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Bats are becoming recognised as new model species to study naturally evolved mammalian extended healthspan and disease tolerance. However, this research is limited by the lack of bat specific cellular resources. Here we describe an optimised protocol to develop both primary and immortalised fibroblast cell-lines from wing biopsy punches from the Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus. We show that the immortalised cell lines and primary cells show similar characteristics in their proliferative capacity and response to oxidative stress. They also exhibited a similar response in their NF-κB immune response to TLR agonists including SARS-CoV2. As wing punches can be acquired non-lethally, these methods can be used to develop primary and immortalised cells, from potentially any bat species, including those of conservation concern that cannot be sacrificed. This can expand the scope of bat species that can be studied in the future, and the development of key cellular resources required to functionally validate the regulators of bats' unique longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals interact with their worlds using sensory information (sounds, smells, sights) that is perceived differently by each species. This sensory information and how it is interpreted underpins most behaviours, but especially foraging decisions. Creating sensory misinformation, that is uninformative or unrewarding cues, is a new approach with applications for managing wildlife and conserving threatened species across a range of global contexts. Here we discuss recent research that demonstrates the power of strategically deploying olfactory misinformation to reduce predation on birds by predators, consumption of vulnerable seedlings by herbivores, and seeds by rodents as well as how multimodal misinformation may work. Single and multimodal sensory tactics can alter foraging decisions by both herbivores and predators, with profound consequences for the survival of prey and plants. There remains much to understand regarding sensory perception and learning but results to date suggest there are enormous opportunities to harness innovative sensory tactics in the future to improve many conservation and wildlife management scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reviews the development and tests of an intermediate force capability (IFC) concept development hybrid wargame aimed at examining a maritime task force's ability to counter hybrid threats in the gray zone. IFCs offer a class of response between doing nothing and using lethal force in a situation that would be politically unpalatable. Thus, the aim of the wargame is to evaluate whether IFCs can make a difference to mission success against hybrid threats in the gray zone. This wargame series was particularly important because it used traditional game mechanics in a unique and innovative way to evaluate and assess IFCs. The results of the wargame demonstrated that IFCs have a high probability of filling the gap between doing nothing and using lethal force. The presence of IFCs provided engagement time and space for the maritime task force commander. It also identified that development of robust IFC capabilities, not only against personnel, but against systems (trucks, cars, UAVs, etc.), can also effectively counter undesirable adversarial behavior [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A narrative in ecology is that prey modify traits to reduce predation risk, and the trait modification has costs large enough to cause ensuing demographic, trophic and ecosystem consequences, with implications for conservation, management and agriculture. But ecology has a long history of emphasising that quantifying the importance of an ecological process ultimately requires evidence linking a process to unmanipulated field patterns. We suspected that such process-linked-to-pattern (PLP) studies were poorly represented in the predation risk literature, which conflicts with the confidence often given to the importance of risk effects. We reviewed 29 years of the ecological literature which revealed that there are well over 4000 articles on risk effects. Of those, 349 studies examined risk effects on prey fitness measures or abundance (i.e., non-consumptive effects) of which only 26 were PLP studies, while 275 studies examined effects on other interacting species (i.e., trait-mediated indirect effects) of which only 35 were PLP studies. PLP studies were narrowly focused taxonomically and included only three that examined unmanipulated patterns of prey abundance. Before concluding a widespread and influential role of predation-risk effects, more attention must be given to linking the process of risk effects to unmanipulated patterns observed across diverse ecosystems.

Effective management and conservation of threatened species biodiversity requires knowledge of reproductive biology, such as cyclicity, mode, and age at maturity. We combined reproductive endocrinology and in-situ ultrasonography to examine reproductive characteristics of female Caribbean reef sharks Carcharhinus perezi, a widely distributed, threatened marine predator which remains largely understudied throughout its range. Unique to this study was the opportunity to conduct longitudinal assessments of two individuals, recaptured across multiple seasons during sampling in The Bahamas. Within- individual, paired hormone analyses and in-situ ultrasounds of female sharks that were confirmed as either pregnant, non-pregnant, or reproductively active, suggest a biennial reproductive cycle for Carcharhinus perezi. This unique opportunity to assess the reproductive biology of the same individuals over time underscore the importance of repeated sampling for elucidating population reproductive cyclicity of highly mobile sharks in the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizen science approaches are promising for raising awareness about the sensitivity of pollinators to environmental changes and simultaneously gathering data about their biology. Questions remain, however, about citizens’ ability to gather accurate data. Here, we present a citizen science monitoring approach of cavity-nesting wild bees and wasps in agricultural landscapes across Germany. By using nesting observation blocks (NOBs), which consist of individual wooden boards screwed together, volunteers record the colonisation and development of cavity-nesting Hymenoptera. To do this, they open the NOBs monthly and photograph each board individually. We tested if volunteers can be trained to accurately identify taxa from photographs by offering identification courses and an online quiz. For that purpose, twelve volunteers without taxonomic knowledge identified and counted larvae and cocoons of wild bees and wasps in 4,203 occupied cavities: 92.4% were correctly identified, 4.8% were incorrectly identified, and 2.8% were unidentifiable by experts. These results indicated that volunteers unfamiliar with these taxonomic groups successfully gained a high level of knowledge within one season supported by identification trainings. Using Wald chi-square tests, successful identification was mainly affected by the variability of the taxon. In view of increasing public demand for habitat restoration to halt and counteract declining pollinator populations, the proposed citizen science monitoring approach offers an opportunity for every interested citizen, regardless of their background knowledge, to engage with wild bees and wasps, and gain knowledge about their ecology.

Effective management and conservation of threatened species biodiversity requires knowledge of reproductive biology, such as cyclicity, mode, and age at maturity. We combined reproductive endocrinology and in-situ ultrasonography to examine reproductive characteristics of female Caribbean reef sharks Carcharhinus perezi, a widely distributed, threatened marine predator which remains largely understudied throughout its range. Unique to this study was the opportunity to conduct longitudinal assessments of two individuals, recaptured across multiple seasons during sampling in The Bahamas. Within-individual, paired hormone analyses and in-situ ultrasounds of female sharks that were confirmed as either pregnant, non-pregnant, or reproductively active, suggest a biennial reproductive cycle for Carcharhinus perezi. This unique opportunity to assess the reproductive biology of the same individuals over time underscore the importance of repeated sampling for elucidating population reproductive cyclicity of highly mobile sharks in the wild.

