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Unsustainable wild meat hunting poses a significant threat to wildlife and tropical forest ecosystems. While high levels of extraction linked to commercial trade have received significant attention, the sustainability of subsistence hunting by Indigenous Peoples in Africa has been less studied. Understanding how changing lifestyles, particularly the sedentarisation of former hunter-gatherers, have affected the use of forest resources is crucial for wildlife conservation and livelihoods. The spatial management of hunting through the establishment of no-take zones, which act as sources for adjacent hunting areas, offers promise for the sustainability of Indigenous livelihoods. We conducted an extensive camera trap study in hunting areas subject to source-sink dynamics used by 10 sedentarised Baka communities. We compared species richness, occupancy, abundance, and community composition to a relatively non-hunted reference area in the adjacent Dja Faunal Reserve. Subsistence hunting by the Baka had a limited impact on species richness but significantly altered community composition and the abundance of carnivores, seed dispersers and granivores. These changes highlight that even the spatial management of hunting may have consequences for the sustainability of hunting systems and the functional ecology of tropical forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riedel's lobe of the liver is a rare anatomical variant often incidentally found on imaging or through the presence of hepatomegaly on physical examination. While patients are usually asymptomatic, the presentation of this condition can vary, ranging from nonspecific symptoms to more severe issues such as torsion, obstruction, rupture, and bleeding. We present a case of a patient with asymptomatic hepatomegaly who was incidentally found to have Riedel's lobe of the liver, accompanied by an elevated IgG mitochondrial antibody. The range of symptoms associated with this rare anatomical variation underscores its importance in diagnosis and surveillance within this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large carnivores face numerous threats, including habitat loss and fragmentation, direct killing, and prey depletion, leading to significant global range and population declines. Despite such threats, leopards (Panthera pardus) persist outside protected areas throughout most of their range, occupying diverse habitat types and land uses, including peri-urban and rural areas. Understanding of leopard population dynamics in mixed-use landscapes is limited, especially in South Africa, where the majority of leopard research has focused on protected areas. We use spatially explicit capture-recapture models to estimate leopard density across a mixed-use landscape of protected areas, farmland, and urban areas in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, South Africa. Data from 86 paired camera stations provided 221 independent captures of 25 leopards at 50 camera trap stations with a population density estimate of 0.64 leopards per 100 km2 (95% CI: 0.55–0.73). Elevation, terrain ruggedness, and vegetation productivity were important drivers of leopard density in the landscape, being highest on elevated remnants of natural land outside of protected areas. These results are similar to previous research findings in other parts of the Western Cape, where high-lying natural vegetation was shown to serve as both a refuge and a corridor for leopard movement in otherwise transformed landscapes. Given the low leopard density and the prevalence of transformed land intermixed with patches of more suitable leopard habitat, prioritising and preserving connectivity for leopards is vital in this shared landscape. Ecological corridors should be developed in partnership with private landowners through an inclusive and multifaceted conservation strategy which also incorporates monitoring of and rapid mitigation of emerging threats to leopards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Tiger Recovery Program has identified enhancing prey populations as a crucial component in achieving its target of doubling wild tiger (Panthera tigris) numbers, as prey density is a key determinant of tiger density. We estimate prey abundance and ecological carrying capacity (ECC) of tigers in the 1579 km2 Chitwan–Parsa source site complex within a globally significant tiger conservation landscape in south‐central Nepal. Surveying 605.1 km of line transects in the Terai plains and Chure hills of Chitwan–Parsa, we estimated an overall density of 55.43 (36.98–83.45) ungulates/km2, and a biomass of 244,630 (151,520–334,270) kg/100 km2 of five abundant ungulates. Chitwan supports 71.58 (49.02–104.71) and Parsa 30.91 (18.70–51.19) ungulates/km2. The prey base can support 177 (119–263) adult tigers based on energetic requirement models. The tiger ECC was ~3.5× higher in Chitwan than in Parsa at a park level. Although opportunities for further recovery of tiger and prey through targeted habitat management exist, the current population of 170 tigers indicates that this population has likely reached its current ECC. We recommend that policymakers and park managers change focus from increasing