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Wildlife that use anthropogenic resources often come into conflict with humans, e.g. due to damaged property, habituation or transmission of pathogens, amongst them Sarcoptes scabiei , the aetiological agent of sarcoptic mange, an emerging panzootic skin disease. This study examines the use of haystacks intended for supplementary feeding of European bison ( Bison bonasus ) by wolves ( Canis lupus ) with sarcoptic mange and the potential role of this behaviour in skin parasite transmission and human-wolf conflict. Hay samples from the beds used by wolves were found to harbour S. scabiei mites, even several days after the last use. Our data demonstrate an unforeseen link between wild ungulate supplementary feeding and wolf behaviour that may lead to conflict, namely approaching human settlements. However, no negative interactions were observed between wolves and humans or domestic animals. The presence of S. scabiei mites in haystacks provides a potential for its human-facilitated environmental transmission among wildlife and to domestic animals.

Traditional classifications of vertebrates’ responses to urbanization fail to capture the behaviour of those that rely on both urban and wildland resources for population persistence. Here, we use the wood stork ( Mycteria americana ), a species that makes daily foraging trips up to 74 km away from its nest, as an example of a previously unrecognized response to urbanization. We monitored nests and sampled diets at stork colonies in south Florida (USA) during 2014–2020 to investigate how storks use urban habitats. We found that urban development now comprises up to 51.6% of the land cover within the 30-km core foraging area surrounding colonies and that storks access alternative prey types within these urban areas. Our results also showed that urban-nesting storks outperformed wildland-nesting storks when the hydrological condition of the wetlands was suboptimal for foraging. Though storks still require healthy wetlands for population persistence, urban habitat benefitted storks when hydrological patterns were not ideal for prey production in wildlands. This ‘commuter’ response to urbanization, whereby individuals opt to utilize both urban and wildland resources within short time periods, may apply to other vertebrates with large home ranges.

Interactions between animals of the same species underpin many ecological processes, from reproduction to pathogen transmission. Habitat modification, such as urbanization, affects an animal's spatial behavior, altering interactions with both their habitat and conspecifics. Raccoon space use varies widely between urban/suburban and rural populations, with anthropogenic resources suggested as a key factor in shaping movement behavior and consequently, opportunities for conspecific interaction. Here, we use high‐resolution GPS data to identify instances of close spatiotemporal proximity (i.e., co‐occurrence), referred to as “contacts,” among raccoons in an urban greenspace in Brooklyn, New York City (NYC). To understand how resource patterning affects contact formation processes and evaluate possible spatial and demographic factors contributing to the types of contact observed, we evaluated the effect of proximity to different resources (including anthropogenic subsidies) on the probability of urban raccoon contact and assessed associations between the characteristics of urban raccoon contact events. We found that certain resources increase the likelihood of urban raccoons coming into contact, with the largest positive effect observed for anthropogenic resources. Shared characteristics across contact events suggest three main types of co‐occurrence: (1) longer duration contacts between males near anthropogenic resources, (2) proximity between females near fruiting plants or while denning, and (3) transient interactions between males and females. We conclude that in an urban habitat, anthropogenic subsidies are important drivers of co‐occurrence between raccoons, which interact dynamically with social factors to shape the characteristics, frequency, and distribution of contacts across the urban landscape. Our data have important implications for predicting the dynamics of contact‐driven processes—particularly pathogen transmission—in urban raccoon populations. Interactions between conspecifics play a key role in ecological processes, and habitat modification, such as urbanization, can alter the spatial and social behaviors that underpin such interactions. Here, we used high‐resolution GPS data to examine how resource distribution affects raccoon contact in an urban greenspace in Brooklyn, NYC. We conclude that anthropogenic subsidies are important drivers of interaction between urban raccoons, which interact dynamically with social factors to shape the frequency and distribution of contacts across the landscape, with implications for the management of urban wildlife.

Landscape disturbance by roads may increase abundance of prey in verges (i.e., strips of terrain adjacent to roadways) or create other features that can attract carnivores and expose them to a higher risk of mortality by vehicle collision. We studied a system that included European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and their predators in central Spain near 3 motorways during 2011 and 2012. We analyzed carnivore and rabbit abundance and the potential effect of prey populations on carnivore roadkill. We estimated rabbit and carnivore abundance index by surveying scats in 1-km transects in the landscape, and calculated a roadkill index in motorway stretches parallel to the transects from roadkill data obtained in a roadkill monitoring survey from 2007 to 2011. We analyzed carnivore response for the entire carnivore community and for 2 groups of species: the red fox, which is the most synanthropic carnivore in our study area, and the other carnivores. Fox abundance was higher near motorways compared to control sites, whereas the abundance of other species was related only to rabbit abundance. Furthermore, motorway stretches with higher carnivore abundance presented higher values of carnivore roadkills. Thus, motorways are a source of mortality for carnivores that should be managed carefully. The potential cascading effect of food resources near roads on carnivore mortality should be considered in management and food abundance near roads should be minimized in areas inhabited by carnivores of conservation concern.

