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Carpio AJ, Laguna E, Pascual-Rico R, Martínez-Jauregui M, Guerrero-Casado J, Vicente J, Soriguer RC, Acevedo P. The prohibition of recreational hunting of wild ungulates in Spanish National Parks: Challenges and opportunities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171363. [PMID: 38432372 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
A new regulation has led to the prohibition of recreational hunting on estates located within Spanish National Parks (NPs). Before the ban, eleven NPs in Spain had already reported negative ecological consequences associated with high densities of wild ungulates. The new situation that has occurred after the ban signifies that policies with which to control populations of wild ungulates in NPs, most of which do not have a sufficient natural capacity to regulate populations, depend exclusively on the parks' authorities. The banning of recreational hunting implies a series of social, ecological, economic and logistic challenges. The control of wild ungulate populations in NPs requires: i) the legal basis for culling; ii) social acceptance as regards removing animals and the extractive procedures employed in NPs; iii) the long-term monitoring of wild ungulates and the damages that they cause, and iv) sufficient financial and human resources. A more integrated management and policy plan is, therefore, required, which should be supported by two pillars: i) the sustainability of natural resources and the conservation of functional environments, and ii) providing society with explanations regarding the need to manage wild ungulates. In order to bridge the potential gap between these key pillars, it is important to involve stakeholders in the decision-making processes concerning wild ungulate management. The forthcoming changes in Spanish NPs provide a promising opportunity to make a substantial improvement to wild ungulate management in these protected areas. This management approach could, moreover, serve as an example and be transferred to other protected spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J Carpio
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ronda Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Eduardo Laguna
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ronda Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Roberto Pascual-Rico
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ronda Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - María Martínez-Jauregui
- National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Forest Research Centre (CIFOR), Ctra. de La Coruña km. 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - José Guerrero-Casado
- Departamento de Zoología, Universidad de Córdoba, Edificio Charles Darwin, Campus de Rabanales, 14071, Spain.
| | - Joaquín Vicente
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ronda Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Ramón C Soriguer
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Av. Américo Vespucio, s.n, E-41092 Sevilla,Spain.
| | - Pelayo Acevedo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ronda Toledo 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
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Cecchini V, Franchini M, Benfatto M, Filacorda S, Corazzin M, Bovolenta S. The Effect of the Wild Boar Hunting System on Agricultural Damages: The North-East of Italy as a Case Scenario. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:42. [PMID: 38200773 PMCID: PMC10778083 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hunting is a method commonly used in several European countries to reduce crop damages by wild boar Sus scrofa. However, results are still controversial and poorly treated. Using data on official claims (i.e., damages to crops) and wild boar local counts and hunting bags collected from 2019 to 2022, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of the hunting system (divided into eradication and non-eradication areas) carried out in the north-east of Italy on the number of agricultural damages. The spatio-temporal distribution of wild boar hunting, density and damages as well as the effect of hunting, were evaluated through the hotspot analysis and the zero-inflated models, respectively. The results obtained revealed no clear spatial overlap among wild boar hunting, wild boar density and damages to agriculture in both the eradication and non-eradication areas. Moreover, the current level of harvesting did not significantly affect the number of agricultural damages. A multifaceted approach focused on the numeric control of the species based on accurate local counts and oriented towards more age classes in a similar percentage should be preferred to mitigate damages to cultivars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cecchini
- Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Marcello Franchini
- Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Michele Benfatto
- Hunting Service and Fishing Resources, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Via Sabbadini 31, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | - Stefano Filacorda
- Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Mirco Corazzin
- Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefano Bovolenta
- Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy; (V.C.); (S.F.); (M.C.); (S.B.)
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Allen BL, Bobier C, Dawson S, Fleming PJS, Hampton J, Jachowski D, Kerley GIH, Linnell JDC, Marnewick K, Minnie L, Muthersbaugh M, O'Riain MJ, Parker D, Proulx G, Somers MJ, Titus K. Why humans kill animals and why we cannot avoid it. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:165283. [PMID: 37406694 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Killing animals has been a ubiquitous human behaviour throughout history, yet it is becoming increasingly controversial and criticised in some parts of contemporary human society. Here we review 10 primary reasons why humans kill animals, discuss the necessity (or not) of these forms of killing, and describe the global ecological context for human killing of animals. Humans historically and currently kill animals either directly or indirectly for the following reasons: (1) wild harvest or food acquisition, (2) human health and safety, (3) agriculture and aquaculture, (4) urbanisation and industrialisation, (5) invasive, overabundant or nuisance wildlife control, (6) threatened species conservation, (7) recreation, sport or entertainment, (8) mercy or compassion, (9) cultural and religious practice, and (10) research, education and testing. While the necessity of some forms of animal killing is debatable and further depends on individual values, we emphasise that several of these forms of animal killing are a necessary component of our inescapable involvement in a single, functioning, finite, global food web. We conclude that humans (and all other animals) cannot live in a way that does not require animal killing either directly or indirectly, but humans can modify some of these killing behaviours in ways that improve the welfare of animals while they are alive, or to reduce animal suffering whenever they must be killed. We encourage a constructive dialogue that (1) accepts and permits human participation in one enormous global food web dependent on animal killing and (2) focuses on animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Doing so will improve the lives of both wild and domestic animals to a greater extent than efforts to avoid, prohibit or vilify human animal-killing behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Allen
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia; Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6034, South Africa.
