Effects of tourist pressure and reproduction on physiological stress response in wildcats: management implications for species conservation

Abstract

Context Ecotourism and human recreational activities are increasing and can have a significant impact on fauna. The analysis of faecal glucocorticoid concentrations is a non-invasive method of measuring physiological stress responses of wildlife to various factors (i.e. human disturbances). Aims The aim of the present study was to determine whether increased physiological stress levels in wildcats (Felis silvestris) were a response to the level of tourism allowed within different zones in a natural park and/or a response to the seasonal reproductive state of wildcats. Methods The study was conducted from May 2005 to June 2009 at the Natural Park Montes do Invernadeiro (north-western Spain). The Natural Park is divided into the following three zones according to the level of tourism allowed: restricted public-use, restricted zone and integral reserve. An enzyme immunoassay technique was used to quantify cortisol metabolites and sex hormones from each of 110 fresh wildcat faecal samples collected from walked transects on forest roads within each zone. The number of visitors was recorded as a measure of tourist pressure. Key results The general linear model indicated that park zone and faecal progesterone levels were the factors that explained the variation in the faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels. Cortisol metabolite concentrations were higher in some park zones where tourism intensity was higher (restricted public-use zone). Faecal cortisol metabolite concentrations were more elevated during gestation (spring) and during the young dispersal period (autumn). Key conclusions Therefore, we recommend that some zones of park (integral reserve) continue being maintained free of visitor impact and that visitor numbers be specially controlled during the animals’ sensitive periods (gestation) in the zone of restricted public use and in the restricted zone.

Habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic factors affect wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris occupancy and detectability on Mt Etna

“…from detection to retrieval or to last photo taken in case the camera malfunctioned): wildcat detections can decrease along with an increase in the effort if a trap-shy response occurs (Wegge et al 2004); 3) array (a categorical factor created for each array of traps (1-7)): given that we used seven non simultaneous arrays, we expected that all parameters of interest for the detection process could also vary by arrays, hence this detection covariate was acting as a 'random site effect' (Harihar and Pandav 2012, Tan et al 2017, Penjor et al 2018; 4) distanceMR (the straight-line distance between each camera and the closest major paved road): wildcat detections might decrease for those cameras located closer to the major roads. Indeed, it has been shown that wildcat ranging behaviour is seriously affected by the presence of such human structures (Klar et al 2009, Mata et al 2017, Planillo et al 2018; 5) RAIh (the sum of all events with humans such as bikers, hikers, forest workers and mushroom collectors): wildcat detections can be negatively influenced by persistent use of the trails by humans (Piñeiro et al 2012). Ecological covariates to model wildcat occupancy (ψ) ( Table 1) were derived from the land map 'Nature map of the Sicilian region' at the scale of 1:50 000 created in 2008 with a resolution of 1 ha.…”

“…Although the effect was not statistically significant (p = 0.09), the detection covariate RAIh (a measure of human disturbance) was retained within the most supported model and negatively influenced wildcat detectability. Wildcats are mainly nocturnal (Daniels et al 2001, Wittmer 2001, Germain et al 2008, but daylight movements can also occur (Daniels et al 2001, Germain et al 2008 and the contemporary presence of humans along the trails might have induced wildcats to be more 'cautious' when human presence was 'massive' (Piñeiro et al 2012), similar to bobcats (George andCrooks 2006, Clare et al 2015), leopards Panthera pardus (Carter et al 2015) and tigers (Carter et al 2012).…”

Wildcat population density on theEtna volcano,Italy: a comparison of density estimation methods

“…The European wildcat ( Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777) is widespread throughout Europe in fragmented and scattered populations occupying different habitats ranging from scrub‐pasture lands (Lozano et al ., ; Monterroso et al ., ; Lozano, ) to forest patches intermixed with fields (Klar et al ., , ). Limited human disturbance is a fundamental requirement for the persistence of viable wildcat populations (Klar et al ., ; Monterroso et al ., ; Piñeiro & Barja, ; Piñeiro et al ., ). Currently, the European wildcat is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN; however, the population is decreasing throughout its range (Driscoll & Nowell, ) because of the loss of suitable habitat (Klar, Herrmann & Kramer‐Schadt, ; Klar et al ., ), mortality on roads (Krone et al ., ), overgrazing by large game species (Lozano et al ., ) and hybridization with the domestic cat ( Felis silvestris catus ; Oliveira et al ., ).…”

Fecal cortisol content of wild giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) to monitor human disturbance level in natural habitats

“…Analyzing fecal samples to measure glucocorticoid concentrations allows physiological stress to be quantified in a non-invasive manner (Pineiro et al, 2012).…”

“…This new technique has been applied to an increasing number of carnivore species, such as grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis; von der Ohe et al, 2004), wolf (Canis lupus; Creel et al, 2002;Sands & Creel, 2004), jaguar {Panthera onca; Morato et al, 2004), black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes; Young et al, 2001;Young et al, 2004), wildcat (Eelis silvestris; Pineiro et al, 2012), European pine marten (Martes martes; Barja et al, 2007) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica; Zwijacz-Kozica et al, 2013), among others. These studies have provided a new way of evaluating the inner physiological reaction of animals to interference.…”