Using predator feces as a repellent for free-ranging urban capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Ruiz-Tagle, Natalia Méndez; Nogueira-Filho, Sérgio Luiz Gama; Knowles, Toby G; Nogueira, Selene Siqueira da Cunha

doi:10.1007/s10211-021-00377-8

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Alternatively, farming capybara could provide a source of income. In addition, wild capybara have had large population growths in some areas due to lack of predation and expansion of urban areas and so management of capybara may be a viable solution to feed protein-deficient people in these areas (Marchini and Crawshaw Jr 2015 ; Abra et al, 2021 ; Ruiz-Tagle et al, 2021 ). Whilst it is unclear whether large scale high welfare capybara farming could provide a substantial amount of food, there could be distinct welfare and environmental benefits through farming a locally adapted animal over the cattle, pigs and chickens currently farmed in Brazil.…”

Section: Case Examplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farming non-typical sentient species: ethical framework requires passing a high bar

Mullan,

Nogueira,

Nogueira-Filho

et al. 2024

J Agric Environ Ethics

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More widespread farming of species not typically used as livestock may be part of a sustainable approach for promoting human health and economic prosperity in a world with an increasing population; a current example is peccary farming in the Neotropics. Others have argued that species that are local to a region and which are usually not farmed should be considered for use as livestock. They may have a more desirable nutrient profile than species that are presently used as livestock. It may also reduce the pressure from hunting on other wild species, and cause less environmental damage than exotic species. We propose a sentiocentric utilitarian framework that could be used to decide whether species that are local, but generally not used as livestock, should be farmed. To illustrate the use of our decision-making framework, we employ two contrasting neotropical case studies: the Spotted Paca (Cuniculus paca) and the Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). We argue that it may be acceptable to use non-sentient species that are typically not farmed as livestock. However, research should determine whether farming them offers human, environmental or sustainability benefits. In addition, we recommend that if invertebrate species are considered for farming, research should be conducted to determine the likelihood that they are sentient. Finally, given the ethical failings of current livestock farming practices, we argue that a high bar must be met if ‘new’ species that are sentient are to be farmed.

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Section: Case Examplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farming non-typical sentient species: ethical framework requires passing a high bar

Mullan,

Nogueira,

Nogueira-Filho

et al. 2024

J Agric Environ Ethics

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show abstract

“…), mustelids (mongoose, stoat, mink, ferret, etc.) or omnivorous, like the brown bear, provoke an avoidance reaction in their prey, including mice and other small rodents like voles and pocket gophers (reviewed in Apfelbach et al 2005; Murray et al 2006; Parsons et al 2007; Ruiz‐Tagle et al 2021). It seems that the aversive response in the prey is mediated by common cues related to the meat consumption of the predators, which produce a higher concentration in their excrements, urine, or secretions of sulfurous metabolites derived from the digestion of the meat with respect to animals with a non‐carnivorous diet (Nolte et al 1994; Sündermann et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human urine does not protect acorns against predation by the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus): a field study with video recording

Castro

2024

Restoration Ecology

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Direct seeding is a revegetation method that can offer great advantages for forest restoration, but suffers the drawback of seed loss due to granivorous rodents. Thus, to make direct seeding a useful and scalable forest restoration method, we need to find ways to protect seeds against rodents. Scents produced by carnivorous or omnivorous animals that elicit a fear response on rodents are a promising group of substances that can be used to protect seeds and that have demonstrated effectiveness in a number of cases. Here, I test if human urine has a protective effect on Holm oak (Quercus ilex) acorns against predation by mice. Human urine would be much easier and cheaper to obtain than the urine of other animals, providing the possibility, if effective, to scale the application of a repellent substance. I set up a field experiment in an area with high wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) abundance and used eight urine donors. Neither urine nor donor had any effect. Acorn removal was very fast and high, reaching 97.2% after 7 days. Video recording with camera traps showed that the wood mouse was the main predator, but the Eurasian jay also removed acorns. I conclude that human urine is not useful as a repellent against mice and suggest to focus efforts in finding other substances to repel seed predators.

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Olfactory Repellents in Road Ecology: What We Know and What to Focus on in the Future

Keken,

Wimmerová,

Šolcová

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Road transport systems kill millions of animals on every inhabited continent each year, and thousands of human lives are lost. Odour repellents (ORE) are a WVC mitigation measure which have been extensively applied across central Europe to prevent or minimise the number of ungulate–vehicle collisions (UVCs). OREs aim to increase the vigilance of ungulates near roads and therefore change their behaviour in areas where vehicle collisions may occur. Despite many scientific papers on the topic of odour repellent effectiveness, a lack of behavioural studies means there is still little understanding of the mechanism of ORE functionality. OREs are applied as an area repellent, so their effectiveness is influenced by multiple factors, and constantly discussed by both academics and the lay public. This paper summarises the state of knowledge about application and effectiveness of odour repellents in road ecology, and suggests research questions to fill information gaps.

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Using predator feces as a repellent for free-ranging urban capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Cited by 3 publications

References 47 publications

Farming non-typical sentient species: ethical framework requires passing a high bar

Farming non-typical sentient species: ethical framework requires passing a high bar

Human urine does not protect acorns against predation by the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus): a field study with video recording

Olfactory Repellents in Road Ecology: What We Know and What to Focus on in the Future

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