Life Sciences Commons^™

The Use Of Tip Traps To Control Rabbit Damage In Scotland, Robert M. E. Fuchs, W. Kenneth Maclean, Caroline A. Mackintosh, Iain M. Allan

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The factors affecting efficient use of tip traps to control rabbit populations were investigated in a series of field experiments. It was found that continual trapping at the same location was much less effective than periodic trapping. Night-time trapping operations produced larger catches of rabbits than day-time trapping. Traps were equally effective whether sited on existing runs through rabbit proof fences or on previously unbreached sections of fence. The sex ratio of rabbits caught was examined at four different locations and, in each instance, more females were caught than males. The installation of a network of tip traps and associated …

Operational Control Of The Brown Tree Snake On Guam, Thomas C. Hall

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

An operational control program for brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam began in April 1993. The program focused on minimizing the dispersal of brown tree snakes to other Pacific islands and the U.S. mainland. During the first year of operation, more than 3,000 snakes were caught within a kilometer of high risk port facilities using traps, detector dogs, and spotlighting. Additionally, habitat modifications and prey-base removal were used to reduce the attractiveness of these facilities to brown tree snakes. Public awareness was also an important part of the program such as the education of cargo packers, shippers, …

Managing Plague In Endangered Species Habitats, Frederick J. Harrison Jr.

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Plague is an endemic disease among field rodents in the southwestern United States. Epizootic outbreaks of this disease increase the risk of human infection where man comes into contact with infected rodents or their fleas. The risk is further increased when colonial rodents are involved, since these animals are usually found in large numbers and are often found in locations where people live, work, or enjoy recreational activities. Elimination of large numbers of susceptible rodents from a particular location following a plague epizootic usually results in a quiescent period when plague is neither a threat to those rodents moving into …

Animal Rights And The Need To Understand Nature; A Debate, Walter E. Howard

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

As various societies, especially in the developed countries of the world, acquired a better life-style and standard of living, a common trend developed toward treating animals more humanely, especially the domestic ones. But the movement was too slow, and the animal rights movement captured this void and established a new ethic. Unfortunately, this was done without a full appreciation of the laws of nature. Even though this movement was clearly needed, some people have carried it too far.

Tonight, hopefully, we can have some good constructive discussions from the audience on this subject after Dr. Steve Sapontzis and I first …

Impacts Of Field-Dwelling Rodents On Emerging Field Corn, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Jason D. Eksteev

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has produced nearly 600,000 ha of exceptional wildlife habitat in Nebraska. Unfortunately, several species of rodents that inhabit CRP grass fields cause damage to agricultural crops. The emergence of corn seedlings in a 4-row strip of no-till field corn, planted in a 64 ha bromegrass field in northeastern Nebraska was examined. The most common rodent species in the study area was the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), of which 18 were captured within 10 m of the planted strip during one evening (400 trap nights). Corn seedling emergence in unprotected control areas [x̅ = …

Zoonotic Diseases Of Carnivores And Occupational Safety Issues For Predator Control Employees, Michele T. Jay

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The paper highlights some important zoonotic infections of carnivores in North America. The etiologic agents, routes of transmission, reservoirs, and methods for prevention are emphasized. Occupational safety issues for people working in predator control are discussed.

The Status Of Nuisance Wildlife Damage Control In The States, Kristen P. La Vine, Mark J. Reeff, Jodi A. Dlcamillo, Gary S. Kama

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

State fish and wildlife agencies and nuisance wildlife control operators must work together whether or not they actively choose to. In this paper, their relationship is likened to a marriage between two (not so likely) partners. In an attempt to assess the status of this relationship the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, The Wildlife Society's Wildlife Damage Management Working Group, and the National Animal Damage Control Association developed a survey that addressed the level of state agencies' oversight of nuisance wildlife control operators (NWCOs). Responses were received from 47 states, 1 territory, and 17 ADC state offices. This …

The Distribution And Significance Of Anticoagulant-Resistant Norway Rats (Rattus Norvegicus) In England And Wales, 1988-95, Alan D. Macnicoll, Gerard M. Kerbms, Nicola J. Dennis, J. Erica Gill

