Population Viability Analysis of Swift fox (Vulpes velox) at the Badlands National Park

The swift fox (Vulpes velox) was historically distributed in southwestern South Dakota including the region surrounding Badlands National Park (BNP). The species declined during the mid-1900s due to habitat fragmentation, non-target poisoning, and harvest. A remnant population occurred on USDA Forest Service lands in Fall River County, South Dakota. Following the successful reintroduction of the species in Canada (1983), a reintroduction program was initiated in BNP in the year 2003. Free-ranging swift fox from Colorado and Wyoming were translocated to BNP from 2003 to 2006. Despite these releases and observations of free-ranging swift fox occurring throughout western South Dakota, it was not known if a viable population occurred in western South Dakota. My study objectives were: (1) To determine the age-specific survival of the reintroduced swift fox population at BNP and surrounding area, (2) to determine the genetic diversity of the reintroduced population at BNP and (3) to determine habitat selection of female swift fox during the pup-rearing period (May – July), and finally, (4) to determine the viability of the reintroduced swift fox population at BNP and surrounding area. Monthly apparent survival probability of pups, yearlings, and adults was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.86-0.90), 0.90 (95% CI: 0.88-0.92), and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91-0.94), respectively, in our study area. Accordingly, the annual apparent survival probability of pups, yearlings, and adults in our study area was 0.22, 0.29, and 0.39, respectively. We measured genetic diversity of the reintroduced swift fox population at BNP and surrounding area, and in an area of Colorado and Wyoming from where swift foxes were translocated to BNP, as well as the local swift fox population neighbouring BNP in Fall River County, South Dakota, using 12 microsatellite loci in Program Fstat version 2.9.3. We obtained mean gene diversity values of 0.778 (SD=0.156) for the Colorado population, 0.753 (SD=0.165) for the Wyoming population, 0.751 (SD=0.171) for the BNP population, and 0.730 (SD=0.166) for the Fall River population. We obtained an Fst value of 0.029 for the BNP and Fall River fox population, and an Fst value of 0.014 for the Colorado and Wyoming fox populations. We also obtained an Fst value of 0.020 for the Colorado and Fall River populations as well as an Fst value of 0.0246 for the Wyoming and Fall River populations. Analyses of location data from 13 radiomarked lactating female foxes indicated disproportional use (P \u3c 0.001) of some habitats relative to their availability within swift fox home ranges. Swift foxes used grassland (ŵ = 1.01), sparse vegetation (ŵ = 1.4) and prairie dog towns (ŵ = 1.18) in proportion to their availability, whereas they were less likely to use woodland (ŵ = 0.00), shrubland (ŵ=0.14), pasture/agricultural-land (ŵ = 0.25) and development (ŵ = 0.16) relative to availability. Swift foxes typically are located in habitats that provide greater visibility, such as shortgrass prairie and areas with sparse vegetation; which allow detection of approaching coyotes (Canis latrans: primary predator of swift foxes). We used Progam VORTEX 9.99b to assess the viability of the reintroduced swift fox population at BNP and surrounding area incorporating data on the pedigree of the initial population. According to our findings, the reintroduced swift fox population at BNP had a 100% chance of extinction in the next 10 years with a negative growth rate under current conditions. The sensitivity analysis showed mortality rate to be the major cause of probability of extinction. Even a slight increase in survival (33% for pups and 45% for adults) would be capable of maintaining a stable population with a positive growth rate. The probability of population extinction, mean population size, and genetic diversity are crude estimations obtained from data on diverse interacting processes that are too complex to be integrated intuitively. Thus, the outcomes of this PVA should be considered an attempt to identify the factors affecting the persistence of the reintroduced population rather than using it to estimate accurate extinction probabilities and genetic changes to the population. To ensure viability of the reintroduced population, the survival rate of the foxes should be increased by increasing availability of suitable habitat, increasing prey availability, and keeping predators under control. Moreover, the population should be monitored periodically to assess demographic rates and genetic diversity

Age-specific survival of reintroduced swift fox in Badlands National Park and surrounding lands

In 2003, a reintroduction program was initiated at Badlands National Park (BNP), South Dakota, USA, with swift foxes (Vulpes velox) translocated from Colorado and Wyoming, USA, as part of a restoration effort to recover declining swift fox populations throughout its historical range. Estimates of age-specific survival are necessary to evaluate the potential for population growth of reintroduced populations. We used 7 years (2003–2009) of capture–recapture data of 243 pups, 29 yearlings, and 69 adult swift foxes at BNP and the surrounding area to construct Cormack–Jolly–Seber model estimates of apparent survival within a capture–mark–recapture framework using Program MARK. The best model for estimating recapture probabilities included no differences among age classes, greater recapture probabilities during early years of the monitoring effort than later years, and variation among spring, winter, and summer. Our top ranked survival model indicated pup survival differed from that of yearlings and adults and varied by month and year. The apparent annual survival probability of pups (0.47, SE = 0.10) in our study area was greater than the apparent annual survival probability of yearlings and adults (0.27, SE = 0.08). Our results indicate low survival probabilities for a reintroduced population of swift foxes in the BNP and surrounding areas. Management of reintroduced populations and future reintroductions of swift foxes should consider the effects of relative low annual survival on population demography

