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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Management Of Double-Crested Cormorants To Improve Sport Fisheries In Michigan: Three Case Studies, Brian S. Dorr, Shauna L. Hanisch, Peter H. Butchko, David G. Fielder Jan 2012

Management Of Double-Crested Cormorants To Improve Sport Fisheries In Michigan: Three Case Studies, Brian S. Dorr, Shauna L. Hanisch, Peter H. Butchko, David G. Fielder

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Impacts of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) to fisheries have been documented, but evaluation of the process and outcomes of cormorant management to reduce impacts on fisheries is lacking. We provide a synthesis of adaptive management of double-crested cormorants in the Les Cheneaux Islands (LCI), Brevoort Lake, and Drummond Island, Michigan from 2004 to 2007. The LCI management focused on reducing numbers of nesting cormorants in the region as a means of improving the yellow perch (Perca flavescens) population and fishery. At Brevoort Lake and Drummond Island, management focused on lethal and nonlethal harassment of spring migrating …


Unintended Consequences Of Bovine Brucellosis Management On Demand For Elk Hunting In Northwestern Wyoming, Mandy E. Kauffman, Benjamin S. Rashford, Dannele E. Peck Jan 2012

Unintended Consequences Of Bovine Brucellosis Management On Demand For Elk Hunting In Northwestern Wyoming, Mandy E. Kauffman, Benjamin S. Rashford, Dannele E. Peck

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Management strategies proposed to mitigate the risk of brucellosis transmission between elk and cattle (e.g., test-and-slaughter of all elk, elimination of feedgrounds, use of contraceptives) could result in a substantial decrease in elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) populations. These strategies could impact hunting and outfitting industries through reduced regional elk populations. Loss of hunters, particularly nonresidents, could result in economic losses for the state and hinder elk management. We estimated 2 empirical models using panel data from multiple hunt areas to determine effects of elk population changes on demand for elk hunting licenses in northwest Wyoming. First, we used …


Public Perceptions Of Wildlife-Associated Disease: Risk Communication Matters, Daniel J. Decker, William F. Siemer, Darrick T. N. Evenson, Richard C. Stedman, Katherine A. Mccomas, Margaret A. Wild, Kevin T. Castle, Kirsten M. Leong Jan 2012

Public Perceptions Of Wildlife-Associated Disease: Risk Communication Matters, Daniel J. Decker, William F. Siemer, Darrick T. N. Evenson, Richard C. Stedman, Katherine A. Mccomas, Margaret A. Wild, Kevin T. Castle, Kirsten M. Leong

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wildlife professionals working at the interface where conflicts arise between people and wild animals have an exceptional responsibility in the long-term interest of sustaining society’s support for wildlife and its conservation by resolving human–wildlife conflicts so that people continue to view wildlife as a valued resource. The challenge of understanding and responding to people’s concerns about wildlife is particularly acute in situations involving wildlife-associated disease and may be addressed through One Health communication. Two important questions arise in this work: (1) how will people react to the message that human health and wildlife health are linked?; and (2) will wildlife-associated …


Animal-Related Injuries Resulting In Emergency Department Visits And Hospitalizations In The United States, 2006–2008, Ricky L. Langley Jan 2012

Animal-Related Injuries Resulting In Emergency Department Visits And Hospitalizations In The United States, 2006–2008, Ricky L. Langley

Human–Wildlife Interactions

This paper presents information on emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations resulting from an animal-caused injury from 2006 to 2008 using data collected from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Information on the number of ED visits and hospitalizations from adverse animal encounters, the types of injuries resulting from such encounters, and the therapeutic procedures performed to treat injured persons from bites or stings caused by various species of animals are presented. The economic costs of animal-caused injuries also are discussed. Over 1 million hospital ED visits and 48,000 hospitalizations were reported annually in the United States due to …


The Role, Size, And Effectiveness Of Safety Zones For Creating Refuges For White-Tailed Deer, Jacob L. Bowman Jan 2012

The Role, Size, And Effectiveness Of Safety Zones For Creating Refuges For White-Tailed Deer, Jacob L. Bowman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are overabundant in many areas, particularly in more developed landscapes where refuges may provide additional challenges for deer managers. Refuges have been widely used to sustain breeding stock in harvested populations and to mitigate other sources of mortality. As the landscape becomes more urbanized, local municipalities and states have implemented safety zones to reduce the probability of a hunter’s projectile from accidentally striking a building or its inhabitants. I evaluated if mandated safety zones in Delaware may constitute unintentional refuges. I used Delaware’s land-cover data to created buffers (i.e., 46, 91, and 183 m) …


