Context. Roads act as significant disruptors to wildlife movement through landscapes, even in relatively undisturbed areas. Large terrestrial vertebrates often choose to cross roads, which brings risk of injury or mortality from vehicle collision. In the Wet Tropics bioregion in Queensland, Australia, the range of the southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) spans a diversity of habitats and intensity of road network development. There has been a large increase in the human population within cassowary habitat in recent decades and at local scales there remains concern over increasing mortality caused by vehicle collision.

Aims. To inform management decisions on where is the best to direct collision mitigation resources based on identifying environmental factors that correlate with higher collision risk.

Methods. We collated 28 years of data on cassowary–vehicle collisions from across the bioregion and sought to identify ecological, physical and anthropogenic correlates of collision at both landscape- and location-specific scales.

Key results. We identified a major hotspot of reported cassowary–vehicle collisions in a large area of coastal lowland between Innisfail and Mission Beach. At a landscape scale, vehicle collisions increased significantly when the proportion of cassowary core habitat in the landscape was >50% and as the density of major roads increased. To a lesser extent, collisions increased when minor road density exceeded 400 m/km². At a location-specific scale, vehicle collisions are more likely to occur on straight sections of major roads that have high canopy cover on both sides of the road and were less likely to occur on roads passing through land use types with low canopy cover.

Conclusions. Our findings highlight the significant challenges faced in effectively addressing the cassowary–vehicle collision problem in the Wet Tropics bioregion. Where cassowary habitat and roads intersect, cassowary mortality will occur.

Implications. Construction of new roads within rainforest should be avoided where possible and over- or under-passes should be constructed on new and existing major roads that intersect cassowary habitat and where location-specific correlates of cassowary collision exist. In addition, further collision mitigation measures such as traffic slowing should be targeted with these results in mind.

Context. Accurately describing a species’ geographical distribution is important for informing research and conservation efforts. The citizen science platform iNaturalist provides a valuable resource for increasing our understanding of species distributions.

Aims. To locate and document geographical range outliers in Australian skinks, and to provide evidence of populations undocumented in the existing literature.

Methods. We compared observations of Australian skinks on iNaturalist to digital range maps from both the Global Assessment of Reptile Distributions (GARD), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and a recent Australian reptile field guide. Outlying observations were examined to determine whether they were reliable records. We also made statistical comparisons of the characteristics of species with and without iNaturalist observations and outliers both among species range sizes and subfamilies.

Key results. In total, 319 (of ~462) native Australian skink species had iNaturalist records. These species generally had larger range sizes, and skink subfamilies were represented unequally. Eighty-two skink species (25.7%) had at least one geographical range outlier, and 33 (10.3%) had at least one novel range outlier, unrecorded anywhere in the scientific literature. Range size did not affect the likelihood of a species to have outliers, but there was still a difference among subfamilies. We found 656 potentially interesting distribution anomalies. Most were not novel, but 111 were novel observations, including potential accidental translocations of a number of species. Most notably, evidence of an established population of Carlia sexdentata in Darwin, Northern Territory.

Conclusions. Several factors affect how well Australian skink species are represented on iNaturalist, and many species are highly under-represented or unrepresented altogether. Despite this, our method was successful in providing evidence of a number of range anomalies, including some established populations that have not been formally documented. We also showed, through non-novel outliers, that the three map sources used in this study are not always the most accurate source for species distributions in Australian skinks.

Implications. Our method can potentially be applied to many taxa around the world, so as to increase our understanding of species distributions.

Context. Animals may adjust their behavior in predictable ways to balance tradeoffs between resource acquisition and survival or fecundity. Microhabitat selection based on individual traits or environmental conditions is one measure of risk–reward tradeoffs by individuals.

Aims. We used data from observational and manipulative studies to investigate whether an arboreal snake (brown treesnake, Boiga irregularis) had context-dependent behavior based on the relationship between estimated prey availability, body condition, size, and detection height (microhabitat use) in two Mariana Islands.

Methods. We used observational data collected in four study sites and data from a manipulative study that we collected over a 5-year period. The observational data focused on four sites with different counts of three prey types, including lizards, birds, and small mammals. During the manipulative study we removed snakes, which resulted in increased prey counts over time. Using these two approaches, we tested whether prey counts predicted body condition and then evaluated how prey counts, snake size, and snake condition interactively predicted the detection height of captured individuals.

