@article{fdi:010089608,
  title = {{M}odelling the surprising recolonisation of an understudied aquatic mammal in a highly urbanised area: fortune favoured the smooth-coated otter in {S}ingapore},
  author = {{H}ughes, {K}. and {T}ravis, {J}. {M}. {J}. and {P}onchon, {A}urore},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{E}ver-growing human activities present an active and continuing threat to many species throughout the world. {N}evertheless, concerted conservation efforts in some regions have balanced these threats and allowed endangered species to recolonise former parts of their original ranges and reverse their decline. {T}his is notably the case of the smooth-coated otter {L}utrogale perspicillata. {I}n 1998, individuals returned to {S}ingapore after more than a 20-year absence. {I}n 2017, 79 otters were counted throughout the heavily urbanized city. {D}espite this comeback, the future of the species in {S}ingapore is unclear. {B}y collating information on the species' life history traits, we implemented a spatially explicit individual based model with the aim of first replicating the original recolonisation of the species in {S}ingapore and secondly, trying to predict its future population trend. {T}he model demonstrated that successful establishment of {S}ingapore population from the initial immigrants was highly uncertain. {I}n 43% of cases, stochastic extinction occurred. {F}rom the 9% of model replicates that closely reproduced the observed colonisation history, projections showed that the population would reach close to 200 individuals in 50 years. {T}his study successfully demonstrates the use of individual-based modelling to simulate the inherently stochastic recolonisation dynamics of an endangered species and predict its longer-term future. {W}e discuss emerging issues that may arise from increasing negative interactions between otters and humans and the general challenges associated with rewilding highly urbanized environments. {W}e stress the importance of long-term monitoring surveys and education campaigns to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. {W}ith species and natural habitats increasingly threatened by our ever-growing human expansion, understanding the factors that allow human-dominated landscapes to be compatible with biodiversity is of the utmost importance.},
  keywords = {demography ; dispersal ; immigration ; individual based model ; smooth-coated otter ; spatial dynamics ; {SINGAPOUR}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{W}ildlife {B}iology},
  volume = {[{E}arly acces]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[11 p.]},
  ISSN = {0909-6396},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1002/wlb3.01200},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010089608},
}