| | - Christopher Bobier
- Department of Theology and Philosophy, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona, MN, USA
| | - Stuart Dawson
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia; Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, Western Australia 6151, Australia
| | - Peter J S Fleming
- University of Southern Queensland, Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350, Australia; Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia; Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, New South Wales 2800, Australia
| | - Jordan Hampton
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Jachowski
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Graham I H Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6034, South Africa
| | - John D C Linnell
- Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, Vormstuguveien 40, 2624 Lillehammer, Norway; Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Anne Evenstads vei 80, NO-2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - Kelly Marnewick
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Liaan Minnie
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6034, South Africa; School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
| | - Mike Muthersbaugh
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - M Justin O'Riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Upper Campus, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - Dan Parker
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela 1200, South Africa
| | - Gilbert Proulx
- Alpha Wildlife Research & Management Ltd, Sherwood Park, Alberta T8H 1W3, Canada
| | - Michael J Somers
- Mammal Research Institute, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Keifer Titus
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
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Needham T, Bureš D, Černý J, Hoffman LC. Overview of game meat utilisation challenges and opportunities: A European perspective. Meat Sci 2023; 204:109284. [PMID: 37480669 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2023.109284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Re-wilding and similar initiatives have resulted in an increase in wildlife suitable for human consumption in Europe. However, game meat production and consumption present several challenges, including infectious diseases which pose risks to livestock, processers, and consumers. This review provides insights into the infectious diseases and toxic contaminants associated with game meat. The effect of killing method on the meat quality is also discussed and means of improving the meat quality of game meat is elucidated. The use of different food safety systems that could be applied to provide safe meat is reported. The importance of collaborative multi-sector approaches is emphasized, to generate and distribute knowledge and implement One Health strategies that ensure the safe, traceable, sustainable, and professional development of commercial game meat supply chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tersia Needham
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague, Suchdol 165 00, Czech Republic.
| | - Daniel Bureš
- Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague, Suchdol 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Černý
- Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Prague, Suchdol 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Louwrens C Hoffman
- Center for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Digital Agricultural Building. 8115. Office 110, Gatton 4343, Australia
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Fernandez-de-Simon J, Ferreres J, Gortázar C. The number of hunters and wild boar group size drive wild boar control efficacy in driven hunts. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01661-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
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Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Spatial Ecology at the Cattle-Wild Boar Interface in Northern Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/2147191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious chronic disease due to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) bacteria. Monitoring of wildlife, especially potential reservoirs, is important for detecting changes in disease occurrence and assessing the impact of interventions. Here, we examined whether wild boar (Sus scrofa) may contribute to the re-emergence of TB in Asturias (10,604 km2), northern Spain. Although this province was declared free of TB in cattle in November 2021, MTC bacteria remain prevalent in several “hotspots,” with the European badger (Meles meles) suggested as a TB potential wild reservoir. Drawing on data from the Spanish National Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program and the Government of the Principality of Asturias covering the period 2014–2020, we analyzed the prevalence of TB in cattle and wild boar in this region. In hotspots (592 km2), we also investigated the ranging behavior and habitat use of five cows that belonged to farms with a history of TB and six trapped sympatric wild boar. During the observation period, TB prevalence was 0.14% among cattle overall and 0.13–0.41% in hotspots, which was much lower than the prevalence in wild boar, which was 3.15% overall and 5.23–5.96% in hotspots. Infected cattle and infected wild boar in hotspots shared the same strains of M. bovis, and GPS tracking showed spatiotemporal overlap between the species, mainly around pastures during sunrise (06:00–07:00 h) and sunset (19:00–20:00 h). Our results suggest that in addition to cattle and badgers, wild boar possibly help maintain TB in northern Spain, increasing the host richness that influences TB transmission risk in the area, which should be taken into account in monitoring and eradication efforts.
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Mcayiya M, Needham T, Hoffman LC. Physical properties during a 28-day ageing period of blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) Longissimus thoracis et lumborum and Biceps femoris muscles. Meat Sci 2022; 194:108979. [PMID: 36116281 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to determine the effect of sex, muscle-type, and ageing on the physical properties of blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and Biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Randomly assigned steak samples from twenty mature blesbok (10 of each sex) antelope were vacuum-packed and stored at 4.4 ± 1 °C for 2, 4, 7, 10, 17 and 28 ageing days. Cumulative purge loss, pH, colour (L*, a*, b), cooking loss, and Warner Braztler shear force were determined. Males had meat with higher (P = 0.032) pH values than females, while all other attributes were similar (P > 0.05). The LTL had greater (P < 0.05) purge losses, L* and a* values than the BF muscle, while other quality attributes were greater (P < 0.05) for the BF muscle. Despite fluctuations, there was an overall decrease in shear force with ageing time. According to all quality parameters measured, the optimum ageing period for blesbok would seem to be 10 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mzuvukile Mcayiya
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa
| | - Tersia Needham
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; Department of Animal Science and Food Processing, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500 Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Louwrens C Hoffman
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa; Center for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Digital Agricultural Building, 8115, Office 110, Gatton 4343, Australia.
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