tiger numbers to developing pre‐emptive conflict mitigation strategies to allow the site to retain the successes it has realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangolins are one of the most threatened mammal groups, as a result of habitat loss and exploitation for their meat, scales, and other body parts. However, there is a lack of quantitative data on pangolin populations; their behaviour and ecology make them challenging to survey. We undertook systematic camera-trap surveys of the 5260 km2 World Heritage Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, sampling 305 sites in eight grids over 28,277 camera-trap days. We recorded 768 images of giant pangolin in 99 independent detections at 57 sites (RAI = 0.35), and 2282 images in 355 detections (RAI = 1.26) of white-bellied pangolin at 137 sites. Ground-dwelling giant pangolins were largely confined to the core of the Reserve. Semi-arboreal white-bellied pangolins were predominantly distributed in the northeast, east and south of the Reserve. Lower occupancy in the west and northwest could partly be due to pressures from human settlements around the Hydromekin Dam and Sud-Cameroun Hévéa rubber plantation. Our study suggests that at the ground-level the two species do not spatially segregate, and both were active throughout the night. We found high diel activity overlap, although there was a significant difference in activity peak times. There was also evidence of white-bellied pangolin possibly exhibiting fine-scale behavioural avoidance of giant pangolin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ouadi Rimé–Ouadi Achim Reserve (Réserve de l'Ouadi Rimé–Ouadi Achim) in central Chad supports large numbers of livestock and rare antelopes, and is the site of ongoing reintroductions of the scimitar-horned oryx Oryx dammah and addax Addax nasomaculatus. We present results of surveys conducted during 2011–2019 to examine patterns of relative abundance and distribution of dorcas gazelles Gazella dorcas , dama gazelles Nanger dama and livestock in relation to each other and to water sources in a 3,500 km2 area in the centre of the Reserve. Dorcas gazelles numbered 7,700–18,000, moving extensively across the area. Livestock varied between c. 2,000 and 68,000 tropical livestock units across surveys, with density doubling in the wet season. Dorcas gazelle distribution was negatively associated with livestock, and livestock density was positively associated with artificial water sources. Dorcas gazelle densities were positively associated with locations where there had been wild fires in the 6 months prior to a survey. Dama gazelles were encountered only 13 times, insufficient to estimate their population size reliably. Opportunistic observations suggest dama gazelles avoid livestock and burnt ground. Our findings highlight the importance of the Reserve. We recommend the designation of a large, well-managed conservation priority zone in the Reserve's core area in which no further development of water resources is permitted. Management of livestock numbers within this zone at or below current levels is essential to integrate national goals for both biodiversity conservation and pastoralism development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ungulates have undergone major declines in Central and West African forests as a result of bushmeat trade and habitat loss. Monitoring forest ungulate status is a critical conservation need. We undertook a systematic camera-trap survey of the 5260 km2 Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon's largest protected area. We deployed cameras at 305 sites in eight grids across the reserve over 28,277 camera-trap days. We recorded 30,601 independent detections of 12 species of forest ungulate. The blue and Peters' duikers were the most abundant, accounting for 82% of all ungulate detections, both with occupancy >85% in all survey grids. The black-fronted duiker was relatively widespread but rare. The white-bellied duiker and water chevrotain were found mostly in the southern part of the reserve. There were very few detections of sitatunga, forest buffalo and bongo. Our results suggest ecological partitioning among the more abundant duikers based on activity pattern and body size. The reserve faces many pressures including illegal subsistence and commercial hunting. Community surveillance and partnerships, with improved law enforcement are among measures being implemented by the Cameroon government to enhance security and ensure retention of the reserve's World Heritage status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sapo National Park, Liberia's largest protected area, comprises an area of 1804 km2 within the Upper Guinea forest ecosystem, a global biodiversity hot spot. Our baseline camera‐trap study revealed 32 medium‐to‐large mammal species, including ten Upper Guinea forest endemics, within the park. Results show important populations of threatened antelopes, particularly zebra duiker and Jentink's duiker, along with bay duiker, black duiker, Ogilby's duiker and Maxwell's duiker. Water chevrotain and lowland bongo were also recorded. Camera‐trap images of giant and white‐bellied pangolins, western chimpanzee, pygmy hippopotamus and forest