Stone martens (Martes foina) and cars: investigation of a common human-wildlife conflict.

摘要: Stone martens (Martes foina) commonly climb into car engine compartments, where they may tear up heat and noise insulation mats or bite rubber plastic components. This brings conflict with humans. Although various hypotheses have been suggested as to why damage cars once inside them, it is not known what makes associate in the first place. We radio-tracked 13 urban stone over a 2-year period Luxembourg determine context which visit parked at night. Martens associated most frequently spring early summer, when their activity on roads was highest systematically patrolled scent-marked cars. Most visits were of short duration. suggest, therefore, that main factor promoting marten–car contact territorial behaviour, rather than either thermal benefits be gained from proximity recently used engines need for safe environment resting, hiding food consumption.