Abstract African swine fever (ASF) is an important viral disease of swine caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), which threatens swine production profoundly. To better understand the gene expression changes when pig infected with ASFV, RNA sequencing was performed to characterize differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of six tissues from Kenya domestic pigs and Landrace × Yorkshire (L/Y) pigs infected with ASFV Kenya1033 in vivo. As results, a total of 209, 522, 34, 505, 634 and 138 DEGs (q-value < 0.05 and |Log2foldchange| values >2) were detected in the kidney, liver, mesenteric lymph node, peripheral blood mononuclear cell, submandibular lymph node and spleen, respectively. The expression profiles of DEGs shared in the multiple tissues illustrated variation in regulation function in the different tissues. Functional annotation analysis and interaction of proteins encoded by DEGs revealed that genes including IFIT1, IFITM1, MX1, OASL, ISG15, SAMHD1, IFINA1, S100A12 and S100A8 enriched in the immune and antivirus pathways were significantly changed when the hosts were infected with ASFV. The genes mentioned could play crucial roles in the process of the reaction to non-lethal ASF infection, which may will help to improve the ASF tolerance in the pig population through molecular breeding strategies.

Context: Collisions between birds and aircraft (bird strikes) are a serious threat to aviation safety and these negative human–wildlife interactions are predicted to increase. As the wider spatial use of landscapes by birds can affect aviation safety (e.g. location of foraging and roosting sites), there is a clear need to implement effective management strategies at sites adjacent to airfields to reduce ingress of avian taxa across airfield boundaries. Aims: In the present study, we assessed the efficacy of both an acoustic deterrent (sonic net) and a visual simulated predator effigy, in the form of a fox-shaped model, to disturb and reduce bird accumulations on: (1) agricultural foraging sites; (2) an active airfield; and (3) problematic roof-top roosts. Methods: These non-lethal scare technologies were assessed separately and in combination by using a factorial design. Bird abundances, species richness and behavioural changes were considered. Key results: Although the scare technologies did not reduce bird species richness at treated sites, in most cases, a significant reduction in bird abundances was observed. Equally, the number of birds observed to forage or roost was also generally significantly reduced, as was time spent by birds within treated sites. However, the effects of treatments were not universally across species. For example, a reduction in the abundance of gulls tended to be paired with an increase in the number of corvids for foraging sites. Nevertheless, the combined application of the sonic net and fox effigy caused a considerable reduction in foraging bird numbers, whereas singular treatment types appear to work best for roof-top roosts. Data also indicate that the sonic-net technology can be used to deter night-time roosting on an active airfield. Conclusions: When taken together, treatments resulted in substantial and often significant reductions in bird abundance, foraging and roosting activity, as well as site residency time. However, treatment efficacy tended to be context and taxon specific. Implications: Sonic net and mobile simulated predator effigies represent promising experimental scare technologies. Following further testing, the integration of these technologies into bird management interventions could yield substantial risk reductions for bird strikes, as well as improved non-lethal management of problematic roosting and nesting sites. Collisions between birds and aircraft are a serious threat to aviation safety. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an acoustic deterrent (sonic net) and simulated predator disturbance (fox effigy) to reduce bird accumulations near and on airfields, and showed that bird abundances can be reduced at problematic foraging and roosting sites. The examined technology can complement other non-lethal control methods to improve airfield wildlife management. Photograph by Jeremy Nicholson. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bean bag guns are considered non-lethal weapons used by law enforcement. There are emerging reports in the medical literature on management of penetrating, intrathoracic injuries and none were found that involve potential cardiac complications. We present a case of a penetrating bean bag involving the pericardium. A young, adult man was shot in the left axillary region by law enforcement and presented hemodynamically stable. Computed Tomography (CT) demonstrated a bean bag anterolateral to the pericardium, associated with a small pulmonary contusion and hemopneumothorax. He underwent a left tube thoracostomy and sub-xiphoid pericardial window with cardiopulmonary bypass on standby. The diagnostic pericardial window showed no pericardial effusion and the foreign body extraction was successfully performed through the subxiphoid incision via Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery. There were no intra-operative or post-operative complications.

In order to maximize the lethality and reversibility of the non-lethal laser weapons (NLLW) at the same time and thus provide a theoretical basis for the R&D of laser weapons in the future, this paper accurately analyzed the limiting biological dose of irreversible damage to human skin caused by the NLLW. Firstly, based on the burn theory in medicine and the actual tactical background, this paper redefines the evaluation criteria of the limiting laser dose of NLLW to the human body. Secondly, on the basis of anatomical knowledge, a 5-layer finite element model (FEM) of superficial skin is proposed, constructed and verified, which can accurately describe the limiting reversible damage. Based on the optimized Pennes bioheat transfer equation, the diffusion approximation theory, the modified Beer-Lambert law, the Arrhenius equation, and combined with dynamic thermophysical parameters, this paper highly restored the temperature distribution and accurately solved the necrotic tissue distribution inside the human skin irradiated by 1064 nm laser. Finally, it is concluded that the maximum human dose of the 1064 nm NLLW is 8.93 J/cm2, 8.29J/cm2, and 8.17 J/cm2 when the light spots are 5 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm, respectively, and the corresponding output power of the weapon is 46.74 W,173.72 W and 384.77 W. Simultaneously, the temperature and damage distribution in the tissue at the time of ultimate damage are discussed from the axial and radial dimensions, respectively. The conclusions and analysis methods proposed in this paper are of great guiding significance for future research in military, medical and many other related fields.

