Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.0334

The dynamics of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and brown hare (Lepus europaeus) populations in the Vojvodina region (Serbia) in relation to rabies vaccination

Igor Ponjiger orcid.org/0000-0001-9426-5250 ; Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Zoran Ristić orcid.org/0000-0001-7273-1177 ; Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Vladimir Marković orcid.org/0000-0002-6545-5263 ; Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Milosava Matejević ; Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Milutin Kovačević ; Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

Abstract

Certain aspects of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) and brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) population dynamics in the Autonomous Province Vojvodina (Serbia) were analysed on the basis of the available data from 1978-2015. Red fox culling was taken into account as a factor affecting the abundance of brown hares. In that period, during regulated hunts a total of 399,976 foxes were culled and the annual average was 10,526 (SD = 2985). Brown hare spring counts showed fluctuations during the research period and showed a declining trend in the number of individuals. The red fox was selected for the study as the most abundant predator in this area, having the most impact on brown hares. Also, in 2010 a nationwide vaccination campaign against rabies was conducted, leading to an increase in the numbers of red foxes. However, while this led to a rise in the numbers of red foxes, the cull remained nearly the same in the following years. Analysis of the relationship between the numbers of brown hare and the red fox cull in 1978-2009 and 2010-2015 showed a significant difference in their ratio. This study shows that the numbers of red fox increased significantly following the rabies vaccination. Consequently, this is a significant factor that is affecting the brown hare population. Also, it is evident that the red fox cull needs to be increased in order to maintain the natural balance.

Keywords

brown hare; red fox; rabies; correlation

Hrčak ID:

232871

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/232871

Publication date:

24.1.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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