Spatial Organization of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa ussuricus) Associations under the Impact of the Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Central Sikhote-Alin Mountains, Russian Far East

Wild boar groups in the Central Sikhote-Alin Mountains exhibit a dynamic spatial organization that enhances their survival against tiger predation. Maternal wild boar groups, often accompanied by up to 15 individuals, occupy central positions within larger associations (1.5–9.4 km²), which serve as a pre-adaptive strategy against tiger attacks. This structure reduces the likelihood of attacks, with maternal groups experiencing significantly fewer tiger encounters than isolated individuals. The study employed snow tracking and route network observations in key plots (≥10–15 km²) within the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve to document 16 wild boar movement patterns over 6–23 days, alongside 114 tiger encounter episodes. These findings highlight the importance of habitat selection, group dynamics, and male 'tuskers' in mitigating predator threats.

Zaitsev, V. A. (2024). Spatial Organization of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa ussuricus) Associations under the Impact of the Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Central Sikhote-Alin Mountains, Russian Far East. Biology Bulletin, 51(8), 2567–2584. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1062359024701073