• Title/Summary/Keyword: WILDLIFE

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Assessing Compliance with the Wildlife Crossing Guideline in South Korea

  • Woo, Donggul;Park, Heebok;Seo, Hyeong-Soo;Moon, Ho-Gyeong;Song, Euigun;Lim, Anya;Choi, Tae-Young
    • Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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    • v.34 no.2
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    • pp.176-179
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    • 2018
  • To restore the connectivity of fragmented habitats, 415 wildlife crossings have been built between 1998 and 2014 in South Korea. However, their effect on wildlife conservation is still in doubt. As a first step to examine the effectiveness, our study aims to assess compliance with the guideline for wildlife crossing construction and management, developed by the Ministry of Environment Korea that provides fundamental information to understand the status and the problem of wildlife crossings in Korea and thus to provide practical guidance for the improvement. According to our survey, the Korea National Park Service complied with the guideline best (62.5%) while local government followed the guideline least (46.1%). In addition, the compliance rate was the highest for wildlife crossings in national roads (53.6%) followed by highways (53.2%) and local and municipal roads (52.2%). For the overpass wildlife crossings, the compliance rates for installation of an escaping facility in the drainage and prevention of pedestrian and vehicle access were particularly low. In case of underpass wildlife crossings, small ditches for amphibians and reptiles were not sufficient, and the linkage between wildlife fences and underpass were weak. In order to ensure the effectiveness of wildlife crossings, the effort to increase the compliance rate with the guideline is critical, and mandating the guideline could be a practical way to enforce the compliance.

Analysis of the wildlife distress and rescue of wild animal mammals in Gangwon province (강원도 야생동물 포유류의 조난.구조 실태분석)

  • Park, In-Chul;Lee, Ho-Won;Kim, Jong-Taek
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.33-37
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    • 2012
  • As people's interest about wildlife animal increases, more wildlife animal centers are developing. In South Korea, currently 120 mammal species live, and 22 of them are designated as endangered species. It is important to protect these natural treasures and endangered species, because they are being harmed by human industrial activity. For example, road expansion and poaching have led to the destruction of wildlife animal habitats, which is increasing year by year. Nevertheless, data regarding the systematic treatment of wild animals that are in distress is lacking, and it is a reality that analysis of such data is also lacking. The Kangwon Wildlife Rescue Center investigates these types of distress experienced by mammals. By analyzing the shape of the wild animals killed or injured, the center seeks an efficient and systematic way to manage such distress. The data collected from the Wildlife Animal Center from September 2007 to August 2010 includes 195 different cases, and the animals point of rescue. There are 16 species, including 87 water deer (Hydropotes inermis), 39 raccoons (Nyctereutes procyonoides), 20 roe deer (Capreolus pygargus bedfordi), 10 goral (Nemorhaedus goral), 7 siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica), 6 otters (Lutra lutra) and etc. Within the first year (September 2007 to August 2008), the number of mammals rescued was 46. In the second year (September 2008 to August 2009), 60 animals were rescued. in the third year (September 2009 to August 2010), the Wildlife Animal Center had 89 animals. We can see that these numbers are increasing, which shows that people are interested in the well-being of these animals because they are reporting animal injuries more and more. The mains form of distress caused by humans are from car accidents 67 (34.4%). Traps, and other hunting tools used by poachers are responsible for 25 (13.0%). Also, human industrial activity thus indirectly led to the starvation 25 (13.0%). and the orphaning of young animals 37 (19.0%).

Trypanosoma brucei Infection in Asymptomatic Greater Kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) on a Game Ranch in Zambia

  • Munang'andu, Hetron Mweemba;Siamudaala, Victor;Munyeme, Musso;Nambota, Andrew;Mutoloki, Stephen;Matandiko, Wigganson
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.48 no.1
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    • pp.67-69
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    • 2010
  • Trypomastogotes of Trypanosoma brucei were detected from 4 asymptomatic kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) on a game ranch located approximately 45 km north east of Lusaka, Zambia. Blood smears examined from 14 wildlife species comprising of the impala (Aepyceros melampus), Kafue lechwe (kobus leche kafuensis), sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus), warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus), puku (Kobus vardoni), zebra (Equus burchelli), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), reedbuck (Redunca arundinum), wilderbeest (Connochaetes taurinus), hartebeest (Alcephelus lichtensteini), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) showed that only the kudu had T. brucei. Although game ranching has emerged to be a successful ex-situ conservation strategy aimed at saving the declining wildlife population in the National Parks, our findings suggest that it has the potential of aiding the re-distribution of animal diseases. Hence, there is a need for augmenting wildlife conservation with disease control strategies aimed at reducing the risk of disease transmission between wildlife and domestic animals.

