Context. In Queensland, the management of estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) by the government is important for ensuring public safety, especially along the populated east coast, where there is a large human population.

Aims. The present study aimed to determine historical, temporal and spatial patterns of human–crocodile conflict in Queensland.

Methods. The study used Queensland Government records of estuarine crocodile attacks (1971–2015), sightings by the general public (2003–2015), and removals and relocations for management purposes (1985–2015) to develop General Linear Models describing historical, temporal and spatial patterns.

Key results. The highest number of attacks, sightings, removals and relocations occurred along the populated east coast between Townsville and the Daintree during wet season months (November–February). There have been 35 crocodile attacks in Queensland since 1971 (total 0.8 per year; fatal 0.3 per year), mostly involving local people or regular visitors (77.1%), specifically adult males (71.4%; mean age 44). There has been an increase in the rate of crocodile attacks over time, with an average of 1.3 per year since 1996, most of which were non-fatal (84%). The number of crocodile sightings has been increasing annually (with a mean of 348 per year since 2011), while the number of crocodiles removed or relocated for management purposes (n = 608) has fluctuating widely each year (range 1–57).

Conclusions. The level of human–crocodile conflict in Queensland is increasing, and this is likely to be a consequence of increasing human and crocodile populations. While conflict is highest during the wet season, estuarine crocodiles pose a threat to public safety year round.

Implications. With the increase in conflict, the ongoing management of estuarine crocodiles, through targeted removals in and around areas of higher human habitation and through education, is essential for ensuring public safety into the future.

Context . Understanding how different camera trap models vary in their ability to detect animals is important to help identify which cameras to use to meet the objectives of a study.

Aims . To compare the efficacy of four camera trap models (representing two commonly used brands of camera, Reconyx and Scoutguard) to detect small- and medium-sized mammals and birds.

Methods . Four camera models were placed side by side, focused on a bait station, under field conditions, and the numbers of triggers and visits by mammals and birds were compared. Trigger = camera sensor is activated and records an image of an animal. Visit = one or a sequence of triggers containing one or more images of a species, with no interval between animal images greater than 5 min.

Key results . The Scoutguard 530V camera recorded fewer than half of the triggers and visits by all animals that the Reconyx H600, Scoutguard 560K and Keepguard 680V cameras recorded. The latter three cameras recorded similar numbers of visits by mammals, but the Reconyx H600 recorded fewer triggers by medium-sized mammals than the Keepguard 680V. All camera models failed to detect a substantial proportion of the total known triggers and visits by animals, with a greater proportion of visits detected (14–88%) than triggers (5–83%). All camera models recorded images with no animals present (blanks), with Reconyx H600 recording the fewest blank images.

Conclusions . Camera trap models can vary in their ability to detect triggers and visits by small- and medium-sized mammals and birds. Some cheaper camera models can perform as well as or better than a more expensive model in detecting animals, but factors other than cost may need to be considered. Camera traps failed to detect a substantial proportion of known triggers and visits by animals. Number of visits is a more useful index of animal activity or abundance than number of triggers.

Implications . Variation in camera performance needs to be taken into consideration when designing or comparing camera surveys if multiple camera models are used, especially if the aim is to compare animal activity or abundance. If maximising the number of animal visits recorded at a site is important, then consideration should be given to using two or more cameras.

Context . Commercial pine (Pinus spp.) plantations in southern Africa have been subjected to bark stripping by Chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) for many decades, resulting in severe financial losses to producers. The drivers of this behaviour are not fully understood and have been partially attributed to resource distribution and availability.

Aims . The study sought to develop a spatially explicit ecological-risk model for bark stripping by baboons to understand the environmental factors associated with the presence of damage in the pine plantations of the Mpumalanga province of South Africa.

Methods . The model was developed in Random Forests, a machine learning algorithm. Baboon damage information was collected through systematic surveys of forest plantations conducted annually. Environmental predictors included aspects of climate, topography and compartment-specific attributes. The model was applied to the pine plantations of the study area for risk evaluation.

