In human-dominated landscapes, the effectiveness of ecological corridors in connecting wildlife populations depends not only on ecological but also on human factors, particularly on human–wildlife interactions and the acceptance of wildlife by landowners or managers. The Tenorio–Miravalles Biological Corridor in Costa Rica offers a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between local acceptance of the presence of the Endangered Baird’s tapir Tapirus bairdii and movement on private lands and the functionality of ecological corridor connectivity, as tapir sightings are common in the area. Using land-use analysis, we identified low-resistance, least-cost routes that highlight key habitat connectivity pathways. The corridor provides high structural connectivity for tapirs, with critical habitat fragments concentrated in the northern and southern sectors. In-depth interviews with 31 landowners and managers revealed varied levels of acceptance of the tapir’s presence, influenced by perceived costs and benefits, control, affective responses and trust in institutions. Although most respondents expressed positive emotions toward tapirs, their interactions and behaviours regarding tapir presence and movement on private land varied. These diverse responses underscore the range of human actions that can either impede or facilitate the movement of tapirs. Regardless of how well-connected habitats are structurally, ecological corridors in human-dominated landscapes ultimately depend on the management of human–wildlife interactions. A nuanced understanding of these dynamics is essential for developing connectivity and conservation strategies that align with the perspectives of landowners and managers, and promote sustainable coexistence between wildlife and people.

In Brazil, apart from anthropogenic pressures linked to agriculture, livestock farming and urban sprawl, conifers are facing habitat loss because of escalating climate change primarily driven by the combustion of fossil fuels. These climatic alterations ultimately disrupt the habitat of this plant group, adversely affecting their distribution and potentially driving them towards extinction. Each species has an optimal range of tolerance to climatic factors established over evolutionary timescales. When tolerance thresholds are exceeded, plants may suffer climatic stress, affecting their growth and inducing morphological and physiological impairments. We aimed to predict the exposure of native Brazilian conifer species to climate change to inform conservation action plans. We coupled occurrence data for species of Podocarpaceae and Araucariaceae, the sole conifer families native to Brazil, with current and future climate data under the optimistic (SSP245) and pessimistic (SSP585) greenhouse gas emission scenarios projected to 2050, outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. We selected four bioclimatic variables related to temperature and precipitation to identify potential climatic stresses. Our findings indicate that Brazilian conifers will experience varying levels of stress caused by exposure to climate change, with species having narrow distributions and small populations being more vulnerable. Our study underscores the potential risks and challenges for the conservation of these plants in the face of the threat posed by climate change.

The tree Xylopia decorticans is a rare endemic in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a global biodiversity hotspot. Described in 2007 from two protected areas, it was originally categorized as Least Concern but as a result of progressive forest conversion and degradation it is now categorized as Endangered in the Brazilian Red List and IUCN Red List. Ecologically, the search for new populations is important because the species provides resources to a range of wildlife in different forest layers, but there have been no demographic studies on which to base conservation action. To address this lack of information, we surveyed a private protected area in south-eastern Brazil where there was a new record of X. decorticans. We located 121 individuals within a minimum convex polygon area of 4.08 ha (density 29.65 individuals/ha), c. 30% of which were juveniles. Mean tree height was 9 m and diameter at breast height ≤ 10 cm. The species is ombrophilous and sensitive to edge effects, as evidenced by desiccation observed in the field. The findings of this study improve our understanding of the ecological characteristics of species within regions afflicted by ongoing forest degradation, and underscores the pivotal role of Reservas Particular do Patrimônio Natural (private natural heritage reserves) in Brazil in the conservation of threatened species such as X. decorticans.

Illegal wildlife trade is a major driver of biodiversity loss, and online platforms are increasingly used to advertise protected wildlife. In Pakistan, raptor trade is increasingly mediated by online marketplaces, reflecting a wider global transition. As a case study, we assessed the online trade in raptors in Pakistan from January 2021 to December 2023 by monitoring groups on the social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and WhatsApp, and local e-commerce websites, using keyword-based searches, with cross-checking to reduce duplication and misidentification. We recorded 310 raptors advertised for sale from 92 seller accounts, representing 24 species across four families. Falconidae comprised 61% of individuals and Accipitridae 37%, with peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus and saker falcon Falco cherrug the most frequently advertised species. A substantial proportion of listings involved species protected under provincial wildlife legislation, as well as species listed under CITES and categorized as threatened on the IUCN Red List. Using a generalized linear model, we found that asking prices were higher for threatened and visitor species. Seller activity was concentrated in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Facebook accounted for the largest share of records, indicating that improved monitoring and enforcement on this platform is a priority. Our findings provide baseline evidence to support demand-reduction outreach, community reporting and capacity building within wildlife agencies, alongside improved online detection tools and updated assessments of raptor population status in Pakistan, particularly for migratory species using the Central Asian Flyway.

