Scavenger activity in a peri-urban agricultural setting in the Highveld of South Africa

Abstract

Scavenging animals often scatter skeletal remains of forensic interest and cause scavenging damage. This study aimed to identify scavenging animals in the peri-urban agricultural Highveld of South Africa, describe their scattering patterns, and the damage they cause to bone. Ten pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus) (40-80 kg) were placed at the University of Pretoria's Mierjie Le Roux Experimental Farm (Highveld) in summer and winter. Motion activated cameras recorded the scavenging. Scavenger species were identified and their behaviors, scattering pattern, and the damage they cause to bone were described. Scavenging was primarily by black-backed jackals, however mongooses (slender, yellow, and water mongoose), Cape porcupine, and honey badger were also active. Remains were commonly scattered in two directions by jackals. The distance of scattering was heavily influenced b y fencing. The remains were scattered within a maximum radius of 73.7 m. The remains were scavenged and skeletonized faster in summer. Jackals caused minimal damage to bone, isolated to superficial, nonspecific scores, furrows and punctures. A few mongoose bone alterations were present as jagged gnaw marks on the angle of the mandible and gnawing of the vertebral spinous process. Cape porcupine bone damage included gnaw marks on the condyle of a femur and head of humerus, and destruction of the proximal and distal ends of a tibia. The described scattering pattern and bone modification patterns will assist in the recovery and analysis of scavenged remains found in peri-urban agricultural areas in South Africa.

Molecular Detection and Genetic Characterization of Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV-2) in Black-Backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) in Namibia

“…Moreover, the above hypothesis conflicts with the detection of PCV-2b strains in South African and Namibian domestic pigs, while warthogs and Oryx antelope were infected by PCV-2c [ 26 ], indicating that the PCV-2b in jackals may have originated from domestic pigs, even though direct contact between domestic pigs and jackals is thought to be highly unlikely. An alternative explanation could involve the dispersal of pig-derived products in the wild environment [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ] during recreational activities or the scavenging activity of jackals living in peri-urban areas [ 37 , 38 ]. The presence and infectivity of PCV-2 in the meat and bone marrow of infected pigs has been demonstrated [ 39 ] and, combined with the high resistance of PCV-2 in the environment [ 40 , 41 , 42 ], could facilitate this infection path.…”

The golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the African swine fever pandemic: Its role is controversial but not negligible (a diet analysis study)

“…In general, these scavengers enter the dead body at the perianal region or from the abdominal side where the collagen fibre content of the skin is lower than it is in the other anatomical regions (Lotan, 2000 ; Meyer et al., 1982 ; Yang et al., 2015 ). Despite their limited ability to penetrate the skin of an adult wild boar, mesocarnivores can remove most of the soft tissues in few weeks post‐mortem (Keyes et al., 2020 ; Lotan, 2000 ; Probst et al., 2020 ). Considering the fact that deathbeds of wild boars have limited visibility for humans, the period needed for skeletonization is rather short to succeed in surveillance (Morelle et al., 2019 ).…”

“…This wildlife reservoir hampers control efforts since human activities can control neither the movement nor the population size of wild animals effectively. Currently, even the size and density of the European wild boar populations are estimated with low precision (EFSA, 2020 , 2010 ). In favour of the European swine industry, the community veterinary authority expects control success from population reduction of wild boars and passive surveillance based on “found dead” animals (Dixon et al., 2020 ; EFSA, 2018 ).…”

Uncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging in the European Context

“…Soft tissue scavenging usually occurs on unclothed body parts, while other coverings such as plastic bags may be ripped open [34,35,84,131,135]. Although rodents may, on occasion, feed on the associated insects [136] and on the body itself, they initially concentrate on locations of penetrating trauma [24]. Rats were observed to be most interested in fatty tissue, undermining the skin, but also consuming skin and muscle tissues [45].…”

“…Similarly, to the author's knowledge, the only record given for ungulates gnawing human bone is from a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in a research facility in Texas [140]. In a pig-cadaver study in South Africa, a domestic cow herd rolled over the carcass a few times, but this was not recorded as scavenging [136].…”