Marsupials Fear 'Super Predator' Most

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29 May 2024

Wildlife, including marsupials in Australia, fear humans more than other predators like foxes and dogs


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Recent research conducted by Western University and the University of Tasmania confirms this fear


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Marsupials fled 2.4 times more often when exposed to human sounds than to other predators


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The fear response was measured in four native marsupial species and one non-native mammal


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The experiment exposed animals to recordings of predatory vocalisations and non-threatening sounds


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Marsupials were significantly more vigilant when responding to human sounds compared to other predators


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Wildlife's fear of humans can have dramatic ecological consequences, impacting multiple species and landscapes


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Automated camera-speaker systems were deployed to observe wildlife responses to different sounds


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The research highlights humans as a 'super predator' due to their high prey kill rates


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Wildlife perceives humans as the most frightening predator, with significant implications for conservation efforts


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