Mate Replacement and Alloparental Care in Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)

Alloparental care (i.e., care for unrelated offspring) has been documented in various avian species (Maxson 1978, Smith et al. 1996, Te Ila et al. 1997, Lislevand et al. 2001, Literak and Mraz 2011). A male replacement mate that encounters existing broods has options, which include alloparental care or infanticide. Infanticide may be beneficial in some species (Rohwer 1986, Kermott et al. 1990), but in long-lived avian species, like the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) that do not renest within a season, infanticide might be detrimental. Adoption and rearing success likely provide direct evidence of competence of replacement mates as potential parents for future seasons, a benefit that might outweigh the investment of time and effort associated with adoption and rearing (after Rohwer 1986). Anticipated mating opportunity at the cost of adoption (Gori et al. 1996, Rohwer et al. 1999) may explain step-parental benevolence and therefore, in such a scenario would enhance individual fitness through subsequent recruitment of related young

Mate Replacement and Alloparental Care in Ferruginous Hawk

Alloparental care (i.e., care for unrelated offspring) has been documented in various avian species (Maxson 1978, Smith et al. 1996, Tella et al. 1997, Lislevand et al. 2001, Literak and Mraz 2011). A male replacement mate that encounters existing broods has options, which include alloparental care or infanticide. Infanticide may be beneficial in some species (Rohwer 1986, Kermott et al. 1990), but in long-lived avian species, like the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) that do not renest within a season, infanticide might be detrimental. Adoption and rearing success likely provide direct evidence of competence of replacement mates as potential parents for future seasons, a benefit that might outweigh the investment of time and effort associated with adoption and rearing (after Rohwer 1986). Anticipated mating opportunity at the cost of adoption (Gori et al. 1996, Rohwer et al. 1999) may explain step-parental benevolence and therefore, in such a scenario would enhance individual fitness through subsequent recruitment of related young

Age-specific survival of reintroduced swift fox in Badlands National Park and surrounding lands

In 2003, a reintroduction program was initiated at Badlands National Park (BNP), South Dakota, USA, with swift foxes (Vulpes velox) translocated from Colorado and Wyoming, USA, as part of a restoration effort to recover declining swift fox populations throughout its historical range. Estimates of age-specific survival are necessary to evaluate the potential for population growth of reintroduced populations. We used 7 years (2003–2009) of capture–recapture data of 243 pups, 29 yearlings, and 69 adult swift foxes at BNP and the surrounding area to construct Cormack–Jolly–Seber model estimates of apparent survival within a capture–mark–recapture framework using Program MARK. The best model for estimating recapture probabilities included no differences among age classes, greater recapture probabilities during early years of the monitoring effort than later years, and variation among spring, winter, and summer. Our top ranked survival model indicated pup survival differed from that of yearlings and adults and varied by month and year. The apparent annual survival probability of pups (0.47, SE = 0.10) in our study area was greater than the apparent annual survival probability of yearlings and adults (0.27, SE = 0.08). Our results indicate low survival probabilities for a reintroduced population of swift foxes in the BNP and surrounding areas. Management of reintroduced populations and future reintroductions of swift foxes should consider the effects of relative low annual survival on population demography.This article is published as Sasmal, Indrani, Robert W. Klaver, Jonathan A. Jenks, and Greg M. Schroeder. "Age‐specific survival of reintroduced swift fox in Badlands National Park and surrounding lands." Wildlife Society Bulletin 40, no. 2 (2016): 217-223, doi: 10.1002/wsb.641.</p

Seasonal space use of transient and resident coyotes in North Carolina

Coyote (Canis latrans Say, 1823) is a recent immigrant into eastern United States, and little is known about the species’ space use and movement in the region. We compared space use and movement of radio-collared coyotes among biological seasons. We captured and collared 30 coyotes from February through May 2011 and collected 85,386 GPS locations through October 2012 at Fort Bragg Military Installation. We defined 4 biological seasons according to coyote life history: breeding (December–February), gestation (March–May), pup-rearing (June–August), and dispersal (September–November). Out of 27 radio-collared individuals, we identified 10 as transient and 11 as resident based on home range size and variability across seasons; 6 switched their status and were classified as intermediate. We observed low variability of core area size across seasons for resident males and females, whereas we documented high variability for transient males. Movement rate of resident coyotes during spring (449.75 m/hr) was greater than summer (295.33 m/hr), whereas movement rates did not differ between any other seasons. For transient coyotes, movement rate during summer (283 m/hr) was less than fall (374.73 m/hr), spring (479.85 m/hr), and winter (488.5 m/hr). Some coyotes adjusted their residency status seasonally and other individuals dispersed large distances (> 200 km).The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Release method evaluation for swift fox reintroduction at Bad River Ranches in South Dakota

