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ID: Hierarchical animal movement models for population-level inference
Hierarchical animal movement models for population-level inference
Type: Article
Subjects: Hierarchical model
Resource selection model
Spatial statistics
Telemetry data
Trajectories
Item
view first image of Hierarchical animal movement models for population-level inference
Hierarchical animal movement models for population-level inference
Type:Article
Subject:Hierarchical model
Resource selection model
Spatial statistics
Telemetry data
Trajectories
Description:New methods for modeling animal movement based on telemetry data are developed regularly. With advances in telemetry capabilities, animal movement models are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Despite a need for population-level inference, animal movement models are still predominantly developed for individual-level inference. Most efforts to upscale the inference to the population level are either post hoc or complicated enough that only the developer can implement the model. Hierarchical Bayesian models provide an ideal platform for the development of population-level animal movement models but can be challenging to fit due to computational limitations or extensive tuning required. We propose a two-stage procedure for fitting hierarchical animal movement models to telemetry data. The two-stage approach is statistically rigorous and allows one to fit individual-level movement models separately, then resample them using a secondary MCMC algorithm. The primary advantages of the two-stage approach are that the first stage is easily parallelizable and the second stage is completely unsupervised, allowing for an automated fitting procedure in many cases. We demonstrate the two-stage procedure with two applications of animal movement models. The first application involves a spatial point process approach to modeling telemetry data, and the second involves a more complicated continuous-time discrete-space animal movement model. We fit these models to simulated data and real telemetry data arising from a population of monitored Canada lynx in Colorado, USA. [show more]
ID: Highly pathogenic avian influenza
Highly pathogenic avian influenza
Type: Fact Sheet
Subjects: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Birds
Fact sheet
Item
view first image of Highly pathogenic avian influenza
Highly pathogenic avian influenza
Type:Fact Sheet
Subject:Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Birds
Fact sheet
Description:Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was confirmed in wild geese in Northeastern Colorado on March 24, 2022. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is working with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other agencies to monitor and respond to additional cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza. [show more]
ID: Home range size and resource use by swift foxes in northeastern Montana
Home range size and resource use by swift foxes in northeastern Montana
Type: Article
Subjects: Swift fox
<em>Vulpes velox</em>
Resource utilization function
Conservation translocation
Reintroduction
Item
view first image of Home range size and resource use by swift foxes in northeastern Montana
Home range size and resource use by swift foxes in northeastern Montana
Type:Article
Subject:Swift fox
<em>Vulpes velox</em>
Resource utilization function
Conservation translocation
Reintroduction
Description:Swift foxes (Vulpes velox) are endemic to the Great Plains of North America, but were extirpated from the northern portion of their range by the mid-1900s. Despite several reintroductions to the Northern Great Plains, there remains a ~350 km range gap between the swift fox population along the Montana and Canada border and that in northeastern Wyoming and northwestern South Dakota. A better understanding of what resources swift foxes use along the Montana and Canada border region will assist managers to facilitate connectivity among populations. From 2016 to 2018, we estimated the home range size and evaluated resource use within the home ranges of 22 swift foxes equipped with Global Positioning System tracking collars in northeastern Montana. Swift fox home ranges in our study were some of the largest ever recorded, averaging (± SE) 42.0 km2 ± 4.7. Our results indicate that both environmental and anthropogenic factors influenced resource use. At the population level, resource use increased by 3.3% for every 5.0% increase in percent grasslands. Relative probability of use decreased by 7.9% and 7.4% for every kilometer away from unpaved roads and gas well sites, respectively, and decreased by 3.0% and 11.3% for every one-unit increase in topographic roughness and every 0.05 increase in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), respectively. Our study suggests that, to reestablish connectivity among swift fox populations in Montana, managers should aim to maintain large corridors of contiguous grasslands at a landscape scale, a process that likely will require having to work with multiple property owners. [show more]
ID: Host relatedness and landscape connectivity shape pathogen spread in the puma, a large secretive carnivore
Host relatedness and landscape connectivity shape pathogen spread in the puma, a large secretive carnivore
Type: Article
Subjects: Wildland urban interface
<em>Puma concolor</em>
Mountain lion
Viral spread
Host-pathogen interaction
Item
view first image of Host relatedness and landscape connectivity shape pathogen spread in the puma, a large secretive carnivore
Host relatedness and landscape connectivity shape pathogen spread in the puma, a large secretive carnivore
Type:Article
Subject:Wildland urban interface
<em>Puma concolor</em>
Mountain lion
Viral spread
Host-pathogen interaction
