This study investigates the ranging behavior of elephants in relation to precipitation-driven dynamics vegetation. Movement data were acquired for five bachelors and female family herds during three years Marsabit protected area Kenya changes vegetation mapped using MODIS normalized difference index time series (NDVI). In area, elevations 650 1100 m.a.s.l experience two growth periods per year, while above m.a.s.l. last a year or longer.We find that respond quickly forage water availability,...

Abstract Fencing is one of the most common methods mitigating human‐wildlife conflicts. At same time, fencing considered pressing threats emerging in conservation globally. Although fences act as barriers and can cause population isolation fragmentation over it difficult to quantitatively predict consequences have for wildlife. Here, we model how designed mitigate human‐elephant conflict ( HEC ) on Borderlands between Kenya Tanzania will affect functional connectivity movement corridors...

Abstract New satellite remote sensing and machine learning techniques offer untapped possibilities to monitor global biodiversity with unprecedented speed precision. These efficiencies promise reveal novel ecological insights at spatial scales which are germane the management of populations entire ecosystems. Here, we present a robust transferable deep pipeline automatically locate count large herds migratory ungulates (wildebeest zebra) in Serengeti-Mara ecosystem using fine-resolution...

Abstract Landscape connectivity is an important component of systematic conservation planning. Step‐selection functions (SSFs) a highly promising method for modeling. However, differences in movement behavior across individuals and seasons are usually not considered current SSF‐based analyses, potentially leading to imprecise models. Here, our objective was use SSFs build functional models African elephants Loxodonta africana seasonal environment illustrate the temporal variability landscape...

Dietary analyses of herbivorous mammals are important for paleoecological reconstruction. Several methods applicable to fossil teeth have been developed lately. The mesowear method based on wear-induced occlusal shape and relief ungulate molars has proven be a robust dietary analysis. In its original form it can only used selenodont, plagiolophodont, ectolophodont molars, but the principle extended other kinds tooth morphology. We introduce new analysis proboscideans similar method, angle...

Roadkill is one of the highest causes wildlife mortality and global conservation concern. Most roadkill studies have focused on in developed countries such as United States America temperate biomes, but there are limited data for impacts roads African tropics, where road infrastructure development projected to grow rapidly natural environments areas. The Tsavo Conservation Area an important biodiversity hotspot eastern Kenya bisected by a major highway railways that connect port Mombasa...

ABSTRACT The African large predator guild is one of the last intact guilds globally, and interactions between its members influence ecosystem functioning. We conducted camera‐trapping in Maasai Mara Ecosystem (MME) to estimate leopard ( Panthera pardus ) population density investigate whether lion leo hyaena Crocuta crocuta impact presence, while accounting for potential prey presence habitat. In 2019, we deployed cameras at 34 stations Triangle within MME 63 nights. estimated using a closed...

Abstract We investigated the ranging patterns of elephants in Marsabit protected area, north eastern Kenya, to ascertain range bachelor and female family herds different seasons, identify corridor noncorridor areas. Data were acquired for five four equipped with satellite‐linked geographical positioning system collars, monitored from December 2005 2007. Distinct dry (about 260 km 2 ) wet seasons 910 ranges observed, connecting corridors (north‐eastern corridor: about 90 long, 2‐7 wide;...

Efforts to curb elephant poaching have focused on reducing demand, confiscating ivory and boosting security patrols in range. Where land is under multiple uses ownership, determining the local dynamics important for identifying successful conservation models. Using 2,403 verified elephant, Loxodonta africana, mortality records collected from 2002 2012 results of aerial total counts elephants conducted 2002, 2008 Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem northern Kenya, we sought determine influence...

Water is a scarce resource in semi-arid savannas where over half of the African elephants (Loxodonta africana) populations occur and may therefore influence their movement pattern. A random search expected for an animal with no information on location target resource, else, direction-oriented walk expected. We hypothesized that patterns show stronger directional orientation towards water sources dry season compared to wet season. investigated paths four male female hourly GPS fixes Tsavo...

Abstract Aim Species‐specific conservation strategies are frequently formulated based on species distribution maps, which challenging to produce, especially at large spatial scales. Our aim was use a novel empirical approach predict the national for all six carnivore found in Kenya guide and management decisions by identifying knowledge gaps. Location Kenya. Methods We collected data presence absence through questionnaire sightings‐based surveys analysed combined set using single‐season...

Abstract To effectively manage wildlife populations, it is essential to reliably estimate their abundance. This particularly the case for small, isolated which are vulnerable extirpation. Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya one such area where an introduced population of African lions ( Panthera leo ) genetic degradation and catastrophic events. A founder six individuals was between 1984 1992, with no further recorded immigration. We used Bayesian spatially‐explicit capture–recapture models...

Social carnivores frequently live in fission-fusion societies, where individuals that share a common territory or home range may be found alone, subgroups, altogether. Absolute group size and subgroup is expected to vary according resource distribution, but for species are susceptible anthropogenic pressures, other factors important drivers. African lions (

Abstract We investigated the factors that influenced distribution of African elephant around a volcanic shield dominated by mosaic forest and savanna in northern Kenya. Data on were acquired from four female five bull elephants, collared with satellite‐linked geographical positioning system collars. Based eigenvalues (variances) correlation matrix, six contributed significantly to high total variances distance drinking water (24%), elevation (15%), shrubland (10%), (9%), settlements (8%)...

This study investigates the distribution of poached elephants as well biophysical and anthropogenic factors that determine in Tsavo East National Park (TENP), Kenya. Data on elephants, from 1990 to 2005, were acquired elephant mortality database Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The was not random but exhibited a clustered pattern. Poaching higher central northern areas TENP. hotspots occurred along main rivers (i.e. Tiva, Galana Voi Rivers). During wet season, high density recorded within...

Microbial communities are found throughout the biosphere, from human guts to glaciers, soil activated sludge. Understanding statistical properties of such diverse can pave way elucidate common mechanisms ...Multiple ecological forces act together shape composition microbial communities. Phyloecology approaches—which combine phylogenetic relationships between species with community ecology—have potential disentangle but often ...

Understanding factors affecting the distribution of African elephant is important for its conservation in increasingly human-dominated savannah landscapes. However, understanding how landscape fragmentation and vegetation productivity affect habitat utilization remains poorly understood. In this study, we tested whether explain Amboseli ecosystem Kenya. We used GPS (Global Positioning System) telemetry data from five elephants to quantify utilization. Habitat was determined by calculating...

Understanding factors affecting the behaviour and movement patterns of African elephant is important for wildlife conservation, especially in increasingly human-dominated savanna landscapes. Currently, knowledge on how landscape fragmentation vegetation productivity affect speed remains poorly understood. In this study, we tested whether explains Amboseli ecosystem Kenya. We used GPS collar data from five elephants to quantify three seasons (wet, dry transitional). then multiple regression...

Throughout Africa, lions are thought to have experienced dramatic population decline and range contraction. The greatest declines likely occurring in human-dominated landscapes where reliably estimating lion populations is particularly challenging. By adapting a method that has thus far only been applied animals habituated vehicles, we estimate density two community areas Kenya's South Rift, located more than 100 km from the nearest protected area (PA). More specifically, conducted an 89-day...

This paper updates the data on population status of elephants in Tsavo–Mkomazi ecosystem. Data were acquired through aerial census ecosystem, from 7 to 12 February 2011. The covered an area approximately 48,319 km 2 , which was divided into 44 counting blocks. Each block assigned a specific aircraft; crew consisted pilot, front-seat observer and two rear-seat observers for four-seater light aircraft, pilot two-seater aircraft. lasted five days involved nine aircraft about 252 hours actual...