Commentary: Some Successful Methods To Mitigate Conflicts Caused By Common Ravens In An Industrial Environment, Rod J. Merrell Jan 2012

Commentary: Some Successful Methods To Mitigate Conflicts Caused By Common Ravens In An Industrial Environment, Rod J. Merrell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Bird Strike: The Crash Of The Boston Electra, Jennifer Lynch Jan 2012

Book Review: Bird Strike: The Crash Of The Boston Electra, Jennifer Lynch

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Role Of Bird Movements In The Epidemiology Of West Nile And Avian Influenza Virus, Sabir B. Muzaffar, Nichola J. Hill, John Y. Takekawa, William M. Perry, Lacy M. Smith, Walter M. Boyce Jan 2012

Role Of Bird Movements In The Epidemiology Of West Nile And Avian Influenza Virus, Sabir B. Muzaffar, Nichola J. Hill, John Y. Takekawa, William M. Perry, Lacy M. Smith, Walter M. Boyce

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is influenced by site fidelity and movements of bird hosts. We examined the movement ecology of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) as potential hosts for West Nile virus (WNV) and greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) as potential hosts for AIVs. Research was based on radio-telemetry studies conducted in the Central Valley of California, USA. While crows were restricted to a small area of only a few square kilometers, the distribution of the geese encompassed the northern Central Valley. The crows used 1.5 to 3.5 different roosting areas monthly from February through October, …


Lead From Spent Ammunition: A Source Of Exposure And Poisoning In Bald Eagles, Luis Cruz-Martinez, Patrick T. Redig, John Deen Jan 2012

Lead From Spent Ammunition: A Source Of Exposure And Poisoning In Bald Eagles, Luis Cruz-Martinez, Patrick T. Redig, John Deen

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Ongoing occurrence of elevated levels of lead in bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) following the ban on lead shot for waterfowl hunting led us to hypothesize that spent lead from ammunition, which is present in field residues of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), represented a source of lead exposure in eagles. We conducted a case-control study using data from 1,277 bald eagles admitted for rehabilitation from January 1996 through December 2009. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to predict the odds of elevated lead levels using admission date in relation to deer hunting season, recovery location in …


Brucellosis In The Greater Yellowstone Area: Disease Management At The Wildlife–Livestock Interface, Brant A. Schumaker, Dannelle E. Peck, Mandy E. Kauffman Jan 2012

Brucellosis In The Greater Yellowstone Area: Disease Management At The Wildlife–Livestock Interface, Brant A. Schumaker, Dannelle E. Peck, Mandy E. Kauffman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) of the Greater Yellowstone area are the last known reservoir of bovine brucellosis (Brucella abortus) in the United States. Domestic cattle occasionally contract the disease while grazing in areas where infected wild ungulates have aborted their fetuses or have given birth. Cases of brucellosis in cattle trigger costly quarantine, testing, and culling procedures. Government agencies and stakeholders, therefore, allocate valuable resources to prevent wildlife-to-cattle transmission. Scientific uncertainty about the biology, epidemiology, and economics of brucellosis makes it difficult to determine the length to which society should go to control it or the combination …


Modification Of Net Configurations Of The Coda Netlauncher® To Enhance Bird Capture, Amanda M. Prisock, Brian S. Dorr, James C. Cumbee Jan 2012

Modification Of Net Configurations Of The Coda Netlauncher® To Enhance Bird Capture, Amanda M. Prisock, Brian S. Dorr, James C. Cumbee

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We modified and evaluated capture nets fired from the Coda Netlauncher® as a tool for capturing various avian species. We modified the netlauncher by using customized nets to maximize the area of the capture zone. We captured 137 birds, comprising 12 species, in 23 attempts between July 2008 and October 2009 using this method. Capture success rates varied from 25 to 69% were comparable to success rates reported for other capture methods for these species. However, individual capture success for different net configurations varied greatly from 3 to 65%. Minimal injuries and 2 bird fatalities were reported. The netlauncher, using …


Commentary: Wildlife Management Professionals Need To Redefine The Terms: Lethal Control, Nonlethal Control, And Live Trap, Stephen M. Vantassel Jan 2012

Commentary: Wildlife Management Professionals Need To Redefine The Terms: Lethal Control, Nonlethal Control, And Live Trap, Stephen M. Vantassel

Human–Wildlife Interactions

I argue that the terms lethal control, nonlethal control, and live trap are no longer sufficiently precise for continued use in the scientific community. Their continued use confuses the public and allows animal protectionists to use them as cudgels in political discourse. Alternative terms are recommended to resolve the semantic and subsequent political issues surrounding the traditional terms.


