No abstract

This paper describes the design and the preliminary evaluation of an integrated approach to the control of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes using praziquantel bait. Air distribution of bait in agricultural and recreational areas was combined with distribution of bait by hand in towns and villages to cover the entire fox population in the 213-km 2 baiting area. Bait distribution density was 50/km 2 , and bait was distributed once every 4 weeks. Pre-baiting prevalence was 35% (22-50% CI 95%). During a 1-year period following the first 4 months of bait distribution, only one positive fox was found (prevalence 1%; 0-4% CI 95%). No significant change had occurred in the unbaited control area. This prevalence decline is far more pronounced than in previous fox-baiting studies, which is likely to be due to the increased bait distribution density and baiting frequency, and the inclusion of the 'urban' fox population.

A wildlife species' selection of bedding sites is often characterised by strong trade-offs, as habitat quality, predator avoidance and foraging needs should be achieved simultaneously. Human activities often represent major threats in addition. In areas of intensive agriculture, e.g. mowing is one of the main causes of mortality of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) fawns due their hiding strategy. For a species' offspring, the selection of bedding sites is particularly crucial and thus, identifying how and when animals use such habitats is important for management. We used a long-term dataset of marked roe deer fawns in Switzerland (1971Switzerland ( -2015 to reveal the characteristics of optimal bedding sites within the first two weeks of a fawn's life in three contrasting landscapes and the potential trade-offs that may occur. We hypothesised that roe deer adjust the selection of bedding sites to current environmental conditions and available habitat to achieve sufficient levels of predator avoidance and thermoregulation necessary for the fawn's survival, as well as the availability of sufficient food resources for the mother doe. We found that, in general, grassland habitats with medium vegetation height (20-50 cm) and habitats in close proximity to the edge of the forest were favoured to achieve those basic requirements. However, the use of bed site habitats differed between the three contrasting landscapes in dependence of elevation and hence vegetation phenology. Our results provide essential information to reduce mortality rates caused by mowing and improve the reproductive success of this species.

This study investigated the epidemiological and ecological factors to assess the infection pressure of alveolar echinococcosis to human which are living in villages and small towns. Foxes and fox faeces were examined for Echinococcus multilocularis and foxes were observed by radio telemetry in Upper Bavaria, Germany. Forty-three percent of the village foxes (n=65) had been infected with E. multilocularis. This prevalence rate did not differ significantly from the prevalence among rural foxes, which was 39% (n=33; χ 2 =0.12, df=1, p=0.727) determined by the intestinal scraping technique. PCR analyses of fox faeces showed a higher infection rate of 35% (n=26) among rural foxes than among foxes in villages and small towns (26%, n=69; χ 2 =0.68, df=1, p=0.411). One quarter of the fox faecal samples come from private gardens of residents. The radio-tracking study on 17 foxes showed that foxes preferred the built-up area and grassland outside the villages. Village foxes concentrated their activity within a range of 500 m around the settlement. Sixty-four percent of all bearings for radio-tracked foxes showed positions in areas outside the town, and 36% of bearings were within the settlement. Village foxes, which are infected with E. multilocularis, are able to carry the parasite continuously into settlements and fox faeces present an immediate source of infection to humans, especially within their gardens. Therefore, foxes are responsible for environmental E. multilocularis egg contamination in the vicinity of humans, leading to an infection risk to inhabitants of villages and small towns.