Key results. We found that body condition was greater at sites or in years with greater prey counts across both the observational and manipulative studies. We also found that snakes displayed differential microhabitat use based on both their condition and size. Larger snakes tended to be detected lower than smaller snakes, but only at sites or during years with few bird or small mammal counts. Snakes at sites with greater mammal and bird counts had a positive relationship between size and detection height. Snakes with greater condition scores tended to be detected higher irrespective of size, but this was also dependent on prey counts. At sites with low bird counts, snakes that were in better condition tended to be closer to the ground.

Conclusions. Brown treesnakes modified microhabitat use based on their condition, size, and the number or type of prey available. Our findings were consistent with a hypothesis that they optimized habitat use to secure food resources and maximize survival.

Implications. Context-dependent behavioral plasticity may be an important consideration for management of reptiles for population control or growth.

Context. Hunting by humans is the primary tool for population control for many ungulate species across the United States, including white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Previous research has focused primarily on the effects of hunting on prey behavior, while neglecting the potential effects that the hunter behavior has on the probability of harvest success.

Aims. Our objectives were to assess hunter behavior (i.e. movement and habitat use) and evaluate how these behaviors influence deer observation rates.

Methods. During the 2008 and 2009 Oklahoma hunting seasons, we recorded GPS and observation data from 83 individual hunters over 487 total hunts. We examined hunter movement speed, path shape, and the proportion of time hunters spent in different vegetation types, and the average distance from landscape features such as roads, water sources, etc. for each recorded hunt.

Key results. On average, hunters spent 3.7 h (s.e. = 0.1 h) afield during each recorded hunt, traveled 2085 m (s.e. = 79.0 m), and observed 2.7 deer/outing (s.e. = 0.15 deer). Hunters used areas with 25–50% forested cover and greater topographic roughness, and hunted close to water sources (i.e. ponds) but >50 m from roads. Behavior of hunters influenced the probability of observing deer; observation rates of deer increased as hunters used greater forested cover and as their movement rate increased.

Conclusions. Our results suggest that hunter movement and habitat use influence the number of deer observed during a hunt.

Implications. Our findings showed that land managers can leverage understanding hunter behaviors to adjust harvest success to meet various management objectives.

Context. Animal and plant populations in arid regions fluctuate in size and extent in response to rainfall, fire and predation. Understanding the influence of these drivers on the status and trends of populations is crucial to implementing effective conservation actions.

Aims. In this study, we quantified the long-term drivers and trends in populations of a threatened lizard, the great desert skink (Liopholis kintorei; Tjakura), in the central and western deserts of Australia.

Methods. We collated 23 years (2002–2023) of active Tjakuṟa burrow count data from 31 sites clustered in the following four regions: Yulara, Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary, Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Kiwirrkurra Indigenous Protected Area. We fitted a negative binomial regression model in a Bayesian framework to estimate trends in active burrow counts over time and quantified the effect of rainfall, mean annual normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), time since fire and fire extent on active burrow counts.

Key results. Our results showed contrasting trends in Tjakuṟa active burrow counts across the four regions. At Kiwirrkurra, Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary and Yulara, active burrow counts increased consistently at rates of 35% (0.298; 95% CI 0.099–0.471), 18% (0.168; 95% CI 0.029, 0.314) and 5% per year (0.045; 95% CI 0.017, 0.073) respectively. In contrast, active burrow counts in Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa National Park increased from 2002 to 2012 before steadily decreasing. Across all sites, fire was the most important predictor of active Tjakuṟa burrow counts, with a significant positive effect of time since fire (0.108; 95% CI 0.014–0.204) and a strong negative effect of fire extent in the previous year (−0.111; 95% CI −0.243 to −0.026).

Conclusions. Our results have highlighted the importance of delivering ongoing planned fire management programs that avoid burning vegetation directly at and around Tjakura burrow systems, while providing a patch mosaic across the surrounding landscape.

Implications. We recommend that monitoring of Tjakura burrows be standardised across regions and that site covariates, especially measures of predation pressure, be monitored to further understand drivers of population trends.

Context. As invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) expand throughout North America, wildlife managers are increasingly tasked with implementing strategies for alleviating their damage to anthropogenic and natural resources.

