Fence effects on the behavioural responses of South American fur seals to tourist approaches

Abstract

Animals that breed in coastal colonies, such as pinnipeds, usually attract tourism, which can negatively affect their resting and breeding behaviour if not managed properly. One strategy to reduce human disturbance is to set up fences, but little is known about their local effectiveness. Our purpose was to assess the behavioural responses of South American fur seals (Arctocephaalus australis) towards tourist approaches before and after the implementation of fences in Cabo Polonio colony (Uruguay). We found that human disturbance levels were similar between years and that the presence of a fence reduced (1) overall fur seal responses to tourists by 60%, (2) the most intense behavioural responses (threat, attack, leaving the colony) by more than half, (3) the responses to large tourist groups (>2 people), which were the most disturbing, (4) the responses to closer (<10 m) tourist approaches, and (5) the responses involving more intrusive tourist behaviours (running, shouting, hand waving). Overall, we showed that after the erection of the fence not only human-wildlife interactions were reduced but also the most stressful fur seal behavioural responses. Although further studies are necessary, our results suggest that the implementation of fences can be a simple and affordable means of minimising human disturbance effects on pinnipeds at local levels (e.g., within colonies), particularly if combined with other strategies (e.g., changes in tourist attitudes).

Tourism and grey seals in south Devon: management strategies, voluntary controls and tourists’ perceptions of disturbance

“…This bears some resemblance to the four categories of disturbance caused by tourist approaches noted by Orsini et al (2006) and Cassini et al (2004) who found that large haul-out sites of Australian sea lions and South American fur seals demonstrate retreats, threats, attacks and finally departure. Previous studies of pinnipeds suggest that there is a threshold distance on land of approximately 10 m between tourists and animals that trigger negative behavioural responses (Cassini, 2001;Kovacs & Innes, 1990).…”

“…Although this research represents a case study of a relatively small colony of seals, it has resonance with other sites at various locations around the world where marine wildlife watching has turned into an increasingly popular and profitable industry, particularly where tourists have the opportunity to watch charismatic species with certain spatial and temporal predictability (Cassini, Szteren, & Fernandez-Juricic, 2004;Engelhard et al, 2001;Lalas & Bradshaw, 2001;Orsini, Shaughnessy, & Newsome, 2006;Scarpaci, Nugegoda, & Corkeron, 2004, 2005Tershy, Breese & Croll, 1997).…”

Who's watching whom? – an interdisciplinary approach to the study of seal-watching tourism in Iceland

“…In addition, changes in the spatial distribution of wild animals can be the result of anthropogenic impact, sometimes leading to animals abandoning breeding and resting sites, and instead choosing sites with less disturbance that in other aspects are less optimal for the animals (Cassini et al, 2004). Though in some cases animals may habituate to human presence (e.g.…”

Variability in haul-out behaviour by male Australian sea lions Neophoca cinerea in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia

“…Based on the resulting counts, measures, such as establishing sanctuary zones in areas used by large number of animals, may be implemented to minimise human disturbance (e.g. Gales 1995, Cassini et al 2004. However, single counts used as an indicator of numbers of animals using a haul-out site can be subject to significant inaccuracies when there is large day-to-day variability (Southwell 2005).…”

“…Gales 1995, Lovasz et al 2008, especially in areas of high human visitation such as the Perth metro politan area. To determine the effectiveness of management guidelines, monitoring of animals using the islands is often undertaken by conducting counts over time (Cassini et al 2004, Salgado Kent & Crabtree 2008. These counts can be used as estimates of relative abundance on which to base trends.…”