Interpreting the behavior of Meles meles toward humans in the wild.

As the landscapes of the United Kingdom and Europe continue to change, encounters between humans and badgers (Meles meles) are becoming more frequent. It is increasingly important to understand how these animals react to people in different settings—whether deep in forests, suburban gardens, or along rural roadsides. The Human Interaction Response Indication System provides a scientific yet practical framework for interpreting the range of badger behaviors during such encounters.
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Goal

The system is designed to categorize and interpret the reactions of European Badgers to human presence, helping observers:
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• Recognize early signs of distress or aggression
• Understand tolerance thresholds
• Avoid accidental provocation
• Contribute to respectful coexistence and behavioral documentation

Main Behavior Categories

This system is based on real field observations and ethological principles. It uses seven distinct codes to describe behavioral responses from aggression to complete indifference.​

Each code allows field workers and casual observers alike to log behavior consistently, even across varying environments.

This framework supports consistent interpretation across citizen science programs, ecological surveys, and camera trap studies.

Scientific & practical significance

Understanding these responses helps with:

• Ethical wildlife viewing: Knowing when to back off prevents undue stress to the animal.
• Data collection: Researchers can standardize observations across regions.
• Conflict prevention: Early recognition of defensive behavior can prevent bites or injury, especially to pets.
• Urban wildlife planning: Helps municipalities gauge badger habituation in towns or villages.

Applicability across environments

This indication system was designed to be adaptable. Whether in:

• Dense forest,
• Agricultural edge zones,
• Urban green corridors, or
• Suburban gardens,

…it helps you assess if the animal feels safe, cautious, or threatened by your presence.

 Field recommendations

• Use binoculars or trail cams to observe without intruding.
• If a badger shows defensive (D) or aggressive (A) behavior, retreat slowly.
• Avoid flashlights or sudden noises at close range.
• Do not feed or try to habituate wild badgers—it disrupts natural behavior patterns.
• Always note time, weather, and context when recording observations.

Visual companion resource

A simpler infographic poster version of this system is available as a downloadable and printable A3 file, complete with illustrations and behavior codes. It’s ideal for:

• Field stations
• Outdoor education centers
• Urban wildlife awareness campaigns
• Camera trap research teams

Golden jackals (Canis aureus) are known for their adaptability, intelligence, and opportunistic behavior. However, our recent case study published in Zoological and Entomological Letters has documented an unusual and intriguing behavior—object relocation—offering new insights into the cognitive abilities and ecological adaptations of these canids.

Citation of the published article: Taklis Christos. Unusual object relocation by the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus): A case study from South Pelion, Greece. Zool Entomol Lett 2025;5(1):47-49. DOI: 10.22271/letters.2025.v5.i1a.118

The Case of the Missing Phone

In this study, conducted in South Pelion, Greece, a mobile phone was mysteriously taken from an olive farm and later discovered concealed in a nearby forest. The culprit? A golden jackal. This incident raises fascinating questions about the motivations behind such behavior. Was it curiosity? A reaction to human scent? Or perhaps an exploratory behavior linked to environmental stimuli?

While wild canids have been observed interacting with human objects before, intentional relocation of an item—especially without direct food-related motivation—is a rare and poorly understood phenomenon. This case suggests that jackals may exhibit greater cognitive flexibility than previously assumed.

Jackals and Human Environments: A Changing Dynamic

Another key observation from this study is the increasing daytime activity and proximity of jackals to human settlements. Rather than displaying aggression, these animals appear to be highly curious about human objects and activities. This shift suggests that golden jackals are becoming more habituated to human presence, a trend that could lead to further novel behaviors in the future.

The study highlights the importance of ongoing research into human-wildlife interactions. As jackals continue to adapt to anthropogenic environments, understanding their behavior can inform conservation efforts, mitigate potential conflicts, and reveal more about their cognitive world.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Jackal Research?

The case of the relocated phone opens new avenues for research. Future studies could explore:

🔹 How frequently jackals engage in object relocation
🔹 The role of sensory cues in their interactions with human-made objects
🔹 Behavioral differences between urban and rural jackal populations

By deepening our understanding of golden jackals, we can better appreciate their adaptability and ensure harmonious coexistence between humans and these fascinating wild canids.

​What a fantastic day of wildlife recording at Hogganfield Loch and Frankfield Loch! We logged over 21 species in the area, highlighting the rich biodiversity of this urban wetland.

The biggest surprise? A Western Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) spotted near Stepps—an unexpected but welcome find!
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Every record helps us better understand and protect the amazing wildlife of Glasgow’s green spaces.

​Birds:

1. Corvus corone (Carrion Crow)
2. Pica pica (Eurasian Magpie)
3. Aegithalos caudatus (Long-tailed Tit)
4. Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard)
5. Fulica atra (Eurasian Coot)
6. Fringilla coelebs (Common Chaffinch)
7. Chroicocephalus ridibundus (Black-headed Gull)
8. Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron)
9. Larus argentatus (European Herring Gull)
10. Aythya fuligula (Tufted Duck)
11. Mergus merganser (Common Merganser)
12. Columba palumbus (Common Wood-Pigeon)
13. Cygnus olor (Mute Swan)
14. Bucephala clangula (Common Goldeneye)
15. Branta canadensis (Canada Goose)
16. Erithacus rubecula (European Robin)
17. Coloeus monedula (Eurasian Jackdaw)

Mammals:

   18. Capreolus capreolus (Western Roe Deer)
   19. Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern Gray Squirrel)

Invertebrates:

   20. Family Lumbricidae (Lumbricid Earthworms)

Plants: 

   21. Crocus tommasinianus (Woodland Crocus)

Today, we took an important step to protect one of Europe’s most iconic species—the wolf. Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd. submitted an urgent appeal to EU delegates attending the 44th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention, urging them to oppose the proposal to downlist the wolf from Appendix II to Appendix III.