Conservation scientists are increasingly recognizing the need to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve human–wildlife coexistence across different contexts. Here we assessed the long-term efficacy of the Long Shields Community Guardians programme in Zimbabwe. This community-based programme seeks to protect livestock and prevent depredation by lions Panthera leo through non-lethal means, with the ultimate aim of promoting human–lion coexistence. Using a quasi-experimental approach, we measured temporal trends in livestock depredation by lions and the prevalence of retaliatory killing of lions by farmers and wildlife managers. Farmers that were part of the Long Shields programme experienced a significant reduction in livestock loss to lions, and the annual number of lions subject to retaliatory killing by farmers dropped by 41% since the start of the programme in 2013, compared to 2008–2012, before the programme was initiated. Our findings demonstrate the Long Shields programme can be a potential model for limiting livestock depredation by lions. More broadly, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of community-based interventions to engage community members, improve livestock protection and ameliorate levels of retaliatory killing, thereby reducing human–lion conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is global acknowledgment that humane methods in animal research are a priority, but few environmental effects monitoring programs use nonlethal methods for fish. The goal of the present study was to determine the impacts of sampling small volumes of blood in larger-bodied fish on survival and healing. In addition to evaluating survival following blood sampling, we evaluated the utility of dried blood spots as an alternative for sample processing and storage in the field. In our approach, we housed 80 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in our flow-through aquatic facility. We then anaesthetized using MS-222 and sampled 1 μl/g bw of blood via puncture of the caudal vasculature. We tested four different post-blood sampling treatments on the puncture wound: 1. application of liquid bandage; 2. a swab of betadine; 3. a swab of fish mucous; and 4. compared survival outcomes to a group where no post-treatment was performed (negative control). Overall, we observed 90% survival among all treatments, with the most effective approach being the negative control (100% survival). Based upon these results, we repeated the blood sampling with no-post treatment by housing 20 rainbow trout (not previously tested upon) in cages at a nearby creek and monitored survival for 2 weeks post sampling. The survival rate was 95% with full healing of the puncture site in all subjects. In addition to this, we tested the efficacy of dry blood spotting on proteomic, lipidomic and amino acid analysis as an alternative method for blood sample processing and storage. It was found that dried plasma spotting using parafilm in conjunction with a modified Bligh-Dyer extraction offered the best balance for good recovery of protein, lipid and amino acids relative to wet plasma and Noviplex dried plasma spot cards. In this article, we will present the detailed results of these combined studies and describe what we have determined to be the safest non-lethal blood sampling protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Regulatory T cells are known to play a key role to counter balance the protective immune response and immune mediated pathology. However, the role of naturally occurring regulatory cells CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ in malaria infection during the disease pathogenesis is controversial. Beside this, ICOS molecule has been shown to be involved in the development and function of regulatory T cell enhance IL-10 production. Therefore, possible involvement of the ICOS dependent regulatory CD4+ICOS+Foxp3+ T cells in resistance/susceptibility during malaria parasite is explored in this study. Methods: 5 × 105 red blood cells infected with non-lethal and lethal parasites were inoculated in female Balb/c mice by intra-peritoneal injection. Infected or uninfected mice were sacrificed at early (3rd day post infection) and later stage (10th day post infection) of infection. Harvested cells were analysed by using flow cytometer and serum cytokine by Bioplex assay. Results: Thin blood films show that percentages of parasitaemia increases with disease progression in infections with the lethal malaria parasite and mice eventually die by day 14th post-infection. Whereas in case of non-lethal malaria parasite, parasitaemia goes down by 7th day post infection and gets cleared within 13th day. The number of CD4+ ICOS+ T cells increases in lethal infection with disease progression. Surprisingly, in non-lethal parasite, ICOS expression decreases after day 7th post infection as parasitaemia goes down. The frequency of CD4+ICOS+FoxP3+ Tregs was significantly higher in lethal parasitic infection as compared to the non-lethal parasite. The level of IL-12 cytokine was remarkably higher in non-lethal infection compared to the lethal infection. In contrast, the level of IL-10 cytokines was higher in lethal parasite infection compared to the non-lethal parasite. Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that lethal parasite induce immunosuppressive environment, protecting from host immune responses and help the parasite to survive whereas non-lethal parasite leads to low frequencies of Treg cells seldom impede immune response that allow the parasite to get self-resolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is global acknowledgment that humane methods in animal research are a priority, but few environmental effects monitoring programs use nonlethal methods for fish. The goal of the present study was to determine the impacts of sampling small volumes of blood in larger-bodied fish on survival and healing. In addition to evaluating survival following blood sampling, we evaluated the utility of dried blood spots as an alternative for sample processing and storage in the field. In our approach, we housed 80 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in our flow-through aquatic facility. We then anaesthetized using MS-222 and sampled 1 μl/g bw of blood via puncture of the caudal vasculature. We tested four different post-blood sampling treatments on the puncture wound: 1. application of liquid bandage; 2. a swab of betadine; 3. a swab of fish mucous; and 4. compared survival outcomes to a group where no post-treatment was performed (negative control). Overall, we observed 90% survival among all treatments, with the most effective approach being the negative control (100% survival). Based upon these results, we repeated the blood sampling with no-post treatment by housing 20 rainbow trout (not previously tested upon) in cages at a nearby creek and monitored survival for 2 weeks post sampling. The survival rate was 95% with full healing of the puncture site in all subjects. In addition to this, we tested the efficacy of dry blood spotting on proteomic, lipidomic and amino acid analysis as an alternative method for blood sample processing and storage. It was found that dried plasma spotting using parafilm in conjunction with a modified Bligh-Dyer extraction offered the best balance for good recovery of protein, lipid and amino acids relative to wet plasma and Noviplex dried plasma spot cards. In this article, we will present the detailed results of these combined studies and describe what we have determined to be the safest non-lethal blood sampling protocol.

