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The German wildlife information system (WILD): population densities and den use of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) during 2003–2007 in Germany

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Abstract

Monitoring the populations of badgers and red foxes may help us to manage these predator species as a matter of wildlife conservation and regulation. To fit the needs of a monitoring programme, the most practicable method has to be selected. Hunting bag statistics deliver large but inaccurate data amounts with low effort. Indirect and also often direct counts might deliver only presence–absence data with high effort. Direct counts with high accuracy are very costly. Den mapping by volunteer local hunters can deliver reliable data on density and additional biological variables while being feasible and cost effective. Within reference areas all over Germany, fox and badger dens and litters were recorded, and spring and summer densities estimated as well as potential annual population increases were calculated for 2003–2007. Habitat preferences for breeding dens were also analysed. Additionally, in 2006, the distribution of badgers was surveyed by a nationwide questionnaire. Fox and badger are distributed all over Germany with some small gaps and regionally differing densities. During the monitoring period, fox and badger densities and reproduction stayed stable, at a high level corresponding to hunting bags. However, densities varied between geographical regions, with lower densities in the sparsely wooded lowland regions. A preference for forest and habitats offering shelter was clear for breeding setts and dens. Badgers especially preferred setts of natural origin.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all involved hunters for the work they did. We thank the hunting associations of the federal states for their support. Additional thanks go to several colleagues all over Europe who helped with literature and comments, especially to T.J. Roper for discussing all the badger questions and an early draft of this manuscript. The four anonymous reviewers helped a lot advancing this manuscript. In memoriam Dr. Heike Nösel, we will keep you in our hearts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Wildlife Research, Veterinary Medicine University of Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany

    Oliver Keuling, Andreas Grauer & Egbert Strauß

  2. LFE, Eberswalde Forestry Competence Centre, Research Institute of the Public Enterprise Forst Brandenburg, Alfred-Möller-Straße 1, 16225, Eberswalde, Germany

    Grit Greiser

  3. Department of Biogeography, University of Trier, Wissenschaftspark Trier-Petrisberg, 54286, Trier, Germany

    Martina Bartel-Steinbach, Roland Klein & Ludger Wenzelides

  4. German Hunting Association (Deutscher Jagdschutz-Verband e.V.), Johannes-Henry-Str. 26, 53113, Bonn, Germany

    Armin Winter

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Keuling, O., Greiser, G., Grauer, A. et al. The German wildlife information system (WILD): population densities and den use of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) during 2003–2007 in Germany. Eur J Wildl Res 57, 95–105 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0403-z

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