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Protected areas and biological corridors play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and promoting connectivity between habitat patches. Bhutan, known as a stronghold for tigers (Panthera tigris), has dedicated a significant portion of its land to a network of protected areas and biological corridors. However, these areas face risks from illegal activities, posing challenges for their management. To address this, the Department of Forests & Park Services in Bhutan deployed an adaptive management framework, informed by the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool in 2016 in the Divisional Forest Office, Sarpang, an important corridor area outside of official protected area boundaries. This study analyses 5 years of data (2017–2021) recorded through a monitoring tool to assess changes in ranger activities and on‐ground observations. The results show improved data availability, increased patrol effort, enhanced monitoring of wildlife, and a reduction in threat detection over time. Furthermore, camera trap surveys targeting tigers reveal a potential increase in the number of individual tigers utilizing the corridor since the adoption of the tool and other management actions. These findings highlight the effectiveness of these efforts in a critical wildlife corridor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatozoonosis has been reported in many species around the world. Few incidences have been reported in various species of wild felids. Tigers are endangered large cats and are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 under Schedule I. The study was carried out to estimate the positivity rate of hepatozoonosis in tigers of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India. Methods: Blood (n = 21) or tissue samples (n = 5) were collected from 26 wild captured / zoo-born or dead tigers during the quarantine period/post-mortem examination. Blood smear examination along with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) studies were conducted for the detection of hepatozoonosis. All the amplicons from the positive samples were purified and sequenced, and the sequences were subjected to nBLAST analysis to detect the species of Hepatozoon. The sequences were deposited into public domain database of National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and accession numbers were allotted. A phylogenetic study was undertaken to understand the evolutionary lineage of the pathogen. Tissue distribution studies were carried out on tissue samples received during post mortem. A clinical case in a tiger cub was managed and sub-clinical cases were monitored for relapse. Age-wise, sex-wise, region-wise and captive time-wise positivity rate was estimated. The data was analyzed using statistical tools. Results: A total of 12 tigers were found positive for H. felis during the screening. A clinical case was diagnosed and successfully treated. The age group of 0–3 years reported a positivity rate of 66.66%, and all the cases found positive were reported between the age group of 0–7 years. Males reported a positivity rate of 58.33 per cent, while females reported 35.71%. Taboba and Andhari Tiger Reserve of the state had a positivity rate of 52.94 per cent. However, the statistical analysis for blood parameters and positivity rate by 't' test and Chi-squared test were found to be non-significant. Conclusions: An overall positivity rate of 46.15% indicates the wide distribution of hepatozoonosis among wild tigers of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India, which is strategically important considering the gene flow and migration of tigers. Hepatozoonosis can progress to clinical outcomes in young animals and require veterinary intervention. Molecular tools and phylogenetic studies can supplement important data on circulating species of Hepatozoon in the field. Further studies on the clinical management and epidemiology of the infection in wild felids will comprehend the cause of wildlife conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tigers, as iconic apex predators and symbols of biodiversity conservation, face numerous threats to their existence. Effective tracking and monitoring are essential for understanding and preserving these majestic creatures and their habitats. The convergence of machine learning and drone technology has emerged as transformative tools in the field of tiger tracking. Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have rapidly become invaluable assets in wildlife conservation. Machine learning algorithms, with their capacity to analyze complex datasets, make predictions and automate decision-making processes, offer a novel approach to processing the massive amounts of data generated by drones, including images, sounds and sensor readings. Methods: This paper explores the historical significance of tiger tracking, the pivotal role of drones in conservation and the transformative capabilities of machine learning in wildlife monitoring. In this work, an accurate framework for tiger detection based on YOLOv8 is utilized. Result: By examining the interplay between machine learning, drone technology and tiger conservation, this paper highlights the potential for innovation and the challenges that lie ahead, promising a brighter future for these iconic creatures and their ecosystems. The fine-tuned YOLOv8 model demonstrates exceptional object detection performance, boasting a mAP50 of 0.9820 and a mAP50-95 of 0.6856, coupled with precise classification (precision 0.9646) and robust instance capture (recall 0.9580). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to answer why the tiger dance in Kerinci Regency, Jambi Province, has not developed widely despite being preserved for more than 30 years and becoming a popular dance in Jambi Province. Qualitative research methods were used to carry out this study. In-depth interviews and uninvolved observation of the artists' activities were used to collect the data. The analysis focused on the development of the tiger dance and the preservation discourse created by the artists and residents of Pulau Tengah Village. This study discovered that the extinct Ngagoah Imo ritual was transformed into the tiger dance. The "tiger man" myth, which the Kerinci people still hold dear, forms the basis of the tiger ritual and dance. Initially, the tiger dance was not sacred but was made sacred due to encouragement from various parties. Because of its uniqueness, the tiger dance soon became popular in Jambi and became a cure for the longing of the Kerinci people for the Ngagoah Imo ritual. Realizing the potential of tiger dance as an economic resource and as Kerinci's regional identity, the artists then created a discourse of property rights over tiger dance. They prohibited other villagers from learning or imitating it. This discourse is slowly making tiger dance endangered because it is only controlled by a small group of artists. Such a discourse on cultural property rights needs to be straightened out. Apart from being contrary to the dynamic character of Malay culture, it is also contrary to various principles of cultural preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse zoonotic transmission events of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been described since the start of the pandemic, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) designated the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in animals a reportable disease. Eighteen domestic and zoo animals in Great Britain and Jersey were tested by APHA for SARS-CoV-2 during 2020–2023. One domestic cat (Felis catus), three domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and three Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) from a zoo were confirmed positive during 2020–2021 and reported to the WOAH. All seven positive animals were linked with known SARS-CoV-2 positive human contacts. Characterisation of the SARS-CoV-2 variants by genome sequencing indicated that the cat was infected with an early SARS-CoV-2 lineage. The three dogs and three tigers were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern (B.1.617.2). The role of non-human species in the onward transmission and emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly defined. Continued surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in relevant domestic and captive animal species with high levels of human contact is important to monitor transmission at the human−animal interface and to assess their role as potential animal reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Many countries continue to allow the use of non-domesticated animals, such as tigers, in travelling circuses, as introducing legislation or bans often requires sufficient scientific evidence that the environment negatively impacts animal welfare. Whilst we know that larger territorial animals are least suited to captive environments, to date there has been very limited investigation into the welfare of tigers in travelling circuses. By reviewing the scientific evidence available on the topic, this paper suggests that the travelling nature of a circus often negatively impacts on the suitability of the physical environment for tigers, as well as their nutrition, health, and mental state. However, training for performances could positively impact welfare, dependent on the techniques used. Nevertheless, the preponderance of the scientific literature supports additional nationwide bans on the use of tigers in travelling circuses internationally, due to animal welfare concerns. There are very few studies that have focused on species-specific welfare implications for tigers in a travelling circus. The absence of scientific evidence to inform nationwide legislation means that tigers are still commonly used in travelling circuses across the world. A systematic review of relevant published studies was conducted