Fear of large carnivores amplifies human-caused mortality for mesopredators

Abstract

The challenge that large carnivores face in coexisting with humans calls into question their ability to carry out critical ecosystem functions such as mesopredator suppression outside protected areas. In this study, we examined the movements and fates of mesopredators and large carnivores across rural landscapes characterized by substantial human influences. Mesopredators shifted their movements toward areas with twofold-greater human influence in regions occupied by large carnivores, indicating that they perceived humans to be less of a threat. However, rather than shielding mesopredators, human-caused mortality was more than three times higher than large carnivore–caused mortality. Mesopredator suppression by apex predators may thus be amplified, rather than dampened, outside protected areas, because fear of large carnivores drives mesopredators into areas of even greater risk from human super predators.

Dynamic shifts in predator diel activity patterns across landscapes and threat levels

“…On the other hand, we did detect a strong, positive effect of human footprint on fox spatial activity (similar to Hradsky et al 2017a). We found no evidence human activity impacted cats -subordinate predators may prefer to avoid dominant (animal) predators over humans, even when this decision leads to higher mortality rates (Prugh et al 2023).…”

Cougars, wolves, and humans drive a dynamic landscape of fear for elk

“…Our findings build on prior research showing that ungulates use temporally dependent habitat selection to manage risk from multiple nonhuman predators (Kohl et al, 2018, 2019) by incorporating humans into the dynamic landscape of fear. By accounting for differences in habitat use between day and night, our results suggest that humans can function as super predators (Darimont et al, 2015) while also shielding elk against predation (Berger, 2007; Prugh et al, 2023). Although the elk population was increasing in this system (Ganz, 2022), the consequences of humans simultaneously acting as a shield and super predator have the potential to be detrimental and may be important to consider for conservation (Prugh et al, 2023).…”

“…Differences in predator distribution may have ultimately reflected human activities. Bassing (2022) and Prugh et al (2023) found that wolves consistently avoided anthropogenic activities in this system regardless of the indices considered (i.e., roads, human landscape modification) or scale of analysis. In contrast, cougar avoidance of humans depended on the index considered and scale of analysis, suggesting that cougars are somewhat more tolerant of anthropogenic activities (c.f., Bassing, 2022), perhaps due to strong nocturnality.…”

Three's Company: Anthropogenic factors shape co-occurrence in a meso-carnivore community in a semi-arid shared landscape of western India

“…Human impacts on carnivores manifest as a complex interplay of threats and benefits, thus making it challenging to assess their community-wide effects. Meso-carnivores are drawn to human-inhabited areas due to food subsidies (Ramesh & Downs, 2014; Srivathsa et al, 2020); this proximity often results in increased mortality and reduced fitness (Prugh et al, 2023). Roads, while providing scavenging opportunities from vehicle-caused mortalities, also heighten collision risks to the carnivores themselves (Cook & Blumstein, 2013; Planillo et al, 2018).…”