Open Access
Research (Published online: 18-12-2020)
15. Impact of anthropogenic pressures on wild mammals of Northern Portugal
Andreia Garcês, Isabel Pires, Fernando Pacheco, Luís Sanches Fernandes, Vanessa Soeiro, Sara Lóio, Justina Prada, Rui Cortes and Felisbina Queiroga
Veterinary World, 13(12): 2691-2702

Andreia Garcês: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Isabel Pires: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal; CECAV, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Fernando Pacheco: Chemistry Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Luís Sanches Fernandes: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Vanessa Soeiro: Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Parque Biológico de Gaia, R. Cunha, Avintes, Portugal.
Sara Lóio: Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Parque Biológico de Gaia, R. Cunha, Avintes, Portugal.
Justina Prada: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal; CECAV, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Rui Cortes: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Felisbina Queiroga: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal; Department of Veterinary Science, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.2691-2702

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Article history: Received: 15-05-2020, Accepted: 02-11-2020, Published online: 18-12-2020

Corresponding author: Felisbina Queiroga

E-mail: fqueirog@utad.pt

Citation: Garcês A, Pires I, Pacheco F, Fernandes LS, Soeiro V, Lóio S, Prada J, Cortes R, Queiroga F (2020) Impact of anthropogenic pressures on wild mammals of Northern Portugal, Veterinary World, 13(12): 2691-2702.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Wild mammals are among the most threatened species of the world in large part due to human activity. In this work, we used the method of partial least squares-path modeling associated with a geographic information system to analyze the impact of anthropogenic pressures on the mortality of wild mammals.

Materials and Methods: We collected the data related to the cause of death of native wild mammals admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Parque Biológico de Gaia in Northern Portugal, during 10 years (2008-2017).

Results: A total of 359 animals from 42 municipalities (rural and urban areas) were included in the study. The main cause of death was of traumatic origin. From the anthropogenic pressures included in the study, water reservoirs, small companies, and residential buildings were the ones that contributed the most to increase the mortality of traumatic and nontraumatic origin. This relation of cause-effect (mortality-anthropogenic pressures) was supported by the high coefficients of determination obtained (R2>0.8).

Conclusion: The present results allow a general view on the reality of mammal's mortality in Northern Portugal. Furthermore, it could also constitute a valuable tool for the conservation of wild mammals in those areas.

Keywords: anthropogenic factors, mortality, Northern of Portugal, partial least squares path modeling, wild mammals.