using the bibliographic databases Web of Science and Scopus, supplemented by a narrative search. In total, 42 relevant studies were identified that assessed the welfare of tigers in captivity, including circuses and zoos. Only eight papers assessed the welfare implications for tigers in circuses directly, evidencing the lack of research in this area. Given that circuses provide a sub-optimal environment compared to zoos, implications for tiger welfare were also inferred from zoo research, within the Five Domains framework. Collectively, these papers infer that the travelling nature of a circus often negatively impacts the welfare domains of nutrition, physical environment, health, and mental state. This is due to limitations in enclosure size, as well as in both environmental and behavioural enrichment. There is also often difficulty in sourcing appropriate food and specialised routine veterinary care. The literature is divided concerning behavioural interactions, specifically whether training can improve welfare by offering mental stimulation. However, circus performances are often associated with negative welfare due to noise disruption from spectators. The collective scientific evidence indicates that tigers are not well suited to circus living, due to the inability of a travelling circus to provide for their species-specific psychological, physiological, and behavioural needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleistocene vertebrate fossils were discovered at three localities in a limestone quarry located on Shiriyazaki, a cape on the northeasternmost point the Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Among these fossils, tigers are represented by over 100 isolated teeth and manual and pedal phalanges. These specimens are from a minimum number of 10 individuals ranging from juveniles to fairly large adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine different aspects of Craniocervical Artery Dissections, which resulted in the animal’s death following a sequence of pathological events. Following the physical damage to the female Siberian tiger neck due to the Agonistic behaviour of the male tiger, diagnostic tests such as complete medical examination, Time-of-Flight (TOF) MRA imaging and radiography, as well as sampling for clinical assessment, haematology, microbial culture, and antibiogram was performed, initial treatment was prescribed, and PCR was performed. Unfortunately, the Medical treatment measures were inadequate, and the animal died. Therefore, necropsy, histopathological examination, and immunohistochemistry staining were performed. The results of the microbiological study included the identification of Bergeyella zoohelcum for the first time in this animal species, as well as diagnostic findings; necropsy and histological examinations, including aneurysm, subarachnoid haemorrhage, and ischemic stroke, were provided as well as Horner’s intramural hematoma and rupture of the carotid arteries and internal jugular vein, which has never been described before. Whole-body trauma computed tomography with an adapted scanning protocol for the craniocervical vessels is a safe, fast, and feasible method for detecting vascular injuries. It allows prompt further treatment if necessary. This method could be a part of a broad screening protocol for craniocervical vessels in documented injuries of the head and neck and trauma mechanisms influencing the craniocervical region as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illegal trade in big cat (Panthera spp.) body parts is a prominent topic in scientific and public discourses concerning wildlife conservation. While illegal trade is generally acknowledged as a threat to big cat species, we suggest that two enabling factors have, to date, been under‐considered. To that end, we discuss the roles of human‐felid conflict, and "local" use in illegal trade in big cat body parts. Drawing examples from across species and regions, we look at generalities, contextual subtleties, ambiguities, and definitional complexities. We caution against underestimating the extent of "local" use of big cats and highlight the potential of conflict killings to supply body parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Endangered tiger Panthera tigris and Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia are umbrella species and conservation priorities. Jigme Dorji National Park is an important protected area for the conservation of both species because it serves as a source site for tigers to adjacent areas and has the largest snow leopard population in Bhutan. Habitat overlap of tigers and snow leopards in Bhutan has been previously reported based on evidence of tigers (pugmarks, livestock killed and camera-trap images) in known snow leopard habitat above 4,000 m altitude. Here we report the first photographic evidence of both tigers and snow leopards at the same locations, confirming habitat overlap and co-occurrence of the two species. The data are derived from the countrywide tiger survey carried out during October 2021–January 2022. Fifty-six pairs of camera traps were installed in a 5 × 5 km grid at an altitude range of 1,200–4,300 m. After a survey effort of 1,528 trap-nights, 478 tiger images and 31 snow leopard images were captured at 12 and three camera stations, respectively. At all three camera stations that captured snow leopard images, tigers were also captured. These findings indicate the habitat overlap and co-occurrence of tigers and snow leopards in Jigme Dorji National Park. Further research is required to inform conservation practice in the National Park focusing on these apex predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eye-witness accounts of a living "panther", a leopard, two tigers and a hyena, appended to "Idea institutionum Trichozoologiae", an unpublished manuscript on mammal classification by Swedish naturalist Peter Artedi (1705–1735), made during a visit to London sometime between early November 1734 and June 1735, are described. Interest is focused on his account of the hyena, which appears to have been the only modern source for Carl Linnaeus, who acknowledged Artedi in the first edition of Systema naturae. Evidence is provided to show that Artedi's account was accurate and original, having never had the opportunity to witness the animal previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe a case of congenital glaucoma in atiger (Panthera tigris). Animal Studied: An 8‐month‐old intact female tiger wasreferred for suspected glaucoma of the right eye. The right eye was buphthalmicwith moderate episcleral injection, circumferential superficial cornealneovascularization, moderate corneal edema, and a fixed dilated pupil. Tapetalreflection was absent due to a mature cataract. Rebound tonometry under generalanesthesia revealed 70 mmHg and 21 mmHg in the right and left eye, respectively. Procedure: A trans‐conjunctival enucleation was performedand the globe was submitted for histopathology. Results: Histopathology revealed a thin sclera, amorphousmaterial contouring an imperforate and hypoplastic iridocorneal angle, ahypoplastic lens with severe anterior‐posterior compression, subcapsularepithelial hyperplasia, and Morganian globules, and segmental moderate retinalatrophy. Periodic acid‐Schiff stain highlighted segmental dilations of theDescemet's membrane. Masson trichrome stain highlighted a pre‐irido collagenmembrane. Conclusion: The tiger's age and histopathologic findingsare consistent with congenital goniodysgenesis. This is the first known reportof congenital glaucoma in a tiger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choice-based design allows animals in human care opportunities to move at will between multiple interconnected spaces. Some evidence suggests providing environmental choice confers benefits to animals, but there is a dearth of research in this area with large carnivores. To understand the effects of this design strategy on large felids, behavioral and space use data were collected on three Amur tigers housed in a new habitat at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Data were collected in two conditions: 1) restricted to a single habitat, and 2) access to two habitats. With choice, tigers were less frequently inactive (p = 0.003), and locomoted more frequently (p = 0.009). They also showed different preferences in space use with choice, and a strong preference for overhead runways between habitats (E* = 0.83, E* = 0.78). These results add to what is known about environmental impacts on zoo animal behavior and suggest this design and management strategy may be effective in conferring positive welfare benefits to tigers and other large carnivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: With growing concern for animal welfare, understanding social behavior in captive animals is critical when making evidence-based management decisions. The sociality of large felids in captivity has remained largely understudied, yet these species are frequently housed together in practice in zoological collections. The aim of this study was to investigate the social behavior between a pair of Malayan tigers and their twin 6-month-old cubs. The aim was to investigate the welfare effects of keeping big cats in shared enclosure spaces. Using video footage, we found that the male tiger engaged in affiliative behavior, not just with his mate but also with his offspring. Even in the absence of clear affiliative interaction, the male displayed high tolerance to both conspecifics, as evidenced by his acceptance of direct physical contact and low occurrences of aggression. The findings suggest that some felid species may have greater social flexibility than has previously been documented and indicate that housing male tigers with their mates and young offspring may be a feasible management strategy in some zoological collections. The survival of endangered felids is becoming increasingly dependent on the successful management and breeding of reserve populations in captivity. While most felid species are reported to be solitary in the wild, increasing evidence suggests that some big cats have greater social plasticity than is currently acknowledged. This social plasticity allows felids to be sometimes socially housed in environments such as zoos and rescue centers. While the effects of such shared enclosures remain in question, many reports provide evidence of several welfare benefits of maintaining these large carnivores in pairs or even groups. Since 2019, Le Parc des Félins has housed a breeding pair of Malaysian tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni) alongside their offspring. The purpose of this study was to quantify the social affiliation between the male tiger and his cubs and to investigate the female's tolerance toward him. The data were collected using video recordings in the outdoor enclosure when social interactions were observed. The data were coded and categorized in the open-source software BORIS, from which behavioral activity budgets were calculated. Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test for association to determine differences in affiliative frequency, with directed and undirected sociograms created to visualize individual relationships. Overall, the male regularly engaged in affiliative behaviors with the cubs, with no significant difference found in the frequency of interactions with them compared to the female. No physical aggression was directed by the male toward the cubs. Although the female maintained a stronger bond with the cubs compared to the male, he displayed a greater range of affiliative behaviors toward them than male tigers are thought to exhibit. Both adults showed a high degree of tolerance toward their conspecifics, suggesting that maintaining breeding pairs with their offspring is a viable management strategy in zoological collections. This study could therefore improve husbandry and conservation practices by developing our understanding of felid sociality and the potential welfare benefits of social housing, allowing for evidence-based captive management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tanintharyi Region in southern Myanmar is rich in biodiversity yet is facing threats from varying degrees of anthropogenic pressure. In this research we examine how anthropogenic pressures are influencing large carnivores (tiger Panthera tigris , leopard Panthera pardus and dhole Cuon alpinus) and their major prey species (wild pig Sus scrofa , muntjac Muntiacus spp., sambar Rusa unicolor , gaur Bos gaurus and banteng Bos javanicus) in the Lenya Reserved Forest and adjacent areas of Sundaic forest. We used data from camera-trap surveys during May 2016–March 2018 and logistic regression to analyse the relationships between the presence of large carnivores and explanatory variables such as human disturbance, landscape variability and changes in prey distribution. Tiger presence was positively associated with the occurrence of gaur and distance to villages. The occurrence of prey did not explain the detection of leopards in the study area. We suspect this was because leopards have a broad diet, including arboreal primates, and their prey was not fully recorded in our camera-trap survey. Dholes were positively associated with wild pigs and the total number of prey but not associated with forest type and landscape variables. To restore the carnivore population and conserve the biodiversity of this area, effective protection of predators and habitat management for large ungulates are crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During excavations of the settlement‐site Ilgynly‐Depe in Southeastern Turkmenistan, for the first time, since investigations began in 1986, the remains of tiger were found. Two bones of this large predator were found in layers dated to the beginning of the third millennium BC. Among the bones that were found are the proximal part of the third hind metapodium and the second hind phalanx, possibly from the third digit of the hind leg. Characteristic cuts from skinning of an animal are on the second phalanx. This is the first evidence of hunting of large felid predators in the Chalcolithic time in South Turkmenistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reevaluate an accumulation of tiger(Panthera tigris)remains that was recovered from the Pleistocene'Hamakita Man'site in Hanamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture during the mid-1900s. The most abundantly preserved elements include vertebrae, humeri, ulnae, radii, hemipelves, femora, tibiae, and calcanea, but crania, teeth, ribs, metacarpals, sesamoids, and phalanges are also present. The minimum number of individuals based on any single element is four; however, we interpret that the assemblage comprises at least eight adults and one juvenile. It is unclear whether the tiger remains are the same age as the human remains also preserved at the Hamakita Man'site owing to the possibility of time-averaging of sedimentation and/or the redeposition of previously deposited bones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed habitat occupancy and distribution of principal tiger (Panthera tigris) ungulate prey species to assess factors affecting their occurrence and their potential contribution to low tiger presence in the core part of the Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, in northern Myanmar. We surveyed for signs on 1,651 km of transects partitioned into 554 sampling units between November 2007 and May 2008. By incorporating seven environmental and four social covariates, we predicted habitat occupancy rates of 0.76 for gaur (Bos gaurus), 0.91 for sambar (Rusa unicolor), 0.57 for wild pigs (Sus scrofa), and 0.89 for northern red muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis). Overall, shorter Euclidean distances to ranger stations and trails, decreased stream density, and broadleaved evergreen/semi-deciduous forest and relatively rare rain-fed cropland habitat occurrence positively influenced prey habitat occupancy; conversely, shorter Euclidean distances to villages, roads, and streams, higher elevations, and occurrence of mixed broadleaved and needle-leaved forest habitat negatively influenced occupancy. In addition, Euclidean distance to ranger stations, trails, and roads positively affected species detections, whereas shorter Euclidean distance to villages and streams, high elevations, and high precipitation negatively affected detections. Results indicated that all four prey species were relatively well-distributed through the Sanctuary core area, but comparisons with indices of abundance elsewhere suggest that prey density was low and would not likely support many tigers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic land‐use change continues to be predicated as a major driver of terrestrial biodiversity loss for the rest of this century. It has been determined that the effect of climate change on wildlife population will accelerate the rate and process of decline of global vertebrate populations. We investigated wildlife composition, occupancy, and activity pattern along the larger climate resilient forests that serve as microrefugia for a wide range of species under the escalating climate change. We used camera trap survey covering 250 km2 of climate microrefugia in Dadeldhura hills in far western region of Nepal. We used 62 trapping locations accumulating 1800 trap nights taking 98,916 photographs in 62 days‐survey period during the summer season of 2020. We photographed 23 mammalian species with estimated species richness of 30 species (95% CI: 25–34) based on multi‐species occupancy model. We estimated overall species occupancy ψ(SE(ψ)) to be 0.87 (0.09) in climatic microrefugia. While human activity predominated throughout the day, the majority of animals was found to exhibit nocturnal temporal patterns. Tiger and hyaena, two of the top predators, were newly discovered in the western Himalayan range of Nepal, with their discovery at the 34 highest elevations of 2511 meters and 2000m, respectively. In Nepal, high‐altitude tiger range is characterized by tiger distribution above a 2000 m cutoff representing habitats in the physiographic zone of high mountains and above. Our findings establish a baseline and show that the climatic microrefugia that have been identified have high levels of species richness and occupancy, which characterize the Dadeldhura hill forest ranges as biologically varied and ecologically significant habitat. These areas identified as climatic microrefugia habitats should be the focus of conservation efforts, particularly efforts to reduce human disturbance and adapt to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A captive-kept adult male tiger presented with a large cutaneous and subcutaneous mass on the thigh with a fistula. During sedation, multiple nodules were detected and samples for a histopathological exam were collected. Histologically, granulomatous panniculitis and dermatitis were seen around dense aggregates of pigmented fungal hyphae, and a diagnosis of phaeohyphomycosis was made; considering the clinical features, it was classified as a eumycotic mycetoma. This is a rarely reported subcutaneous fungal infection in humans and animals, caused by dematiaceous fungi. Clinically, it is characterized by tumefaction, fistulous sinus tracts, and the formation of macroscopically visible grains. In the literature, only a few infections in wild felids have been reported. In this case, Fontana–Masson staining better showed pigmentation and panfungal PCR and sequencing identified Madurella pseudomyectomatis (OP623507) as the causative agent. Systemic therapy with oral administration of itraconazole was planned, but the patient died during the first period of treatment. The animal was not submitted for post-mortem examination. Visceral dissemination of the agent cannot be excluded. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of eumycotic mycetoma by Madurella pseudomycetomatis in a captive tiger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A generic, low-cost and fully automated roadkill prevention system (RPS) using lasers was developed. The RPS is designed as a real-time system that adapts to all weather conditions, that can detect and categorize road crossing animals based on their heights and display distinguishable (category based) warning light signals for approaching vehicles. The system can also send animal category-specific short message service (SMS) to preserved mobile numbers for detection data base (DDB) generation and take necessary counteraction by the forest officials. The RPS prototype was installed in Velamundi Reserve Forest in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve on the Sathyamangalam - Mettupalayam state highway in 2019 and its performance has been closely monitored since then. At present, the RPS is the only functioning system of its kind in India or elsewhere and has registered a 60% dip in roadkill at the project site since its installation. The complete details like architecture, operational algorithm, implementation and performance analysis of the RPS system over a year is presented. Once available in the literature with complete details, the RPS is expected to be replicated in other parts of the world, wherever roadkill is a growing threat to the existing biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and tigers (Panthera tigris) share the same landscape in India. Elephants, which range over 239,171 km2, occupy 45.5% of the 433,261 km2 habitat that tigers inhabit. Equally, at least 40% of elephant corridors are used by tigers. A shared landscape offers opportunities for careful, integrated management strategies with shared resources. The species are protected differently in India, with tiger reserves being legal entities dedicated to the protection of tigers and their habitats, and Elephant Reserves being management units with no legal standing. With additional disparities in financial supports to tiger reserves—which receive 10 times more money than elephant reserves—it is obvious that the elephant reserves are being treated inequitably. Since the two species coexist in the same landscapes, efforts to protect tigers can help to make up for elephant conservation gaps and optimise the use of conservation resources by tweaking a few management and policy practices. In addition, the overlay of tigers using elephant corridors can efficiently secure habitat linkages for both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoroquinolones are a widely used class of chemotherapeutics within veterinary medicine, prized for their broad-spectrum bactericidal activity. These drugs present a known risk of retinal phototoxicity in domestic cats (Felis catus); therefore, using lower doses and alternative antibiotic classes is encouraged in this species. This adverse drug effect of fluoroquinolones, and enrofloxacin specifically, has been determined to be species-specific in domestic felids. Four feline-specific missense variants in ABCG2 result in four amino acid changes (E159M, S279L, H283Q, and T644I) that are unique to the domestic cat compared with multiple other nonfeline mammalian species. These changes alter the ABCG2 protein involved with the cellular transmembrane transport of drugs, including fluoroquinolones, making the protein functionally defective in domestic cats. The predisposition to fluoroquinolone-mediated phototoxicity in nondomestic felids was explored in this study. At least eight nondomestic felids share the four ABCG2 missense variants with domestic cats, and eleven other felids shared at least three of the four domestic cat variants. Taken together, these results suggest the genetic potential for nondomestic felids to also experience fluoroquinolone-induced retinal phototoxicity; therefore, cautions similar to those for domestic cats should be followed for these drugs in the entire feline taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife conservation in human‐dominated landscapes faces increased challenges due to rising conflicts between humans and wildlife. We investigated the human and wildlife loss rates due to human–wildlife conflict between 2000 and 2020 in Nepal. We concentrated on Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), greater one‐horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), tiger (Panthera tigirs), and leopard (Panthera pardus) mortality, as well as human mortality caused by these species. Over the 21‐year period, we recorded 1139 cases of wildlife mortality and 887 cases of human mortality. Leopard mortality was the highest, followed by that of greater one‐horned rhinos, tigers, and Asian elephants. Overall, the rate of wildlife mortality has been increasing over the years. Asian elephants were found to be more responsible for crop damage than greater one‐horned rhinos, while leopards were found to be more responsible for livestock depredation than tigers. The generalized linear model indicated that the mortality of wildlife in the districts is best predicted by the additive effect of human mortality, the proportion of agricultural land, and the literacy rate of the districts. Retaliatory wildlife mortality was the most challenging issue for wildlife conservation, especially for the large mammals. Findings from this study are important for mitigation of human–wildlife conflicts, controlling retaliatory killing, and conserving these threatened large mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Salmonellosis is an infectious bacterial disease, which causes moderate to severe gastrointestinal manifestations or severe syndromes, including septicemia and death. The presence of Salmonella spp. in captive exotic felids is generally asymptomatic in adults that may act as environmental carriers and shedders of the bacterium. This case report describes the occurrence of fatal septicemia with meningoencephalitis in a Panthera tigris cub caused by Salmonella Enteritidis. The fragility of the perinatal period (e.g., inadequate management and poor parental care) and a possible immunocompromised state of the infected cub may have favored the systemic spread of the infection and the colonization of the central nervous system. This case highlights the importance of thoroughly investigating the causes of perinatal mortality in captive felids, both for animal health protection and for potential zoonotic implications. A 15-day-old, female, captive Panthera tigris cub was hospitalized after developing severe hyperthermia, depression, and lack of appetite. The clinical condition rapidly worsened, and the tiger cub died in 72 h after the onset of neurological symptoms, septic shock, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The postmortem main gross findings consisted of a severe and diffuse bilateral fibrino-suppurative meningoencephalitis and ventriculitis, mild fibrinous and sero-hemorrhagic polyserositis and cystitis, severe pulmonary edema, and hemorrhages. Microscopically, the meninges, ependyma, and choroid plexuses were diffusely expanded by abundant infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, with multifocal fibrinous exudation. Histiocytic interstitial pneumonia, fibrinous and neutrophilic polyserositis, and pyelocystitis were also observed. Vascular thrombosis with multifocal vasculitis and vascular necrosis were frequently observed. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures performed on the brain, lungs, intestine, kidneys, and in pericardial effusion reported the presence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis. Environmental and nutritional contamination were identified as putative sources of infections. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of Salmonella Enteritidis septicemia with meningoencephalitis in a tiger cub, which highlights the need to further investigate the cause of acute perinatal death to reduce the risk of infectious disease outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Successful medical management of a serious form of Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra (CEH-P) in a white tiger, with a combination of mifepristone, misoprostol, cloprostenol, cabergoline and enrofloxacin is discussed. Methods: A 14-year-old white tiger (Panthera tigris) belonging to the Zoological Garden, Thiruvanathapuram showed symptoms of gradual discomfort, dyspepsia and polydipsia for two weeks. There were no signs of oestrus for the previous two months and a serosanguinous vaginal discharge was also noticed. On ultrasonographic examination, uterine sacculations filled with fluid could be found which was suggestive of pyometra. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, increased level of serum progesterone, anaemia, high ESR, persistent hyperproteinaemia and hyperglobulinaemia were evident on haematological examination. Considering the risks associated with performing OHE in large felids, medical management was planned. A combination of mifepristone, misoprostol, cloprostenol, cabergoline, enrofloxacin and supportive therapy were given along with strict and close monitoring by different experts on site or by utilizing telemedicine communication technologies. Periodic hematological examination, serum biochemistry, progesterone estimation and ultrasonographic evaluation were done to evaluate the progress of treatment. The progesterone values during the period of study ranged from 45.6 ng/ml at the commencement of treatment to a basal level of 0.73 ng/ml towards the end of treatment. Result: The animal had an uneventful clinical recovery. Considering the risks associated with performing OHE in large felids, medical management can be considered as a valuable option in treating CEH-Pyometra in wild felids. This being the first report of successful medical treatment of CEH-P in a large captive felid with a combination of antiprogestins, prolactin antagonists, prostaglandins and antibiotics, it is suggested that due consideration of such a treatment regimen is of great importance in large felids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tigers (Panthera tigris) are flagship big cats and attract extensive public attention due to their charismatic features and endangered status. Despite this, little is known about their prehistoric lineages and detailed evolutionary histories. Through palaeogenomic analyses, we identified a Pleistocene tiger from northeastern China, dated to beyond the limits of radiocarbon dating (greater than 43 500 years ago). We used a simulated dataset and different reads processing pipelines to test the validity of our results and confirmed that, in both mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenies, this ancient individual belongs to a previously unknown lineage that diverged prior to modern tiger diversification. Based on the mitochondrial genome, the divergence time of this ancient lineage was estimated to be approximately 268 ka (95% CI: 187–353 ka), doubling the known age of tigers' maternal ancestor to around 125 ka (95% CI: 88–168 ka). Furthermore, by combining our findings with putative mechanisms underlying the discordant mito-nuclear phylogenetic placement for the South China tigers, we proposed a more complex scenario of tiger evolution that would otherwise be missed using data from modern tigers only. Our study provides the first glimpses of the genetic antiquity of tigers and demonstrates the utility of aDNA-based investigation for further understanding tiger evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Non-domestic felids are well-known threatened species, and are susceptible to several diseases that also affect domestic cats. Among viral infections, fatal outbreaks of feline infectious peritonitis, caused by a feline coronavirus, have been reported in captive settings. Considering the devastating effects that this pathogen could have in non-domestic felids, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of feline coronavirus in captive non-domestic felids from Northern Italy, since in the literature, this information is not currently available. The overall prevalence of feline coronavirus in captive non-domestic felids from Northern Italy was 7.9%. Results of the present study highlight the need of control programs for feline coronavirus infection to prevent pathogen introduction into a naïve group of animals, which may lead to devastating effects on animal welfare and conservation programs. Cases of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease with a high mortality rate caused by the feline coronavirus (FCoV), have been reported in non-domestic felids, highlighting the need for surveys of FCoV in these endangered species. With the aim of adding information on FCoV prevalence in captive non-domestic felids, samples (feces or rectal swabs and, when available, oral swabs, blood, and abdominal effusion) collected between 2019 and 2021 from 38 non-domestic felids from three different zoological facilities of Northern Italy were tested for evidence of FCoV infection via RT-qPCR. Three animals were found to be FCoV positive, showing an overall 7.9% FCoV prevalence ranging from 0% to 60%, according to the zoological facility. FCoV infection was detected in tiger cubs of the same litter, and all of them showed FCoV-positive oral swabs, with low viral loads, whereas in one animal, FCoV presence was also detected in rectal swabs at low FCoV copy numbers. Future studies should be carried out, including samplings from a higher number of captive non-domestic felids, in order to gain a deeper knowledge of FCoV epidemiology within these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissection reports of large cats (family Felidae) have been published since the late 19th century. These reports generally describe the findings in words, show drawings of the dissection, and usually include some masses of muscles, but often neglect to provide muscle maps showing the precise location of bony origins and insertions. Although these early reports can be highly useful, the absence of visual depictions of muscle attachment sites makes it difficult to compare muscle origins and insertions in living taxa and especially to reconstruct muscle attachments in fossil taxa. Recently, more muscle maps have been published in the primary literature, but those for large cats are still limited. Here, we describe the muscular anatomy of the forelimb of the tiger (Panthera tigris), and compare muscle origins, insertions, and relative muscle masses to other felids to identify differences that may reflect functional adaptations. Our results reiterate the conservative nature of felid anatomy across body sizes and behavioral categories. We find that pantherines have relatively smaller shoulder muscle masses, and relatively larger muscles of the caudal brachium, pronators, and supinators than felines. The muscular anatomy of the tiger shows several modifications that may reflect an adaptation to terrestrial locomotion and a preference for large prey. These include in general a relatively large m. supraspinatus (shoulder flexion), an expanded origin for m. triceps brachii caput longum, and relatively large m. triceps brachii caput laterale (elbow extension), as well as relatively large mm. brachioradialis, abductor digiti I longus, and abductor digiti V. Muscle groups that are well developed in scansorial taxa are not well developed in the tiger, including muscles of the cranial compartment of the brachium and antebrachium, and m. anconeus. Overall, the musculature of the tiger strongly resembles that of the lion (Panthera leo), another large‐bodied terrestrial large‐prey specialist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unprecedented advances in sequencing technology in the past decade allow a better understanding of genetic variation and its partitioning in natural populations. Such inference is critical to conservation: to understand species biology and identify isolated populations. We review empirical population genetics studies of Endangered Bengal tigers within India, where 60–70% of wild tigers live. We assess how changes in marker type and sampling strategy have impacted inferences by reviewing past studies, and presenting three novel analyses including a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel, genome-wide SNP markers, and a whole-mitochondrial genome network. At a broad spatial scale, less than 100 SNPs revealed the same patterns of population clustering as whole genomes (with the exception of one additional population sampled only in the SNP panel). Mitochondrial DNA indicates a strong structure between the northeast and other regions. Two studies with more populations sampled revealed further substructure within Central India. Overall, the comparison of studies with varied marker types and sample sets allows more rigorous inference of population structure. Yet sampling of some populations is limited across all studies, and these should be the focus of future sampling efforts. We discuss challenges in our understanding of population structure, and how to further address relevant questions in conservation genetics. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Celebrating 50 years since Lewontin’s apportionment of human diversity’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seals and other inscribed materials of the Indus Civilization (2600–1900 BCE) are a valuable source of data for studying this ancient cultural system, from writing, craft production, and economics, to art and ideology. In the absence of deciphered texts, detailed comparative studies of these materials allow us to explore their roles and significance in the organizational dynamics of one of the world's earliest urban societies. This article contributes to the study of inscribed objects by applying complementary methodologies from art history and archaeology to the examination of seals and related artifacts that depict the tiger motif. It explores the consistency and variability in these objects as a reflection of the unique carving styles and techniques employed to make them, the distinct identities that they embody, and the ideas embedded within them. Identified patterns provide insights into the production strategies, shared ideologies, and potential meanings of this uniquely South Asian icon and highlight larger issues of Indus sociopolitical organization and integration. This innovative approach for investigating inscribed materials allows for a deeper exploration of their role in and reflection of the unique cultural systems that defined the Indus during the third millennium BCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 15‐year‐old spayed female Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) was presented with a short history of haematuria and dysuria, non‐responsive to antibiotics, and a gradual decline to inappetence over a period of 2–3 months. Ultrasound examination showed a thickened urinary bladder wall and the renal pelvis of right kidney was dilated and cystic. A presumptive diagnosis of renal failure was made, and the tigress was euthanised due to deteriorating quality of life and pronounced weight loss. Histopathology revealed extensive erosion of the urinary bladder wall and marked congestion of the submucosal vasculature, a potential cause of the haematuria observed clinically. Numerous foci of neoplastic cells were also observed throughout the lung parenchyma as well as within lymphatic vessels of the lung, the liver and the kidney. A diagnosis of a metastatic non‐papillary high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the urinary bladder was made. Consistent with this diagnosis, immunohistochemistry revealed the neoplastic cells were negative for uroplakin III, as has been reported for a subset of high‐grade, infiltrative urinary bladder UCs of canines and humans. This is the first report of a primary tumour of the urinary bladder in a tiger and the first report of UC in a tiger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 20 ruling political parties in 2006, the INC was leading with 6.5 states occupied by tigers (comprising a total tiger population of 630), followed by the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP; 4 states with 356 tigers), and the Communist Party of India (CPI; 1.5 states with 33 tigers; Table 1). The Project Tiger was initiated in 1973 during the government of the Indian National Congress (INC) political party. In Chhattisgarh, there were 46 tigers in 2014 during the ruling of the BJP government and this declined to only 19 tigers in 2018 during the ruling of the BJP followed by the INC government. [Extracted from the article]