elephant collected during this study further confirm the high conservation value of the site. The ecology of the antelope community is investigated, noting the diurnal activity pattern of zebra duiker and the nocturnal activity of Jentink's duiker, in contrast to previous studies. Both species preferred lower altitude primary forest. Ogilby's duiker was the only antelope that showed a preference for higher altitude forest and was found to be more common than the similar‐sized black duiker and bay duiker. Sapo National Park faces many threats including habitat degradation, poaching for bushmeat and animal parts, and illicit gold mining. Commercial logging and agriculture in the buffer and surrounding forested areas threatens connectivity and increases human–wildlife conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large carnivores are in decline globally. The leopard's (Panthera pardus) adaptability enabled its survival as the last remaining apex predator in the Western Cape, South Africa. Limited suitable habitat and anthropogenic activity imperil the continued survival of leopards, yet density estimates are lacking in the Western Cape, especially across unprotected areas. We employ the flexible modelling environment of Just Another Gibbs Sampler (JAGS) to implement a Bayesian spatial capture–recapture (SCR) model and generate the first density estimate for the leopard population in the Boland Mountain Complex using a dataset collected in 2010–2011. Leopard density was estimated at 1.69/100 km2 (95% CI = 1.4–1.99) with adult female leopards occurring at a higher density (0.93/100 km2 [95% CI = 0.64–1.18]) than males (0.76/100 km2 [95% CI = 0.62–0.90]). Our modelling shows that males have more extensive ranges than females, increasing their susceptibility to anthropogenic threats, which are generally more abundant at the study area's periphery. Tailored conservation efforts are recommended in conjunction with an up‐to‐date leopard population density reassessment. The JAGS approach to SCR also enabled a detailed investigation of animal distribution and movement, and provides a reliable methodology to monitor population trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), used for the treatment of solid and hematologic malignancies, come with the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Opportunistic infections (e.g., cytomegalovirus [CMV]) mimic irAE symptoms and are understudied in this population. We aimed to describe the incidence, characteristics, treatment and outcomes of CMV infection in ICI-treated patients. Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective review of all adult patients who were CMVpositive after ICI therapy between 06/2011 and 05/2020. A CMV-positive non-ICI cohort was matched to the ICI group based on age, sex and cancer type. Variables of interest were collected through electronic medical records. Results The study population comprised 192 patients overall. CMV infection incidence was 7.7% in ICI patients and 12.9% in non-ICI patients (P<0.001). Rates of infection clearance (83% vs. 50%, P=0.002) and recurrence (20% vs. 3%, P=0.037) were higher in ICI patients with hematologic vs. solid tumors, despite similar treatments. All-cause mortality was higher in solid rather than hematologic malignancies in ICI patients (83% vs. 54%, P=0.009); CMV-related mortality was low (3-4%) in both groups. Conclusions CMV infection occurred in about 7.7% of the ICI-treated cancer population. The infection can be disseminated in multiple organs and has a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms. ICI-treated patients with a hematologic malignancy had higher viral clearance and recurrence than those with solid tumors. In this study, CMV itself did not lead to high mortality in cancer patients. Further study is needed to investigate the role of CMV infection in patients' irAEs and cancer outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are known to cause immune-related adverse events (irAE) with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract among the most affected. Our knowledge of GI irAE in patients with luminal GI malignancies is poor. We aimed to characterize the incidence, clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of these GI irAEs. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients with malignancies involving the luminal GI tract and GI irAEs at MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 2010 to June 2020. Clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results Eighteen patients with luminal GI tract malignancies treated with ICIs had evidence of GI irAEs based on clinical symptoms and/or histology. The predominant GI irAE symptom was diarrhea (78%). Ten had non-ulcerative inflammation (56%) and 5 had ulcerative inflammation (28%) on endoscopy. Histologically, 3 patients (17%) had evidence of acute inflammation, 4 (22%) had chronic inflammation, and 9 (50%) had both. Ten patients (56%) received immunosuppressant treatment, which included steroids alone (n=2, 20%), steroids with biologics (infliximab or vedolizumab) (n=7, 70%), or biologics alone (n=1, 10%), with clinical remission in all cases. Of the 6 patients who previously had stable or ICI-responsive cancer and