Where wild carnivores such as the Australian dingo interact with and impact on livestock enterprises, lethal control and landscape-scale exclusion are commonly employed. However, interest in alternative non-lethal management approaches has recently increased. This is evidenced by several reviews of non-lethal methods that can be said to be working toward improved coexistence. Nevertheless, and despite centuries of conflict, our non-lethal human-wildlife coexistence toolkit remains remarkably deficient. Innovation and evaluation of non-lethal methods should be prioritised to ensure that the economic, ecological, cultural and intrinsic values of dingoes are retained, while minimising the economic and emotional costs of conflict with livestock producers. In this paper we summarise some of the practical tools that might be effective in relation to the dingo, particularly those yet to be formally investigated, and discuss some of the possible hurdles to implementation. We conclude by suggesting pathways for human-dingo coexistence, and the steps necessary for appropriately evaluating non-lethal tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) are well established as biomarkers of several diseases in humans and have recently been used as indicators of environmental exposures in fish. However, the role of plasma miRNAs in regulating acute stress responses in fish is largely unknown. Tissue and plasma miRNAs have recently been associated with excreted miRNAs; however, external miRNAs have never been measured in fish. The objective of this study was to identify the altered plasma miRNAs in response to acute stress in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), as well as altered miRNAs in fish epidermal mucus and the surrounding ambient water. Small RNA was extracted and sequenced from plasma, mucus, and water collected from rainbow trout pre- and 1 h-post a 3-min air stressor. Following small RNA-Seq and pathway analysis, we identified differentially expressed plasma miRNAs that targeted biosynthetic, degradation, and metabolic pathways. We successfully isolated miRNA from trout mucus and the surrounding water and detected differences in miRNA expression 1-h post air stress. The expressed miRNA profiles in mucus and water were different from the altered plasma miRNA profile, which indicated that the plasma miRNA response was not associated with or immediately reflected in external samples, which was further validated through qPCR. This research expands understanding of the role of plasma miRNA in the acute stress response of fish and is the first report of successful isolation and profiling of miRNA from fish mucus or samples of ambient water. Measurements of miRNA from plasma, mucus, or water can be further studied and have potential to be applied as non-lethal indicators of acute stress in fish.

Circulating plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) are well established as biomarkers of several diseases in humans and have recently been used as indicators of environmental exposures in fish. However, the role of plasma miRNAs in regulating acute stress responses in fish is largely unknown. Tissue and plasma miRNAs have recently been associated with excreted miRNAs; however, external miRNAs have never been measured in fish. The objective of this study was to identify the altered plasma miRNAs in response to acute stress in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), as well as altered miRNAs in fish epidermal mucus and the surrounding ambient water. Small RNA was extracted and sequenced from plasma, mucus, and water collected from rainbow trout pre- and 1 h-post a 3-min air stressor. Following small RNA-Seq and pathway analysis, we identified differentially expressed plasma miRNAs that targeted biosynthetic, degradation, and metabolic pathways. We successfully isolated miRNA from trout mucus and the surrounding water and detected differences in miRNA expression 1-h post air stress. The expressed miRNA profiles in mucus and water were different from the altered plasma miRNA profile, which indicated that the plasma miRNA response was not associated with or immediately reflected in external samples, which was further validated through qPCR. This research expands understanding of the role of plasma miRNA in the acute stress response of fish and is the first report of successful isolation and profiling of miRNA from fish mucus or samples of ambient water. Measurements of miRNA from plasma, mucus, or water can be further studied and have potential to be applied as non-lethal indicators of acute stress in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black bear populations are increasing throughout North America. When areas of black bear population expansion overlap regions of substantial human use, conflict can ensue. Human-bear conflicts can have negative economic, health/safety, and social impacts. Attraction to human foods brings bears into more frequent contact with people, resulting in a higher probability of negative human-bear encounters. In order to achieve successful management of human-bear conflicts, the use of bear-resistant lids outfitted on dumpsters is one management tool. We evaluated the efficacy of Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee-approved, modified, bear-resistant lids that were installed on dumpsters in a community in northwestern New Jersey. Black bear sows exhibiting nuisance behavior were trapped in the community at dumpster sites, outfitted with either VHF or GPS satellite collars, and their movements were tracked for the year prior to the installation of the retrofitted bear-resistant dumpster lids. After the lids were installed, movement patterns of the sows were monitored to determine if bears altered their behavior and left the area when dumpster access was no longer available. Residents of the community were also surveyed and offered educational programs regarding the black bear population in their community.

Collisions between birds and aircraft (bird strikes) are a serious threat to air safety and represent a substantial economic cost to the global aviation industry. In recent years, the frequency of wood pigeons (Columba palumbus) flying over active runways has increased at airports in Ireland. Here, we examine the effectiveness of imitation hawk-kites as a means of excluding wood pigeons from sensitive airfield locations. Over 2 years, during August and September, we conducted control (no kites deployed) and treatment trials (kites deployed) at Casement Aerodrome, an active airfield of approximately 320 ha in County Dublin, Ireland and on agricultural farmland in County Waterford, Ireland, where the movement of large numbers of wood pigeons had previously been identified (≥50 birds per hour). Overall, we recorded a significant reduction in the mean (±SE) number of wood pigeons observed to successfully cross sites during deployment of the hawk-kites (70.69 ± 11.01 per hour), compared to control trials (178.37 ± 29.98 per hour). Although preliminary, our data suggest that hawk-kites can be used to provide an additional means of bird control to reduce instances of airfield flyovers by a problematic species. Nevertheless, further research is required to determine the reliability of hawk-kites under a range of context-dependencies, such as airfield location, size surrounding land-use, seasonality, and weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetics has been widely used in insect ecology and conservation. To minimise the effect of DNA sampling on organisms as much as possible, it would be ideal to use non‐invasive or non‐lethal DNA sources. Therefore, it is also very important to determine the responses of organisms to DNA sampling.In this study, the quality and quantity of genomic DNA samples from three types of insect tissues (exuvia, mid‐legs and wings) were evaluated. As model organisms, we used two dragonfly species of different sizes (Leucorrhinia dubia, Anax imperator). We also tested the regenerative ability of dragonfly larvae as a repair mechanism after mid‐leg cut‐off, with respect to factors such as size and quantity of diet.We found that DNA of sufficient quality for analyses was obtained from all tested tissues. Nonetheless, isolates from exuviae were conclusively less useful for sequencing than those from the mid‐legs and wings. The highest quantity of DNA was obtained from the mid‐legs. The survival of larvae is not affected by removing the legs, which can usually regenerate.All the tested tissues could be a source of adequate DNA; however, we concluded that primarily the legs should be used because they provided the best DNA samples in terms of quantity and quality of DNA. Furthermore, their exploitation would not affect individuals seriously if young larvae with sufficient time (at least 6 months) for regeneration are sampled. The exuviae should be used for absolutely non‐invasive studies involving endangered or protected species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the mid-1980s, there has been a steady rise in the numbers of great cormorants in all Eurasia, and in the number over-wintering annually in Israel. Winter counts in recent years show about 15,000 - 20,000 great cormorants in Israel; they arrive in October and stay until March. Over the years, colonies of over-wintering great cormorants, which can have over 5,000 individuals each, come into conflict at commercial fish farms in Israel, which are in the form of local concentrations of open earthen ponds, in which are grown very high concentrations of food fish, mainly carp, tilapia, grass carp, and mullet. Over the years, many attempts have been made to reduce the negative impact of over-wintering great cormorants on the commercial fish farms in Israel, utilizing lethal and non-lethal methods. Over 50 banding returns from the last 2 decades showed that the great cormorants over-wintering in Israel originated in the area around the northern Black Sea and Sea of Azov, around the Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine (about 1400 km or 850 miles due north). This overabundant species causes considerable damage around its nesting sites in Ukraine by interfering with endangered waterbirds, and by conflicting with fishermen. Israel has recently been exploring ways to utilize international cooperation for management of the nesting population in Ukraine, in order to reduce the size of the wintering population in Israel and also to prevent damage to endangered waterbirds in Ukraine. The major instruments are the European Union’s project INTERCAFE (Interdisciplinary Initiative to Reduce Pan-European Cormorant-Fisheries Conflicts: www.intercafeproject.net), and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) under UNEP’s Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): www.unep-aewa.org, as well as other International Environmental Agreements. An experimental program is proposed for reducing the nesting success of the Ukrainian population. A smaller great cormorant population should impact less upon nesting waterbirds in Ukraine and also decrease the intensity of the conflict with both Ukrainian and Israeli fishermen, thereby lessening the extent of lethal control used against great cormorants in both countries. The proposed experimental program includes egg-oiling of ground-nesting birds and hazing tree-nesting birds with green lasers.