We report the first record of a Bengal Tiger, Panthera tigris tigris, in eastern Nepal in 2020 based on photographic evidence. We documented this evidence at 3,165 m a.s.l., which makes it the highest elevation record of a tiger in Nepal. We recorded this evidence in one of 46 trail cameras deployed for monitoring Red Pandas in the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) area. The PIT area, which has non-protected status, borders India in the east. Our finding supports the importance of transboundary conservation, which will benefit local and flagship wildlife in the PIT area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While recent advances in genomics has enabled vast improvements in the quantification of genome-wide diversity and the identification of adaptive and deleterious alleles in model species, wildlife and non-model species have largely not reaped the same benefits. This has been attributed to the resources and infrastructure required to develop essential genomic datasets such as reference genomes. In the absence of a high-quality reference genome, cross-species alignments can provide reliable, cost-effective methods for single nucleotide variant (SNV) discovery. Here, we demonstrated the utility of cross-species genome alignment methods in gaining insights into population structure and functional genomic features in cheetah (Acinonyx jubatas), snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), relative to the domestic cat (Felis catus). Results: Alignment of big cats to the domestic cat reference assembly yielded nearly complete sequence coverage of the reference genome. From this, 38,839,061 variants in cheetah, 15,504,143 in snow leopard and 13,414,953 in Sumatran tiger were discovered and annotated. This method was able to delineate population structure but limited in its ability to adequately detect rare variants. Enrichment analysis of fixed and species-specific SNVs revealed insights into adaptive traits, evolutionary history and the pathogenesis of heritable diseases. Conclusions: The high degree of synteny among felid genomes enabled the successful application of the domestic cat reference in high-quality SNV detection. The datasets presented here provide a useful resource for future studies into population dynamics, evolutionary history and genetic and disease management of big cats. This cross-species method of variant discovery provides genomic context for identifying annotated gene regions essential to understanding adaptive and deleterious variants that can improve conservation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Golden cats have been appreciated since the beginning of the cat fancy. Golden is a modification of the tabby coat. In the Siberian breed, a specific golden phenotype, named sunshine, has been described. Sunshine tabby cats exhibit a warm tone of tabby, a pink nose lacking the black lining and a large light cream area around the nose. Pedigree analyses revealed an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. A single candidate region was identified by genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and homozygosity mapping. Within that region, we identified CORIN (Corin, serine peptidase) as a strong candidate gene, since CORIN variants have been identified in mice and tigers with a golden phenotype and CORIN has been described as a modifier of the ASIP (Agouti Signaling Protein) pathway. A homozygous CORIN:c.2383C>T missense variant was identified in sunshine tabby cats. Segregation of the variant was consistent with recessive inheritance. The variant was also found in three Kurilian bobtail cats and in two ToyBob cats from the 99 Lives dataset but genotyping of 106 cats from 13 breeds failed to identify carriers in cats from other breeds. The CORIN:c.2383C>T variant was predicted to change an arginine to a cysteine at position 795 in the protein: CORIN:p.(Arg795Cys). Finally, hair observation in Siberian cats was consistent with elongated ASIP signaling as golden hair showed a large yellow band instead of the short subapical one usually observed in agouti hair. These results support an association of the Siberian sunshine modification with the CORIN:c.2383C>T variant. The Siberian cat has helped us to decipher one of the golden phenotypes observed in cats and we propose that the CORIN:c.2383C>T variant represents the wbSIB (Siberian recessive wideband) allele in the domestic cat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the comparative efficacy of yohimbine and tolazoline for antagonism of ketamine-xylazine induced sedation in captive wild felids in Pakistan. It included 16 tigers (Panthera tigris), 22 lions (Panthera leo) and 16 leopards (Panthera pardus), aged between 2-10 years, weighing approximately 190.6±12.4 kg, 161.6±16.6 kg, and 50.5±6.9 kg respectively. A total of 54 anesthetic inductions were carried out on clinical patients from all species dividing them into two groups KX-T and KX-Y receiving 0.15 mg/kg tolazoline and 0.15 mg/kg yohimbine as antagonists, respectively. Body temperature, pulse and respiration rate (TPR) were recorded at ten-minute intervals for thirty minutes in either groups. These physiological norms differed significantly only in Tigers at 10min and 20min intervals. Furthermore, onset of arousal and recovery time in animals receiving yohimbine was evidently shorter, ranging between 2.8±0.76 to 8.42±0.33 min. ALT, AST, Urea and Creatinine were significantly elevated in groups administered with Tolazoline when compared to Yohimbine as well. Hence, yohimbine at described dosage effectively antagonized ketamine and xylazine anesthesia by significant reduction in reversal times for all the species under consideration, bearing nominal deleterious effects on physiological, hepatic and renal parameters. So, this study concludes yohimbine to be a superior antagonist for ketamine-xylazine anesthetic reversal than tolazoline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thailand is one of the last strongholds for tigers Panthera tigris in mainland Southeast Asia. Evidence suggests heterogeneity in tiger presence in a globally important landscape in Eastern Thailand is potentially influenced by a complex interaction of prey, human presence and environmental conditions. Understanding these dynamics is of considerable importance for the conservation of tigers both in this landscape and elsewhere in their range. In this study, we examine which factors, among prey, human presence and environmental characteristics, best explain tiger presence in the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex (DPKY). We collated survey data from 56,214 camera trap nights and evaluated the relationship between tiger presence and a suite of five prey, 11 human presence and eight environmental variables. We then used variance partitioning to discern the degree of variance in tiger presence explained by these factors. We documented strong, positive associations with wild boar Sus scrofa presence and prey richness, and strong, negative associations with human settlement density, public roads and presence of poachers. Environmental characteristics explained a greater relative proportion of variance (19.6%) in tiger presence than prey covariates alone (3.1%), particularly confounded with human presence (31.1%). This suggests that environmental variables, especially when accompanied by anthropogenic factors, could be used to model potential tiger occurrence where other data may be lacking. Our approach may be helpful in providing guidance for prioritizing habitat, evaluating the effect of human presence and identifying key prey to provide a foundation for tiger protection and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While global mammalian diversity is collapsing due to increased poaching and habitat loss, evidence-based conservation in protected areas is often regarded as a panacea. Tiger reserves in India set an example, where annual camera trap monitoring is conducted for understanding the trends in the tiger population. However, less is known about other co-predators and their prey species that occur in the same area. The fundamental hindrance being the absence of individual pelage pattern within these species (i.e. unique pattern on the body), as well as the absence of species-specific monitoring. As a result, there is a demand in techniques that can avail maximum biodiversity information from the existing monitoring protocols. Here, we conducted camera trapping in Periyar Tiger Reserve to evaluate spatiotemporal overlaps within different carnivores, and between prey-predators. Camera trapping was conducted at high resolution (2 km2) for 30 days at 253 locations that yielded 6092 photographs of 18 mammals. Their temporal overlap was estimated using 'overlap' R package, while the spatial association was estimated using 'co-occur' package. Three large-ranging top predators (tiger, leopard and dhole) were found to have activity peaks segregated temporally. Relationship of these predators with their prey species highlighted the role of