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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Unintended Consequences Of Bovine Brucellosis Management On Demand For Elk Hunting In Northwestern Wyoming, Mandy E. Kauffman, Benjamin S. Rashford, Dannele E. Peck
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 …
Animal-Related Injuries Resulting In Emergency Department Visits And Hospitalizations In The United States, 2006–2008, Ricky L. Langley
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
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
Commentary: Some Successful Methods To Mitigate Conflicts Caused By Common Ravens In An Industrial Environment, Rod J. Merrell
Human–Wildlife Interactions
No abstract provided.
Lead From Spent Ammunition: A Source Of Exposure And Poisoning In Bald Eagles, Luis Cruz-Martinez, Patrick T. Redig, John Deen
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
Efficacy Of Aerial Broadcast Baiting In Reducing Brown Treesnake Numbers, Larry Clark, Peter J. Savarie
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
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
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
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
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 …
Contagious Ecthyma In A Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep From Utah, David J. Wilson, Leslie Mcfarlane
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.
Serologic Evidence Of Brucella And Pseudorabies In Mississippi Feral Swine, Sherman W. Jack, James C. Cumbee Jr., Kristina C. Godwin
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
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 …
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
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
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) …
Mixed-Breed Guarding Dogs Reduce Conflict Between Goat Herders And Native Carnivores In Patagonia, Alejandro González, Andrés Novaro, Martín Funes, Oscar Pailacura, María Jose Bolgeri, Susan Walker
Mixed-Breed Guarding Dogs Reduce Conflict Between Goat Herders And Native Carnivores In Patagonia, Alejandro González, Andrés Novaro, Martín Funes, Oscar Pailacura, María Jose Bolgeri, Susan Walker
Human–Wildlife Interactions
Goat husbandry is the main rural livelihood in the northern Patagonian steppe of Argentina, and herders kill any carnivore that they believe threatens their herds, including the endangered Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita). We evaluated the use of local, mediumsized, mixed-breed guarding dogs to reduce predation and retaliatory killing of carnivores. We interviewed 64 herders, and delivered 37 puppies to 25 herders. Most economic loss was attributed to cougars (Puma concolor) and culpeos (Lycalopex culpaeus). All herders with dogs that reached the working stage reported reduced rates of predation, and 88% reported that they no …
Apparent Prevalence Of Swine Brucellosis In Feral Swine In The United States, Kerri Pedersen, Sarah N. Bevins, Brandon S. Schmit, Mark W. Lutman, Michael P. Milleson, Clint T. Turnage, Troy T. Bigelow, Thomas J. Deliberto
Apparent Prevalence Of Swine Brucellosis In Feral Swine In The United States, Kerri Pedersen, Sarah N. Bevins, Brandon S. Schmit, Mark W. Lutman, Michael P. Milleson, Clint T. Turnage, Troy T. Bigelow, Thomas J. Deliberto
Human–Wildlife Interactions
Samples were collected in 35 states as part of a national monitoring system to detect multiple diseases in feral swine (Sus scrofa). During March 2009 through December 2010, we collected serum samples from 4,479 feral swine from 13 states, and 159 animals tested were seropositive for brucellosis. No difference in likelihood of infection was found between males and females, but adults were more likely than sub-adults or juveniles to be exposed to brucellosis. Feral swine sampled during winter months also were more likely to be seropositive than animals sampled during other seasons. Apparent prevalence varied among states, and …
Efficacy, Effort, And Cost Comparisons Of Trapping And Acetaminophen-Baiting For Control Of Brown Treesnakes On Guam, Larry Clark, Peter J. Savarie, John A. Shivik, Stewart W. Breck, Brian S. Dorr
Efficacy, Effort, And Cost Comparisons Of Trapping And Acetaminophen-Baiting For Control Of Brown Treesnakes On Guam, Larry Clark, Peter J. Savarie, John A. Shivik, Stewart W. Breck, Brian S. Dorr
Human–Wildlife Interactions
Brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) are an invasive species to the island of Guam. Because they have extirpated the native forest avifauna on Guam and are a threat to other Pacific islands, the development of efficient and cost-effective methods to control them is desired. We compared the efficacy, cost, and effort required to remove brown treesnakes on 6-ha plots in forest scrub on Guam, using 2 methods: trapping and poison baiting. Toxic baits consisted of dead neonatal mice adulterated with 80-mg acetaminophen. To assess efficacy, we used mark-recapture methods to estimate snake abundance on plots 12 days before and 12 days …
Bird Consumption Of Sweet And Tart Cherries, Catherine A. Lindell, Rachael A. Eaton, Erin M. Lizotte, Nikki L. Rothwell
Bird Consumption Of Sweet And Tart Cherries, Catherine A. Lindell, Rachael A. Eaton, Erin M. Lizotte, Nikki L. Rothwell
Human–Wildlife Interactions
Identifying species responsible for crop damage is an important first step in developing management strategies. Previous studies have surveyed bird species flying through cherry orchards but have not documented which species were consuming cherries. We conducted traditional surveys and behavioral observations in orchards of sweet cherries (Prunus avium) and tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) in Michigan during 2010 to compare results from the 2 techniques. American robins (Turdus migratorius) were detected most frequently during sweet cherry surveys, while behavioral observations showed that cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) consumed more sweet cherries than did robins. …