received immunosuppressants, none developed progression of GI luminal malignancy during the study period. Conclusions GI irAEs occurred in 2.4% of patients treated with ICI for cancer involving the luminal GI tract. Immunosuppressant therapies (e.g., vedolizumab) appear to be effective for GI irAEs, showing no association with further GI luminal cancer progression, recurrence, or a subsequent poor response to ICI therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ranger‐led law enforcement patrols are the primary, site‐level response to – and the most common source of data on – illegal activity threatening wildlife in protected areas. Yet evidence that patrols effectively deter rule‐breaking is limited, and common management metrics for evaluating deterrence, which use ranger‐collected data, are particularly vulnerable to bias. "Differenced plots" (of the association between change in patrol effort and subsequent change in illegal activity) were recently proposed as a simple, new metric for deterrence, which, in tests with simulated patrol data, were more robust than the common alternatives. Here, we trial application of differenced plots to real patrol data collected in four protected areas, and explore methods for applying the metric in practice, using two indicators of rule‐breaking: snares, and people. We find evidence which is consistent with deterrence in some but not all sites, over shorter timescales than observed hitherto: increases in patrol effort were associated with subsequent reductions in snaring in one site, and in the presence of people in two sites. However, whether pressure on wildlife had been reduced or merely displaced was unclear from differenced plots, nor could the metric confirm absence of deterrence, raising questions for future applications. Our findings suggest differenced plots can be a useful metric, particularly for exploring variation in deterrence within sites, but should be applied and interpreted with care, and further work is urgently needed to determine whether and how patrols deter illegal activity, and to evaluate the effect reliably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, but are associated with immune-mediated diarrhea and colitis (IMDC). Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) can cause infectious diarrhea with overlapping symptoms. Thus, we sought to elucidate the characteristics of CDI in patients treated with ICI, in the context of IMDC. Methods We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of adult cancer patients (N=421) with ICI exposure from 2015-2020 and a positive stool nucleic acid amplification test and/or enzyme immunoassay for CDI. Baseline characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were compared between patients with and without concurrent IMDC. Results Forty-one eligible patients were included, 27 with concurrent IMDC and 14 without. Twenty-seven patients were taking programmed death-1 or its ligand inhibitors and 14 were taking cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 inhibitors. Patients with concurrent CDI and IMDC had a longer symptom duration (20 vs. 5 days, P=0.003) and a higher rate of grade 3-4 diarrhea (41% vs. 7%, P=0.033). Among patients with concurrent IMDC, preceding antibiotics (P=0.050) and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) (P=0.038) were used more frequently among individuals who developed CDI after immunosuppressant exposure. Thirty-eight patients received antibiotics for CDI, while 5 required fecal microbiota transplantation for concurrent CDI & IMDC. Conclusions CDI is common in ICI-treated cancer patients, especially those with IMDC requiring immunosuppressants. Antibiotics did not alter the need for immunosuppressants in those with concurrent IMDC. Use of PPI and antibiotics while receiving immunosuppressants for IMDC was associated with a greater risk of CDI. Further large-scale studies are warranted to clarify the role of CDI, antibiotics and immunosuppression treatment in IMDC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive mesopredators are responsible for the decline of many species of native mammals worldwide. Feral cats have been causally linked to multiple extinctions of Australian mammals since European colonization. While feral cats are found throughout Australia, most research has been undertaken in arid habitats, thus there is a limited understanding of feral cat distribution, abundance, and ecology in Australian tropical rainforests. We carried out camera‐trapping surveys at 108 locations across seven study sites, spanning 200 km in the Australian Wet Tropics. Single‐species occupancy analysis was implemented to investigate how environmental factors influence feral cat distribution. Feral cats were detected at a rate of 5.09 photographs/100 days, 11 times higher than previously recorded in the Australian Wet Tropics. The main environmental factors influencing feral cat occupancy were a positive association with terrain ruggedness, a negative association with elevation, and a higher affinity for rainforest than eucalypt forest. These findings were consistent with other studies on feral cat ecology but differed from similar surveys in Australia. Increasingly harsh and consistently wet weather