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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Factors Affecting White-Tailed Deer-Browsing Rates On Early Growth Stages Of Soybean Crops, Gregory M. Colligan, Jacob L. Bowman, Joseph E. Rogerson, Bruce L. Vasilas Jan 2011

Factors Affecting White-Tailed Deer-Browsing Rates On Early Growth Stages Of Soybean Crops, Gregory M. Colligan, Jacob L. Bowman, Joseph E. Rogerson, Bruce L. Vasilas

Human–Wildlife Interactions

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus) damage to soybean crops is a concern for soybean producers. Although researchers have documented decreases in the intensity of deer-browse on soybean plants as the growing season progresses, an understanding of the mechanisms driving the decrease in deer-browse is necessary for reduction and mitigation of deer damage to soybean crops. We tested 4 hypotheses to determine why deer-browse rates decrease 3 weeks after plant emergence: (1) plant phenology affects plant palatability; (2) diet change occurs; (3) deer damage induces a plant response making soybean leaves less palatable: and (4) deer consume fewer leaves but …


Commentary Wildlife Habituation: Advances In Understanding And Management Application, Valerius Geist Jan 2011

Commentary Wildlife Habituation: Advances In Understanding And Management Application, Valerius Geist

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Survival Analysis And Computer Simulations Of Lethal And Contraceptive Management Strategies For Urban Deer, Marrett D. Grund Jan 2011

Survival Analysis And Computer Simulations Of Lethal And Contraceptive Management Strategies For Urban Deer, Marrett D. Grund

Human–Wildlife Interactions

I monitored survival of 34 female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Bloomington, Minnesota, from October 1996 to December 1999. Twenty deer died: nineteen were killed by vehicles, and one was killed in a deer-removal program conducted by an adjacent suburb. Summer survival was high and varied little over the 3 years of study (range = 0.93 to 0.95). Fall survival ranged from 0.84 to 1.00, and winter survival was generally high during the 3 years of study, except during a severe winter (range = 0.72 to 0.95). I calculated population growth rates (λ) from Leslie matrix projections, using …


A Rat-Resistant Artificial Nest Box For Cavity-Nesting Birds, William C. Pitt, Laura C. Driscoll, Eric A. Vanderwerf Jan 2011

A Rat-Resistant Artificial Nest Box For Cavity-Nesting Birds, William C. Pitt, Laura C. Driscoll, Eric A. Vanderwerf

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The puaiohi or small Kauai thrush (Myadestes palmeri) is an endangered bird endemic to the island of Kauai, Hawaii. The sole population of about 500 birds is currently restricted to remote, higher elevation areas of the Alakai Plateau. Puaiohi nest primarily on steep streamside cliffs, and their distribution and abundance are limited by availability of suitable nesting sites. Black rats (Rattus rattus) cause nest failure and mortality of nesting female puaiohis, and ground-based rodent control has not been effective at reducing nest predation. In 2007, we investigated whether artificial nest structures might be a viable alternative …


In The News, Joe N. Caudell Jan 2011

In The News, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Misconceptions About Black Bears: A Response To Geist (2011), Lynn L. Rogers, Susan A. Mansfield Jan 2011

Misconceptions About Black Bears: A Response To Geist (2011), Lynn L. Rogers, Susan A. Mansfield

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Commentary State Of The Berryman Institute, Christopher R. Ayers Jan 2011

Commentary State Of The Berryman Institute, Christopher R. Ayers

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Commentary Using Dietary Analyses To Reduce The Risk Of Wildlife–Aircraft Collisions, Brian E. Washburn, Glen E. Bernhardt, Lisa A. Kutschbach-Brohl Jan 2011

Commentary Using Dietary Analyses To Reduce The Risk Of Wildlife–Aircraft Collisions, Brian E. Washburn, Glen E. Bernhardt, Lisa A. Kutschbach-Brohl

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Economic Evaluation Of Beaver Management To Protect Timber Resources In Mississippi, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Katy N. Kirkpatrick, Kris Godwin Jan 2011