Description:Urban expansion can fundamentally alter wildlife movement and gene flow, but how urbanization alters pathogen spread is poorly understood. Here, we combine high resolution host and viral genomic data with landscape variables to examine the context of viral spread in puma (Puma concolor) from two contrasting regions: one bounded by the wildland urban interface (WUI) and one unbounded with minimal anthropogenic development (UB). We found landscape variables and host gene flow explained significant amounts of variation of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) spread in the WUI, but not in the unbounded region. The most important predictors of viral spread also differed; host spatial proximity, host relatedness, and mountain ranges played a role in FIV spread in the WUI, whereas roads might have facilitated viral spread in the unbounded region. Our research demonstrates how anthropogenic landscapes can alter pathogen spread, providing a more nuanced understanding of host-pathogen relationships to inform disease ecology in free-ranging species. [show more]
ID: How to report a wolf sighting in Colorado
How to report a wolf sighting in Colorado
Type: Text
Subjects: Gray wolf
Item
view first image of How to report a wolf sighting in Colorado
How to report a wolf sighting in Colorado
Type:Text
Subject:Gray wolf
Description:Information from Colorado Parks & Wildlife on how to identify a gray wolf and submit a Wolf Sighting Form. [show more]
ID: Human development and climate affect hibernation in a large carnivore with implications for human–carnivore conflicts
Human development and climate affect hibernation in a large carnivore with implications for human–carnivore conflicts
Type: Article
Subjects: Black bear
Denning chronology
Hibernation
Human-bear conflict
Residential development
Item
view first image of Human development and climate affect hibernation in a large carnivore with implications for human–carnivore conflicts
Human development and climate affect hibernation in a large carnivore with implications for human–carnivore conflicts
Type:Article
Subject:Black bear
Denning chronology
Hibernation
Human-bear conflict
Residential development
Description:
  1. Expanding human development and climate change are dramatically altering habi-tat conditions for wildlife. While the initial response of wildlife to changing environ-mental conditions is typically a shift in behaviour, little is known about the effects of these stressors on hibernation behaviour, an important life- history trait that can subsequently affect animal physiology, demography, interspecific interactions and human-wildlife interactions. Given future trajectories of land use and climate change, it is important that wildlife professionals understand how animals that hi-bernate are adapting to altered landscape conditions so that management activities can be appropriately tailored.
  2. We investigated the influence of human development and weather on hibernation in black bears (Ursus americanus), a species of high management concern, whose behaviour is strongly tied to natural food availability, anthropogenic foods around development and variation in annual weather conditions. Using GPS collar data from 131 den events of adult female bears (n= 51), we employed fine- scale, animal- specific habitat information to evaluate the relative and cumulative influence of natural food availability, anthropogenic food and weather on the start, duration and end of hibernation.
  3. We found that weather and food availability (both natural and human) additively shaped black bear hibernation behaviour. Of the habitat variables we examined, warmer temperatures were most strongly associated with denning chronology, re-ducing the duration of hibernation and expediting emergence in the spring. Bears appeared to respond to natural and anthropogenic foods similarly, as more natural foods, and greater use of human foods around development, both postponed hi-bernation in the fall and decreased its duration.
  4. Synthesis and applications. Warmer temperatures and use of anthropogenic food subsides additively reduced black bear hibernation, suggesting that future changes in climate and land use may further alter bear behaviour and increase the length of their active season. We speculate that longer active periods for bears will result in subsequent increases in human–bear conflicts and human-caused bear mortalities. These metrics are commonly used by wildlife agencies to index trends in bear pop-ulations, but have the potential to be misleading when bear behaviour dynamically adapts to changing environmental conditions, and should be substituted with relia-ble demographic methods.
 [show more]
ID: Human expansion precipitates niche expansion for an opportunistic apex predator (Puma concolor)
Human expansion precipitates niche expansion for an opportunistic apex predator (<em>Puma concolor</em>)
Type: Article
Subjects: Animal behaviour
Conservation biology
Stable isotope analysis
Item
view first image of Human expansion precipitates niche expansion for an opportunistic apex predator (<em>Puma concolor</em>)
Human expansion precipitates niche expansion for an opportunistic apex predator (<em>Puma concolor</em>)
Type:Article
Subject:Animal behaviour
Conservation biology
Stable isotope analysis
Description:There is growing recognition that developed landscapes are important systems in which to promote ecological complexity and conservation. Yet, little is known about processes regulating these novel ecosystems, or behaviours employed by species adapting to them. We evaluated the isotopic niche of an apex carnivore, the cougar (Puma concolor), over broad spatiotemporal scales and in a region characterized by rapid landscape change. We detected a shift in resource use, from near complete specialization on native herbivores in wildlands to greater use of exotic and invasive species by cougars in contemporary urban interfaces. We show that 25 years ago, cougars inhabiting these same urban interfaces possessed diets that were intermediate. Thus, niche expansion followed human expansion over both time and space, indicating that an important top predator is interacting with prey in novel ways. Thus, though human-dominated landscapes can provide sufficient resources for apex carnivores, they do not necessarily preserve their ecological relationships. [show more]
ID: Human-Cougar interactions in the wildland-urban interface of Colorado's front range
Human-Cougar interactions in the wildland-urban interface of Colorado's front range
Type: Article
Subjects: Aversive conditioning
Colorado
