In a recent analysis Woodroffe (2000) found a positive relationship between historical patterns of large carnivore extinction probability and human population density. However, much of the data in this analysis came from a period when carnivore extermination was a management objective. In order to explore the hypothesis that large carnivores can persist at high human densities when the management regime is more favourable we have repeated the analysis using up-to-date data from North America and Europe. In North America we found that large carnivore populations have increased after favourable legislation was introduced, despite further increases in human population density. In Europe we found no clear relationship between present carnivore distribution and human population density. We therefore believe that the existence of effective wildlife management structures is more important than human density per se.

Because of its applied character, wildlife science needs opportunities to summarise existing knowledge by reviewing, either by presenting leading ideas and results of study teams, or summarising adva nced know ledge of selected scientific or manage ment problem s. Reviews should be concise.

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This paper reports evidence for family effects (i.e., nonindependence between siblings) on components of juvenile fitness in two high‐performance populations of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). In Trois Fontaines (eastern France), 51 sets of twins were ear‐tagged as newborns and then intensively monitored until adulthood (to ≥4 yr of age). On the island of Storfosna (central western Norway), 79 sets of twins and 40 sets of triplets were radiotracked from birth to ≥1 mo of age. In both populations, family effects were observed for measures of early body development and winter body mass. Measurements for sibling fawns were more similar than the same measures for nonsiblings. During unfavorable years (i.e., poor deer survival in summer or high population density), sibling fawns survived or died together much more often than expected by chance. Conversely, during favorable years (i.e., high fawn survival or low density), there was no evidence for family effects on survival of either twins or triplets. These results demonstrate that family effects on juvenile fitness of roe deer are pervasive, and that family effects on early survival differ among years. To assess the consequences of family effects on population dynamics, we tested the model of . This model proposes that family effects should cause increased variance in recruitment among females. Consistent with this model, family effects led to a threefold increase in the variance of total reproductive success over 5 yr of 37 females in Trois Fontaines. Data from Storfosna (11 females monitored for 3 yr) also supported Crow and Morton’s model. Ultimately, family effects in polytocous species could reduce the intensity of sexual selection and modify the genetic structure of populations.