conditions at higher elevations, and improved shelter in topographically complex habitats may drive cat preference for lowland rainforest. Feral cats were positively associated with roads, supporting the theory that roads facilitate access and colonization of feral cats within more remote parts of the rainforest. Higher elevation rainforests with no roads could act as refugia for native prey species within the critical weight range. Regular monitoring of existing roads should be implemented to monitor feral cats, and new linear infrastructure should be limited to prevent encroachment into these areas. This is pertinent as climate change modeling suggests that habitats at higher elevations will become similar to lower elevations, potentially making the environment more suitable for feral cat populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sympatric carnivores compete for similar resources which may lead to dominant species influencing the ecology of subordinate ones. However, carnivores often make use of coevolutionary strategies which enable them to minimise competition with dominant competitors and thus facilitate coexistence. We used camera trapping and scat analysis to investigate the potential competition between leopards (Panthera pardus) and caracals (Caracal caracal) along spatial, temporal and dietary axes to determine the mechanisms of their coexistence in the Cederberg, South Africa. Our results showed that both carnivores co‐occurred at 39.73% of camera trapping sites, but spatial overlap based on Pianka's index was relatively low. We found a high overlap in daily activity patterns between these carnivore species both during winter and summer. Leopards and caracals exhibited fine‐scale behavioural avoidance of one another, with time‐to‐encounters between interspecific competitors being significantly larger compared to intraspecific competitors. The two carnivores had a relatively high diet overlap, although this was largely due to one prey species, namely rock hyrax (Procavia capensis), which appears to be an important shared prey item. However, we did find evidence of dietary niche segregation, as leopards consumed larger prey compared to caracals. Our study suggests that carnivore coexistence in the Cederberg is facilitated by a combination of population‐level partitioning in space‐use and dietary habits, as well as fine‐scale behavioural avoidance at the individual level to reduce interference competition. This study provides insights into the competition and coexistence mechanisms between sympatric carnivores and broadens our understanding of these ecological processes in carnivore guild systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, leopards are the most widespread large felid. However, mounting anthropogenic threats are rapidly reducing viable leopard populations and their range. Despite the clear pressures facing this species, there is a dearth of robust and reliable population and density estimates for leopards across their range, which is particularly important in landscapes that consist of protected and non-protected areas. We conducted a camera trapping survey between 2017 and 2018 in the Western Cape, South Africa to estimate the occupancy, density, and population size of a leopard population. Leopards were recorded at 95% of camera trapping sites, which resulted in a high occupancy that showed no significant variation between seasons, habitat types, or along an altitudinal gradient. Our results indicated a low leopard density in the study area, with an estimated 1.53 leopards/100 km2 in summer and 1.62 leopards/100 km2 in winter. Mean leopard population size was therefore estimated at 107 and 113 individuals in the winter and summer respectively. Leopard activity centres for female ranges were centred in the core study area and could be predicted with good certainty, while males appeared to move out of the study area during winter which resulted in a higher uncertainty in locations of activity centres. Interestingly, livestock depredation events in the surrounding farmlands were significantly higher in winter, which coincides with male leopards moving outside the core protected area into the surrounding farmlands. To reduce livestock losses and retaliatory leopard killings, we suggest that human-carnivore conflict mitigation measures be intensely monitored during the winter months in the study area. We also suggest that future leopard conservation efforts should focus on privately-owned land as these non-protected areas contain the majority of the remaining suitable leopard habitat and may provide important dispersal corridors and buffer zones on which the long-term sustainability of leopard populations depends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional transect survey methods for forest antelopes often underestimate density for common species and do not provide sufficient data for rarer species. The use of camera trapping as a survey tool for medium and large terrestrial mammals has become increasingly common, especially in forest habitats. Here, we applied the distance sampling method to images generated from camera-trap surveys in Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, and used an estimate of the