IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group Library

IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library

View printer friendly
Kauhala, K.; Holmala, K.; Lammers, W.; Schregel, J.
Home range and densities of medium-sized carnivores in south-east Finland, with special reference to rabies spread
2006 Acta Theriologica (51): 1-13
Home ranges and densities of medium-sized carnivores were studied in south-east Finland by radio tracking. The species studied included potential vectors of rabies: the raccoon dog _Nyctereutes procyonoides_ (Gray, 1834), red fox _Vulpes vulpes_ (Linnaeus, 1758), European badger _Meles meles_ (Linnaeus, 1758) and domestic cat _Felis silvestris catus_ (Schreiber, 1777). Home ranges of badgers were largest (mean 14.7 km2) and those of cats smallest (1.5 km2). Home ranges overlapped largely, both within and between species. Most home ranges were larger and population densities lower in south-east Finland compared with those in Western Europe. The pooled density of medium-sized carnivores with overlapping home ranges was, how ever, high, which may indicate a high risk of a rabies epizootic in this multi-host community. Rabies might also spread rapidly to new areas, because of the large home ranges and, consequently, long dispersal distances.
	PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here