Economic Evaluation Of Beaver Management To Protect Timber Resources In Mississippi, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Katy N. Kirkpatrick, Kris Godwin

Human–Wildlife Interactions

It has become essential for groups involved with wildlife policy formulation and decision making to examine the economic benefits and costs derived from the management of nuisance wildlife species. Beavers (Castor canadensis) in Mississippi have seen significant population fluctuations over the last 150 years as their status has changed from a game species to protected species to nuisance species. The objectives of this study were to assess the beaver-caused economic impacts to the timber industry in Mississippi and estimate the damages avoided due to Mississippi’s Beaver Control Assistance Program (BCAP) activities from 2005 to 2009. The total BCAP …


Response To Rogers And Mansfield (2011) And Stringham (2011), Valerius Geist Jan 2011

Response To Rogers And Mansfield (2011) And Stringham (2011), Valerius Geist

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Too Many Hogs? A Review Of Methods To Mitigate Impact By Wild Boar And Feral Hogs, Giovanna Massei, Sugoto Roy, Richard Bunting Jan 2011

Too Many Hogs? A Review Of Methods To Mitigate Impact By Wild Boar And Feral Hogs, Giovanna Massei, Sugoto Roy, Richard Bunting

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) are among the most widely-distributed mammals in the world and have the highest reproductive output compared with other ungulates. Worldwide, feral hogs are increasing in range and numbers. Human–feral hog conflicts include impact on abundance and richness of plant and animal species, crop damage, predation on livestock, vehicle collisions, and disease transmission. We reviewed methods employed to mitigate the impact of feral hogs on human activities and discussed these methods in terms of effectiveness, feasibility, costs, and social acceptance. Traditional methods of control include trapping, angering, shooting, poisoning, and Judas hogs. Nonlethal methods of …


Soap Box The Wildlife Society Responds To Cnn Report On Feral Horses, Laura Bies, Michael Hutchins, Thomas J. Ryder Jan 2011

Soap Box The Wildlife Society Responds To Cnn Report On Feral Horses, Laura Bies, Michael Hutchins, Thomas J. Ryder

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Aggressive Body Language Of Bears And Wildlife Viewing: A Response To Geist (2011), Stephen F. Stringham Jan 2011

Aggressive Body Language Of Bears And Wildlife Viewing: A Response To Geist (2011), Stephen F. Stringham

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


In The News, Joe N. Caudell Jan 2011

In The News, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Feed Depredation By European Starlings In A Kansas Feedlot, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard, Charles D. Lee Jan 2011

Feed Depredation By European Starlings In A Kansas Feedlot, Brandon E. Depenbusch, James S. Drouillard, Charles D. Lee

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Confinement cattle-feeding operations have been associated with large populations of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during the winter months. Starlings can eat nearly 1 kg each of feed per month (Besser et al. 1968). In the first of our 2 studies, we evaluated feed selection and feed depredation by starlings using 5 concentrate-based cattle finishing diets. Four diets evaluated were in traditional meal-type form, and 1 diet was an extruded pellet. We placed rations into a section of the feed trough that we made accessible to starlings but not to cattle. Of the original 13.6 kg of steam-flaked corn and …


Factors Governing Risk Of Cougar Attacks On Humans, David Mattson, Kenneth Logan, Linda Sweanor Jan 2011

Factors Governing Risk Of Cougar Attacks On Humans, David Mattson, Kenneth Logan, Linda Sweanor

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Since the 1980s wildlife managers in the United States and Canada have expressed increasing concern about the physical threat posed by cougars (Puma concolor) to humans. We developed a conceptual framework and analyzed 386 human– cougar encounters (29 fatal attacks, 171 instances of nonfatal contact, and 186 close-threatening encounters) to provide information relevant to public safety. We conceived of human injury and death as the outcome of 4 transitions affected by different suites of factors: (1) a human encountering a cougar: (2) given an encounter, odds that the cougar would be aggressive; (3) given aggression, odds that the …