proportion of time animals are active to correct for negative bias in the density estimates from the 24-hour camera-trap survey datasets. We also used multiple covariate distance sampling with body weight as a covariate to estimate detection probabilities and densities of rarer species. These methods provide an effective tool for monitoring the status of individual species or a community of forest antelope species, information urgently needed for conservation planning and action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) and western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) populations are rapidly declining due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease epidemics. We estimate the abundance and distribution of both species in the 5,260-km² Dja Faunal Reserve, a World Heritage Site in Cameroon. We compare with previous site estimates and with other great ape population estimates from the region. We also document illegal activities in the reserve. A total of 298.2 km of line transects (283) were completed using the standing-crop nest counts method, with a further 1,681.4 km of recces recording human signs. We estimated a chimpanzee nest mean decay rate of 95.4 days (SE = 4.45) and a combined great ape nest mean decay rate of 96.6 days (SE = 2.87). Gorilla population estimates of 0.38 (95% CI = 0.28-0.53) individuals/km² and 2,004 (95% CI = 1,447-2,774) individuals confirmed a significant decline since the 1995 survey in the north-central part of the reserve (a 57% decline for the area) and the reserve-wide survey in 2015 (a 70% decline). The population was also much lower than in most other protected areas in the region. The chimpanzee population with an estimated 0.53 (95% CI = 0.38-0.73) individuals/km² and 2,785 (95% CI = 2,020-3,839) individuals also revealed a marked decline of 34% and 23% compared to the 1995 and 2015 surveys, respectively. Human activity occurred throughout, with the highest levels encountered in the northwest of the reserve. Occupancy estimates from four 40 camera-trap grid surveys showed great apes persisting mainly in the north-eastern part of the reserve where Cameroon's Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) is considering a community support partnership agreement on sustainable access to forest resources, along with community surveillance networks. The reserve management is also increasing law-enforcement patrols across the reserve. Our findings also inform conservation strategies for great apes across the TRIDOM landscape across Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Attacks on humans by Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is an extreme form of human–elephant conflict. It is a serious issue in southern lowland Nepal where elephant‐related human fatalities are higher than other wildlife. Detailed understanding of elephant attacks on humans in Nepal is still lacking, hindering to devising appropriate strategies for human–elephant conflict mitigation. This study documented spatiotemporal pattern of elephant attacks on humans, factors associated with the attacks, and human/elephant behavior contributing to deaths of victims when attacked. We compiled all the documented incidences of elephant attacks on humans in Nepal for last 20 years across Terai and Chure region of Nepal. We also visited and interviewed 412 victim families (274 fatalities and 138 injuries) on elephant attacks. Majority of the victims were males (87.86%) and had low level of education. One fourth of the elephant attacks occurred while chasing the elephants. Solitary bulls or group of subadult males were involved in most of the attack. We found higher number of attacks outside the protected area. People who were drunk and chasing elephants using firecrackers were more vulnerable to the fatalities. In contrast, chasing elephants using fire was negatively associated with the fatalities. Elephant attacks were concentrated in proximity of forests primarily affecting the socioeconomically marginalized communities. Integrated settlement, safe housing for marginalized community, and community grain house in the settlement should be promoted to reduce the confrontation between elephants and humans in entire landscape for their long‐term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibro-inflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs. Autoimmune pancreatitis type 1 is a manifestation of IgG4-RD and can often mimic tumor-like masses. Autoimmune phenomena following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination are being increasingly reported. Currently, there are no cases in which IgG4-RD involving the hepatobiliary system has been reported following the COVID-19 vaccination. We present the first case of IgG4-RD and AIP type 1 to be associated with the mRNAbased COVID-19 vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Threatened Taxa is the property of Wildlife Information Liaison Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The sand cat is one of the world's least studied small cats. Our camera-trap survey, one of the largest undertaken in a desert system, generated over 1500 images of the species across 100 camera-traps distributed systematically over the 2400 km2 core area