Aims. Aerial operations, such as shooting from helicopters, are now commonly used strategies for controlling wild pig populations in the USA. Aerial operators are interested in identifying more effective strategies and tools, such as choke tubes and ammunition that produce the best animal welfare outcomes and reduce the number of shots required, while determining maximum effective shot distances. A strategic approach to evaluating shotshell and firearm options used in aerial operations can help aerial operators understand performance and adjust their techniques accordingly to maximize lethality at various distances.

Methods. We evaluated pellet patterns and ballistics from various shotshells and developed a strategy for evaluating lethality and predicting performance in the field at increasing distances.

Key results. We found distance to target and shotshell type had the strongest effects on predicting lethality, with probability of a vital impact declining as distances increased and number of pellets per shotshell decreased. We also found that penetration decreased as distances to the target increased; however, heavier pellets were less affected.

Conclusions. Limiting shot distances and shotshell selection are important factors in optimizing aerial operations. Specifically, we recommend 00 buckshot shotshells with ≥12 pellets in situations where shot distances are ≤46 m. None of the shotshells we tested performed well at longer distances (i.e. <0.50 probability of lethal hit and lower penetration).

Implications. This research has described a perfunctory strategy for comparative evaluation of firearm and shotshell options to optimize aerial operations for wild pigs. Utilizing such a strategy can enhance the abilities of an aerial operator and establish limitations to improve efficiencies and animal welfare outcomes.

Context. Feral cats (Felis catus) are a highly adaptable invasive species, widespread across mainlands and islands in Australia and globally. Managing feral cats to reduce their impact on native wildlife is a priority for conservation organisations, land managers, and policymakers.

Aims. This study aimed to examine how spatial and temporal heterogeneity in productivity influences the movement behaviour, habitat selection, and home range size of feral cats on lunawanna-alonnah/Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia. Combining movement and landscape information provides a finer-scale understanding of habitat use and requirements, which is valuable for managing of invasive species.

Methods. We deployed GPS collars on 17 feral cats, across three sites on lunawanna-alonnah/Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia. Two of the sites contained seabird colonies, whereas the third was located in wet eucalypt forests. The collars recorded data for periods ranging from 40 to 340 days. We describe and compare home range utilisations by using biased random-bridge kernels, classify movement paths by using hidden Markov models, and apply the Manly selection ratio approach to investigate habitat selection.

Key results. Cat home ranges and movements were smallest in the high-productivity situation of seasonally breeding seabird colonies and largest in the lower-productivity wet forest. Cats in wet forests spent more time travelling and made greater use of anthropogenic features, such as tracks and roads. Cats collared in the seabird colony avoided roads and mostly restricted their movements to the colony, with the exception of three males that made extensive extra-territorial movements after the seabirds departed the colony.

Conclusions. The sudden change in prey resources following seabird migration could present a threat to native wildlife if cats prey-switch, but offer an opportunity for lethal control because cats will be hungry, more mobile, and therefore more likely to encounter control activities.

Implications. Our results confirmed the importance of landscape productivity in shaping the behaviour of feral cats and provided information that can inform control programs in similar landscapes.

Context. Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are the most abundant, widespread, and economically significant large vertebrate established in the Hawaiian Islands. Owing to their generalist diet and rooting behavior, wild pigs alter soils and watersheds, negatively affecting native biota.

Aims. Lethal removal of wild pigs by trapping is often the most effective and practical management action to reduce their impacts, but terrain and access are challenging.

Methods. We compared the effectiveness and efficiency of three trap designs (i.e. corral, box, and passive net traps) on a fenced population of wild pigs in a remote montane forest setting on the Island of Hawai‘i, where use of cellular-activated ‘smart’ traps was not possible.

Key results. During three high-intensity removal efforts between 30 November 2021 and 8 May 2022, we trapped and euthanized 435 wild pigs through 162 trapping events. Although each trap type effectively captured wild pigs, passive net traps captured more wild pigs per capture event than did corral and box traps. Specifically, when using passive net traps, we captured approximately four wild pigs per capture event, which was two to three times more than with corral traps and box traps respectively. Passive net traps were more effective and efficient than were box traps, although they performed similarly to corral traps.

Conclusions. All trap types we tested successfully captured wild pigs, but passive net traps typically captured more wild pigs per event than did traditional corral and box traps. Net traps were a valuable addition to remote trapping strategies.

Implications. In remote and rugged settings where smart trapping technology cannot be used, we recommend incorporating passive net traps into a trapping program to optimize removal of wild pigs.