In The News, Joe N. Caudell Jan 2012

In The News, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Hikers And Boats On Tule Elk Behavior In A National Park Wilderness Area, Benjamin H. Becker, Christopher M. Moi, Thomas J. Maguire, Robert Atkinson, Natalie B. Gates Jan 2012

Effects Of Hikers And Boats On Tule Elk Behavior In A National Park Wilderness Area, Benjamin H. Becker, Christopher M. Moi, Thomas J. Maguire, Robert Atkinson, Natalie B. Gates

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Human disturbance of wildlife may cause disruption of normal feeding, resting, reproduction, or care for juveniles. Such disturbance may be particularly undesirable in federally managed wilderness areas designed to minimize human influences on natural resources. We recorded tule elk (Cervus elephus nannodes) responses (standing, walking away, running) to off-trail hikers, off-shore boats, and other natural and anthropogenic factors in Point Reyes National Seashore in northern California during 2002 to 2008. Most disturbance behaviors were related to other elk exhibiting rutting behaviors, but off-trail hikers still explained a 100% increase and off-shore boats a 15% increase in baseline disturbance …


Excluding Feral Swine, Javelinas, And Raccoons From Deer Bait Stations, J. Mathews Pound, Kimberly H. Lohmeyer, Ronald B. Davey, Lisa A. Soliz, Pia U. Olafson Jan 2012

Excluding Feral Swine, Javelinas, And Raccoons From Deer Bait Stations, J. Mathews Pound, Kimberly H. Lohmeyer, Ronald B. Davey, Lisa A. Soliz, Pia U. Olafson

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


In The News, Joe N. Caudell Jan 2012

In The News, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Efficacy Of Aerial Broadcast Baiting In Reducing Brown Treesnake Numbers, Larry Clark, Peter J. Savarie Jan 2012

Efficacy Of Aerial Broadcast Baiting In Reducing Brown Treesnake Numbers, Larry Clark, Peter J. Savarie

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) is an invasive predator that was introduced on Guam as a stowaway in cargo after World War II. Since then, the population has exploded, attaining 50 to 100 snakes per ha in some areas. The snake has caused the extirpation of ten of the 12 native forest bird species on Guam. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, has a program to deter the spread of snakes from Guam to other islands. Hand capture from fences, trapping, toxic bait stations, and canine inspection of outbound cargo methods are used in the control program …


Factors Influencing Survival Of Desert Mule Deer In The Greater San Andres Mountains, New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Brock D. Hoenes, Cristina L. Rodden Jan 2012

Factors Influencing Survival Of Desert Mule Deer In The Greater San Andres Mountains, New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Brock D. Hoenes, Cristina L. Rodden

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Mule deer numbers have declined precipitously in the San Andres Mountains of southcentral New Mexico. To assess reasons for population declines, we monitored condition, survival, and causes of mortality for a range of 37 to 64 radio-collared, >1.5-year-old female mule deer annually, and a range of 14 to 31 radio-collared, >1.5-year-old male mule deer annually from 2003 to 2009, and modeled environmental factors affecting survival. We found annual survival rates of 0.74 to 0.86 for females and 0.74 to 0.92 for males, rates that were similar among years within sexes. Causes of mortality for 50 radio-collared females and 22 radio-collared …


Sterilization As An Alternative Deer Control Technique: A Review, Jason R. Boulanger, Paul D. Curtis, Evan G. Cooch, Anthony J. Denicola Jan 2012

Sterilization As An Alternative Deer Control Technique: A Review, Jason R. Boulanger, Paul D. Curtis, Evan G. Cooch, Anthony J. Denicola

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Burgeoning white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in suburban landscapes continue to impact communities and challenge natural resource managers. Increased deer-related damage to vegetation, ecosystems, and automobiles can exceed the tolerance of local stakeholders. We provide an overview of the potential efficacy of using surgical sterilization to help manage populations and conflicts associated with locally overabundant white-tailed deer populations. We review theoretical and fi eld studies pertaining to deer sterilization, and provide research priorities to help guide future sterilization efforts. Recent fi eld studies suggest that sterilization of female deer remains expensive, at approximately $1,000 per surgery. Sterilization may …