of the Uruq Bani Ma'arid Protected Area of the Empty Quarter, Saudi Arabia. The study revealed a much more significant and widespread sand cat population in the ecosystem than previously understood. Sand cats were detected across one-third of the core area in all major habitats, comprising escarpment plateau, sand dunes and interdunal gravel valleys. The species showed a marginal preference for the interior parallel dune system with interspersed gravel valleys where they also preferred sand dunes over the gravel valley in the hot season. There was no evidence of strong spatial interactions with other predators. The ecosystem's larger predators (Arabian red fox and honey badger, and all records of wild and feral cats) were primarily associated with the escarpment plateau. The smaller Rueppell's fox was the only other carnivore more consistently present in the main dune system. Sand cats were strictly nocturnal and 14% more active in the hot season than the cool season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endangered golden‐rumped sengi are found only in Arabuko‐Sokoke Forest with 395.4 km2 of forest habitat, and perhaps in a few isolated forest and thicket fragments of total area less than 30 km2 all within central coastal Kenya. Understanding its habitat use is an important requirement to develop better conservation measures for the species and its remaining forest habitat. A more reliable method for monitoring its status is also needed. We used the Bayesian occupancy modelling with camera trap data and habitat mapping to characterise the species habitat use in the Arabuko‐Sokoke Forest. The species uses 328 km2 (95% CI: 289–364 km2) of Arabuko‐Sokoke Forest habitat, and its site use increases with distance from forest edge, with the highest site use in the Cynometra thicket (0.93; 95% CI: 0.82–1). Its use of the mixed forest habitat has been significantly reduced following years of logging of Afzelia quanzensis. We recommend the use of modelled occupancy, interpreted as the proportion of area used by the species, to monitor the species status. Occupancy models account for detection probability, and heterogeneity in site use and detection can be incorporated. Estimated territory sizes can be combined to obtain abundance estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The White-throated Bushchat, also known as Hodgson's Bushchat, is a long-distance migratory and specialist grassland bird categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. In Nepal, White-throated Bushchat winters in the lowlands, and has been primarily recorded in large Phantas (=open plains of grassland). We present the population status of the species in Shukla Phanta, the largest continuous lowland grassland in Nepal that is known to hold the largest wintering population of White-throated Bushchat in the Indian subcontinent. Our 2013-2014, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 winter surveys for White-throated Bushchat followed the same method used in the 1997-1998 and 2007 surveys in Shukla Phanta for comparable assessment of the status of the species. Our study provided overwhelming evidence that the species has undergone a steep decline over the last two decades (probability of 92% for a decline greater than 5% per year). Shukla Phanta is dominated by the species' preferred habitat of Imperata cylindrica, Narenga porphyrocoma, and Saccharum bengalensis. Grassland patches managed through controlled burning leaving enough reeds for perches, grazed at medium level of intensity by wildlife and within close distance to water were found to support higher numbers of White-throated Bushchat. Given the observed steep decline in the largest known wintering population of the species and similar declines observed in the wintering populations in India, its status warrants uplisting to Critically Endangered, and we recommend an urgent review of its global status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to review and analyze the nature of industry payments to gastroenterology and hepatology (GI) physicians. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of open payments (OP) data for the year 2017. Payments to individual physicians were aggregated using a unique physician profile identification number. General payments to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regions were also analyzed. The nature of financial transactions in general payments was reported overall and per physician payment. Research, ownership, and general payments were aggregated and analyzed by drug/device companies. Results: During the study period, more GI physicians received contributions in the form of general payments compared to ownership or research payments. A small percentage of physicians received contributions greater than $100 000. The most frequent contributions were for food and beverages. Only 10 manufacturers made about 71% ($43 271 938) of general payments. Conclusions: We found that only a small number of GI physicians received a significant portion of industry payments. A large portion of those payments came from drug or device companies. The impact of these payments on gastroenterologists needs to be examined further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bengal