Distribution and density estimates for urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Melbourne: implications for rabies control

Marks, Clive A.; Bloomfield, Tim E.

doi:10.1071/wr98059

Cited by 61 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Foxes, like most territorial animals, mark their territories and contact their neighbours regularly (White and Harris, 1994;Goszczynski, 2002). Studies have shown that contacts among territorial neighbours increase for rabid foxes and that fox group size can increase with density (Andral et al, 1982;Harris and Smith, 1987;Macdonald et al, 1999;Marks and Bloomfield, 1999;Baker et al, 2000). This evidence suggests that a mix of both linear density-dependent and densityindependent transmission functions is needed to model rabies transmission in these situations.…”

Section: Recent Stochastic Mixed Transmission Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling wildlife rabies: Transmission, economics, and conservation

Sterner

Smith²

2006

Biological Conservation

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Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease of mammals; it exacerbates the uncertainty of conserving populations of some threatened mammals (TM). Modelling affords an inexpensive, a priori way of studying key parameters of wildlife rabies transmission, rabies management economics, and TM conservation. Numerous models of rabies transmission have been published. Linear density dependent models predicted that a threshold density (K T 6 1.0), possibly attained by culling or contraception, would eliminate an epizootic through reduced contacts among host animals. Density independent models predicted less advantage of culling and contraception in rabies control due to limited contacts among territorial host animals. Recent stochastic, mixed models offer novel predictions about the role of culling, fertility control, and oral rabies vaccination (ORV) in disease management. Use of a ''threshold successful contact'' rate (C T ) as a parameter in these models predicts that density reduction of host animals will enhance ORV campaigns in non-TM contexts via more efficient bait delivery and vaccination. Economic analyses of medical, public health, and veterinary costs have shown post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and increased pet vaccinations (PV) to be major rabies-caused expenses during and after epizootics in North America.No modelling efforts have examined either the benefits-costs of rabies management strategies to conserve TM or the use of ORV, per se, to conserve TM -an omission due in part to the lack of methodologies for properly valuing TM (potential savings) and the expense or lower priority of using ORV for TM protection. This paper: (1) describes key aspects of rabies-transmission models in wildlife, (2) posits the use of C T to predict disease persistence, (3) reviews selected ORV strategies, economic studies, and benefit-cost models associated with the use of ORV as a means of rabies control in non-TM situations, (4) discusses implications of these models to the conservation of TM, and (5) recommends five steps to improve modelling of rabies transmission (wildlife disease in general), rabies-control economics, and TM conservation.

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Section: Recent Stochastic Mixed Transmission Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling wildlife rabies: Transmission, economics, and conservation

Sterner

Smith²

2006

Biological Conservation

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“…Sargeant et al (1975) carried out an aerial den survey and located 84% of the family groups of foxes in their study area. Marks and Bloomfield (1999) estimated the density of fox groups using a combination of intensive ground searches and a media campaign asking residents to report dens. The status of the dens as breeding sites was established by detailed examination for signs of cub presence, and observation by spotlight (see below) was used to estimate mean litter size on a subsample.…”

Section: Counting Visible Structuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of methods to estimate the abundance of terrestrial carnivores using field signs and observation

Wilson¹,

Delahay²

2001

Wildl. Res.

260

206

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This paper reviews field methods for estimating and monitoring the abundance of terrestrial carnivores that do not involve capture. Effective methods of monitoring abundance are important tools for the management and conservation of many species. The development of methods for carnivores presents particular challenges, as they are often secretive and widely dispersed. Nevertheless, a variety of approaches based on direct observations and quantification of field signs have been employed. These techniques are described in relation to carnivore ecology and resource implications, and the advantages and deficiencies of each are discussed with reference to case studies. E s t i m a t i n g t h e a b u n d a n c e o f t e r r e s t r i a l c a r n i v o r e s G . J . W i l s o n a n d R . J . D e l a h a y W R 0 0 0 3 3 G a v i n J . W i l s o n a n d R i c h a r d J . D e l a h a y

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“…The red fox was successfully introduced to Australia in the 1870s (Rolls 1969) and was first sighted in the inner metropolitan area of Melbourne during the late 1930s (Marks and Bloomfield 1999a), being common at a number of sites by the mid-1970s (Seebeck 1977). Foxes are currently present in every inner suburb of Melbourne and are known to inhabit the metropolitan areas of Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane (Marks and Bloomfield 1999a), Canberra (Jenkins and Craig 1992), and some outer (Mulley and Star 1983) and inner suburbs of Sydney (Chris Dickman, personal communication).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home-range size and selection of natal den and diurnal shelter sites by urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Melbourne

Marks¹,

Bloomfield²

2006

Wildl. Res.

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Selection of natal dens and diurnal shelters by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was investigated within the metropolitan area of Melbourne. Of 72 natal dens, 61% were in residential, public park, school or industrial lands. Most dens were beneath buildings (44.4%) or in earth banks (30.6%). The habitat categories in which dens were sited did not differ significantly from those described for London. Dens were more common beneath weatherboard buildings and were associated with properties that did not contain domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Diurnal shelter positions for 20 radio-collared foxes were obtained, and home-range data collected for 11 foxes. Estimated areas of adult home-range, for 100% minimum convex polygons (MCPs), varied between 11.5 and 45.8 ha, with from two to five diurnal shelter sites used in each home-range. Foxes showed a consistent preference for diurnal shelters associated with exotic weed infestations over ornamental and native vegetation or built habitats. Within these categories a diversity of substrates were used, including buildings, drains, graves, cypress trees, ornamental rockeries and garden beds. A preference for exotic weed infestations is an identifiable resource requirement for foxes in Melbourne and its removal may assist in reducing the abundance of urban foxes. Home-range size and selection of natal den and diurnal shelter sites by urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Melbourne

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Distribution and density estimates for urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Melbourne: implications for rabies control

Cited by 61 publications

References 18 publications

Modelling wildlife rabies: Transmission, economics, and conservation

Modelling wildlife rabies: Transmission, economics, and conservation

A review of methods to estimate the abundance of terrestrial carnivores using field signs and observation

Home-range size and selection of natal den and diurnal shelter sites by urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Melbourne

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