An Investigation Into The Use Of Road Drainage Structures By Wildlife In Maryland, Usa, James L. Sparks Jr., J. Edward Gates Jan 2012

An Investigation Into The Use Of Road Drainage Structures By Wildlife In Maryland, Usa, James L. Sparks Jr., J. Edward Gates

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Culverts have been installed beneath roadways for drainage or to contain existing streams; however, most of them have not been installed to facilitate the passage of wildlife. Prior studies of existing drainage structures used by wildlife have been narrow in scope, targeting a restricted number of culverts, time periods, or locales. Use of culverts by wildlife has been postulated to promote connectivity of fragmented populations and their habitats and to reduce roadkills. We monitored 265 culverts located throughout Maryland, USA, with game cameras in all seasons and in every physiographic province. Our objectives were to identify those species using culverts …


The Effect Of European Starlings And Ambient Air Temperature On Salmonella Enterica Contamination Within Cattle Feed Bunks, James C. Carlson, Jeremy W. Ellis, Shelagh K. Tupper, Alan B. Franklin, George M. Linz Jan 2012

The Effect Of European Starlings And Ambient Air Temperature On Salmonella Enterica Contamination Within Cattle Feed Bunks, James C. Carlson, Jeremy W. Ellis, Shelagh K. Tupper, Alan B. Franklin, George M. Linz

Human–Wildlife Interactions

European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are a known risk factor for the occurrence of microorganisms that are pathogenic to cattle and humans in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Starling use of CAFOs is known to vary in response to weather; starling control operations on CAFOs often are timed to coincide with favorable environmental conditions to maximize take. The totality of this information suggests that disease risks in CAFOs associated with starlings may be influenced by environmental factors, such as temperature. In this study, we assessed the risk of Salmonella enterica contamination of cattle feed by modeling the interaction between …


Brown Treesnakes: A Potential Invasive Species For The United States, Samantha Sue Kahl, Scott E. Henke, Marc A. Hall, David K. Britton Jan 2012

Brown Treesnakes: A Potential Invasive Species For The United States, Samantha Sue Kahl, Scott E. Henke, Marc A. Hall, David K. Britton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Brown treesnakes (ˆ) are mildly venomous, exotic snakes that have the potential to become an invasive species in North America, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The snake is native to northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea, and other islands of northern and western Melanesia. The snakes were first found outside their native range on Guam in 1953. The exact date they reached the island is uncertain, but they are believed to have arrived on military cargo transport vessels some time during or just after World War II. During the years that followed, the population of brown …


Contagious Ecthyma In A Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep From Utah, David J. Wilson, Leslie Mcfarlane Jan 2012

Contagious Ecthyma In A Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep From Utah, David J. Wilson, Leslie Mcfarlane

Human–Wildlife Interactions

In December 2008, near Flaming Gorge Reservoir in northeastern Utah, a 2 ½-year-old male Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) was reported in poor body condition with bloody lesions covering the muzzle area. The sheep was euthanized, and samples were submitted to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan, Utah. The gross and microscopic lesions confirmed the diagnosis of contagious ecthyma (CE). This is the first documented report of CE in bighorn sheep from Utah.


Using Radio-Telemetry To Assess The Risk European Starlings Pose In Pathogen Transmission Among Feedlots, Shannon M. Gaukler, H. Jeffrey Homan, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier Jan 2012

Using Radio-Telemetry To Assess The Risk European Starlings Pose In Pathogen Transmission Among Feedlots, Shannon M. Gaukler, H. Jeffrey Homan, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We monitored site-use and movements of 102 radio-tagged European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during the winter months at 2 concentrated animal feeding operations (feedlots) in central Kansas. Our research investigated the spatial ecology of wintering starlings as part of a broad epidemiological study on the possible role of starlings in pathogen transmission at feedlots. Site fidelity was 0.677 and 0.552 (days at capture-site per total days tagged) for feedlots A and B, respectively. Minimal exchange (9%) occurred between feedlots A and B and was often followed by a roost-site change. Starlings rarely abandoned the feedlot where they were captured, …


Serologic Evidence Of Brucella And Pseudorabies In Mississippi Feral Swine, Sherman W. Jack, James C. Cumbee Jr., Kristina C. Godwin Jan 2012