Anthropogenic habitat change is having a detrimental impact on biodiversity worldwide, altering the foraging behaviour and population dynamics of many species. Generalist species often adapt by broadening their resource use and/or exploiting human‐modified environments. However, habitat changes that reduce the availability of good quality resources can lead to increased interspecific competition among sympatric species and increased conflict with human activities. We investigated the breeding season foraging ecology of three sympatric gull species, Lesser Black‐backed (Larus fuscus), Herring (Larus argentatus) and Great Black‐backed Gulls (Larus marinus), from the same colony in Scotland. Using GPS tracking data, we analysed foraging ranges, spatial distributions and habitat preferences to determine the extent of the gulls' niche partitioning and use of human‐modified landscapes. Our findings revealed considerable overlap in resource use between species. However, species‐level differences in spatial distributions and habitat selection demonstrated partial niche partitioning. Lesser Black‐backed Gulls had significantly larger foraging ranges than Herring and Great Black‐backed Gulls, indicating spatial segregation. Herring and Great Black‐backed Gulls strongly selected for landfill and coastal habitats. Lesser Black‐backed Gulls also selected for these habitats but primarily used agricultural areas. Individual‐level analysis revealed that most species‐level selection for urban, landfill and harbour habitats was driven by a subset of individuals. The observed limited niche partitioning indicates that further habitat loss or degradation could negatively impact all three gull species unless the extent of niche partitioning changes. Given that most habitats used were linked to human activities, further anthropogenic change may displace gulls from preferred foraging areas, increasing competition for limited resources and exacerbating conflicts with human activities in alternative habitats. By simultaneously tracking sympatric species, we can better understand how shifts in resource availability may impact interspecific competition and interactions with human activities to help inform management actions and mitigate conflict with humans, particularly around licensed control. Our study analysed GPS data from three sympatric, generalist gull species in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, to investigate niche partitioning, focusing on spatial distributions and resource use, including population‐ and individual‐level habitat preferences. Whilst the gulls showed overlap in habitat use, subtle niche partitioning did occur, including spatial segregation in core foraging areas and varying selection for landfill, coastal and agricultural habitats. These findings highlight the potential ecological and socio‐economic consequences of habitat shifts driven by anthropogenic pressures, including increased conflict with human activities and impacts on gull population dynamics.

The use of anthropogenic resources is becoming increasingly common as species adapt to human‐induced environmental changes, but their use can expose species to new risks. Understanding how animals exploit these resources is important for guiding conservation management, particularly where species are threatened. The introduction of canola cropping to breeding areas of endangered Carnaby's cockatoo ( Zanda latirostris ) has been attributed to an increase in the birds' reproductive success; however, the seed may be protein‐limiting for nestling growth and its use by cockatoos has been implicated in the emergence of a new disease. We used high‐resolution accelerometer‐capable GPS tags to track eight birds. Accelerometer data were used to calculate overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), a proxy for energy expenditure, and to identify and quantify canola and native vegetation foraging behaviours. We used linear mixed models to determine which factors affected patterns of resource use and to determine whether, and to what extent, canola use was associated with reduced energetic and movement costs. We then compared the energetic content of canola seed and native food sources to inform patterns of behaviour and habitat use revealed by our tracking data. Use of canola was associated with reduced movement costs and energy expenditure. However, there was an apparent reluctance to increase foraging on canola above a threshold of time, even when conditions reduced time available to utilise native food sources. While anthropogenic resources may appear to improve population trends in some cases, careful investigations of patterns of resource use are necessary to guide appropriate conservation management efforts. For Carnaby's cockatoos, conservation efforts should focus on retention, protection and expansion of native food sources.