body sizes, where largest predator (tiger) had higher overlap with large-bodied prey (gaur and sambar), while small-bodied predator (leopard and dhole) overlapped small-bodied prey (barking deer and wild pig). Results highlight the importance of large-sized prey in conserving the tiger densities of this region. However, selectively conserving only large-bodied prey can have repercussions on other sympatric carnivores, who require different body-sized prey species. Our results have implications for all protected areas in the tropical developing countries, which are mostly smaller in area with species-centered conservation agenda. We highlight the importance of considering species-specific carrying capacity of all co-predators in the region, to optimally conserve the prey-base through habitat restoration, so as to maximize biodiversity conservation within a limited area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encounter rates of carnivores with prey are dependent on spatial and temporal overlap, and are often highest with their preferred prey. The Critically Endangered Sumatran tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae is dependent on prey populations, but little is known about its prey preferences. We collected camera-trap data for 7 years (2010–2016) in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra, to investigate spatial and temporal overlap of tigers with potential prey species. We also developed a novel method to predict predator–prey encounter rates and potential prey preferences from camera-trap data. We documented at least 10 individual tigers, with an overall detection rate of 0.24 detections/100 trap nights. Tigers exhibited a diurnal activity pattern and had highest temporal overlap with wild boar Sus scrofa and pig-tailed macaques Macaca nemestrina, but highest spatial overlap with wild boar and sambar deer Rusa unicolor. We created a spatial and temporal composite score and three additional composite scores with adjustments for the spatial overlap and preferred prey mass. Wild boars ranked highest for all composite scores, followed by sambar deer, and both are known as preferred tiger prey in other areas. Spatial and temporal overlaps are often considered as separate indices, but a composite score may facilitate better predictions of encounter rates and potential prey preferences. Our findings suggest that prey management efforts in this area should focus on wild boar and sambar deer, to ensure a robust prey base for this Critically Endangered tiger population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barandabhar Corridor Forest (BCF), the biologically functional corridor, is surrounded by the large human settlements that exploit the corridor where large mammals such as tigers, leopards and their prey such as ungulates, primates, and rhinoceros occur. This study aimed to evaluate major determinants that affect the distribution of large mammals in BCF, Chitwan, Nepal that connects the biologically significant Chitwan National Park with the Mahabharat range. The status and distribution of large mammals along the habitat and disturbance gradients were determined by using 29 line transects (mean length = 4.59 ± 0.38 km) that covered a linear distance of 133.13 km. The chital were the most abundant mammals (density per km2 (D) = 8.9095 ± 1.4570 and encounter rate per km (ER) = 1.49) followed by rhesus monkey (D = 38.896 ± 16.013, ER = 0.28), wild boar (D = 14.814 ± 3.57, ER = 0.62), northern red muntjac (D = 9.6566 ± 2.9514, ER = 0.62) and sambar (D = 5.392 ± 2.319, ER = 0.38). Similarly, the sign encounter rate of tiger and leopard was 0.435 and 0.503 respectively. Habitat types, human disturbances, and coverage of invasive and alien plant species (IAPs) played a key role in the distribution of large mammals. The occurrence of mammals was low nearer to the settlements and roads and coverage of IAPs and more nearer to the water resources. However, degradation of foraging grounds such as grasslands by succession and invasion of alien plant species added more threats to the survival of large mammals. Therefore, such a situation can be improved through the scientific management of forests and grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected area networks (PAN) are essential for conserving wide‐ranging apex predators but their adequacy in species protection has rarely been assessed. Here, we assess the adequacy of Bhutan's PAN in conserving and providing connectivity to the endangered tiger (Panthera tigris). We determine the current extent of tiger habitat, predict new suitable habitat, identify potential corridors, and empirically estimate the range of tiger numbers that Bhutan can spatially support. We use two spatial models with different approaches to ascertain current tiger distribution and predict new suitable tiger areas: (a) an expert model based on tiger ecology and (b) an observation model from observed tiger distribution. The expert model identified more suitable tiger areas (32,887 km2) over the observation model (29,962 km2), with the PAN encompassing 46% and 45% of predicted suitable areas, respectively. Vast suitable tiger habitat remains unprotected. Based on our estimates of total suitable habitats, Bhutan can spatially support 138–151 tigers compared to the current estimate of 103, thereby precluding a doubling in tiger numbers. To ensure adequate protection of tigers in Bhutan, we recommend readjusting and/or expanding existing PAN boundaries, including the designation of new corridors, protecting habitats, and conserving prey populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we determined the probability of predator attacks on livestock around Bardia National Park, Nepal. We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore the patterns and factors affecting livestock losses in four administrative sectors of the Park's buffer zone. We developed models to investigate the overall probability of livestock loss, economic damage caused, and the respondents' attitudes towards wildlife. The probability of leopard attacks on livestock was much higher (85% of all livestock lost to depredation) than that of tiger attacks (8%), and the northern sector experienced the highest loss of livestock (50% modelled probability of livestock loss) in the buffer zone. Livestock loss was significantly related to the number of livestock owned by respondents, their ethnic group, and village distance to the Park boundary. Economic damage was influenced by buffer zone sector, number of livestock owned, and distance to the Park boundary. Conservation attitudes depended on respondents' knowledge of wildlife, levels of education and self-sufficiency, and the probability of livestock being killed by leopards. Respondents who were male, highly educated and self-sufficient were most likely to support conservation. Tigers are tolerated based on religious beliefs, and these cultural values, together with the sharing of conservation benefits, facilitate conservation. Leopards, however, are not tolerated in the same way and are the most damaging predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A large number of animal species are susceptible to Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae) in endemic areas, including domestic and wild felids such as tigers (Panthera tigris). Knowledge on the infection of this endangered species is still at its infancy, and therefore this study aims to identify clinical presentation and clinicopathological findings of tigers naturally infected by L. infantum. Results: Tigers either L. infantum-positive (group A) or -negative (group B) were apparently healthy or presented visceral leishmaniasis unrelated conditions, except for one animal in which a large non-healing cutaneous lesion was observed. However, histological exam and immunohistochemistry carried out on the lesion excluded the presence of L. infantum amastigotes. Biochemical analysis showed that the average concentration of total proteins, globulins and haptoglobin were significantly higher (p < 0.01, p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively), while the albumin/globulin ratio significantly lower (p = 0.05) in group A compared with group B. The biochemical alterations were partially confirmed by the serum protein electrophoresis results revealing a significant increase in the total protein value (p = 0.01) and hypergammaglobulinemia (p = 0.03) but an unmodified albumin/globulin ratio in group A. Conclusions: In this study tigers infected by L. infantum have shown to be mainly asymptomatic. The absence of clinical signs may lead veterinarians to overlook leishmaniasis in animals kept in captivity. Therefore, diagnostic and screening tests as serology should be part of routinely surveillance programs to be performed on tigers in zoological gardens located in endemic areas. Though only few protein-related laboratory abnormalities were recorded in infected animals, they could provide diagnostic clues for a first suspicion of L. infantum infection in tigers. Indeed, considering the high risk of zoonotic transmission in heavily frequented environment as zoos, a prompt diagnosis of L. infantum infection is of pivotal importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary prey of tigers across much of South‐East Asia has been depleted, reducing the ability of already limited habitat to support tigers. To better understand the extent to which two of the largest prey species, gaur (Bos gaurus) and banteng (Bos javanicus), contribute to the tiger's diet, we estimated the average size of these species killed by tigers. This information is needed to more accurately calculate biomass of these species in the tiger's diet and to devise strategies to increase tiger carrying capacity where habitat is fragmented and limited in west‐central Thailand. We used temporally clumped locations of 24 satellite radio‐collared tigers to identify their kill sites and obtained mandibles from 82 gaur and 79 banteng. Kills were aged by teeth eruption sequence, sectioning the M1 molar and counting cementum annuli. Of all gaur killed, 45.2% were adults; of all banteng killed, 55.7% were adults. The average weight of banteng killed was 423.9 kg, which was similar to the 397.9 kg average weight for gaur. The mean weight of both prey species is 3.5–4.5 times greater than the predicted 1:1 preferred prey to predator ratio. In the absence of medium‐sized prey, killing these larger animals may be especially critical for female tigers provisioning nearly independent young when male offspring are already larger than the mother. This is the first study to present data on the average weights of gaur and banteng killed in South‐East Asia, and these results suggest that these are key prey species to target in tiger prey recovery efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are responsible for causing economically significant diseases both in animals and humans. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19), outbreak has become the first pandemic of the 21st century and is the deadliest pandemic after the 1918 Spanish Flu. Except, the two previous epidemics, SARS-CoV (2002 epidemic, China) and MERS-CoV (2012 epidemic, Middle Eastern region), CoVs are known the world over as the mild pathogens of humans and animals. Despite several measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic, it has affected more than 210 countries and regional territories distressing more than 5.3 million people and claiming nearly 0.34 million lives globally. Several findings point towards the appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the humans through animals, especially the wild animals of the Chinese live seafood wet market. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is another example of diseases originating from the human-animal interface and spreading through international borders causing global health emergencies. Most of the countries around the globe are stumbling due to the COVID-19 pandemic with severe threats and panic among the mass population. World Health Organization (WHO), international and national health authorities are working with excessive efforts for effective and impactful interventions to contain the virus. It is significant to comprehend the inclination of these viruses to jump between different species, and the establishment of infection in the entirely new host, identification of significant reservoirs of coronaviruses. Several animal species such as cats, dogs, tiger, and minks have been confirmed to get SARS-CoV-2 infections from COVID-19 infected person. Laboratory investigations point out those cats are the most susceptible species for SARS-CoV-2, and it can evidence with clinical disease. The studies carried out on animal's susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 further support the human-to-animal spread of the virus. In this review, we focus on addressing COVID-19 infections in domestic and wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are responsible for causing economically significant diseases both in animals and humans. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19), outbreak has become the first pandemic of the 21st century and is the deadliest pandemic after the 1918 Spanish Flu. Except, the two previous epidemics, SARS-CoV (2002 epidemic, China) and MERS-CoV (2012 epidemic, Middle Eastern region), CoVs are known the world over as the mild pathogens of humans and animals. Despite several measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic, it has affected more than 210 countries and regional territories distressing more than 5.3 million people and claiming nearly 0.34 million lives globally. Several findings point towards the appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the humans through animals, especially the wild animals of the Chinese live seafood wet market. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is another example of diseases originating from the human-animal interface and spreading through international borders causing global health emergencies. Most of the countries around the globe are stumbling due to the COVID-19 pandemic with severe threats and panic among the mass population. World Health Organization (WHO), international and national health authorities are working with excessive efforts for effective and impactful interventions to contain the virus. It is significant to comprehend the inclination of these viruses to jump between different species, and the establishment of infection in the entirely new host, identification of significant reservoirs of coronaviruses. Several animal species such as cats, dogs, tiger, and minks have been confirmed to get SARS-CoV-2 infections from COVID-19 infected person. Laboratory investigations point out those cats are the most susceptible species for SARS-CoV-2, and it can evidence with clinical disease. The studies carried out on animal's susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 further support the human-to-animal spread of the virus. In this review, we focus on addressing COVID-19 infections in domestic and wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the 'space race' between co‐occurring species is crucial to understand the effects of interspecific interactions on the extinction risk of species threatened by poachers and predators. Dynamic two‐species occupancy models provide a flexible framework to decompose complex species interaction patterns, while accounting for imperfect detection. These models can describe poachers–wildlife interactions, as they allow estimating occupancy, extinction and colonisation probabilities of wildlife conditional on the occurrence of poachers and vice versa. We applied our model to a case study on wildlife poaching in the eastern plains of Cambodia. We used co‐occurrence data extracted from the database of the SMART partnership to study the distribution dynamics between poachers and six ungulate species pooled together into the tiger prey guild. We used four years of survey data reporting the locations of snares and of presence signs of the ungulates recorded by rangers during their monthly multi‐patrolling sessions. Our results showed that a substantial proportion of the sites occupied by ungulate species went extinct over the years of the study while the proportion of sites colonised by poachers increased. We also showed, for the first time, that spatio‐temporal heterogeneity in the patrolling effort explains a great deal of the variation in the detection of poachers and ungulates. Our approach provides practitioners with a flexible and robust tool to assess conservation status of species and extinction risk of wildlife populations. It can assist managers in better evaluating, learning and adapting the patrolling strategies of rangers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coexistence of predators with similar morphology can be achieved by avoidance through behavioural, temporal and spatial segregation, which separates niches and reduces competition. Partitioning of space and time can reduce competition by decreasing the frequency of interspecific encounters that exploit a common resource base. We investigated temporal and spatial partitioning of tigers (Panthera tigris), leopards (Panthera pardus), dholes (Cuon alpinus), and their ungulate prey in Thung Yai Naresuan (East) Wildlife Sanctuary in western Thailand from April 2010 to January 2012. We collected camera trap data from 106 locations over 1,817 trap nights. Kernel density estimation and Spearman's rank correlation were used to quantify temporal and spatial activity patterns. Pianka's index was used to investigate the temporal and spatial overlap for each species pair. Tigers (crepuscular activity pattern) showed no temporal correlation with leopards (mostly diurnal) or dholes (strongly diurnal), but leopard activity appeared to correlate positively with dhole activity. Tigers exhibited temporal overlap with larger gaur (Bos gaurus) and sambar (Rusa unicolor); leopards did so with barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and wild boar (Sus scrofa); and dholes did so with barking deer and wild boar. The spatial correlations of tigers, leopards, and dholes did not significantly overlap, though numerically overlap was higher between felids than with the canid. None of the three predators significantly correlated with prey distribution, except for dholes with sambar. Our findings suggest that tigers, leopards, and dholes co-occur with spatial and temporal partitioning due to differences in prey activity and low overlap in space use correlated to prey preference. The partition in space and time between tigers and leopards can minimise their competition-associated prey activity, while leopards and dholes seem to be more generalist and not spatially correlated with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) have a wide distribution in Southeast Asia, but little is known about their natural predators. During a camera-trap survey in 2018 in Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Myanmar, we photographed a male leopard (Panthera pardus) carrying a sun bear cub by the throat. This is the first reported case of probable predation on sun bears by leopards, and only their second confirmed predator. A literature review showed that consumption of sun bears and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) by tigers (P. tigris) was widespread in Southeast Asia, whereas consumption of both bear species by leopards and dholes (Cuon alpinus) was less common. Outside of Southeast Asia, tigers and leopards, but not dholes, were shown to kill or consume other bear species. Future research should examine interspecific relationships between sun bears and large felids to better understand what, if any, impacts large felids have on sun bear ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]