt and be resilient to climatic changes in two communities around Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique: Nhanfisse in the buffer zone and Muanandimae in the core area. A total of 78 semi-structured interviews with heads of households were conducted. We found that both communities carried out practices and held beliefs associated with conservation, such as protecting trees and animal species considered sacred or perceived as beneficial for human life in terms of water provision and agricultural production. In addition to traditional ceremonies that respond to extreme climatic events such as drought and flood, other adaptation strategies used by the communities include moving to neighboring areas in search of better living conditions and using forest products in times of scarcity. We discuss that the management of the park should be agreed on, in a shared way, between local communities and conservation agents to ensure that these areas continue to perform the ecological, subsistence, and spiritual functions required. Our research results contribute to a better understanding of local adaptation dynamics towards extreme climatic events and improvement of management strategies.

Bridled Quail-dove Geotrygon mystacea population assessment after hurricanes Irma and Maria, St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
FRANK F. RIVERA-MILÁN ◽  
HANNAH MADDEN ◽  
KEVIN VERDEL
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Detection Mode ◽  
Limited Food ◽  
Seed Eating ◽  
Free Ranging

Summary Structural vegetation damage and food limitation are important effects of major hurricanes, particularly for fruit/seed-eating, forest-dependent Caribbean birds with restricted distributions and small populations, such as the Bridled Quail-dove Geotrygon mystacea. Motivated by the lack of abundance estimates, corrected for detection probability, we conducted distance-sampling surveys inside and outside the Quill National Park each May in 2016-2019. Detection mode was the most important covariate, with others receiving no support from the data. Detectability of available single individuals and clusters of individuals within 60 m of transect centrelines averaged 0.957 ± 0.114 standard error for audio detections, 0.434 ± 0.052 for visual detections, and 0.693 ± 0.064 for detection modes combined. Availability averaged 0.475 ± 0.138 and the product of detectability and availability averaged 0.329 ± 0.098. Density averaged 1.459 ± 0.277 individuals ha-1 and population size averaged 642 ± 122 individuals in 440 ha. Density did not differ along and away from forest trails, but was higher inside than outside the park and at elevations within 201-400 m than 100-200 m and 401-600 m. Density declined by 76% after hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. We suggest that major hurricanes together with free-ranging livestock overgrazing degraded foraging habitats, limited food supply, and caused a population bottleneck. Our methodology can be implemented across the distribution range to assess population status and trends and evaluate the result of management actions at key conservation sites. Bridled Quail-dove populations probably were declining on most islands before the 2017 hurricanes and population status warrants revision.

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