School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Muang Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand.
Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK.
Sci Rep. 2022 May 3;12(1):7139. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-11255-z.
Animal movement can impact human-wildlife conflict by influencing encounter and detection rates. We assess the movement and space use of the highly venomous and medically important Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus) on a suburban university campus. We radio-tracked 14 kraits for an average of 114 days (min: 19, max: 218), during which we located individuals an average of 106 times (min: 21, max: 229) each. Most individuals displayed some level of attraction to buildings (n = 10) and natural areas (n = 12); we identified a similar unambiguous pattern of attraction to buildings and natural areas at the population level (of our sample). Snakes remained in shelter sites for long durations (max: 94 days) and revisited sites on average every 15.45 days. Over 50% of locations were within human settlements and 37.1% were associated with buildings. We found generally seasonal patterns of activity, with higher activity in wet seasons, and lower activity in the hot season. These results show frequent proximity between Malayan kraits and humans at the university; thereby, suggesting a near constant potential for human-wildlife conflict. Despite the fact that no snakebites from this species occurred at the university during our study period, substantial education and awareness training should be considered to ensure continued coexistence on campus.
动物的活动可以通过影响相遇和发现率来影响人与野生动物的冲突。我们评估了高度有毒且具有医学重要性的马来亚金环蛇(Bungarus candidus)在郊区大学校园的活动和空间利用情况。我们对 14 条金环蛇进行了平均 114 天(最短:19,最长:218)的无线电跟踪,在此期间,我们平均找到个体 106 次(最短:21,最长:229)。大多数个体都对建筑物(n=10)和自然区域(n=12)有一定程度的吸引力;我们在种群水平上确定了类似的对建筑物和自然区域的明确吸引力模式(我们样本中的)。蛇在遮蔽处停留很长时间(最长:94 天),平均每 15.45 天回访一次。超过 50%的位置在人类住区范围内,37.1%与建筑物有关。我们发现活动通常具有季节性模式,湿季活动较高,热季活动较低。这些结果表明马来亚金环蛇与大学内的人类经常近距离接触;因此,这表明人与野生动物的冲突几乎是持续存在的。尽管在我们的研究期间,该物种在大学校园内没有发生蛇咬伤事件,但应考虑进行大量的教育和意识培训,以确保校园内的持续共存。