Predator-Resembling Aversive Conditioning for Managing Habituated Wildlife

摘要: Wildlife habituation near urban centers can disrupt natural ecological processes, destroy habitat, and threaten public safety. Consequently, management of habituated animals is typically invasive often includes translocation these to remote areas sometimes even their destruction. Techniques prevent or reverse other forms in situ are necessary balance social requirements, but they have received very little experimental attention date. This study compared the efficacy two aversive conditioning treatments that used either humans dogs create sequences resembling chases by predators, which, along with a control category, were repeatedly individually applied 24 moderately habituated, radio-collared elk Banff National Park during winter 2001-2002. Three response variables measured before after treatment. Relative untreated animals, distance at which fled from approaching humans, i.e., flight distance, increased following both human dog treatments, there was no difference between treatments. The proportion time spent vigilance postures decreased for all treatment groups, without differences among suggesting this behavior responded mainly seasonal effects. average locations town boundary, once daily telemetry, significantly human-conditioned elk. One co-variates we measured, wolf activity, exerted counteracting effects on effects; distances proximity site lower when activity high. research demonstrates it possible temporarily modify aspects using conditioning, suggests method reducing first place, provides solution jurisdictions manage hyperabundant wildlife.