Alvydas Malakauskas

Since 2014, Lithuania has been affected by African swine fever (ASF), with varying levels of disease occurrence. This study investigated factors associated with ASF persistence in wild boar populations across Lithuanian municipalities. Based on ASF occurrence patterns, municipalities were classified into three groups: endemic, non-endemic, and ‘no ASF detected’. Endemic municipalities had ASF cases reported for at least three consecutive years. Data from 2016 to 2022 were analysed, including numbers of wild boar hunted or found dead, environmental variables, and spatial characteristics. Analyses included non-parametric tests, correlation analyses, negative binomial regression, and longitudinal logistic regression using generalised estimating equations to assess associations with ASF occurrence. Differences were observed between municipality groups, with endemic areas showing higher numbers of ASF cases and found dead wild boar. The number of hunted wild boar was positively correlated with the number of ASF-positive hunted wild boar, likely reflecting hunting-related sampling effort. Forest cover was negatively associated with ASF case counts, while wetland coverage was positively associated with endemic status, case counts and ASF presence over time. The findings highlight the importance of surveillance strategies, especially those based on carcass detection and testing. Environmental factors, including wetland-associated conditions, may influence ASF occurrence. Results support the need for targeted, landscape-informed approaches to ASF surveillance and control in endemic regions.

Dogs and cats are increasingly regarded as companion animals and family members, but companionship requires more than affection: it also entails responsibility for their health, reproduction, housing and behavioural needs. Responsible ownership and welfare in rural Baltic and Eastern European settings remain poorly studied. The study included 383 Lithuanian owners (338 rural, 45 urban) and welfare assessments of 85 animals from 53 rural households using an adapted Animal Welfare Assessment Grid. Animal numbers per household differed significantly by residence (p = 0.0008), with 73.1% of rural respondents keeping two or more animals versus 46.7% of urban respondents. Microchipping of all household animals was less often reported by rural than urban respondents (55.5% vs. 86.7%; p = 0.0003), as was rabies vaccination within the previous three years (67.1% vs. 90.9%; p = 0.0047). Neutering of all animals was likewise less common in rural households, although not significantly (50.6% vs. 68.9%; p = 0.0633). Main welfare concerns were environmental enrichment, body condition, frequency of exposure to stressors, behaviour during procedures and the living environment; older animals had poorer scores (p = 0.0004). Rural households kept more animals, while several responsible ownership practices were less consistently implemented, potentially amplifying welfare and population-management consequences and supporting rural education and preventive veterinary initiatives.