Commentary Wildlife Risk To Aviation: A Multi-Scale Issue Requires A Multi-Scale Solution, James A. Martin, Jerrold L. Belant, Travis L. Devault, Bradley F. Blackwell, Loren W. Burger Jr., Samuel K. Riffell, Guiming Wang Jan 2011

Commentary Wildlife Risk To Aviation: A Multi-Scale Issue Requires A Multi-Scale Solution, James A. Martin, Jerrold L. Belant, Travis L. Devault, Bradley F. Blackwell, Loren W. Burger Jr., Samuel K. Riffell, Guiming Wang

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Rodent Population Management At Kansas City International Airport, Gary W. Witmer Jan 2011

Rodent Population Management At Kansas City International Airport, Gary W. Witmer

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Birds pose serious hazards at United States airports because of the potential for collisions with aircraft. Raptors, in particular, are hazardous to aircraft safety due to their size, hunting behavior, and hovering and soaring habits. Reduction of rodent populations at an airport may decrease raptor populations in the area and, therefore, reduce risk that raptors pose to aircraft. Rodent populations can be reduced by population management (i.e., use of rodenticides) or by habitat management (i.e., vegetation and land-use management) that reduces the area’s carrying capacity for rodents. I found that zinc phosphide-treated oats reduced rodent populations by >94% at the …


Livestock And Domestic Dog Predations By Wolves In Michigan, Justin L. Edge, Dean E. Beyer Jr., Jerrold L. Belant, Mark J. Jordan, Brian J. Roell Jan 2011

Livestock And Domestic Dog Predations By Wolves In Michigan, Justin L. Edge, Dean E. Beyer Jr., Jerrold L. Belant, Mark J. Jordan, Brian J. Roell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wolves (Canis spp.) have recolonized the Great Lakes region and expanded into agricultural areas where there is increasing concern of conflict with livestock. We documented 121 wolf predation events on captive or domestic animals in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan between April 1996 and April 2009. We investigated the relationship between annual wolf abundance and predation events, seasonality of predations on livestock, and the association between previous winter severity and predations on livestock. The annual number of predations on livestock increased with wolf abundance, and overall, predations on cattle and calves increased during calving season. We observed a …


Preference Of White-Tailed Deer For Corn Hybrids And Agricultural Husbandry Practices During The Growing Season, Joshua A. Delger, Kevin L. Monteith, Lowell E. Schmitz, Jonathan A. Jenks Jan 2011

Preference Of White-Tailed Deer For Corn Hybrids And Agricultural Husbandry Practices During The Growing Season, Joshua A. Delger, Kevin L. Monteith, Lowell E. Schmitz, Jonathan A. Jenks

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Damage to field corn (Zea mays) by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be substantial, resulting in millions of dollars lost annually. Numerous methods exist to minimize deer depredation, but all have met with varying degrees of success. Currently, little information is available on preference of white-tailed deer for corn hybrids during the growing season and how that preference might affect depredation patterns. We used adult female white-tailed deer in captivity to study the effect of herbicide treatments on deer-use (treatment versus no treatment) of corn in 2005 and to document preference among specific corn hybrids in …


Comparison Of Fencing Designs For Excluding Deer From Roadways, Daniel W. Stull, William D. Gulsby, James A. Martin, Gino J. D'Angelo, George R. Gallagher, David A. Osborn, Robert J. Warren, Karl V. Miller Jan 2011

Comparison Of Fencing Designs For Excluding Deer From Roadways, Daniel W. Stull, William D. Gulsby, James A. Martin, Gino J. D'Angelo, George R. Gallagher, David A. Osborn, Robert J. Warren, Karl V. Miller

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We evaluated the efficacy of several fencing designs for restricting movements of 18 captive, female white-tailed deer (Odocoelus virginianus), including standard wovenwire fencing (1.2-m, 1.5-m, 1.8-m, 2.1-m, and 2.4-m tall), opaque fencing (1.2-m, 1.5-m, and 1.8-m tall), and an outrigger fence (i.e., 0.6-m outriggers attached to a 1.2-m-tall wire fence angled at 45º). We recorded the number of successful fence crossings for each deer and characterized behaviors associated with each failed crossing attempt. No deer crossed the 2.4-m fence, whereas all deer crossed the 1.2-m fence. We observed no differences in crossing success between woven-wire and opaque fencing …


Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: Implementation Of Electric Fencing For Establishing Effective Livestock-Protection Dogs, Thomas M. Gehring, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Anna C. Cellar Jan 2011

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: Implementation Of Electric Fencing For Establishing Effective Livestock-Protection Dogs, Thomas M. Gehring, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Anna C. Cellar

Human–Wildlife Interactions

To be effective, livestock protection dogs (LPDs) must be carefully integrated with the livestock they will be protecting. Others have developed guidelines to assist producers in this training and assimilation process. In many areas fencing is necessary; however, guidelines for containing LPDs and their livestock behind electric fencing are lacking. We present results from larger projects involving LPDs where we encountered issues with fencing and preventing LPDs from roaming from their owner’s property. We found that ranging and escaping from pastures was exhibited by LPDs that were not properly introduced and trained to electric fencing at an early age. LPDs …


Rock Pigeon Use Of Livestock Facilities In Northern Colorado: Implications For Improving Farm Bio-Security, James C. Carlson, Larry Clark, Michael F. Antolin, Mo D. Salman Jan 2011

Rock Pigeon Use Of Livestock Facilities In Northern Colorado: Implications For Improving Farm Bio-Security, James C. Carlson, Larry Clark, Michael F. Antolin, Mo D. Salman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Rock pigeons (Columba livia) have been implicated in the spread of pathogens within commercial livestock facilities. Currently, there is no data characterizing pigeon habitat use and movement patterns within and among commercial livestock facilities. To better understand the capacity for pigeons to spread pathogens, we used radio-telemetry techniques to estimate the home-range, travel distance, activity, and habitat use of pigeons roosting on and off dairies and feedlots in western Weld County, Colorado. Our observations suggest that pigeons roosting on (resident) and off (nonresident) livestock facilities use habitat differently. Nonresident pigeons used larger home-range areas than did resident pigeons. …


Using Radar Cross-Section To Enhance Situational Awareness Tools For Airport Avian Radars, Tim J. Nohara, Robert C. Beason, Peter Weber Jan 2011

Using Radar Cross-Section To Enhance Situational Awareness Tools For Airport Avian Radars, Tim J. Nohara, Robert C. Beason, Peter Weber

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Digital avian radars can track bird movements continuously in the vicinity of airports without interruption. The result is a wealth of bird-track data that can be used in mitigation efforts to reduce bird strikes on and near airfields. To make the sheer volume of bird track data generated by digital avian radars accessible to users, we developed tools to transform these data into analytical and visualization products to improve situational awareness for wildlife and airfield personnel. In addition to the parameters traditionally associated with radar tracking (latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, and heading), we have implemented a procedure to estimate the …


Using Whatman Fta® Cards To Collect Dna For Bird-Strike Identifications, Carla J. Dove, Nor Faridah Dahlan, Marcy A. Heacker, James F. Whatton Jan 2011

Using Whatman Fta® Cards To Collect Dna For Bird-Strike Identifications, Carla J. Dove, Nor Faridah Dahlan, Marcy A. Heacker, James F. Whatton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Identification of species of birds is fundamental to implementation of all management and mitigation issues involving bird–aircraft collisions (bird strikes). Methods of identifying bird remains have recently been enhanced to include the use of molecular techniques but the degraded condition of the fi eld sample remains problematic. The Whatman FTA® card is a novel way to instantly fi x DNA and inhibit degradation of DNA samples post-collection. During 2008–2009, we analyzed >200 FTA cards containing tissue blots, body fluids, or blood samples from bird strikes to evaluate the performance of these cards in real-time situations. We analyzed the success of …


Bird Strikes And Aircraft Fuselage Color: A Correlational Study, Esteban Fernández-Juricic, Jim Gaffney, Bradley F. Blackwell, Patrice Baumhardt Jan 2011