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Between 1988 and 1995 populations of rats on agricultural premises were sampled to investigate the distribution of anticoagulant-resistant rats in England and Wales. In total, approximately 1,670 rats from 115 locations were tested for resistance to warfarin. Rats that were warfarin-resistant were subsequently tested for resistance to difenacoum, and since 1991 for resistance to bromadiolone. In some cases rats were also tested for resistance to brodifacoum, and in 1995 for resistance to flocoumafen. The results of these tests showed that there was a high prevalence of resistance to the first-generation anticoagulant, warfarin, in several regions of England and Wales. Rats …

Mole Control-A Historical Perspective, Rex E. Marsh

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Various methods and approaches, including chemical and physical repellents, flooding, burrow fumigants, poison baits, vibrating devices and exclusion, have been explored for reducing mole problems. In addition to these, habitat management through reducing the moles food supply has received considerable attention, but environmental concerns and the lack of consistent results have tempered this approach. Over the years, trapping remains the best and most useful method of mole control. The pros and cons of some of the methods are discussed, along with some historical perspectives. The emphasis is placed on the Broad-footed mole, Scapanus latimanus, of California.

Results Of A Non-Lethal Survey And Report Provided To The New Mexico Legislature, J. Alan May

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Social and political pressures affect decision making regarding wildlife damage management issues tremendously. In fact, these areas are included in the Animal Damage Control decision model outlined in the programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. Growing concern regarding pain and suffering of animals trapped by ADC Specialists prompted two actions by the 41st Legislature of the State of New Mexico in 1994. The legislature directed New Mexico ADC not to spend over three-quarters of its $304,000 appropriation on lethal methods. The legislature also passed a memorial bill requesting the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish …

Assessment Of The Environmental Impact Of Brodifacoum During Rodent Eradication Operations In New Zealand, D. R. Morgan, G. R. Wright, S. C. Ogilvie, R. Pierce, P. Thomson

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Although Talon^® baits containing brodifacoum have been used successfully in eradicating rats from some of New Zealand's offshore islands, little is known about any environmental effects of this toxin. Invertebrates, blackbirds, soil, and water at intervals of two days to nine months were sampled to determine whether brodifacoum residues were present after aerial distribution of Talon^® 20P cereal pellets on Red Mercury Island and after bait-station use of Talon^® 50WB wax-coated cereal blocks on Coppermine Island. No brodifacoum residues were found in soil, water, or most (99 %) invertebrate samples. Low concentrations (0.12 /μg/g) were found in …

Developing Wildlife Management Into A Successful Business, Peter C. Nelson

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Wildlife management has been developed into a successful business. The company was set up after the principal shareholder was made redundant after over 30 years in the wildlife management field. The company has been successful, as it diversified into a consultancy and supply company, and targeted a wide range of animal species and equipment.

Education And Training Integral Part To 1080 Possum Control In New Zealand, Peter C. Nelson

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

New Zealand currently has large scale possum and rabbit operations being carried out on about 10% of its land area. Education and training are integral to possum control in New Zealand because of the heavy reliance that the control agencies in New Zealand place on toxic baiting with 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate). Education of the general public is treated as a high priority since without their approval many of the operations would not be carried out. It is equally important that school children are advised on what toxic baits look like and why pest control operations are required. Training of pest …

Mongolian Rangelands: Rodent Problems And Approaches To Alleviate Damage, Dale L. Nolte

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Rodents are a major constraint to forage production for livestock in Mongolia. A technical program to identify the magnitude of the problem and strengthen the research capabilities of Mongolian rodent specialists was initiated in 1994. The Brandt's vole is the most widespread and the most detrimental rodent to the steppes of Mongolia. Limited resources inhibit activities by the Mongolian Plant Protection Service to reduce rodent populations. Alternative means to monitor vole activity were developed. Laboratory and field trials showed that voles were susceptible to zinc phosphide treatment and indicated how bait acceptance could be improved.