Canid species are highly adaptable, including to urban and peri‐urban areas, where they can come into close contact with people. Understanding the mechanisms of wild canid population persistence in these areas is key to managing any negative impacts. The resource dispersion hypothesis predicts that animal density increases and home range size decreases as resource concentration increases, and may help to explain how canids are distributed in environments with an urban‐natural gradient. In Australia, dingoes have adapted to human presence, sometimes living in close proximity to towns. Using a targeted camera trap survey and spatial capture‐recapture models, we estimated spatial variation in the population density and detection rates of dingoes on Worimi Country in the Great Lakes region of the NSW coast. We tested whether dingo home range and population densities varied across a gradient of human population density, in a mixed‐use landscape including, urban, peri‐urban, and National Park environs. We found human population density to be a strong driver of dingo density (ranging from 0.025 to 0.433 dingoes/km2 across the natural‐urban gradient), and to have a negative effect on dingo home range size. The spatial scale parameter changed depending on survey period, being smaller in the peak tourism period, when human population increases in the area, than in adjacent survey periods, potentially indicating reduced home range size when additional resources are available. Our study highlights the potential value of managing anthropogenic resource availability to manage carnivore densities and potential risk of human‐carnivore interactions. We conducted a camera trap survey of dingoes in a heterogeneous landscape, and modelled their density across the region. Dingo density was highest in areas with highest human population density, and home ranges were smaller in these areas. This suggests dingoes are obtaining enough resources in areas with humans to have smaller home range sizes than in natural areas.

Human–wildlife conflicts on farms and ranches are common and well‐documented, particularly with apex predators. Predation of livestock, for example, can result in serious economic burdens for farmers and can become threats to wildlife populations as farmers take action to eliminate or displace populations. Among apex predators, bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) have received increased media attention in recent years due to conflicts with farmers across the United States. This raises challenges for both farmers and wildlife managers as eagle abundance continues to increase and natural prey resources decline. Interestingly, a recent study in northwestern Washington State reported high eagle activity on dairy farms in response to declines in salmon carcass availability, an important resource for wintering eagles across western North America. Despite the potential for human–wildlife conflict in these areas, little is known of the relationship between eagles and dairy farms. In this study, we investigated the extent of eagle activity on dairy farms and the relationship between eagles and dairy farmers using semistructured interviews with dairy farmers. We found that (1) eagles were attracted to dairy farms to feed primarily on cow afterbirth and calf carcasses, (2) responding farmers had no issue with the presence of eagles on their farms, and (3) many dairy farmers felt that eagles provided services to their farms. Of these services, the most recognized were scavenging of dairy farm byproducts and removal or deterrence of unwanted pest species. Increased eagle abundance on dairy farms and the subsidy of anthropogenic resources may also influence the ecological role of eagles as top predators in agroecosystems. Ultimately, farmers' decisions to provide anthropogenic resources have apparently mitigated human–eagle conflict while potentially reducing top–down pressures on other wild prey species. Farmers and wildlife managers may each benefit through cooperation in continuing to understand the intricacies of dairy farm–eagle relationships.

Global urbanization is rapidly changing the landscape for wildlife species that must learn to persist in declining wild spacing, adapt, or risk extinction. Many mesopredators have successfully exploited urban niches, and research on these species in an urban setting offers insights into the traits that facilitate their success. In this study, we examined space use and activity patterns from GPS-collared bobcats (Lynx rufus) in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, Texas, USA. We found that bobcats select for natural/agricultural features, creeks, and water ways and there is greater home-range overlap in these habitats. They avoid roads and are less likely to have home-range overlap in habitats with more roads. Home-range size is relatively small and overlap relatively high, with older animals showing both greater home-range size and overlap. Simultaneous locations suggest bobcats are neither avoiding nor attracted to one another, despite the high overlap across home ranges. Finally, bobcats are active at all times of day and night. These results suggest that access to natural features and behavioral plasticity may enable bobcats to live in highly developed landscapes.

The exogenous input of nutrients and energy into island systems fuels a large array of consumers and drives bottom-up trophic cascades in island communities. The input of anthropogenic resources has increased on islands and particularly supplemented non-native consumers with extra resources. We test the hypothesis that the anthropogenic establishments of super-abundant gulls and invasive iceplants Carpobrotus spp. have both altered the dynamics of an introduced black rat Rattus rattus population. On Bagaud Island, two habitats have been substantially modified by the anthropogenic subsidies of gulls and iceplants, in contrast to the native Mediterranean scrubland with no anthropogenic inputs. Rats were trapped in all three habitats over two contrasting years of rainfall patterns to investigate: (1) the effect of anthropogenic subsidies on rat density, age-ratio and growth rates, and (2) the role of rainfall variability in modulating the effects of subsidies between years. We found that the growth rates of rats dwelling in the non-subsidized habitat varied with environmental fluctuation, whereas rats dwelling in the gull colony maintained high growth rates during both dry and rainy years. The presence of anthropogenic subsidies apparently mitigated environmental stress. Age ratio and rat density varied significantly and predictably among years, seasons, and habitats. While rat densities always peaked higher in the gull colony, especially after rat breeding in spring, higher captures of immature rats were recorded during the second year in all habitats, associated with higher rainfall. The potential for non-native rats to benefit from anthropogenic resources has important implications for the management of similar species on islands.