Since the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 became a law, many pinniped populations have increased and expanded their range along the west coast of the United States (e.g., California sea lion, Pacific harbor seal, northern elephant seal, northern fur seal, Steller sea lion, etc.). Pinnipeds live primarily in the ocean but rely on coastal areas for important components of their existence (i.e., pupping and resting). As pinniped populations increase along the California coast, numbers of animals hauling out on beaches, rocky substrates, and non-traditional areas such as marinas, docks, and bait receivers have also increased. Confrontations between humans and pinnipeds are escalating. The National Marine Fisheries Service is assigned by the Federal Government to actively manage these species and their interactions with humans. These confrontations have been, in part, a result of competition between people and pinnipeds for prime coastal areas/habitat. The human responses to these interactions have included modification of marine areas used by these animals, but have also included harassment that can lead to injury or death of the animals. Pinnipeds, however, are fully protected from harm under the MMPA. The MMPA Amendments of 1994 provided new authority to citizens of the United States to deter marine mammals from damaging private property, endangering public safety, or damaging public property. A number of non-lethal deterrence methods exist, including physical barriers such as fences and negative stimuli such as sprinkler systems, rubber shot, and acoustics. In most cases, seals and sea lions become habituated to deterrence methods over time. We discuss preliminary results of the use of non-lethal techniques along the coast of California to exclude seals and sea lions from hauling out on marinas, docks, and bait receivers. Preliminary observations indicate that the placement of physical barriers and sprinkler systems has resulted in consistent non-lethal deterrence of sea lions from bait receivers and docks.

Gray wolf populations were eliminated from the northern Rocky Mountains of the western United States by 1930, largely because of conflicts with livestock. The wolf population is now biologically recovered and over 1,020 wolves are being managed in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming under the federal Endangered Species Act. From 1987 to December 2005, 528 cattle, 1,318 sheep, 83 dogs, 12 goats, 9 llamas, and 6 horses were confirmed killed by wolves, and over $550,000 was paid from a private damage compensation fund. To help restore the wolf population, we used 22 variations of non-lethal control tools, relocated wolves 117 times, and killed 396 wolves to reduce conflict between wolves and livestock. A variety of tools, including regulations that empower the local public to protect their private property, reduced the probability of wolf-caused damage. This wolf population was restored, the risk of livestock damage reduced, and public tolerance of wolves improved through an integrated program of proactive and reactive non-lethal and lethal control tools. Reduced conflict increases the potential to restore wolf populations.

Coyotes have expanded their range throughout much of North America, aided by the extirpation of wolves, alteration and transformation of habitat, and urban sprawl. Humanized landscapes have worked to the coyote’s advantage by offering an abundance of food, water, and shelter. Unfortunately, intentional and unintentional feeding of coyotes has also resulted in increased encounters and conflicts. How communities address such conflicts generates impassioned debate. Many state wildlife agencies and local municipalities lack the resources to effectively implement proactive strategies before encounters escalate to conflicts. Moreover, lack of agency coordination, combined with a largely uneducated populace, hinders effective conflict resolution. Consequently, responses to coyote conflicts are usually reactive and fail to address the root causes of most conflicts, i.e. a constant food source. Failure to address these root causes often leads to a vicious cycle of trapping and killing. Moreover, inconsistent and exaggerated reports of coyote attacks can lead to heightened public fears, which may limit the opportunity for establishing long-lasting proactive coexistence strategies. This paper provides an overview of coyote ecology in urbanized landscapes and considers several case studies of communities that have developed effective coyote coexistence programs.

In 2002, a Wildlife Services wildlife biologist from Nevada, a Wildlife Services wildlife specialist from Oregon, and a mechanical engineer from California came together with their ideas about designing an effective and easy-to-implement electronic calling system (ECS). Their common vision was a for a self-contained, user-friendly device that would be highly effective at attracting or “calling in” specific offending individuals of various species to a given location, during a specific time period, and hold them at or near that site for a period of time. Through field trials and modifications, an ECS named the “Chuck Box” was developed. It proved to be an effective self-contained tool, when the correct sound and time combinations were employed, and we describe our success in using it for mountain lions and coyotes. It was especially useful in “anchoring” wide-ranging and/or sporadically problematic animals to a site where control tools could easily be utilized or wildlife damage management actions could be initiated. In 2004, non-wildlife sounds were added to the memory card of the unit, making the Chuck Box also function as an effective non-lethal scare device. Thus, the Chuck Box can provide non-lethal harassment or provide support during lethal wildlife damage management activities. Field results indicate that the Chuck Box can be highly effective in increasing capture success, holding animals in the proximity of the station, and in deterring various wildlife species