Florican is one ofthe rarest bustard species and is listed 'Critically Endangered' by the IUCN. The species is restricted to the lowland grasslands of India, Nepal, and Cambodia with fewer than 1,000 mature individuals. To assess the species status in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal, we repeated our first comprehensive survey conducted during the 2012 breeding season. In spite of a larger area coverage we recorded only 41 adult Bengal Floricans in 2017 compared to 47 individuals in 2012. Detectability of this rare species is low in its Imperata-Saccharum grasslands. We, therefore, used a long pole with black and white clothing to mimic Bengal Florican's display flight to stimulate male Bengal Florican. The number of adult males recorded was the same as in the 2012 survey and the adult male density remains one ofthe highest in the Indian subcontinent. Management recommendations for the long-term conservation ofthe species in Koshi Tappu include maintenance of Imperata-Saccharum grasslands in the reserve favoured by the Bengal Florican and working with farmers and communities adjacent to the reserve where the birds breed in order to maintain some agricultural lands with vegetation height suitable for the species especially during the species' breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Improving technology and increasing affordability mean that camera trapping—the use of remotely triggered cameras to photograph wildlife—is becoming an increasingly common tool in the monitoring and conservation of wild populations. Each camera trap study generates a vast amount of data, which need to be processed and labeled before analysis. Traditionally, processing camera trap data has been performed manually by entering data into a spreadsheet. This is time‐consuming, prone to human error, and data management may be inconsistent between projects, hindering collaboration. Recently, several programs have become available to facilitate and quicken data processing. Here, we review available software and assess their ability to better standardize camera trap data management and facilitate data sharing and collaboration. To identify available software for camera trap data management, we used internet searches and contacted researchers and practitioners working on large camera trap projects, as well as software developers. We tested all available programs against a range of software characteristics in addition to their ability to record a suite of important data variables extracted from images. We identified and reviewed 12 available programs for the management of camera trap data. These ranged from simple software assisting with the extraction of metadata from an image, through to comprehensive programs that facilitate data entry and analysis. Many of the programs tested were developed for use on specific studies and so do not cover all possible software or data collection requirements that different projects may have. We highlight the importance of a standardized software solution for camera trap data management. This approach would allow all possible data to be collected, enabling researchers to share data and contribute to other studies, as well as facilitating multi‐project comparisons. By standardizing camera trap data collection and management in this way, future studies would be better placed to guide conservation policy on a global level. The use of camera traps in ecology and conservation is increasingly common, and studies using camera traps can generate masses of data. These data are often handled and stored differently, hindering comparison and collaboration. We reviewed 12 camera trap data management programs and advise that that a universal approach to managing, storing, and analzsing camera trap data will facilitate collaborations and the sharing of data and will be beneficial to global conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fishing Cat is a highly specialized and threatened felid, and its status is poorly known in the Terai region of Nepal. Systematic camera-trap surveys, comprising 868 camera-trap days in four survey blocks of 40km2 in Rapti, Reu and Narayani river floodplains of Chitwan National Park, were used to determine the distribution and habitat characteristics of this species. A total of 19 photographs of five individual cats were recorded at three locations in six independent events. Eleven camera-trap records obtained during surveys in 2010, 2012 and 2013 were used to map the species distribution inside Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone. Habitat characteristics were described at six locations where cats were photographed. The majority of records were obtained in tall grassland surrounding oxbow lakes and riverbanks. Wetland shrinkage, prey (fish) depletion in natural wetlands and persecution threaten species persistence. Wetland restoration, reducing human pressure and increasing fish densities in the wetlands, provision of compensation for loss from Fishing Cats and awareness programs should be conducted to ensure their survival. We also recommend studying genetic diversity of sub-populations, as well as habitat use by radio-tagging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]