Serologic Evidence Of Brucella And Pseudorabies In Mississippi Feral Swine, Sherman W. Jack, James C. Cumbee Jr., Kristina C. Godwin

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) are an ever-increasing problem across the United States. Besides physical environmental damage that they cause, they may harbor and transmit a number of pathogens to humans, livestock, and other domestic animals. We sampled feral swine across the state of Mississippi for titers to several diseases. Antibodies against Brucella were found in 16 of 499 (3.2%) feral swine, and antibodies against pseudorabies (porcine herpes virus, type 1; Herpesveridae sp.) virus were identified in 37 of 499 (7.4%) feral swine from across the state of Mississippi. Evidence of classical swine fever, African swine fever, swine influenza, …


Lead-Free, High-Powered Rifle Bullets And Their Applicability In Wildlife Management, Joe N. Caudell, Scott R. Stopak, Paul C. Wolf Jan 2012

Lead-Free, High-Powered Rifle Bullets And Their Applicability In Wildlife Management, Joe N. Caudell, Scott R. Stopak, Paul C. Wolf

Human–Wildlife Interactions

In recent years, concern over the use of lead-based ammunition for hunting has been growing, primarily due to consumption of discarded offal by scavengers and donated game meat for human consumption. While there are alternative bullet technologies on the market that are suitable for hunting, these alternatives have not been adequately researched and tested for use in professional wildlife damage management (WDM). Differences between hunting and WDM include an increased level of precision necessary for safe WDM work, potentially greater distances for shots fired at targets, a need for instant incapacitation, and overall cost-effectiveness. To determine the applicability of lead-free …


Landowner Attitudes Toward Introduced Wild Turkeys In Northwestern Minnesota, Chad J. Parent, Brett J. Goodwin, Eric M. Dunton Jan 2012

Landowner Attitudes Toward Introduced Wild Turkeys In Northwestern Minnesota, Chad J. Parent, Brett J. Goodwin, Eric M. Dunton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were introduced to northwestern Minnesota, USA, in 2006 and 2007. This provided an opportunity to examine landowner feelings for a wildlife species not endemic to the region. In 2007, we mailed surveys to 200 landowners to evaluate landowner interactions, feelings, and concerns with turkeys. Overall response rate was 76%. Eighty-nine percent of respondents in northwestern Minnesota reported positive feelings toward turkeys, 9% were indifferent, and 2% reported negative feelings. The introduced turkeys were not perceived to be problematic:


Media Review A Pickup Load Of Pigs: The Feral Swine Pandemic, Patrick Jackson Jan 2012

Media Review A Pickup Load Of Pigs: The Feral Swine Pandemic, Patrick Jackson

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Examining A Potential Brown Treesnake Transport Pathway: Shipments From Guam, Samantha Sue Kahl, Scott E. Henke, Marc A. Hall, Andrea R. Litt, Gad Perry, David K. Britton Jan 2012

Examining A Potential Brown Treesnake Transport Pathway: Shipments From Guam, Samantha Sue Kahl, Scott E. Henke, Marc A. Hall, Andrea R. Litt, Gad Perry, David K. Britton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Shipments of cargo and household goods have been identified as pathways for brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) transport from Guam to other locations. We analyzed data regarding shipments of military household goods leaving Guam during 2006 to 2009 to identify the potential for human transport of brown treesnakes to the United States by determining when shipments most commonly occur and identifying primary receiving areas. We found that the number of shipments was highest during the months of May and June and that California receives more shipments (23% of total shipments) than any other location. Approximately 98% of shipments originated …


Effects Of Grassland Alteration From Mowing And Fire On Bird Activity At A Colorado Airfield, Kara A. Carragher, Rick M. Clawges, Rick L. Bunn, Helen K. Pigage, Jon C. Pigage Jan 2012

Effects Of Grassland Alteration From Mowing And Fire On Bird Activity At A Colorado Airfield, Kara A. Carragher, Rick M. Clawges, Rick L. Bunn, Helen K. Pigage, Jon C. Pigage

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Grass management has been used for many years at airports in an attempt to reduce numbers of birds and other wildlife and the collisions with aircraft associated with them. We evaluated the impacts of grassland alteration by mowing and fi re on the abundance, diversity, and frequency of birds using 1 control and 2 experimental grass plots from 2009 to 2010 on a U.S. Army airfield in Colorado located in short-grass prairie. Density of breeding birds was highest in the mowed plot. Numbers of birds observed in 34 surveys conducted during the non-breeding season in the burned (x = 41) …