The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla Linnaeus) is a critically endangered species that feeds on ants and termites. In 2022–2024, we observed two rescued pangolins being attacked by Solenopsis invicta Buren while in captivity. Clusters of pustules and erythema were found on the face, abdomen and limbs of the pangolin. Histopathological examination of the blistered tissue showed epithelial hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis of the skin tissue with surface crusting. In addition, we found remnants of S. invicta heads in the faeces of stung pangolins, suggesting that pangolins would feed on S. invicta. Currently, most of southern China has been invaded by S. invicta, so we conducted two S. invicta invasion surveys in pangolin habitats in Guangdong, and the results indicated that pangolin habitats in China have been invaded by S. invicta. Therefore, we suggest that S. invicta should be taken into account when developing conservation strategies for pangolins.

Optimal egg size theory predicts females must balance investment per offspring to maximize fitness based on environmental quality. In wetlands, environmental quality can be duration of water and predator presence. Ectotherms using habitats that dry or contain predators are likely under selection to optimize offspring production. We measured reproductive output of wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) in 30 wetlands in Subarctic Canada, where rapid climate changes are accelerating wetland drying. We predicted wetlands with short hydroperiods would have larger ova, smaller clutch sizes, and larger ovum-to-clutch-sizes than wetlands with long hydroperiods or with fish predators. We found partial support for predictions with larger ova in habitats with short hydroperiods and no fish but no evidence of larger clutch sizes in wetlands with fish. Our study implicates changes to wetland hydroperiod as a source of plasticity affecting one aspect of reproductive effort (ovum size) in an ectotherm but not another (clutch size).

Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) occupy and destroy the nests of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW; Dryobates borealis), yet few studies have assessed habitat use within and outside of forest partitions managed for RCW cavities (“cluster partition”). We estimated flying squirrel densities of 0.23 squirrels/ha (95% CI: 0.21–0.26). Little to no evidence of differences was found between flying squirrel home range sizes nor the relative importance value of mast trees within home ranges (P > 0.05) despite vegetation differences between areas inside and outside of cluster partitions (P ≤ 0.01). The lack of evidence may be due to large nightly movements allowing home ranges to overlap cluster partitions and surrounding hardwood habitats. Future management efforts to reduce flying squirrel and RCW interactions should consider multiple strategies including hardwood reduction near cluster partitions and cavity supplementation.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Assistance Biologists (WABs) receive calls from the public experiencing a wildlife conflict and provide guidance on how to coexist with native wildlife. This analysis considered how the number of calls and nature of calls received by WABs were impacted by COVID-19 pandemic protective measures in Florida. Total calls to WABs decreased during COVID-19 protective measures but did not vary significantly from the previous year. There was a significant decrease in the average weekly number of “Sick/Injured” wildlife calls and “Property Damage” calls when protective measures were in place. This analysis provides insight into how widespread changes in human mobility may impact reports of human-wildlife conflict.

Knowledge of home ranges (HRs) helps conservationists understand movement patterns and can aid management including avoidance of human-wildlife conflicts. This study examined the African savannah elephant seasonal HRs and space use using telemetry data in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. The objectives were to (i) compare the HR sizes and (ii) construct utilization distribution of African savannah elephants using the minimum convex polygon (MCP) method and the time-local convex hull (T-LoCoH). The results revealed that the dry, transitional, and wet season HR sizes estimated by the MCP method were significantly larger than those of the T-LoCoH method. Significant differences were observed between core T-LoCoH home-range distributions for the wet, transition, and dry seasons. T-LoCoH more accurately represented the HR size and nuances of repeated movements and internal spaces than the MCP method. The findings show larger-scale movements in the transition season, which would enhance the potential for human–elephant conflicts.