As protected areas increasingly compete with other land uses, their ability to generate economic value through tourism has become central to both public acceptance and long-term sustainability. However, the effects of tourism on wildlife remain understudied, particularly in African protected areas. Mole National Park, Ghana’s largest protected area, is critical for both biodiversity conservation and ecotourism. With plans to expand tourism into its less-visited areas, we assessed the impacts of tourism on medium- to large-sized mammals using multiple metrics. Camera traps were deployed across zones with low, medium and high tourism use, recording 24 mammal species over 6,050 trap-days. Although overall species richness and abundance were similar across zones, certain species showed higher relative abundance in high-use areas (e.g. kob Kobus kob, African buffalo Syncerus caffer) and others were more abundant in low-use areas (e.g. western hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus major, African savannah elephant Loxodonta africana). The most consistent effect of higher tourism levels was a shift in daily activity patterns towards more nocturnal behaviour, probably in response to human presence. Olive baboons Papio anubis and common warthogs Phacochoerus africanus, however, maintained peak activity around midday. Juvenile presence was highest in low-tourism zones, suggesting possible reproductive sensitivity to disturbance. These behavioural and demographic responses may have longer-term consequences for population dynamics. Our findings raise concerns about the expansion of tourism into currently undisturbed areas, as wildlife is already responding to existing pressure. We recommend designating no-access zones as wildlife breeding areas, implementing buffer zones based on species activity and educating tourists on responsible wildlife viewing. Finally, we highlight the need for broader research on tourism impacts across conservation landscapes in Africa.

The leopard Panthera pardus is a widespread felid, distributed throughout Africa, Asia and parts of the Middle East. The survival of the African leopard Panthera pardus pardus is significantly higher within protected areas but numerous factors influence the growth and stability of populations. Monitoring population density and demographics over a long timeframe can help to identify the drivers of change and inform conservation actions. We aimed to determine the drivers of change in leopard populations in a protected area and to identify those factors that encourage leopards to remain within the reserve, so that appropriate conservation management actions can be implemented to improve leopard survival and reduce human–wildlife conflict. We used camera trapping to monitor changes in the leopard population in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa, in a long-term study during 2013–2022. We applied spatially explicit capture–recapture models to the camera-trap data to determine annual population density and sex ratio. We estimated that leopard density declined from six to four individuals per 100 km2 over the study decade. The sex ratio was heavily female-biased during the first years of the study but was male-biased by 2022 (male : female ratio of 0.64 : 0.36). Individual leopards remained in the Park for 2.45 years on average and annual turnover was high. The abundance of other predators and the level of conflict with people affected leopard density and their duration of residency in the Park, and annual rainfall also had an effect. Instability within leopard populations affects population growth and is linked to a range of factors such as prey availability, habitat fragmentation and persecution. However, immigration of males from other populations should increase genetic diversity and improve breeding success. Understanding the drivers of leopard population dynamics, and the factors that cause them to remain inside protected areas, can help with the design and implementation of appropriate conservation management actions to lower individual turnover and limit human–wildlife conflict.

Roads are essential for social and economic development, but their presence often leads to deforestation, habitat loss, changes in wildlife behaviour and distribution, and loss through collisions with vehicles. In southern Bahia state in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest hotspot, cocoa agroforestry systems are vital in connecting natural fragments and supporting local biodiversity. This study assessed the impacts of a 24 km segment of the BA-262 road, a route linked to the construction of a new port. During May–December 2022, we recorded vertebrate roadkill events and analysed their relationship with traffic volume, identifying high-risk zones. Camera traps and live traps were deployed in forest fragments to evaluate mammal presence near and along the road, comparing species detected near the road with those recorded as roadkill. In total, we documented 243 roadkill events, with amphibians being the group most affected (153 individuals, 63% of the total recorded), followed by reptiles (49, 20%), birds (28, 12%) and mammals (13, 5%). Hotspot analyses revealed nine roadkill clusters. Camera traps along the road recorded 409 images of 21 mammal species from eight orders. Although species richness was unaffected by proximity to the road, relative abundance increased closer to the road. Mammals appeared less affected by the road than other groups, probably because they are mostly active at night, when traffic is lower. This research highlights the ecological impacts of roads on biodiversity-rich areas, underscoring the need for mitigation measures to reduce wildlife mortality and offering insights for future research.