Key results . The Random Forests classifier was successful in predicting damage occurrence (F₁ score = 0.84, area under curve (AUC) = 0.96). Variable predictors that contributed most to the model classification accuracy were related to pine-stand characteristics, with the age of trees being the most important predictor, followed by species, site index and altitude. Variables pertaining to the environment surrounding a pine stand did not contribute substantially to the model performance.

Key conclusions . (1) The study suggests that bark stripping is influenced by compartment attributes; (2) predicted risk of bark stripping is higher in stands above the age of 5 years planted on high-productivity forestry sites, where site index (SI) is above 25; (3) presence of damage is not related to the proximity to natural areas; (4) further studies are required to investigate ecological and behavioural patterns associated with bark stripping.

Implications . The model provides a tool for understanding the potential extent of the risk of bark stripping by baboons within this region and it can be applied to other forestry areas in South Africa for risk evaluation. It contributes towards the assessment of natural hazards potentially affecting pine plantations and supports the development of risk-management strategies by forest managers. The model highlights opportunities for cultural interventions that may be tested for damage control.

Context . The preservation of denning habitat is paramount to the recovery of threatened bear populations because of the effect that den site disturbance can have on cub mortality. Understanding habitat suitability for denning can allow management efforts to be directed towards the regions where conservation interventions would be most effective.

Aim. We sought to identify the environmental and anthropogenic habitat variables associated with the presence of Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos) den sites in Croatia. Based on these associations, in order to inform future conservation decisions, we also sought to identify regions of high suitability for denning across Croatia.

Methods . Using the locations of 91 dens inhabited by bears between 1982 and 2011, we opted for the presence-only modelling option in software Maxent to determine the most important predictors of den presence, and thus predict the distribution of high-value denning habitat across Croatia.

Key results . We found that structural elements were the most important predictors, with ruggedness and elevation both relating positively to den presence. However, distance to nearest settlement was also positively associated with den presence.

Conclusion . We determine that there is considerable denning habitat value in areas with high and rugged terrain as well as areas with limited human activity. We suspect that high and rugged terrain contains a greater concentration of the karstic formations used for denning than lower-lying regions.

Implications . Our study presents the first habitat suitability model for brown bears in Croatia, and identifies core areas suitable for denning both within and outside the species’ current range. As such, it provides useful evidence for conservation decision making and the development of scientifically-based management plans. Our results also support the need for finer spatial scale studies that can reveal specific denning preferences of subpopulations.

Context . The Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) introduction to New Zealand has exacted a heavy toll on native biodiversity and presented the country with its greatest wildlife reservoir host for bovine tuberculosis (TB). Management efforts to control both possums and TB have been ongoing for decades, and the biology of possums has been studied extensively in Australia and New Zealand over the past 50 years; however, we still do not have a clear understanding of its home-range dynamics.

Aims . To investigate determinants of home range size by using a uniquely large dataset in the Orongorongo Valley, a highly monitored research area in New Zealand and compare our findings with those of other studies.

Methods . Possum density was estimated, for subpopulations on four 13-ha cage-trap grids, by the spatially explicit capture–mark–recapture analysis of trapping data from 10 consecutive months. Home ranges were estimated from trap locations using a 100% minimum convex polygon (MCP) method for 348 individuals and analysed with respect to grid, age and sex.

Key results . Mean (standard error) possum density, estimated as 4.87 (0.19), 6.92 (0.29), 4.08 (0.21) and 4.20 (0.19) ha^–1 for the four grids, was significantly negatively correlated with mean MCP home-range size. Grid, age, and the interaction of age and sex were significantly related to home-range size. Older possums had larger home ranges than did younger possums. When ‘juvenile cohort’ and ‘adult cohort’ data were analysed separately, to investigate the significant interaction, males in the ‘adult cohort’ had significantly larger home ranges than did females, with the grid effect still being apparent, whereas neither sex nor grid effects were significant for the ‘juvenile cohort’.

Conclusions . Our findings indicate that, in addition to density, age and sex are likely to be consistent determinants of possum home-range size, but their influences may be masked in some studies by the complexity of wild-population dynamics.

