A5090295052- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
- Marine animal studies overview
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Historical Astronomy and Related Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Geographies of human-animal interactions
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Plant and animal studies
Wageningen University & Research
2021-2024
Kenya Wildlife Service
2015-2022
University of Oxford
2012-2020
Botswana Predator Conservation Trust
2012-2014
Zoological Society of London
2008
Africa is home to the last intact guild of large carnivores and thus provides only opportunity investigate mechanisms coexistence among predator species. Strong asymmetric dominance hierarchies typically characterize guilds carnivores; but despite this asymmetry, subdominant species may persist alongside their stronger counterparts through temporal partitioning habitat resources. In African guild, wild dogs cheetahs are routinely described as diurnal crepuscular. These activity patterns have...
Significance Here, we compile and present the most comprehensive data available on cheetah distribution status. Our analysis shows dramatic declines of across its distributional range. Most occur outside protected areas, where they are exposed to multiple threats, but there is little information population Simulation modeling that, growth rates suppressed extinction risk increases markedly. This result can be generalized other “protection-reliant” species, a decision tree provided improve...
1. Risks of predation or interference competition are major factors shaping the distribution species. An animal's response to risk can either be reactive, an immediate risk, predictive, based on preceding past experiences. The manner in which animals respond is key understanding avoidance, and hence coexistence, between interacting 2. We investigated whether cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), known affected by lions (Panthera leo) spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), reactively predictively risks...
Abstract Human–carnivore conflict is a primary driver of carnivore declines worldwide and resolving these conflicts conservation priority. However, resources to mitigate are limited should be focused on areas highest We conducted 820 semistructured interviews with community members living within Kenya's Maasai Mara ecosystem. A multiscale analysis was used determine the influence husbandry environmental factors livestock depredation inside enclosures (bomas). Areas high proportion closed...
We propose a new method, based on machine learning techniques, for the analysis of combination continuous data from dataloggers and sampling contemporaneous behaviour observations. This provides an opportunity biologists to study at previously unknown level detail accuracy; however, continuously recorded are little use unless resulting large volumes raw can be reliably translated into actual behaviour. address this problem by applying Support Vector Machine Hidden-Markov Model that allows us...
1. Physical barriers contribute to habitat fragmentation, influence species distribution and ranging behaviour, impact long-term population viability. Barrier permeability varies among can potentially the competitive balance within animal communities by differentially affecting co-occurring species. The of on spatial whole has nonetheless received little attention. 2. During a 4-year period, we studied fence rivers, two landscape features that act as space use behaviour lions Panthera leo,...
Summary In dryland ecosystems, mobility is essential for both wildlife and people to access unpredictable spatially heterogeneous resources, particularly in the face of climate change. Fences can prevent connectivity vital this mobility. There are recent calls large‐scale barrier fencing interventions address human–wildlife conflict illegal resource extraction. Fencing has costs benefits wildlife. However, evidence available facilitating sound decision‐making initiatives limited, drylands....
Abstract Compassionate conservation focuses on 4 tenets: first, do no harm; individuals matter; inclusivity of individual animals; and peaceful coexistence between humans animals. Recently, compassionate has been promoted as an alternative to conventional philosophy. We believe examples presented by conservationists are deliberately or arbitrarily chosen focus mammals; inherently not compassionate; offer ineffective solutions. charismatic species, notably large predators megaherbivores. The...
Many ecological theories and species conservation programmes rely on accurate estimates of population density. Accurate density estimation, especially for facing rapid declines, requires the application rigorous field analytical methods. However, obtaining carnivores can be challenging as naturally exist at relatively low densities are often elusive wide-ranging. In this study, we employ an unstructured spatial sampling design along with a Bayesian sex-specific spatially explicit...
Foraging requirements and predation risk shape activity patterns temporal behavior widely across taxa. Although this has been extensively studied in small mammals, the influence of prey acquisition on large carnivores received little attention. The diurnal described as typical for cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus ) explained terms their avoidance antagonistic interactions with other larger predators. However, a recent study revealed that are frequently active at night, especially during periods...
Scat DNA metabarcoding is increasingly being used to track the feeding ecology of elusive wildlife species. This approach has greatly increased resolution and detection success prey items contained in scats when compared with other classical methods. However, there have been few studies that systematically tested applicability reliability this study diet large felids species wild. Here we assessed effectiveness cheetah Acinonyx jubatus. We how scat degradation, meal size, consumed day (the a...
Resource availability is a key component in animal ecology, yet the manner which carnivore populations respond to spatial and temporal fluctuations of resources remains unclear. We take population‐level approach determine how resource pulses, this case temporary hyper‐abundance prey, influence densities space‐use cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus . The Maasai Mara Kenya experiences an annual migration > 1.4 million wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus large numbers zebras Equus quagga Thomson's...
Niche theory suggests that two species with similar ecological roles can coexist only if they exhibit sufficient differentiation in resource use; otherwise, competitive exclusion may occur. The striped and brown hyena share niches, particularly terms of diet habitat preferences. Today, the hyena’s range is restricted to Southern Africa, while occupies a larger area from Kenya India. Yet, fossil evidence these could have occupied wider, potentially overlapping ranges historically....
Animals select habitats that will ultimately optimize their fitness through access to favorable resources, such as food, mates, and breeding sites. However, these resources may be limited by bottom-up effects, availability, top-down risk avoidance competition, including with humans. Competition between wildlife people over specifically space, has played a significant role in the worldwide decrease large carnivores. The goal of this study was determine habitat selection cheetahs (Acinonyx...
Recruitment is a critical parameter governing population dynamics and influences persistence. Understanding the drivers of recruitment therefore important for conservation, especially long-lived mammals such as large carnivores, which have low reproductive rates, rendering them prone to extinction. Using cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) model species, I investigated variation in cub relation habitat abundance tourists predators. Per litter, female on average raised 1.71 ± 1.35 cubs independence,...
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 Competition is an important ecological factor influencing the population dynamics of carnivores especially as shifts in prey selection could have negative consequences for other members carnivore guild. It therefore to determine a species' resource requirements help understand potential degree and competition. Cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus compete over resources with larger carnivores, such lions Panthera leo . While cheetahs generally favour smaller than lions, male frequently occur...
Intraspecific interactions between individuals or groups of the same species are an important component population dynamics. Interactions can be static, such as spatial overlap, dynamic based on movements, and mediated through communication, deployment scent marks. their behavioural outcomes difficult to determine, especially for that live at low densities. With use GPS collars we quantify both static male cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) outcomes. The 99% home-ranges males overlapped...
Abstract Living alongside predators can entail substantial costs both in terms of livelihoods and personal safety. Negative interactions with lead to negative attitudes behavioural intentions such as retaliatory or pre-emptive killing. As a result, conservation strategies are increasingly adopting human–wildlife coexistence approaches aimed at minimizing the associated living by providing direct indirect benefits. This is done hope that people will foster positive towards predators. However,...
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 Across the globe, wildlife populations and their behaviours are negatively impacted by people. Protected areas believed to be an antidote increasing human pressures but even they not immune impact of anthropogenic activities. Areas that have been set aside for protection therefore warrant more attention when investigating on wildlife. We use cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus as a case study explore how large carnivore responds inside areas. Using GPS ‐collar data we investigate cheetah...