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This article examines the ungulate exploitation strategies of hunter-gatherer groups at Perito Moreno National Park (Santa Cruz Province, Argentina). In this ecotonal zone, guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) have been the main prey from the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene transition. The faunal assemblage analyzed correspond to a mid-Holocene midden (ca. 5000 years BP) from Cerro Casa de Piedra 7. The results point out that guanaco was the dominant prey, with a complementary contribution from huemul. The variety of anatomical parts and the diversity and frequency of butchery marks indicated an intensive exploitation of these resources. The exploitation of guanaco would have been focused mainly on family groups, with a dominance of prime-aged adults. The demographic increase in guanaco populations that occurred during the Middle Holocene, as indicated by molecular research in Patagonia, would have allowed this prey selection without negative ecological consequences. Meanwhile, huemul remains did not register a predatory selection based on age or sex. Ungulate ethology and demography offer a significant key to understanding the differences in the hunting strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the subpopulations of guanacos (Lama guanicoe), some are in critical danger of extinction. This is the case of the Chaqueñan guanaco, which inhabited large areas of this great ecoregion until the beginning of the 20th century. Based on the information that located the species in the Salinas Grandes of central Argentina, a transdisciplinary study was conducted. After seven years of field studies, the recent history of this population was characterized, and its population size and area of distribution were estimated. Currently, the number of guanacos that persists is less than 80 individuals, being restricted to the peri-saline and surrounding areas of a large cattle ranch that prohibits hunting, the main anthropic impact that reduced this population in the recent past. Although there are encouraging aspects for its conservation, such as the recent creation of the Traslasierra National Park, it is necessary to deepen management measures to increase the size and distribution of the Chaco guanaco, as well as generate actions that allow revaluing its existence as a biocultural resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sentence of the Superior Court of Justice of Extremadura, dated September 14, 2023, refers to an administrative appeal filed by an association of property owners against the Selective Action Program for Ungulates in the Monfragüe National Park 2022-2023. The association argues that the program violates the provisions of the Monfragüe Master Plan for Use and Management by allowing hunting actions on public estates but not on private estates, which they consider discrimination. The Extremadura Regional Government argues that hunting is prohibited in the Park and that control actions on private estates are only allowed exceptionally and under certain conditions. The sentence concludes that the appeal is dismissed and that control actions can be carried out on public estates, but they are not mandatory on private estates. [Extracted from the article]

Las infecciones parasitarias representan un problema emergente en ungulados silvestres, sin embargo, existen pocos estudios sobre las infecciones parasitarias en estos animales. Se realizo un estudio para conocer los géneros de parásitos gastrointestinales que infectan a ungulados silvestres de febrero a septiembre de 2021 en una Unidad de Manejo para la Conservación de la Vida Silvestre ubicada en la laguna de Tamiahua en la zona Norte de Veracruz, México. Se obtuvieron muestras fecales de nueve especies de ungulados de vida libre. Las muestras de excremento se analizaron mediante las pruebas de Flotación Centrifugada para conocer los géneros de parásitos que afectan a los ungulados. En el presente estudio se identificaron los géneros Giardia, Strongyloides y Eimeria. Se encontró que el 32% de ungulados silvestres estaban infectados con una o varios géneros de parásitos. Se concluye que los ungulados silvestres evaluados estaban parasitados con nematodos gastrointestinales y/o protozoos del orden Eucoccidiaria y del orden Diplomonadida.

Antlers are unique structures because they grow rapidly and are cast annually, representing an important energetic and mineral cost for deer. Variables related to the timing of antler growth, such as date of antler casting and length of growth period, therefore, should be affected by somatic resources and availability of food. We examined the effects of body and antler weight, age, and climatic variables, on antler casting date and the period of time antlers were grown as well as possible random effects of individual, year, cohort, and pedigree, based on 244 antlers in a population of 109 males of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus) over a 17-year study from 1999 to 2016. Body weight affected casting date, with heavier males casting antlers earlier than lighter males. Antlers also grew faster and were cast earlier among older males than young males. Antler weight influenced casting date and the duration of the growth period: males with heavier antlers cast them earlier and grow them faster than males with light antlers. Nevertheless, age and antler weight interacted; as such, older males grew their antlers slower and delay casting date because they produce heavier antlers, in contrast to younger males, where those with the heaviest antlers grow them faster and cast first. The date of the end of antler growth also influenced casting date, so that antlers that took the longest to develop were cast later than those that finished growing early. We conclude that older and heavier males cast their antlers earlier and grow them faster than younger and lighter males, likely to correlate the subsequent antler growth with the spring peak in plant nutrients, but that this early development is limited physiologically by the size of the antlers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal predation is a main problem in sheep production with an important impact on animal production. Factors such as the size of the herd, animals location, and decisions on livestock practices influence the probability of predator attacks. The aim was to determine the characteristic of the sheep farms and factors related with the sheep husbandry associated with the risk of predation, according to the perception of Uruguayan sheep farmers. A virtual structured survey with 30 closed questions was applied to 91 sheep farmers. The survey provided information about social aspects of farmers surveyed, farm characterization, management of the animals, the occurrance of attacks by predators and the predator species. More than 85% of the farmers reported predator attacks, but attacks were 8.3 times less when the farms had electric fences in all paddocks. The proportion of predation was greater in the northern region of the country, and lower when the paddock was visited more than once per day. In general, attacks from pampas foxes and free-ranging dogs had an inverse relationship. The principal predator species reported as responsible for sheep attacks were the southern caracaras, pampas foxes, free-ranging dogs and wild boars. We consider that there may be a probable spatial and temporal avoidance by the pampas fox when free-ranging dogs are present. The high impact of occurrence of predators' attacks indicates the need and the importance of collecting more information and developing management programs that can help to mitigate human-livestock predators conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The judgment of the High Court of Justice of Extremadura, dated May 31, 2023, refers to the contentious-administrative appeal filed by the "Friends of Monfragüe Association" against the Resolution of the Minister for Ecological Transition and Sustainability of the Government of Extremadura, which approves the Selective Action Program for Ungulates in the Monfragüe National Park 2022-2023. The plaintiff argues that the program lacks the environmental assessment report and that trap cages and management fences are not selective methods. However, the Court dismisses the appeal, considering that the impact report was favorable and that trap cages are allowed selective methods. In summary, the judgment confirms the validity of the program and rejects the arguments of the plaintiff. [Extracted from the article]