Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Life History and Population Dynamics in a Changing Climate
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Chapter 8. General Discussion
The population size and range of giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis have been greatly reduced in Africa in the past century, resulting in geographical isolation of local populations and some herds surviving at the edge of the species’ preferred range. Numerous factors have contributed to these declines, but historical analysis indicates that habitat loss and fragmentation, human […]
Is reversing the decline of Asian elephants in North American zoos possible? An individual-based modeling approach
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20054.abs Demographic models are important tools for assessing population status, diagnosing potential causes of population decline, and comparing management strategies that might change population trajectory. The population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) maintained in North American zoos has been declining for the past decade, and Wiese ([2000] Zoo. Biol. 19:299–309) predicted a continued decline […]
Using stage-based system dynamics modeling for demographic management of captive populations
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10071.abs Management of captive populations relies on a complex synthesis of genetic and demographic analyses to guide populations toward sustainability. Demographic analyses of captive populations currently utilize age-based matrix projections to predict a population’s trajectory. An alternate approach is to use a stage-based, system dynamics model for captive systems. Such models can more easily […]
Why leopards commit infanticide
Infanticide is a widespread but seldom observed behaviour that has been shown to convey strong selection forces on some social mammals. However, infanticide in nonsocial species is less clearly understood, particularly the evolutionary function of infanticide. Here we present direct and indirect evidence of infanticide in a large, solitary felid, the African leopard, Panthera pardus, […]
Nuisances and welfare of free-roaming cats in urban settings and their association with cat reproduction
Free roaming cats (FRC) are highly abundant in cities around the world. Increasing populations of these cats might result in impairment of cat welfare and cause nuisances and public health risks. In order to study the seasonal dynamics of FRC populations and its association with events of cat welfare impairment and nuisances, we analyzed a […]