Implications . Our findings have strong implications regarding both disease transmission among possums and possum management. The fact that adult males occupy larger home ranges and the understanding that possum home range increases as population density decreases are an indication that males may be the primary drivers of disease transmission in possum populations. The understanding that possum home range increases as population density decreases could be a direct reflection of the ability of TB to persist in the wild that counteracts current management procedures. If individuals, and particularly males, infected with TB can withstand control measures, their ensuing home-range expansion will result in possible bacteria spread in both the expanded area of habitation and new individuals becoming subjected to infection (both immigrant possums and other control survivors). Therefore, managers should consider potential approaches for luring possum males in control operations.

Context . The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) is recognised as one of the most harmful invasive mammal species in natural, urban and rural environments worldwide. Prevention and control of pest species in livestock farms is necessary to protect animal and human health, but control practices usually do not take into account the biology and ecology of the species to be controlled. The understanding of the biological requirements of Norway rats is necessary for the implementation of efficient management actions.

Aims . The aim of this research was to study movement patterns and habitat selection of Norway rats on livestock farms in central Argentina. We hypothesised that rats select specific areas within the farms according to the farm’s structure and to the availability of resources.

Methods . We conducted live-trapping of rats in a pig farm and a dairy farm, during each of four seasons over 1 year. Traps were active for three consecutive days at each trapping session. Movements and habitat selection were assessed by spool-and-line technique combined with environmental surveys and GIS tools.

Key results . We captured a total of 133 Norway rats and evaluated the movements of 47 individuals. The mean length travelled, registered for one night, was 84.28 ± 38.21 m. They did not travel great linear distances within the farms, but instead performed tortuous trajectories around specific sites. Norway rats selected sites containing food, water and refuges; and avoided travelling across areas with short vegetation. Sites containing food sources were most preferred.

Conclusions . Because food sources for rats were present ad libitum in farms, our findings strongly support the idea that management strategies of prevention and control of this species must include adequate rodent-proof food storage. Also, because rats are found close to livestock, improvement in preventing rats’ access to animal sheds is necessary to prevent contamination of livestock feeders with pathogens carried by rats.

Implications . The present study provides novel information about the ecology of Norway rats on livestock farms. We encourage farmers to follow our recommendations in order to improve rodent-control strategies.

Context. Birds active in vineyards in south-eastern Australia can reduce or enhance crop yields via their foraging activities (e.g. by consuming grapes or by preying on grape-eating species).

Aims. We examined the effectiveness of artificial perches in encouraging predatory birds into vineyards to scare frugivorous birds and consequently reduce the damage they cause to grapes.

Methods. We monitored 12 artificial perches for 4 months during the growing season, spread over six vineyards in north-eastern Victoria, and compared bird damage to grapes at these sites with control sites without perches.

Key results. We found that raptors did not use the artificial perches. However, the large and aggressive Australian magpie (Cracticus tibicen) commonly used perches and we recorded 38 513 perch visits by this species. Grapevines around perch sites suffered >50% less grape damage (4.13% damage per bunch) than control sites (8.57% damage per bunch).

Conclusions. Our results suggest that providing artificial perches in vineyards can play a role in reducing frugivore damage to grapes. However, the effectiveness of perches can vary under different environmental conditions and certain perch types are not suitable for all predatory or aggressive birds.

Implications. Future research should focus on the potential role of large-bodied and competitively aggressive species such as the Australian magpie in altering the activity of smaller frugivorous birds in vineyards, and also on the optimum height and location of artificial perches within vineyards to increase visitation by other predatory or aggressive bird species.

Context. Large-scale human modification of the environment has caused an overall loss of biodiversity; some species, such as crows, do benefit from these changes. Increased crow numbers in Slovenia in the past two decades have caused one of the main human–wildlife conflicts. To reduce these conflicts, successful and effective wildlife management is needed that is rooted in an evaluation of general public opinions and attitudes towards action.

