19. Predators in Hungary and the management of predators.

Question 1

Species:

Answer 1

• Red fox, golden jackal, wolves (rare), stone marten, raccoon, raccoon dog, birds of prey (eagles, hawk), corvids (crow, magpie, jay), bear (rare)
  Predator lifestyle
• Carnivorous, herbivorous?, omnivorous, parasite

Question 2

Management

Answer 2

• Predators have selection response on prey and can partly or completely regulate prey population.
• Functional response: response of the predator individuals to changes in prey abundance
• Numerical response; response of the predator population to the changes in prey abundance
• Aggregation response: Increase of spatial concentration of predator individuals due to increased abundance of prey
• Developmental response: the impact of higher food abundance on the individual development of predators

No predator-prey relationship can be separated from its environment
There is a traditional assumption that predator species should be totally removed.
Traditional perceptions
๏ Predator-management = persecution/destruction of predator populations by
any means
๏ The importance of predator control was highlighted/stressed by the majority of small game management literature

Question 3

When creating a management plan, think about:

Answer 3

o Will the prey survive?
o Can habitats support more prey?
o Predators out of control area will migrate back.
o Predator control has little effect if population is near K.

Question 4

Characteristics of predator management:

Answer 4

• Well defined goal based on reliable knowledge
• Timings and methods are planned
• Controlled effectiveness
• Economically valuable
• Extirpation is not the aim, unless in hunter gardens
  Steps:
• Understand population dynamics of species
• Effective interference timing (maximum effect and minimum effort)
• The removed amount must be equal to the offspring
• Estimation of population growth
• Planning!
  o How many individuals should be removed?
  o What is the best method of removal?
  o What is the best time for removal?
• Results and evaluation
• Questions:
  o Did we achieve the desired effect?
  o Did the predator population decrease to the tolerable level?
  o Did the damage decrease?
  o Did the small game population increase?
• Answers:
  o Cost/benefit analyses
  It is important to note that some predator species are protected (brown bear, birds of prey)
• In this case, the population must be managed for growth or stabilization: management of habitat and prey population, translocation of prey, etc