Preliminary Study Of The Genetics Of Resistance In The House Mouse, Colin V. Prescott

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

A wild house mouse (Mus domesticus) population originally trapped near Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom, and maintained as a colony in the laboratory, was subjected to the discriminating feeding period of the warfarin resistance test, as used by Wallace and MacSwiney (1976) and derived from the work of Rowe and Redfern (1964). Eighty percent of this heterogeneous population survived the resistance test. A similar proportion of the population was found to survive the normally lethal dose of bromadiolone administered by oral gavage. The majority of this population of mice were classified as "warfarin-resistant" and "bromadiolone-resistant." The dose of l0 …

Palatability Of Rodenticide Baits In Relation To Their Effectiveness Against Farm Populations Of The Norway Rat, Roger J. Quy, David P. Cowan, Colin Morgan, Tom Swevney

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The palatability of 12 rodenticide baits, formulated to vary from poorly accepted to well accepted, was measured in laboratory choice tests against Wistar and wild-caught Norway rats. The baits, derived from six bait bases and two active ingredients, difenacoum and bromadiolone, were simultaneously tested in the field against 24 farm infestations (2/formulation) in order to investigate the relationship between palatability and efficacy. Bait acceptance in laboratory tests, with EPA meal as the challenge diet, varied from 7.0 to 50.6% for Wistar rats and 3.7 to 85.1 % for wild rats. Changing the challenge diet to a ground-up laboratory animal food …

Agelaius Blackbirds And Rice In Uruguay And The Southeastern United States, Ethel N. Rodriguez, Michael L. Avery

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Throughout the world, wherever rice is grown, birds that damage the crop are attracted. The situations are particularly interesting in Uruguay and the southeastern United States where different species of blackbird have adapted to rice cultivation. In the two countries, rice production practices differ in several respects such as seeding rate, seedbed preparation, and insect control practices. Furthermore, although they are congeneric, the major rice pest species differ in important ways. For example, in Uruguay, Agelaius ruficapillus usually nests in the rice field, whereas A. phoeniceus, in the U.S., does so only rarely. Agronomic and ornithological aspects of these …

Nest Material As A Delivery Method For Avicides: Preliminary Tests With African Weaver Finches, Stephen A. Shumake, Peter J. Savarie

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

To evaluate the potential of using nesting material as a medium for avicide delivery, five organophosphates (Dasanit^®, Volaton^®, fenthion, parathion, and Cyanophos^®) were tested on small groups of paired male-female quelea (n = 4 to 9). Toxicants were presented to each pair of birds on five 13-cm strands of cotton string after a preliminary screening for male nest weaving behavior. Tested concentrations ranged from 100% technical grade to 0.003 % compound diluted with acetone. Dasanit^® was found to be the most effective candidate with some lethal effects noted at 0.012%. An optimal concentration …

Zinc Phosphide Residues In Voles: Scenarios Showing Low Risks To Domestic Cats And Dogs, Ray T. Sterner

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Zinc phosphide (Zn₃P₂, CAS #1314-84-7) is an acute rodenticide having numerous agricultural applications. This paper estimates the risk of mortality posed to domestic cats (Felis domesticus) and dogs (Canis familiaris) from ingestion of voles (Microtus spp.) that succumb to 2.0% Zn₃P₂ baits. Following a brief review of direct/indirect studies and incident reports relevant to nontarget-Zn₃P₂ effects and vole control, four scenarios of volecarcass ingestions needed for light and heavy cat and dog predators/scavengers to receive approximate lethal doses (ALDs = 40 mg/kg) of undigested rodenticide …

Population Densities And Disease Surveys Of Wild Pigs In The Coast Ranges Of Central And Northern California, Rick A. Sweitzer, Ian A. Gardner, Ben J. Gonzales, Dirk Van Vuren, Walter M. Boyce

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

In 1994 and 1995, 233 different wild pigs were captured during population research at seven research sites focused primarily in the coastal regions of central and northern California. Mark-resight data and information on wild pig movements were used to assess wild pig population densities at those sites. Population densities ranged from 1.01 wild pigs/km² in Mendocino County in 1994 to 3.32 wild pigs/km² in Santa Clara County in 1995. Comparisons of population densities between years at three research sites suggested that wild pig populations increased in 1995 in response to favorable forage conditions after the wet fall and …

Opening Remarks - Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference, Robert M. Timm

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

It is my honor and my pleasure to greet you this morning, and to welcome you on behalf of the entire Vertebrate Pest Council.

You have come from throughout California, from across the United States, and from many corners of the world to gather here for the purpose of sharing information, expertise, and wisdom in dealing with vertebrate pest problems. Our common purpose is to find yet better methods for preventing and resolving situations in which wildlife comes into conflict with humans. The Conference's mission remains one of education. We learn from each other, and we strive to find better …

Animal Liberation And The Lessons Of Nature, Steve F. Sapontzis

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Although they provide catchy labels, "animal liberation" and "animal rights" have occasioned considerable misunderstanding and much pointless debate. 1 want, here, to explicate what I believe is being sought for animals under these labels. This explication should help to undo some of the misunderstandings about liberating animals and extending moral rights to them. After this explication, I will turn to the issue of the way in which scientific knowledge of natural entities, processes, and organizations is and is not relevant to animal liberation.

