Large predators are among the most threatened species on the planet and ways of conserving them in the face of increasing human populations and associated resource requirements are becoming critical. ...This book draws upon the experiences of some of the world's foremost large carnivore specialists to discuss the numerous issues associated reintroducing large predators back into their natural habitats. Reviews of internationally renowned reintroduction programs for wolves, European lynx and African wild dog reveal the successes and failures of these actions. Experts on tigers, snow leopards and jaguars contend that there are other conservation options of higher priority that will ensure their security in the long-term. Other experts discuss more theoretical aspects such as whether we know enough about these species to be able to predict their behavioural or ecological response to the reintroduction process. Social, economic, political and genetic considerations are also addressed.
The efficacy of a low fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is well established. After the elimination period, a reintroduction phase ...aims to identify triggers. We studied the impact of a blinded reintroduction using FODMAP powders to objectively identify triggers and evaluated the effect on symptoms, quality of life, and psychosocial comorbidities.
Responders to a 6-week low FODMAP diet, defined by a drop in IBS symptom severity score (IBS-SSS) compared with baseline, entered a 9-week blinded randomized reintroduction phase with 6 FODMAP powders (fructans, fructose, galacto-oligosaccharides, lactose, mannitol, sorbitol) or control (glucose). A rise in IBS-SSS (≥50 points) defined a FODMAP trigger. Patients completed daily symptom diaries and questionnaires for quality of life and psychosocial comorbidities.
In 117 recruited patients with IBS, IBS-SSS improved significantly after the elimination period compared with baseline (150 ± 116 vs 301 ± 97, P < .0001, 80% responders). Symptom recurrence was triggered in 85% of the FODMAP powders, by an average of 2.5 ± 2 FODMAPs/patient. The most prevalent triggers were fructans (56%) and mannitol (54%), followed by galacto-oligosaccharides, lactose, fructose, sorbitol, and glucose (respectively 35%, 28%, 27%, 23%, and 26%) with a significant increase in abdominal pain at day 1 for sorbitol/mannitol, day 2 for fructans/galacto-oligosaccharides, and day 3 for lactose.
We confirmed the significant benefit of the low FODMAP diet in tertiary-care IBS. A blinded reintroduction revealed a personalized pattern of symptom recurrence, with fructans and mannitol as the most prevalent, and allows the most objective identification of individual FODMAP triggers. Ethical commission University hospital of Leuven reference number: s63629; Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT04373304.
We studied the impact of a blinded reintroduction using fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) powders to identify triggering FODMAPs. It allows the most objective identification of individual triggers and would optimize clinical practice.
Understanding factors that influence real‐world public conservation behaviors is critical for developing successful conservation policies and management actions. Citizens of Colorado, USA recently ...passed a ballot initiative to restore the gray wolf to its former range within the state. The >3 million votes offer an unprecedented opportunity to test factors that influenced decisions to support or oppose this conservation action. We created spatial linear regression models to assess the relationship between support for wolf restoration and (1) the presidential vote, (2) distance to conservation intervention (i.e., proposed wolf reintroduction and existing wolves), and measures of (3) livelihood and (4) demographics using precinct‐level data. Our results demonstrate the strong relationship between support for wolf restoration and political support for the Democratic candidate for president in the 2020 election, and highlight how other factors, including increased age, participation in elk hunting, and proximity to the reintroduction region were associated with less support. Our findings underscore the critical role of politicization on public conservation action and the need to develop outreach and engagement strategies to mitigate polarization.
Reintroduction is a highly effective strategy for rebuilding wildlife populations and restoring their ecosystem functions, but impacts on function are poorly documented. We addressed this gap by ...comparing the species richness and visit rate of mammals and birds that interact with rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) latrines at two locations in Nepal: Chitwan National Park, with a stable rhino population, and Shuklaphanta National Park, where a rhino reintroduction program was conducted from 2003 to 2018. Camera-traps were used to monitor visitors to 30 latrines in both parks from 2020 to 2021 (669 camera-trap days). The reintroduction of rhinos to Shuklaphanta National Park has played a crucial role in restoring an important resource for other mammal and bird species. Despite a large difference in rhino abundance, and differences in the size, quality and some of the nutritional contents of latrines between sites, there were no significant differences in species richness of latrine visitors and in the frequency of most behaviours at the latrines. Visit rates of animals were higher at the reintroduction site, confirming latrines to be important, limited resources. Overall, 4 mammal and 4 bird species used the latrines to consume the dung, or insects and plants growing on and around the dung; a further two mammal species interacted only indirectly with the latrines. These findings provide evidence that even at low population densities, rhino reintroduction can successfully restore an important ecological function and provide vital resources for other species. Our study supports the rewilding of large-bodied animals to mitigate ecosystem deterioration.
During the ongoing biodiversity crisis, captive conservation and breeding programs offer a refuge for species to persist and provide source populations for reintroduction efforts. Unfortunately, ...captive animals are at a higher disease risk and reintroduction efforts remain largely unsuccessful. One potential factor in these outcomes is the host microbiota which includes a large diversity and abundance of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that play an essential role in host physiology. Relative to wild populations, the generalized pattern of gut and skin microbiomes in captivity are reduced alpha diversity and they exhibit a significant shift in community composition and/or structure which often correlates with various physiological maladies. Many conditions of captivity (antibiotic exposure, altered diet composition, homogenous environment, increased stress, and altered intraspecific interactions) likely lead to changes in the host-associated microbiome. To minimize the problems arising from captivity, efforts can be taken to manipulate microbial diversity and composition to be comparable with wild populations through methods such as increasing dietary diversity, exposure to natural environmental reservoirs, or probiotics. For individuals destined for reintroduction, these strategies can prime the microbiota to buffer against novel pathogens and changes in
diet
and improve reintroduction success. The microbiome is a critical component of animal physiology and its role in species conservation should be expanded and included in the repertoire of future management practices.
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