This decision, if approved, would weaken protections for wolves across Europe, making it easier to hunt and kill them. Such a change risks undoing decades of conservation progress and jeopardizes the ecological balance that wolves help maintain.

Why This Matters

​Wolves play a critical role in our ecosystems. By controlling herbivore populations, they prevent overgrazing and help maintain healthy landscapes. Yet, despite their ecological importance, the wolf is far from secure. A 2022 report by the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE) revealed that only three of Europe’s nine wolf subpopulations are classified as “Least Concern.” The rest remain vulnerable or in danger.

The proposal to downlist the wolf is not supported by scientific evidence. Studies from around the world, including the USA, Spain, Italy, and Slovakia, have shown that increased hunting disrupts wolf pack structures, potentially leading to more livestock attacks—not fewer.

• USA: Wielgus & Peebles (2014) found that wolf mortality often leads to more livestock depredations.
• Spain: Fernández-Gil et al. (2016) showed that conflicts mislead management efforts, emphasizing the importance of coexistence.
• Italy: Imbert et al. (2016) revealed factors driving wolves to prey on livestock, underscoring the need for preventive measures.
• Slovakia: Kutal et al. (2024) demonstrated that public wolf hunting failed to reduce livestock losses.

Preventive measures, such as fencing, guarding dogs, and increased human presence, have proven far more effective in reducing conflicts between wolves and livestock.

Public Opinion Is Clear

A recent survey of public opinion on wolf conservation underscores widespread support for maintaining strict protections:

• 71% of respondents across EU Member States favor keeping the wolf's current protection status.
• Only 29% support downgrading it.

Even in rural communities most affected by wolf presence, there is a strong preference for coexistence measures over culling.

Our Message to Delegates

​In our appeal, we emphasized that weakening the wolf’s protection status could set a dangerous precedent for other strictly protected species. The Bern Convention is a cornerstone of Europe’s biodiversity conservation efforts, and downgrading the wolf’s status would contradict its mission during a critical period of climate change and biodiversity loss.

We called on delegates to:

• Reject the downlisting proposal to ensure the wolf remains strictly protected.
• Promote coexistence by supporting effective, non-lethal measures for livestock protection.
• Champion biodiversity by upholding the goals of the EU Green Deal and the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

Greetings, fellow wildlife enthusiasts and conservation advocates! Today, we are thrilled to unveil an exciting new project that promises to take us on a captivating journey into the enchanting world of seals. Welcome to Seal Quest – an ambitious endeavor to identify and celebrate the unique identities of these charismatic marine mammals within the Seal Codex (Wildbook) on UK and Greece.

The Seal Quest Initiative:
Seal Quest represents more than just a scientific endeavor; it's a passionate quest to unravel the mysteries of individual seals, to document their diversity, and to contribute invaluable insights to their conservation. With the support of cutting-edge technology, collaborative efforts, and the dedication of wildlife enthusiasts like you, we aim to create a comprehensive catalog of seal identities like never before.

Why Seal Quest Matters:
Seals are not just subjects of fascination; they are vital components of our marine ecosystems. By understanding the unique identities of individual seals – from their distinctive markings to their behaviors and habitats – we can gain deeper insights into their lives and the challenges they face. Armed with this knowledge, we can develop more targeted conservation strategies to protect these remarkable creatures and the environments they inhabit.

How You Can Get Involved:
We believe that conservation is a collective effort, and that's why we invite you to join us on this remarkable journey. Whether you're a seasoned researcher, a passionate citizen scientist, or simply someone who cares deeply about our natural world, there are countless ways to get involved in Seal Quest. From contributing seal sightings and photographs to engaging with our online community, your participation can make a real difference in our quest to unveil the unique identities of seals.

Seal Quest iNaturalist Project
​Seal Quest is on a mission to unveil the unique identities of seals and contribute valuable insights to their conservation. Now, with our new iNaturalist project, you can be part of this exciting initiative from anywhere in the world. Whether you're an avid nature enthusiast, a seasoned researcher, or simply curious about seals, we invite you to join us in documenting seal sightings and contributing to our growing database of seal observations.

Joining the Seal Quest iNaturalist project is easy and requires just a few simple steps:

1. Create an iNaturalist Account: If you haven't already, sign up for a free iNaturalist account on their website or mobile app.
2. Join the Seal Quest Project: Once logged in, search for the "Seal Quest" project on iNaturalist and click "Join" to become a member.
3. Upload Your Seal Sightings: Whenever you encounter seals in the wild, snap a photo and upload it to iNaturalist. Be sure to include relevant information such as date, time, and location.
4. Contribute to Seal Conservation: Your seal sightings will not only contribute to our understanding of seal populations but also help inform conservation efforts to protect these magnificent marine mammals.

Seal Quest on Seal Codex (Wildbook)

In addition to our iNaturalist project, Seal Quest is also collaborating with the Seal Codex on Wildbook, an innovative platform for documenting individual seals and their unique characteristics. Clear photos of seal sightings need to be uploaded on the Seal Codex, further enriching our database and advancing our conservation efforts. 

Uploading sightings is simple – you can do it even without an account, though creating one is preferred.
Stay Connected:
To stay updated on the latest developments and discoveries from SealQuest, be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter. Together, we can embark on this extraordinary journey, celebrate the diversity of seals, and pave the way for a brighter future for these magnificent creatures.

Are you ready to embark on a Seal Quest? The journey awaits!