Estimating Economic Loss due to Wildlife Damage to Agriculture and Forestry Production Near Protected Areas: Case of Mountain Villages in Gurye-gun, Korea (보호지역 인근 야생동물에 의한 농작물과 임산물 피해액 추정: 구례군 6개 산촌마을의 사례)

  • Park, So-Hee;YOUN, Yeo-Chang
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.108 no.4
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    • pp.618-627
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    • 2019
  • An increase in damage to crops and facilities caused by wildlife such as wild boar causes serious social and economic problems to the rural economy in Korea. This study aims to estimate the economic losses incurred to rural households in mountain villages near protected areas in Korea due to the damage to agricultural and forestry production by wildlife. The case of mountain villages located in Toji-myeon, Gurye-gun near the Jirisan National Park was studied as an example. Data were collected by interviewing 84 households across six mountain villages in April and June 2016. The results indicate that the economic losses due to wildlife damage in 2015 were estimated to be 1.65 million KRW per household, which is a total of 138.63 million KRW for the 84 households. Among local products, the most damaged products were chestnut, fern-brake, wild pear, peach, and potato, whereas the most damaged products per production area were sweet potato, peach, corn, and potato. The potential economic losses caused by wildlife damage to agricultural and forestry production in whole Gurye-gun area was estimated to be around 4.0 billion KRW in 2015. However, the municipal government budget for the compensation of wildlife damage was only 0.9 percent of the potential rural economic losses caused by wildlife damage in 2015. The results of our study suggest that the compensation scheme for wildlife damage is inadequate in the respect of social justice. Considering the low financial capacity of the municipalities in mountain areas, the central government should take a progressive responsibility by allocating more financial resources for compensation of economic losses of rural households due to wildlife damage. The equitable and effective governance of wildlife conservation is required for sustainable development of rural communities near protected areas.

Analysis of wildlife-vehicle collisions and monitoring the movement of wildlife (야생동물-차량과의 충돌사고 발생위치분석과 도로주변에서 야생동물의 이동경로분석)

  • Jung, Bae-Dong;Kim, Dae-Hwan;Kim, Jong-Taek
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.401-409
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    • 2010
  • From 2006 through 2007, the highest need for the most urgent attention in Gangwon-do Wild Animal Rescue Center was wildlifevehicle collisions (WVC). The Korean Ministry of Environment reported 6543 WVC's in 2005 and 5565 cases of WVC's in 2006. In this study, data from the Gangwon-do Wild Animal Rescue Center was utilized to analyze WVC incidents and the movement of wildlife near roadways in Korea. From 2006 through the first half of 2008, the portable GPS device recorded accident location of the injured wildlife. Attempts were made to track and monitor the movements of four raccoon dogs and five Korean water deers near the roads. One raccoon dog and one Korean water deer were successfully tracked and monitored. Their locations were transmitted to cell phones. The amount of WVC's was highest amongst the roads near the forests of Gangwon-do. The devices installed on the nearby roads did not protect the wildlife from WVC's. Results using the CDMA-type GPS collar showed that wildlife often crossed the road even with devices installed to prevent this from crossing roads. This research analyzed the behaviors of different wildlife animals and WVC's. New preventative measures need to be established to avoid roadkill. It is suggested that new streets be built or for an appropriate speed limit be implemented.

A Theoretical Study on the Wildlife Passage for Connecting Fragmented Habitat(I)- In the case of Wildlife Passage Types and Design Process (분절된 서식처의 연결을 위한 생태이동통로에 관한 이론적 연구(I) - 유형구분 및 조성절차를 중심으로 -)