Aims. The purpose of the present study was to identify factors that affect the willingness of the public to participate in actions for crow management. With knowledge about the factors that affect the willingness to participate in management actions, we can enhance public intention and behaviour.

Methods. A research model based on variables from a public survey was set up and tested with ordinal regression analysis.

Key results. The willingness to participate in crow management was influenced by (1) attitudes towards action, (2) interest in crows and conflicts in interaction with the moderator variables of education level or place of residence, (3) perceived behavioural control, (4) fear towards damage caused by crows, and (5) trust in experts in with the moderator variables of gender, education level, or utilitarian behaviour.

Conclusions. Public do not possess sufficient competences for crow management. With additional information and awareness, they could decide more clearly about their participation in management.

Implications. To increase the number of participants in actions, we need to educate the public about critical skills and competencies, provide explanations why some actions are effective and feasible, and convey the importance of public participation. With low confidence about their competences and low, or even no, trust in decision-makers, the willingness to participate was found to decrease.

Context. Evaluating the adequacy of created wetlands to replace the functions of lost natural wetlands is important because wetland mitigation is a major tool used to offset wetland losses. However, measurements such as vegetative cover and presence of wildlife may not provide sufficient evidence that created wetlands are functioning properly. Thus, examining the ecology of wetland biota such as that of amphibians may be a more useful surrogate for function.

Aims. The objectives of this study were to compare the abundance of amphibian metamorphs and survival and growth of larval amphibians in created wetlands, relative to natural wetlands.

Methods . Amphibian metamorphs were trapped in created and natural wetlands during the spring (April–May) and summer (June–August) of 2009 and 2010, and 165 green frog (Lithobates clamitans) larvae were raised during the spring of 2010 in laboratory aquaria containing water from created or natural wetlands.

Key results . Abundance of spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) metamorphs decreased significantly from 2009 to 2010 and abundance of green frog metamorphs increased with habitat complexity, but both were unaffected by wetland type. Detection probability of metamorphs of both species was low, increased with water temperature and declined with month of observation. Survival, growth curves and mass were similar among green frog larvae raised in created and natural wetland aquaria.

Conclusions . Our results suggest that the created and natural wetlands we examined function similarly with respect to providing adequate breeding habitat for green frogs and spring peepers.

Implications . Wetlands created to offset the loss of natural wetlands, although generally not designed for the purpose of wildlife habitat, can function as adequate breeding habitat for generalist amphibians such as green frogs and spring peepers.

Context . Sound understanding of temporal changes in the abundance of wildlife species is required for assessing their status and for effective conservation and management. In New Caledonia, a single baseline aerial survey of dugongs in 2003 estimated a population of 2026 (± 553 s.e.) individuals. A second, similar survey in 2008 produced a lower estimate of 606 (± 200 s.e.) individuals, leading to concerns that the dugong population was experiencing a decline.

Aims . This study used data collected from additional aerial surveys with the aim of updating information on the current size of the dugong population in New Caledonia and investigating the drivers of change in the estimates.

Methods . Four additional surveys were conducted: one in each of the cool (June) and warm (November) seasons of 2011 and 2012 around the main Island of New Caledonia. Dugong relative abundance and density were calculated and compared among survey years and survey regions. Drivers of change in the dugong population size were then investigated.

Key results. The abundance estimates obtained from our four surveys ranged from 649 (± 195 s.e.) to 1227 (± 296 s.e.) dugongs. These new results were not significantly different to the 2008 estimate but were significantly lower than the 2003 estimate. There was no significant variation in the proportion of calves throughout the entire time series of surveys.

Conclusions . The dugong population of New Caledonia was relatively stable between 2008 and 2012. We could not find sufficient evidence to show whether the discrepancy between 2003 and the remainder of the time series is due to a real decline in the population or the result of the confounding effects of variation in environmental conditions, animal behaviour and sampling biases.

Implications . The stability of the dugong population between 2008 and 2012 is a positive outcome for local conservation and management of dugongs. This study also highlights the advisability of replicating baseline surveys to enable robust interpretation of temporal variation in population size estimates, and in turn, to improve the management of wildlife species.