The 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

Research in the Central Sikhote-Alin Mountains reveals that wild boar groups exhibit dynamic spatial organization to mitigate tiger predation. Maternal groups, often central within larger associations of up to 15 individuals, occupy areas 1.1–2.2 times larger than usual, enhancing their effectiveness against both random and trail-tracking tiger attacks. Tiger predation on temporarily separated wild boars is nearly three times higher (p < 0.05) compared to attacks on maternal groups. The study highlights the importance of habitat location for maternal groups, particularly in snowy winters, and the role of male 'tuskers' in concealing groups from predators. Snow tracking over 6–23 days provided insights into these movement patterns, demonstrating a pre-adaptive strategy that reduces vulnerability to tiger predation.

Zaitsev, V. A. (2024). The 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. Зоологический Журнал, 103(1), 85–103. https://doi.org/10.31857/s0044513424010096