Reintroductions have increasingly become effective at restoring populations of imperiled native wildlife. How animals are reintroduced into unfamiliar environments may have pronounced impacts on behavior, survival, and reproduction. We evaluated the influence of four release methods on survival rates of translocated swift foxes at Bad River Ranches (BRR) in western South Dakota: (1) hard-release, (2) short-soft-release, (3) long-soft-release, an

Release Method Evaluation for Swift Fox Reintroduction at Bad River Ranches in South Dakota

Reintroductions have increasingly become effective at restoring populations of imperiled native wildlife. How animals are reintroduced into unfamiliar environments may have pronounced impacts on behavior, survival, and reproduction. We evaluated the influence of four release methods on survival rates of translocated swift foxes at Bad River Ranches (BRR) in western South Dakota: (1) hard-release, (2) short-soft-release, (3) long-soft-release, and (4) captive born. A total of 179 foxes captured in Wyoming during 2002–2007 and in Colorado during 2006–2007 were released into BRR and the surrounding area. In addition, 43 pups born to foxes in the long-soft-release category were also released. All release methods incorporated a 14- to 21-day quarantine period. Hard-release foxes were released directly from a transport kennel, whereas short-soft-release foxes were released from soft-release pens by opening the door and allowing the foxes to leave voluntarily. Long-soft-release foxes were held for more than 250 days on-site in soft-release pens through the winter and released in the following year in early summer. During 2002–2007, survival of reintroduced foxes differed significantly (p \u3c 0.05) by age (adult vs. juvenile), release year, and release method. The short-soft-release method had the highest 60-day post-release survival probability compared with the other release methods. We did not detect any differences in mortality hazards between wild-born and short-soft-release foxes. Reintroduction programs based on short-soft-releases are useful for restoring or augmenting populations to advance the conservation of the swift fox

Genetic Diversity in a Reintroduced Swift Fox Population

Swift fox (Vulpes velox) were historically distributed in southwestern South Dakota including the region surrounding Badlands National Park (BNP). The species declined during the mid-1800s, largely due to habitat loss and poisoning targeted at wolves (Canis lupus) and coyotes (Canis latrans). Only a small population of swift foxes near Ardmore, which is located in Fall River County, South Dakota, persisted. In 2003, a reintroduction program was initiated at BNP with swift foxes translocated from Colorado and Wyoming. Foxes released in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 were translocated from Colorado (BNP-Colorado) whereas in 2006, released foxes were translocated from Wyoming (BNP-Wyoming). Our objective was to evaluate genetic diversity and structure of the restored swift fox population in the area surrounding BNP compared to source fox populations in an area of Colorado and Wyoming, as well as the local swift fox population neighboring BNP near Ardmore in Fall River County, South Dakota. A total of 400 swift foxes (28 released in 2003, 28 released in 2004, 26 released in 2005, 26 released in 2006, 252 wild-born foxes, 40 individual foxes from the Ardmore area of South Dakota) was genotyped using twelve microsatellite loci. We report mean gene diversity values of 0.778 (SD = 0.156) for the BNP-Colorado population, 0.753 (SD = 0.165) for the BNP-Wyoming population, 0.751 (SD = 0.171) for the BNP population, and 0.730 (SD = 0.166) for the Fall River population. We also obtained Fst values ranging from 0.014 to 0.029 for pair-wise comparisons of fox populations (BNP, Fall River, BNP-Wyoming, BNP-Colorado). We conclude that the reintroduced fox population around BNP has high genetic diversity comparable to its source populations in Colorado and Wyoming. Although genetic diversity indicates that the reintroduction was successful, additional time is necessary to fully evaluate long-term genetic maintenance and interconnectivity among these populations

Mate Replacement and Alloparental Care in Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)

Alloparental care (i.e., care for unrelated offspring) has been documented in various avian species (Maxson 1978, Smith et al. 1996, Te Ila et al. 1997, Lislevand et al. 2001, Literak and Mraz 2011). A male replacement mate that encounters existing broods has options, which include alloparental care or infanticide. Infanticide may be beneficial in some species (Rohwer 1986, Kermott et al. 1990), but in long-lived avian species, like the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) that do not renest within a season, infanticide might be detrimental. Adoption and rearing success likely provide direct evidence of competence of replacement mates as potential parents for future seasons, a benefit that might outweigh the investment of time and effort associated with adoption and rearing (after Rohwer 1986). Anticipated mating opportunity at the cost of adoption (Gori et al. 1996, Rohwer et al. 1999) may explain step-parental benevolence and therefore, in such a scenario would enhance individual fitness through subsequent recruitment of related young.This article is published as Datta, S., J. A. Jenks, K. C. Jensen, C. C. Swanson, R. W. Klaver, I. Sasmal, and T. W. Grovenburg. 2015. Mate Replacement and Alloparental Care in Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis). Prairie Naturalist 47:36-37.</p