The Biology And Conservation Of Wild Canids

No group of wild mammals so universally captures the emotions of people world-wide than do wild canids. That emotion can be enchantment and fascination, but it can also be loathing, because the opportunism that is the hallmark of the dog family also leads them into conflict with humans. In the developed world at least, the fascination with wild canids doubtless stems from people's captivation with domestic dogs - everybody feels they are an expert on canids! While most people may be familiar with only the better known members of the dog family, such as the grey wolf and the red fox, there are in fact 36 species of wolves, dogs, jackals and foxes. They attract hugely disproportionate interest from academics, conservationists, veterinarians, wildlife managers and the general public. This book brings together in single volume an astonishing synthesis of research done in the last twenty years and is the first truly compendious synthesis on wild canids. Beginning with a complete account of all 36 canid species, there follow six review chapters that emphasise topics most relevant to canid conservation science, including evolution and systematics, behavioural ecology, population genetics, diseases, conflict/control of troublesome species, and conservation tools. Fifteen detailed case studies then delve deeply into the very best species investigations currently available written by all the leading figures in the field. Much of the material is previously unpublished and will make fascinating reading far beyond the confines of canid specialists. These chapters portray the unique attributes of wild canids, their fascinating (and conflictive) relationship with man, and suggestions for future research and conservation measures for the Canidae. While most canid species are widespread and thrive in human dominated landscapes, several are in severe jeopardy; habitat loss, illegal hunting, persecution by farmers and disease all imperil dwindling populations. A final chapter analyses the requirements of, and approaches to, practical conservation, with lessons that go far beyond the dog family. It concentrates particular attention on priorities for the protection of the most threatened canid species, including the red wolf, African wild dog, Ethiopian wolf, Island fox and Darwin's fox. The wild canids provide examples that will thrill the evolutionary biologists and theoretician, enthral the natural historian and challenge the conservationist and wildlife manager. Anybody interested in evolutionary and behavioural biology, in mammals, in the environment, or in conservation will find much that is new and enriching in this book.

"This book brings together in a single volume a synthesis of research from the last twenty years and is the first compendious synthesis on wild canids." "The wild canids provide examples that will thrill the evolutionary biologist and theoretician, enthrall the natural historian and challenge the conservationist and wildlife manager. Anybody interested in evolutionary and behavioural biology, in mammals, in the environment, or in conservation will find much that is new and enriching in this book."--Résumé de l'éditeur.

implications that go far beyond the cat family. --

This edited volume adopts a global perspective to review how dogs interact with wildlife, how humans perceive these interactions, the potential importance of dog-wildlife interactions, and the scope of the problems.

Wolves are controversial figures worldwide and much effort has focused on how to conserve them while addressing public concerns. With its solitary habits and fruit-eating diet, the endangered maned wolf roams the South American grasslands and swamps, playing a vital part in maintaining biodiversity hotspots. Compared to the grey wolf, little is known about its relationship with local people and the environment and the reasons for its decline, making research about this unique species an urgent concern. Ecology and Conservation of the Maned Wolf: Multidisciplinary Perspectives gathers the work of leading researchers from diverse disciplines and countries, covering up-to-date research on the biology, ecology, and conservation of the maned wolf. It presents innovative insights that can benefit conservation strategies and offers perspectives for the future of the species. The book is divided into three parts. Part I explains the general issues concerning the maned wolf: population viability, the relationship between maned wolves and people, and the management of captive maned wolves. It also reviews current aspects of species biology, including conservation genetics, feeding ecology, social structure and reproduction, and conservation medicine. Part II contains case studies that present knowledge gathered from conservation programs and field research in all countries where the species is currently found—Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Part III offers perspectives from diverse fields of research, exploring the challenges and opportunities connecting maned wolf conservation efforts with those of its habitat and of other endangered species. This includes education and communication tools, the application of human dimensions research to maned wolf conservation, ethnoconservation perspectives, and the ecological and socioeconomic challenges to the conservation of the cerrado habitat.

The new Canid Action Plan synthesizes the current knowledge on the biology, ecology and status of all wild canid species, and outlines the conservation actions and projects needed to secure their long-term survival. Aiming at conservation biologists, ecologists, local conservation officials, administrators, educators, and all others dealing with canids in their jobs, the authors aspire to stimulate the conservation of all canids by highlighting problems, debating priorities and suggesting action.

The most complete and user-friendly photographic field guide to the world’s canids This stunningly illustrated and easy-to-use field guide covers every species of the world’s canids, from the Gray Wolf of North America to the dholes of Asia, from African jackals to the South American Bush Dog. It features more than 150 superb color plates depicting every kind of canid and detailed facing-page species accounts that describe key identification features, morphology, distribution, subspeciation, habitat, and conservation status in the wild. The book also includes distribution maps and tips on where to observe each species, making Canids of the World the most comprehensive and user-friendly guide to these intriguing and spectacular mammals. Covers every species and subspecies of canid Features more than 150 color plates with more than 600 photos from around the globe Depicts species in similar poses for quick and easy comparisons Describes key identification features, habitat, behavior, reproduction, and much more Draws on the latest taxonomic research Includes distribution maps and tips on where to observe each species The ideal field companion and a delight for armchair naturalists

Following the much acclaimed success of the first volume ofKey Topics in Conservation Biology, this entirely new secondvolume addresses an innovative array of key topics in contemporaryconservation biology. Written by an internationally renownedteam of authors, Key Topics in Conservation Biology 2 addsto the still topical foundations laid in the first volume(published in 2007) by exploring a further 25 cutting-edge issuesin modern biodiversity conservation, including controversialsubjects such as setting conservation priorities, balancing thefocus on species and ecosystems, and financial mechanisms to valuebiodiversity and pay for its conservation. Other chapters, settingthe framework for conservation, address the sociology andphilosophy of peoples’ relation with Nature and its impact onhealth, and such challenging practical issues as wildlife trade andconflict between people and carnivores. As a new development, thissecond volume of Key Topics includes chapters on major ecosystems,such as forests, islands and both fresh and marine waters, alongwith case studies of the conservation of major taxa: plants,butterflies, birds and mammals. A further selection of topicsconsider how to safeguard the future through monitoring, reserveplanning, corridors and connectivity, together with approaches toreintroduction and re-wilding, along with managing wildlifedisease. A final chapter, by the editors, synthesises thinking onthe relationship between biodiversity conservation and humandevelopment. Each topic is explored by a team of top international experts,assembled to bring their own cross-cutting knowledge to apenetrating synthesis of the issues from both theoretical andpractical perspectives. The interdisciplinary nature of biodiversity conservation isreflected throughout the book. Each essay examines the fundamentalprinciples of the topic, the methodologies involved and, crucially,the human dimension. In this way, Key Topics in ConservationBiology 2, like its sister volume, Key Topics in ConservationBiology, embraces issues from cutting-edge ecological scienceto policy, environmental economics, governance, ethics, and thepractical issues of implementation. Key Topics in Conservation Biology 2 will, like itssister volume, be a valuable resource in universities and colleges,government departments, and conservation agencies. It is aimedparticularly at senior undergraduate and graduate students inconservation biology and wildlife management and wider ecologicaland environmental subjects, and those taking Masters degrees in anyfield relevant to conservation and the environment. Conservationpractitioners, policy-makers, and the wider general public eager tounderstand more about important environmental issues will also findthis book invaluable.