Electronic training collars have previously been used to condition captive predators not to attack livestock and other prey, but the use of aversive collars in actual management situations involving wild predators has not been scientifically evaluated and published. We adapted and tested commercially available dog training collars in an actual management situation involving wild wolves. Because we temporarily held wolves in captivity, we also discuss the use of pens as a tool that provides management flexibility. Three packs that had been implicated in killing livestock were held at a pen facility at the Flying D Ranch near Bozeman, Montana. Wolves from 2 packs were used in training collar experiments. We ran trials using bison calves, domestic cow calves, and hides to test equipment and the behavioral conditioning paradigm. In our program, we were unable to condition wolves not to attack livestock because of a variety of logistical and behavioral reasons. We concluded that temporarily holding wolves at a small, moderately accessible facility is of limited use for determining the utility of aversive conditioning as a wolf predation management technique. More research is necessary to effectively apply electronic training collars to wolf management. However, we determined that maintaining holding pens for wolves provides flexibility to managers in translocation efforts. Because wolves in our studies survived to reproduce, our collaborative efforts have made a significant contribution to wolf recovery.

With the reestablishment of wolves in the western United States, managing adverse interactions between wolves and livestock is re-emerging as an issue for resource managers. Lethal control of wolves is often difficult to implement due to the constraints of the Endangered Species Act, predator population goals, and public disfavor for lethal control. In response to the need to manage wolf predation in a non-lethal manner, we developed and tested a behavior contingent system for disrupting predation events. The Avian Systems Model 9000 Frightening System, also called a Radio Activated Guard (RAG), is activated by signals from nearby wolf radio collars. The strobe light, tape player with 30 different recorded sound effects, and behaviorally contingent activation are designed to minimize habituation to the system. Based on studies in Idaho, we believe RAG boxes are effective for protecting livestock in small pasture situations. Limitations of the scare device include electronic complexity, area coverage, and price. We continue to develop and test the limitations of their effective use in ongoing experimental research.

Genotyping fish larvae is a valuable technique for numerous fields of study. While methods for collecting DNA from early stage larvae have been published, a non-lethal, non-invasive genotyping protocol for hatchlings that is amenable to high-throughput approaches is desirable. Here, we describe a method to individually genotype live, free-swimming, early fish larvae by characterizing their environmental DNA (eDNA). We demonstrate the utility of the method by assigning parentage to a sample (n = 50) of 3–5-day-old sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) larvae hatchlings, with very high rates of genotyping success (98%) and survival (92%) using mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA data. This method could be easily adapted to characterize early fish larvae from other model and non-model fish species, such as Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Medaka medaka.

Efforts to advance fish health diagnostics have been highlighted in many studies to improve the detection of pathogens in aquaculture facilities and wild fish populations. Typically, the detection of a pathogen has required sacrificing fish; however, many hatcheries have valuable and sometimes irreplaceable broodstocks, and lethal sampling is undesirable. Therefore, the development of non-lethal detection methods is a high priority. The goal of our study was to compare non-lethal sampling methods with standardized lethal kidney tissue sampling that is used to detect Renibacterium salmoninarum infections in salmonids. We collected anal, buccal, and mucus swabs (non-lethal qPCR) and kidney tissue samples (lethal DFAT) from 72 adult brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) reared at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Pitkin Brood Unit and tested each sample to assess R. salmoninarum infections. Standard kidney tissue detected R. salmoninarum 1.59 times more often than mucus swabs, compared to 10.43 and 13.16 times more often than buccal or anal swabs, respectively, indicating mucus swabs were the most effective and may be a useful non-lethal method. Our study highlights the potential of non-lethal mucus swabs to sample for R. salmoninarum and suggests future studies are needed to refine this technique for use in aquaculture facilities and wild populations of inland salmonids.

Efforts to resolve the tension within the Christian moral theological tradition between just war theory and pacifism have so far not produced any broadly accepted resolution. Key sticking points lie both in the fact that even a just war typically involves the taking of human life, both combatant and civilian, and that the distinction between intentional and unintentional killing, so important to Christian moral reflection, is difficult to sustain in practice. Yet, with the prospect of the development of effective non-lethal weapons, the path may be opened up to a genuine resolution of the tension. This article describes in general terms the way that such a development might be pursued, but also argues that the use of non-lethal weaponry would necessitate a re-interpretation of warfare as an exercise in a form of international policing. A number of potential criticisms of such a proposal are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A societal shift toward plant dominant diets and a reduction in livestock rearing could have broad social, environmental and conservation benefits. Livestock husbandry, however, has a wealthy cultural history, strong support and high consumer demand. It is therefore likely to continue as a major land use and conservation issue for predators. From a producer's perspective, the primary goals of livestock protection are maximising, or at least maintaining, production by minimising losses and mitigating detriment to stock welfare. Lethal removal of predators remains a commonplace solution. Such management measures are questionable as they raise animal welfare and conservation concerns, risk inhibiting ecological processes, are often expensive, and in some circumstances, exacerbate livestock predation problems. Non-lethal alternatives can facilitate co-existence between livestock farmers and predators, ideally reducing the ecological impact of pastoralism and achieving conservation goals. The need for rigorous study of non-lethal approaches has however been recently highlighted. Tools and methods involved in livestock protection, as well as the theoretical basis of how we perceive and manage the problem, require deeper consideration. Non-lethal approaches require knowledgeable implementation and an effective decision making system is a prerequisite for successful practice. Livestock predation and its prevention are fundamentally influenced by the underlying principles of foraging ecology and risk theory. We propose that manipulating elements of Brown's (1988) quitting harvest rate model provides a useful conceptual framework for reducing livestock predation and encouraging coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern California bas experienced rapid human population growth during the past 50 years. As housing continues to encroach into and abut previously undeveloped areas containing wildlife communities, conflicts between homeowners and predators have become common. Traditional methods of control (removal) of problem animals are often infeasible due to legislative constraints, local ordinances, public opinion, and environmental considerations. This necessitates developing alternative approaches to facilitate coexistence and diminish the opportunities for negative interactions. In the Defensible Space program, people are educated about local wildlife and provided animal behavior-based methods to respond to animal incursions. Though the system is not always 100% effective, it has diminished the overall number of complaints received and reduced most of the remaining complaints from panic-based to knowledge-based.

