Research Projects

Abstract

Hunting and other activities related to population management can lead to changes in the demography, distribution, behaviour, and physiology of wildlife; consequently, they alter the frequency and strength of interactions with humans. Hunting, especially when conducted in the form of large drive hunts with hunting dogs, can induce behavioural and physiological responses in wild boar (Sus scrofa), the species most affected by drive hunts in Europe. Indeed, hunting can affect spatial behaviour, space use, activity rhythms, and feeding habits, and elicit physiological responses due to increased stress, which in turn affects animal welfare and meat quality. However, knowledge on the effects of different hunting methods (drive vs. single hunt) on the behaviour and physiological responses of wild boar is very limited, as no comprehensive study has been conducted to date. This is a particular challenge because this species has a high potential for disease transmission, which is important for both public health and economic outcomes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the (spatial) behaviour of wild boar beyond various hunting practises and to help population managers to develop and adopt appropriate management strategies.

In the proposed project, leading wild boar experts in three collaborating countries (Croatia, Slovenia, Switzerland) will develop an original study design, data collection, fieldwork and analytical work to combine behavioural, molecular and physiological data with the aim of understanding the ecology and responses of wild boar exposed to different hunting practises in heterogeneous landscapes in all three countries. The study is planned to be conducted in four work packages: WP1 - Study design and sample collection; WP2 - Spatial behaviour, GPS-GSM telemetry; WP3 - Development and application of a molecular method to reliably assess diet of wild boar; and WP4 - The effect of hunting practises on physiological stress responses and meat quality of wild boar. During the four-year study, at least 35 individuals (15 in Croatia, 10 in Slovenia, 10 in Switzerland) will be fitted with GPS-GSM collars; in addition, a large set of samples of stomach contents (>200 samples in all three countries), blood samples for measurement of cortisol levels (>600 samples), and muscular samples for analysis of meat quality (200 samples) will be collected from animals culled according to different hunting methods.

The proposed project will contribute to a better understanding of the effects of hunting practises on wild boar spatial behaviour, dispersal potential and movement ecology, exposure to stress levels, and meat quality. This will be the first project to define comprehensive interactions between wild boar and hunting dogs during drive hunts using state-of-the-art technology (GPS telemetry). The results obtained and the intensive dissemination activities will benefit decision makers, stakeholders, population managers, hunters and meat industry to define appropriate evidence-based and science-based management practises that both reduce the impact of a very important stress-inducing factor (hunting) and consequently improve animal welfare, and achieve the best meat quality for further processing and consumption. Importantly, the project will be embedded in existing pan-European networks aimed at improving the dissemination of information on the spatial behaviour of large mammals among researchers and stakeholders, to which the team has already contributed.     

Researchers

• link to Sicris

The phases of the project and their realization

​The main objectives are as follows: C1. To understand how different hunting methods, landscape matrix, and spatiotemporal distribution of resources can influence the spatial behaviour of wild boar, and determine their effects; C2. To understand how hunting dogs influence the behaviour and physiological status of wild boar; C3. To identify dietary preferences of wild boar by DNA metabarcoding of stomach contents; C4. To determine seasonal patterns of glucocorticoid metabolites in wild boar blood, distinguishing the effects of individual traits from environmental traits; C5. To determine the effects of hunting method, diet, and cortisol concentration on meat quality of wild boar; C6. To strengthen scientific cooperation and gain new knowledge and experience in the field of movement/behavioural ecology and wild boar management; C7. To transfer knowledge on wild boar movement ecology in the frame of ASF to wildlife managers, hunters, as well as within national and international research community

Citations for bibliographic records

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Project partners

• Faculty of Environmental Protection
• Universita del Litorale