Bird Strikes And Aircraft Fuselage Color: A Correlational Study, Esteban Fernández-Juricic, Jim Gaffney, Bradley F. Blackwell, Patrice Baumhardt

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Collisions between birds and aircraft (bird strikes) pose safety risks to the public, cost airports and airlines money, and result in liability issues. Recent research suggests that aircraft visibility could be enhanced to increase detection and avoidance by birds. We questioned whether aircraft color scheme might play a role in bird-strike frequency. We used public records of bird strikes along with information on flights that were gathered by federal agencies in the United States. We estimated the bird-strike rates and compared them among airline companies using different fuselage color schemes, while controlling for aircraft type. Using an avian vision modeling …


Increasing Trend Of Damaging Bird Strikes With Aircraft Outside The Airport Boundary: Implications For Mitigation Measures, Richard A. Dolbeer Jan 2011

Increasing Trend Of Damaging Bird Strikes With Aircraft Outside The Airport Boundary: Implications For Mitigation Measures, Richard A. Dolbeer

Human–Wildlife Interactions

A basic tenet of programs to mitigate the risks of bird strikes with aircraft has been to focus management efforts at airports because various historical analyses of bird-strike data for civil aviation have indicated the majority of strikes occur in this environment during take-off and landing at (AGL). However, a trend analysis of birdstrike data involving commercial air carriers from the U.S. National Wildlife Strike Database for Civil Aviation, 1990 to 2009, indicates that this tenet should be revised. The percentage of all strikes that occurred at >500 feet AGL increased significantly from about 25% in 1990 to 30% in …


Using Avian Radar To Examine Relationships Among Avian Activity, Bird Strikes, And Meteorological Factors, Peter S. Coates, Michael L. Casazza, Brian J. Halstead, Joseph P. Fleskes, James A. Laughlin Jan 2011

Using Avian Radar To Examine Relationships Among Avian Activity, Bird Strikes, And Meteorological Factors, Peter S. Coates, Michael L. Casazza, Brian J. Halstead, Joseph P. Fleskes, James A. Laughlin

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Radar systems designed to detect avian activity at airfields are useful in understanding factors that influence the risk of bird and aircraft collisions (bird strikes). We used an avian radar system to measure avian activity at Beale Air Force Base, California, USA, during 2008 and 2009. We conducted a 2-part analysis to examine relationships among avian activity, bird strikes, and meteorological and time-dependent factors. We found that avian activity around the airfield was greater at times when bird strikes occurred than on average using a permutation resampling technique. Second, we developed generalized linear mixed models of an avian activity index …


Condition, Survival, And Productivity Of Mule Deer In Semiarid Grassland-Woodland In East-Central New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Jon C. Boren, Heather Halbritter, Shad Cox Jan 2011

Condition, Survival, And Productivity Of Mule Deer In Semiarid Grassland-Woodland In East-Central New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Jon C. Boren, Heather Halbritter, Shad Cox

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are an economically important species to wildlife enterprises throughout New Mexico and the western United States, but populations are declining, limiting recreational and revenue potential to private and public wildlife managers. We documented body condition, survival, production of fawns, and trends in population size of a declining mule deer population on the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center (CRLRC), a multiple-use research ranch in east-central New Mexico owned by New Mexico State University. Mule deer females were in poor condition, characterized by accrual of little body fat or lean tissue (muscle mass) reserves. Annual …


Canada Goose Crop Damage Abatement In South Dakota, Troy M. Radtke, Charles D. Dieter Jan 2011

Canada Goose Crop Damage Abatement In South Dakota, Troy M. Radtke, Charles D. Dieter

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) can cause considerable damage to crops during summer when geese are flightless. We evaluated the effectiveness of a program designed to alleviate crop damage on soybeans by Canada geese in South Dakota, USA. The applications of electric fences, feeding stations, and propane cannons reduced the area of crop damage by 90% in 2006 and 80% in 2007, but the timing was important. Fields where abatement practices were applied early in the growing season had less damage than fields where they were applied later. Abatement practices that were properly applied as soon as damage started …