  • 김귀곤;최준영
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.293-307
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    • 1998
  • This study has been divided into two parts, 1) literature review and 2) a case study. Based on literature review and case studies found in Korea and abroad, this study aimed at classifying wildlife passages and establishing their development procedures in order to establish a theoretical ground for the development of wildlife passage as a way to link habitats that have been fragmented by the construction of roads and other developments. The results of the literature review are as follows : 1) Impact of road construction on surrounding ecological environment is found in various aspects. Along with damage of habitats as direct impact, decrease of biodiversity and simplification of species due to limited breeding and movement are cited as possible indirect impact. 2) In order to lessen the impact generated from fragmented habitats, various types of wildlife passage are being developed in Europe and are showing positive results. 3) In Korea, interests on animal passages have been rising recently. The ministry of Environment and local authorities are establishing development plans for the passages. However, practical materials on the usefulness of adoped methods are not available.4) In order to create an effective wildlife passage, decisions have to be made first on basic factors of planning and designing such as ecosystem rehabilitation methods and surveys on wildlife movement routes and habitat environment. Based on this, in a planning and designing stage, the location and type of a passage, size and measures to attract animals and prevent a collision need to be finalized. This should be followed by a series of process of maintenance, management and monitoring after the development. Based on the results of a theoretical study to develop an wildlife passage, Part 2 of this study deals with the results of an experiment through a specific planning and design that includes a process of ecological surveys, site selection, type selection, ecosystem infrastructure, planting design and construction details on an actual study area and presents them as a model project.

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Fracture analysis of wild mammals in South Korea

  • Jang, Hyunkyu;Park, Jong-Moon;Ahmed, Sohail;Seok, Seong-Hoon;Kim, Ho-Su;Yeon, Seong-Chan
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.59 no.4
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    • pp.175-180
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    • 2019
  • This study was conducted to evaluate and analyze fractures types in wild mammals in Korea. Wild mammals treated at 3 wildlife centers in Korea were included. Of the 63 cases included in this study, water deer was the most common species encountered with fractures. We determined 85 different fracture sites, with maximum lumber vertebral fractures followed by femoral, tibial and pelvic fractures. External skeletal fixator (ESF)-intramedullary (IM) pin (IM+ESF tie-in fixation) was the most common method applied for the surgical treatment of mammals. Lumbar vertebrae and femur were the most common bones involved. The findings of this study are expected to provide information for veterinarians regarding the frequency and characteristics of fractures in wild mammals and serve as a basic database for the types and outcomes of fractures in wild mammals.

Monitoring the 2007 Florida east coast Karenia brevis (Dinophyceae) red tide and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) event

  • Wolny, Jennifer L.;Scott, Paula S.;Tustison, Jacob;Brooks, Christopher R.
    • ALGAE
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.49-58
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    • 2015
  • In September 2007, reports of respiratory irritation and fish kills were received by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) from the Jacksonville, Florida area. Water samples collected in this area indicated a bloom of Karenia brevis, the dinoflagellate that produces brevetoxin, which can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. For the next four months, K. brevis was found along approximately 400 km of coastal and Intracoastal waterways from Jacksonville to Jupiter Inlet. This event represents the longest and most extensive red tide the east coast of Florida has experienced and the first time Karenia species other than K. brevis have been reported in this area. This extensive red tide influenced commercial and recreational shellfish harvesting activities along Florida's east coast. Fourteen shellfish harvesting areas (SHAs) were monitored weekly during this event and 10 SHAs were closed for an average of 53 days due to this red tide. The length of SHA closure was dependent on the shellfish species present. Interagency cooperation in monitoring this K. brevis bloom was successful in mitigating any human health impacts. Kernel density estimation was used to create geographic extent maps to help extrapolate discreet sample data points into $5km^2$ radius values for better visualization of the bloom.

Temporal Variation in Tiger Population in a Semi-Arid Habitat in India

  • Singh, Randeep;Pandey, Puneet;Qureshi, Qamar;Sankar, Kalyanasundaram;Krausman, Paul R.;Goyal, Surendra Prakash
    • Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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    • v.3 no.3
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    • pp.154-164
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    • 2022
  • Understanding temporal variations in wildlife populations is a prerequisite for conservation planning of wide-ranging species such as tigers (Panthera tigris). We determined the temporal variation in abundance, population growth, and sex ratios at different age and sex stages for a tiger population in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, India from November 2007 to February 2011 using motion-sensing cameras. We identified 19 male and 21 female tigers from stripe patterns during 16,110 trap nights within an area covering 233 km2. The annual abundance of the population varied from 34.9 (mean)±3.8 (SE) to 23.9±1.5, with a declining trend in the mean annual change of abundance (-12%). The density of adult females remained stable across the study duration, but the densities of adult males and non-breeding tigers fluctuated. The sex ratio was female-biased (0.58 males/female) for breeding tigers and male-biased (1.74 males/female) for non-breeding tigers. Our results reinforce the importance of long-term studies for monitoring the naturally occurring processes in populations to develop population indicators and identify reliable baseline information for conservation and management planning of populations.