Mind the cat: Conservation management of a protected dominant scavenger indirectly affects an endangered apex predator

摘要: Abstract Interspecific interactions are among the key factors influencing structure of animal communities and have high relevance for conservation. However, managers, conservationists decision-makers rarely consider potential side-effects single-species carnivore management conservation other carnivores. We studied how protected brown bears (Ursus arctos) affected interspecific with an endangered apex predator, Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Slovenia. Due to large body size superb olfactory abilities, one most important dominant scavengers regularly usurp kills from predators, a process known as kleptoparasitism. At same time, throughout world usually actively managed through zone-specific culling regimes, supplemental feeding, translocations. This can considerably alter bear densities activity patterns turn influence Overall, we observed that scavenging pressure resulted substantial energetic losses lynx. The probability losing ranged 8 74% strongly depended on local monthly movement rates. Kleptoparasitic interaction intensity differed almost 3-fold between different zones. Furthermore, presence feeding site increased odds by 5-fold compared areas > 1000 m these sites. suggest existing bear-feeding regimes should be reconsidered order reduce unwanted this controversial practice predators. also call attention importance considering impacts wildlife