Animal Biodiversity and Conservation. Volume 35.2 (2012) Pages: 395-404
Does fox control improve red–legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) survival? An experimental study in Northern Spain
Mateo-Moriones, A., Villafuerte, R., Ferreras, P.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2012.35.0395Download
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This work evaluates the effectiveness of fox control as a method to improve the survival of red–legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). We radio–tracked 89 adult partridges and their chicks (62 few days old chicks and 46 over one–month–old chicks) and monitored their nests (N = 45) on two hunting estates in northern Spain over two years. Generalist predators (red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and magpie, Pica pica) were selectively controlled on one half of each estate during the first year, and on the other half in the second year. We estimated the effect of predator control on survival rates. Predator control did not improve survival rates for adult partridges and nests, but it improved chick survival, especially for chicks over one–month old.
Cite
Mateo-Moriones, A., Villafuerte, R., Ferreras, P., 2012. Does fox control improve red–legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) survival? An experimental study in Northern Spain. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 35: 395-404, DOI: https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2012.35.0395-
Reception date:
- 04/01/2012
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Acceptation date:
- 11/06/2012
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Publication date:
- 06/11/2012
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