Dataset Information

Insights into the spatial ecology of severely injured free-living felids: Iberian lynx, bobcat, and snow leopard.

ABSTRACT: Severe musculoskeletal diseases, such as those associated with congenital or traumatic events, that result in missing limbs may compromise the fitness and survival of free-living felids. Here we report the space use of four amputee individuals from three felid species captured from 2017 to 2022 in Missouri (USA), Toledo and Badajoz (Spain), and Suitai Khairkhan Mountain (Mongolia). We describe home ranges and daily travel distances post-release of free-living felids that had either suffered a traumatic amputation or following a surgical amputation. We compared these data with those reported in the literature for felids without amputations. Forelimb or hindlimb amputation did not affect the hunting, mating, or territory patrolling behavior of any of the individuals. However, we recorded significant differences in the daily movement before and after the traumatic event of the Iberian lynx forelimb amputee. We attribute this difference to the physical impairment, although we consider other variables that may have played a role. Nevertheless, all animals appeared to cope well with their limb loss, showing home ranges and daily distances within those recorded for their sex and species. Unless amputee felids represent a threat to domestic livestock or humans, our data suggest these individuals may remain free-living as they contribute to local population persistence and appear to maintain good general health and welfare.

SUBMITTER: Najera F

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10870331 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Insights into the spatial ecology of severely injured free-living felids: Iberian lynx, bobcat, and snow leopard.

Nájera Fernando F Uiterwaal Stella F SF Crespo Elena E Grande-Gómez Rebeca R Sánchez Juan Francisco JF Mata-Huete Manuel M Palmer Jamie J Iturrarte Gabone G Peña Jorge J Munkhtsog Bayaraa B Munkhtsog Bariushaa B Poyarkov Andrey D AD Hernandez-Blanco Jose A JA Alexandrov Dmitry Y DY Galsandorj Naranbaatar N Deem Sharon L SL

Ecology and evolution 20240216 2

Severe musculoskeletal diseases, such as those associated with congenital or traumatic events, that result in missing limbs may compromise the fitness and survival of free-living felids. Here we report the space use of four amputee individuals from three felid species captured from 2017 to 2022 in Missouri (USA), Toledo and Badajoz (Spain), and Suitai Khairkhan Mountain (Mongolia). We describe home ranges and daily travel distances post-release of free-living felids that had either suffered a tr ...[more]

PMID: 38371861

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Dataset Information

Insights into the spatial ecology of severely injured free-living felids: Iberian lynx, bobcat, and snow leopard.

Publications

Insights into the spatial ecology of severely injured free-living felids: Iberian lynx, bobcat, and snow leopard.

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