The use of haystacks by wolves may facilitate the transmission of sarcoptic mange.

Autor: Bojarska K; Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, A. Mickiewicza 33, Cracow, 31-120, Poland., Orłowska B; Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, Warsaw, 02-776, Poland. blanka_orlowska@sggw.edu.pl., Sobociński W; Faculty of Biology, University of Białystok, Ciołkowskiego 1J, Białystok, 15-245, Poland., Karczewska M; Białowieża National Park, Park Pałacowy 11, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland., Kołodziej-Sobocińska M; Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, Białowieża, 17-230, Poland.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Scientific reports [Sci Rep] 2024 Nov 16; Vol. 14 (1), pp. 28304. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Nov 16.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-78026-w
Abstrakt: Wildlife that use anthropogenic resources often come into conflict with humans, e.g. due to damaged property, habituation or transmission of pathogens, amongst them Sarcoptes scabiei, the aetiological agent of sarcoptic mange, an emerging panzootic skin disease. This study examines the use of haystacks intended for supplementary feeding of European bison (Bison bonasus) by wolves (Canis lupus) with sarcoptic mange and the potential role of this behaviour in skin parasite transmission and human-wolf conflict. Hay samples from the beds used by wolves were found to harbour S. scabiei mites, even several days after the last use. Our data demonstrate an unforeseen link between wild ungulate supplementary feeding and wolf behaviour that may lead to conflict, namely approaching human settlements. However, no negative interactions were observed between wolves and humans or domestic animals. The presence of S. scabiei mites in haystacks provides a potential for its human-facilitated environmental transmission among wildlife and to domestic animals.
Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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