The worldwide presence of vertebrate pests such as rodents has created a need for non-lethal control methods that can be applied to integrated pest management plans. Chemical repellents are often a useful wildlife management tool as they can be directly applied to a commodity or structure to prevent infringement and damage. We assessed the efficacy of an anthraquinone (AQ)-based repellent in a structural barrier model against Richardson’s ground squirrels ( Urocitellus richardsonii (Sabine)) (RGS) and house mice ( Mus musculus L.). The AQ-based repellent was applied to pieces of burlap which were secured over each end of a small section of PVC pipe. Unadulterated enrichment food was then offered within the enclosed PVC pipe to motivate interactions with repellent-treated and untreated burlap barriers. Defeat of the barrier was defined as a physical breach by means of chewing the burlap or burlap/repellent barrier such that the test animal was able to gain entry to the hide and the enrichment food. RGS defeated 55% (±7.9) of untreated barriers, 25% (±6.8) of barriers treated with 50% dilution AQ-based repellent, and 27.5% (±5.6) of barriers treated with 0% dilution AQ-based repellent. House mice defeated 100% (±0.0) of untreated barriers, 20.5% (±6.4) of barriers treated with 50% dilution AQ-based repellent, and 45.5% (±7.8) of barriers treated with 0% dilution AQ-based repellent. Relative to untreated barriers, AQ treatments reduced defeat of the barrier by 50–55% for RGS and 55–80% for house mice. RGS showed a marked decrease in consumption of enrichment food after exposure to AQ. The 0% dilution of AQ-treated structural barrier had more individuals of both RGS and house mice chew through the structural barrier than the 50% dilution despite the increased concentration of AQ. We hypothesized that the additional water in the 50% dilution may have allowed for greater absorption of the repellent throughout the burlap fibers, thus enabling greater interaction with the AQ-treated barriers. Our results indicate that AQ-based repellents show promise as structural barriers for RGS and house mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-carnivore conflict is presently on the rise as human populations continue to grow and carnivore conservation efforts gain precedence. The behaviors exhibited by carnivores that cause conflict are often learned; therefore, reducing learning potential though the use of non-lethal tools is important for coexistence. In this study we measured how prior experience (i.e., conditioning) influenced the motivation and persistence of captive wolves ( Canis lupus ) seeking a food reward by quantifying latency to first behavior and duration of behavior for two behavior groups: investigative and work behaviors. Latency to first behavior was faster in conditioned wolves for both investigative (11 times faster; P = 0.0491) and work (4 times faster; P = 0.0112) behaviors, indicating prior experience motivated wolves to overcome neophobic behaviors and facilitated learning to access rewards more quickly. We found little difference in duration for both investigative (P = 0.3194) and work behaviors (P = 0.7016), indicating conditioned and non-conditioned wolves will spend similar amounts of time trying to obtain a reward once a behavior is initiated. When wolves were unable to attain food rewards, we found that the duration of both investigative (P = 0.0631) and work (P = 0.0609) behavior declined over the course of three weeks for both non-conditioned (37.3% and 92.6% decline in investigative behaviors and work behaviors, respectively) and conditioned (59.5% and 88.2% decline in investigative behaviors and work behaviors, respectively) wolves, indicating decreased persistence with the application of a secure prevention measure. Overall, our results indicate that the use of non-lethal tools that prevent animals from attaining anthropogenic food can effectively curb learning in carnivores and help reduce human-carnivore conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubber bullets weapons can have tragic consequences when used at short range and on vulnerable body areas. A man in his forties was found deceased at his house, covered in blood. A “non-lethal” firearm was found near the bed: the «SAPL GC27». This is a single shot handgun with mini Gomm Cogne ammunition: 12 rubber spherical pellets, 7.4 mm in diameter. The findings were consistent with an intra buccal shot, and an ingestion-inhalation of blood and projectiles. Cause of the death was linked to both the hemorrhage due to mouth and aero digestive crossroad trauma, responsible of a mechanical asphyxia, and blood absorption in lungs. This case insists on the deadly potential of this weapon if misused. Fortunately, the term “non-lethal” has been progressively replaced, but sometimes still can be seen, especially in gunsmith and webstores. It should be deleted to avoid confusion among inexperienced people, and at best, this weapon should be restricted to certain professions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using non-lethal methods for data collection of individuals and participatory monitoring by fishermen, we provide the first empirical evidence of the use of a nursery area by neonate and young-of-the-year cownose rays Rhinoptera bonasus and R. brasiliensis in southeastern Brazil. Two methods were used to collect data: (1) information provided by fishermen (reports, pictures, and videos) and (2) field sampling by researchers. A total of 746 cownose rays were captured; 113 have been identified as R. bonasus, 15 as R. brasiliensis, and 618 were reported by fishermen and could not be identified to the species. Records of newborns were made only in late spring and summer in 2015, 2016, and 2017, which suggests an annual reproductive cycle, with birth in late spring, extending to summer. A repeated use of this area by R. bonasus suggests that it is potentially important to the reproduction of this species. However, R. brasiliensis requires more studies. Small increases in mortality, resulting from increased fishing or other anthropogenic stressors, can have a disproportionately large effect on population viability. Thus, management of areas used during critical stages of the life cycle of rays is crucial to their conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined a range of diets and two tissue types (muscle and carapace, representing protein and chitin biochemistry respectively) of Cherax destructor (Clark, 1936) to allow more accurate use of isotope data in trophic source estimates. The resulting Δ13Ctissue-diet and Δ15Ntissue-diet discrimination factors of muscle and carapace tissues showed significant differences among diets. For muscle, Δ13Ctissue-diet was higher (2.11-2.33‰) when C. destructor was fed with lamb, turkey and mixed animal and plant-based diets, 1.27-1.96‰ when C. destructor was fed with beef and kangaroo diets and negative (-1.36‰) when C. destructor was fed with an aquatic meat (tuna) diet. The Δ15Ntissue-diet discrimination factors were lower for muscle when C. destructor was fed aquatic meat (0.12‰) and mixed plant-animal diets (1.67‰), but higher for terrestrial meat diets (2.79-3.74‰). The Δ13Ctissue-diet for carapace followed similar patterns to that of muscle, but Δ15Ntissue-diet values were lower for carapace than muscle. Strong correlations were observed between muscle and carapace for δ13C (r = 0.96, P < 0.0001) and δ15N (r = 0.82, P < 0.0012) across the six diets evaluated, indicating that carapace can be used as a non-lethal alternative to muscle during field sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have reviewed published anthraquinone applications for international pest management and agricultural crop protection from 1943 to 2016. Anthraquinone ( AQ) is commonly found in dyes, pigments and many plants and organisms. Avian repellent research with AQ began in the 1940s. In the context of pest management, AQ is currently used as a chemical repellent, perch deterrent, insecticide and feeding deterrent in many wild birds, and in some mammals, insects and fishes. Criteria for evaluation of effective chemical repellents include efficacy, potential for wildlife hazards, phytotoxicity and environmental persistence. As a biopesticide, AQ often meets these criteria of efficacy for the non-lethal management of agricultural depredation caused by wildlife. We summarize published applications of AQ for the protection of newly planted and maturing crops from pest birds. Conventional applications of AQ-based repellents include preplant seed treatments [e.g. corn ( Zea mays L.), rice ( Oryza sativa L.), sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.), wheat ( Triticum spp.), millet ( Panicum spp.), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L.), pelletized feed and forest tree species] and foliar applications for rice, sunflower, lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.), turf, sugar beets ( Beta vulgaris L.), soybean ( Glycine max L.), sweet corn and nursery, fruit and nut crops. In addition to agricultural repellent applications, AQ has also been used to treat toxicants for the protection of non-target birds. Few studies have demonstrated AQ repellency in mammals, including wild boar ( Sus scrofa, L.), thirteen-lined ground squirrels ( Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, Mitchill), black-tailed prairie dogs ( Cyomys ludovicainus, Ord.), common voles ( Microtus arvalis, Pallas), house mice ( Mus musculus, L.), Tristram's jirds ( Meriones tristrami, Thomas) and black rats ( Rattus rattus L.). Natural sources of AQ and its derivatives have also been identified as insecticides and insect repellents. As a natural or synthetic biopesticide, AQ is a promising candidate for many contexts of non-lethal and insecticidal pest management. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Rubber bullets are considered a non-lethal method of crowd control and are being used over the world. However the literature regarding the pattern and management of these injuries is scarce for the forensic pathologist as well as for the traumatologist. The objective of this report was to add our experience to the existing literature.Methods: From June 2008 to August 2010 the Government Hospital for Bone and Joint Surgery Barzulla and the Department of Orthopaedics, SKIMS Medical College/Hospital Bemina Srinagar received 28 patients for management of their orthopaedic injuries caused by rubber bullets. We documented all injuries and also recorded the management issues and complications that we encountered.Results: All patients weremales with an age range of 11e32 years and were civilians who had been hit by rubber bullets fired by the police and the paramilitary forces. Among them, 19 patients had injuries of the lower limbs and 9 patients had injuries of the upper limbs. All patients were received within 6 h of being shot.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that these weapons are capable of causing significant injuries including fractures and it is important for the surgeon to be well versed with the management of such injuries especially in areas of unrest. The report is also supportive of the opinion that these weapons are lethal and should hence be reclassified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to environmental contaminants has been implicated as a factor in global amphibian decline. Mercury (Hg) is a particularly widespread contaminant that biomagnifies in amphibians and can cause a suite of deleterious effects. However, monitoring contaminant exposure in amphibian tissues may conflict with conservation goals if lethal take is required. Thus, there is a need to develop non-lethal tissue sampling techniques to quantify contaminant exposure in amphibians. Some minimally invasive sampling techniques, such as toe-clipping, are common in population-genetic research, but it is unclear if these methods can adequately characterize contaminant exposure. We examined the relationships between mercury (Hg) concentrations in non-lethally sampled tissues and paired whole-bodies in five amphibian species. Specifically, we examined the utility of three different tail-clip sections from four salamander species and toe-clips from one anuran species. Both tail and toe-clips accurately predicted whole-body THg concentrations, but the relationships differed among species and the specific tail-clip section or toe that was used. Tail-clips comprised of the distal 0-2 cm segment performed the best across all salamander species, explaining between 82 and 92 % of the variation in paired whole-body THg concentrations. Toe-clips were less effective predictors of frog THg concentrations, but THg concentrations in outer rear toes accounted for up to 79 % of the variability in frog whole-body THg concentrations. These findings suggest non-lethal sampling of tails and toes has potential applications for monitoring contaminant exposure and risk in amphibians, but care must be taken to ensure consistent collection and interpretation of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the special section prepared for Waterbirds from selected papers originally presented at a symposium titled 'Recent Advances in Biology and Management of Double-crested Cormorants ( Phalocrocorax auritus)', held in Bar Harbor, Maine, USA, at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Waterbird Society, 11-15 August 2015. The principal objective of this symposium was to explore and communicate about ways to address conflicts with this species that would result in fewer birds being killed under legal management programs. Fifteen papers were presented in three subject categories: population status and new research; knowledge-based challenges for Double-crested Cormorant management; and ethical, bird conservation and other perspectives on cormorant management. Three papers from the second two categories provided unique and important perspectives on ways to manage conflicts in which fewer birds would be destroyed and are presented here. The well-developed approaches in these papers are important steps toward a knowledge-based path to resolving conflicts and, most importantly, living with Double-crested Cormorants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new method of biological assessment in flowing waters-NoMBSI (Non-lethal Method for Benthos Sampling and Identification) is presented. To determine the amount of information (informativity), which is possible to obtain during a sample analysis, the results of three procedures were compared (NM-the new one based on 3D digital image analysis, NC-control procedure based on microscopic identification and G, which is the traditional method based on samples collected with Günther sampler). Procedures were applied for the samples collected at 27 sites in North-eastern and Eastern Poland. The NM was found to provide for the correct recognition of an average of 45% of taxa present in samples. Taxa of small size and lower abundance were frequently failed to be identified. However, no significant differences between NM and NC in terms of raw data on taxonomic composition were found, while the results of G procedure were significantly different when compared with both other procedures. Values of commonly used biotic and diversity indices calculated on the basis of those procedures were compared using correlation. The level of identification achieved sufficed for the proper determination of water quality classes at all of the sites sampled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]