Ethiopian wolves are endangered diurnal Afroalpine rodent hunters. I investigated the interaction between wolves, rodents and human land use in Borena Sayint National Park (BSNP), Abune Yosef and... Show moreEthiopian wolves are endangered diurnal Afroalpine rodent hunters. I investigated the interaction between wolves, rodents and human land use in Borena Sayint National Park (BSNP), Abune Yosef and Aboi Gara in Ethiopia. I applied scat analysis, interview, questionnaire and rodent-trapping survey methods. In BSNP 94.6% of wolf diet was made up of rodents, medium- sized mammals and others, while only 5.4% comprised livestock. Of all prey 79.2% were diurnal rodents. However, livestock presence indicated predation, which is damaging to livelihoods and perceptions to wolves. Rodent density across BSNP was higher in ungrazed land uses than grazed land and correlated positively to vegetation cover and negatively to livestock presence. In Abune Yosef 80% of local people benefited from natural resources but also suffered from predation by wolves and jackals. However, 66% reported positive attitude towards wolves and 71% recognised ecosystem protection. In Aboi Gara, I assessed extent of predation on small stock, its economic impact, and how it affects attitude towards wolf. Of 140 pastoralists, 70 losing 1.2 head of small stock to wolves and jackals over a year, this represents a loss of 10% herd size, or USD 92 per household. However, 62.1% of pastoralists had positive attitude towards wolves. Show less
With only three living individuals left on this planet, the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) could be considered doomed for extinction. It might still be possible, however,... Show moreWith only three living individuals left on this planet, the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) could be considered doomed for extinction. It might still be possible, however, to rescue the (sub) species by combining novel stem cell and assisted reproductive technologies. To discuss the various practical options available to us, we convened a multidisciplinary meeting under the name "Conservation by Cellular Technologies." The outcome of this meeting and the proposed road map that, if successfully implemented, would ultimately lead to a self-sustaining population of an extremely endangered species are outlined here. The ideas discussed here, while centered on the northern white rhinoceros, are equally applicable, after proper adjustments, to other mammals on the brink of extinction. Through implementation of these ideas we hope to establish the foundation for reversal of some of the effects of what has been termed the sixth mass extinction event in the history of Earth, and the first anthropogenic one. (C) 2016 The Authors. Zoo Biology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Show less