Conflict
Cougar
Domestic predation
Human interaction
Livestock, predation
<em>Puma concolor</em>
Residential development
Wildland–urban interface
Item
view first image of Human-Cougar interactions in the wildland-urban interface of Colorado's front range
Human-Cougar interactions in the wildland-urban interface of Colorado's front range
Type:Article
Subject:Aversive conditioning
Colorado
Conflict
Cougar
Domestic predation
Human interaction
Livestock, predation
<em>Puma concolor</em>
Residential development
Wildland–urban interface
Description:As human populations continue to expand across the world, the need to understand and manage wildlife populations within the wildland–urban interface is becoming commonplace. This is especially true for large carnivores as these species are not always tolerated by the public and can pose a risk to human safety. Unfortunately, information on wildlife species within the wildland–urban interface is sparse, and knowledge from wildland ecosystems does not always translate well to human-dominated systems. Across western North America, cougars (Puma concolor) are routinely utilizing wildland–urban habitats while human use of these areas for homes and recreation is increasing. From 2007 to 2015, we studied cougar resource selection, human–cougar interaction, and cougar conflict management within the wildland–urban landscape of the northern Front Range in Colorado, USA. Resource selection of cougars within this landscape was typical of cougars in more remote settings but cougar interactions with humans tended to occur in locations cougars typically selected against, especially those in proximity to human structures. Within higher housing density areas, 83% of cougar use occurred at night, suggesting cougars generally avoided human activity by partitioning time. Only 24% of monitored cougars were reported for some type of conflict behavior but 39% of cougars sampled during feeding site investigations of GPS collar data were found to consume domestic prey items. Aversive conditioning was difficult to implement and generally ineffective for altering cougar behaviors but was thought to potentially have long-term benefits of reinforcing fear of humans in cougars within human-dominated areas experiencing little cougar hunting pressure. Cougars are able to exploit wildland–urban landscapes effectively, and conflict is relatively uncommon compared with the proportion of cougar use. Individual characteristics and behaviors of cougars within these areas are highly varied; therefore, conflict management is unique to each situation and should target individual behaviors. The ability of individual cougars to learn to exploit these environments with minimal human–cougar interactions suggests that maintaining older age structures, especially females, and providing a matrix of habitats, including large connected open-space areas, would be beneficial to cougars and effectively reduce the potential for conflict. [show more]
ID: Hunger mediates apex predator's risk avoidance response in wildland–urban interface
Hunger mediates apex predator's risk avoidance response in wildland–urban interface
Type: Article
Subjects: Camera traps
Cougar (<em>Puma concolor</em>)
Energetics
Housing avoidance
Human–predator conflict
Patch use
Risk–reward trade-off
Step selection function
Item
view first image of Hunger mediates apex predator's risk avoidance response in wildland–urban interface
Hunger mediates apex predator's risk avoidance response in wildland–urban interface
Type:Article
Subject:Camera traps
Cougar (<em>Puma concolor</em>)
Energetics
Housing avoidance
Human–predator conflict
Patch use
Risk–reward trade-off
Step selection function
Description:Puma (Puma concolor), an apex predator, can live at the edge of cities where pockets of low-density human dwellings form residential patches in the wildland–urban interface. Blecha, Boone, and Alldredge ( href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.12815#jane12815-bib-0003" class="bibLink tab-link">2018) tracked puma via global positioning system (GPS) telemetry collars to determine when and where they hunted and made kills. Well-fed puma (1–2 days between kills) strongly avoided residential patches despite these areas having higher mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) densities and higher kill success for puma. However, the strong avoidance of residential patches completely disappeared as puma became hungrier (4–10 days since last kill) making it more likely that hungry individuals hunted in residential areas and ultimately increasing the likelihood of puma–human conflict. [show more]
ID: Hunting Colorado: GMU 20 (Eastern Portion)
Hunting Colorado: GMU 20 (Eastern Portion)
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Hunting Colorado: GMU 20 (Eastern Portion)
Hunting Colorado: GMU 20 (Eastern Portion)
Description:Species covered: elk, mule deer Colorado's wildlife officer's pride themselves on knowing their districts better than anyone else. This knowledge is invaluable for hunters trying to make decisions on where to apply and/or start scouting. In an inclusive effort to better inform hunters, we're happy to be the first state in the nation to offer authentic online content straight from the local game warden's mouth! No script. No wannabe experts. Each officer brings to light answers to the most often asked questions they receive in their district, including access and issues that are germane to that specific portion of Colorado. Wildlife Officers sometimes transfer districts and for the most updated contact information, hunters should look at the Colorado Hunting Atlas or call the local CPW office. Buy hunting and fishing licenses: https://www.cpwshop.com Denver: 303-291-7227 Fort Collins: 970-472-4300 Brush: 970-842-6300 Full list of regional and area offices: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/ContactUs.aspx Colorado Hunting Atlas: https://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/index.html?app=HuntingAtlas Learn to Hunt Video Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWGY7bVNQHtWLZQuFJtW-PUFGEIjpgec4 Hunting Regulations Brochures: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/RegulationsBrochures.aspx [show more]