Nobuo Ishii

Clues to the cause of the Tsushima leopard cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura ) decline from isotopic measurements in three species of Carnivora

The estimated population of the Tsushima leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura is only 80–110 individuals. However, the cause of the population decline is not clear. We investigated temporal changes in the food habits of the cat and two other species of Carnivora (marten and weasel) inhabiting the Tsushima Islands by measuring δ13C and δ15N values in hair samples. Hair samples of the cat were collected not only from specimens and furs, but also from feces. The gathering of hair from cat feces was most efficient when the feces were collected in the spring. The food habit of male cats seemed to be more diverse and tended to comprise prey of higher trophic levels than the food habits of the females. The δ13C and δ15N measurements suggested that the trophic level of the food sources has been decreasing over the last several decades for the cat and weasel, but not for the marten. Increased consumption of prey from lower trophic levels in the food habit of the cat seems to be related to the decline of the cat population because these phenomena occurred simultaneously.

Bear Gallbladder Trade Issues and A Framework for Bear Management in Japan

Abstract International trade in bears and their parts is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) because of the negative effect of gallbladder trade on bear populations. Although a significant number of bear gallbladders seems to come from the roughly 2,000 individuals killed annually as game and nuisance of the 2 species of bears (Ursus thibetanus and U. arctos) in Japan, information about the trade and usage remains obscure due to the lack of a system to regulate trade in bear parts such as gallbladders and meat. Most Japanese bear populations are considered to be at a sufficient level to sustain hunting if well-managed; however, nuisance bear control kills are not properly conducted due to inadequate management systems and regulations. Governmental organizations have not participated directly in nuisance bear control but depend on private hunters in exchange for allowing them to keep bear parts from nuisance kills. However, it will become difficult to continue depending on private hunters due to their aging and the decline in their numbers. This situation will require a new nuisance bear management system. We outline a framework for a management system for the domestic trade in gall derived from wild bears in Japan. Such a system would use the profits from bear gall trade to partially cover the cost of bear management activities, including damage prevention.