High risk, high reward? Influence of experience level in the selection or avoidance of artificial feeding sites by Eurasian lynx

Artificial feeding of wildlife is a widespread, but controversial, management practice with many positive and negative effects. Besides the effects on the target species, it can also affect other (non-target) species by modulating interspecific interactions. Previous research showed that the presence of artificial feeding sites for bears and ungulates increases the risk of kleptoparasitism by the brown bear (Ursus arctos) on kills made by Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). However, it remains unknown whether lynx adjust their behaviour to the distribution of artificial feeding sites, which also attract potential prey (ungulates) for lynx. Using GPS telemetry data, we explored the spatiotemporal lynx response to such sites and studied how this response varied with experience level, i.e. between adult resident individuals ('experienced lynx') and juveniles and/or trans-located individuals ('naYve lynx'). We found that lynx experience played an important role in the use of artificial feeding sites. Specifically, while both experienced and naYve lynx selected feeding sites while moving within their home range, the attraction was stronger among the naYve lynx. Considering the distribution of kill sites, naYve lynx killed prey closer to the artificial feeding sites than expected, while experienced lynx avoided them. Finally, the proximity to artificial feeding sites by experienced lynx showed an annual variation, matching the seasonal kleptoparasitism risk, with overall closer proximity to feeding sites during the winter, when bears are less active, which is also when ungulates are more concentrated around feeding sites. Our study suggests that, despite the relatively recent introduction of artificial feeding in the ecosystems, wildlife can learn to respond to the altered interactions with other species. However, this appears to be a learning process with manifold management and conservation implications. A better under-standing of species interactions and space use in the context of resource manipulation is increasingly relevant as the use of anthropogenic food by wildlife is nowadays substantial and widespread across most parts of the world.

Automated summary

Artificial feeding of wildlife has positive and negative effects on both target and non-target species, with potential impact on interspecific interactions. This study used GPS telemetry data to investigate the spatiotemporal response of lynx to artificial feeding sites, and found that experience level played a role in site selection. Experienced lynx tended to avoid feeding sites, while inexperienced lynx were attracted to them, indicating a learning process in response to altered interactions.