PART I: WHAT ANIMAL LIBERATION IS ABOUT

One of these misunderstandings concerns the use of "animal" in …

Effects Of Stage Of Nut Development And Simulated Rat Damage On Macadamia Yields, Mark E. Tobin, Ann E. Koehler, Robert T. Sugfflara, Richard M. Engeman

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Black rats (Rattus rattus) cause extensive damage in Hawaiian macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) orchards. In a previous study, extensive and persistent snap trapping significantly reduced rat populations and depredations on developing macadamia nuts, but had little effect on subsequent yields of mature nuts. This suggested that macadamia trees may compensate for rat damage, and that commonly used indices based on rodent activity and proportion of nuts damaged may overestimate the impact of rodent depredations and exaggerate the effectiveness of control measures. To clarify the effects of rat feeding on developing macadamia nuts, two levels of damage at …

Investigations And Management Of Epizootic Plague At Ice House Reservoir, Eldorado National Forest, California, 1994 And 1995, Kenneth R. Townzen, Malcolm A. Thompson, Charles R. Smith

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The occurrence of plague (Yersinia pestic) at Ice House Reservoir in 1994 and 1995 was characteristic of widespread epizootics in high use recreational areas of California. Staff of the Vector-Borne Disease Section investigated these epizootics and found dense populations of plague susceptible California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) with high numbers of fleas, primarily Diamanus montanus, the most important plague vector. This combination indicated a high risk of plague exposure to campground users. A non-fatal human case of plague, contracted at Mountain Camp II, was reported after the initial epizootic investigation. The patient's exposure occurred prior …

Dealing With Wild Pig Depredation In California: The Strategic Plan, Douglas Updike, John Waithman

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The Wild Pig Management Plan is required by Fish and Game Code Section 4651. It is intended to be a strategic plan for dealing with wild pigs for the five-year period 1995-2000. The plan is a dynamic document that will be reviewed and updated at least every five years.

As prescribed by law, the plan contains information related to the status and trend of wild pig populations, and describes management units established by the Department to address regional needs and opportunities. Those needs include alleviating damage to property, protecting sensitive natural resources, and providing recreational hunting where feasible. Opportunities include …

Techniques And Expertise In Wildlife Damage Control: A Survey Among The National Animal Damage Control Association (Nadca) Membership, Dallas R. Virchow, J. Russell Mason

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The membership of the National Animal Damage Control Association (NADCA) was surveyed during 1995 to collect information about specialty fields, preferred methods and experience. Respondents had broad experience that included 44 species or species groups. Members reported firsthand experience with an average of 17.6 different species and 2.9 vertebrate groups. Forty-three percent indicated that their specialization was among carnivores. In this group, coyotes, Canis latrans (45%), raccoon, Procyon lotor (23%) and skunk (13%) were most frequently mentioned. Members reporting carnivore experience had firsthand experience with an average of five different species. Rural and urban members did not significantly differ in …

Plant Secondary Chemicals As Non-Lethal Vertebrate Repellents, Richard W. Watkins, David P. Cowan, Elaine L. Gill

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Few effective repellents are currently available for the non-lethal management of vertebrate pests. This is perhaps not surprising considering the ad hoc nature of past applications which assumed that the target pest species would have the same attraction/aversion preferences as man. A more rational approach is to identify compounds that have real biological significance for the pest species. Plants have evolved an array of defense chemicals (secondary plant compounds) that inhibit the feeding of vertebrate herbivores, because they are either innately aversive or they generate a conditioned aversion. These compounds are, therefore, ideally suited for use in the reduction of …

The Washington Adcp—A Private Collaborative Effort To Address Biological, Economical And Social Constraints To Reduce Wildlife Damage, Georg Ziegltrum, Dale L. Nolte

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

The Washington Animal Damage Control Program (WADCP) operates within the general structure of the Washington Forest Protection Association. The general goal of the WADCP is to resolve wildlife damage issues in an economically feasible and socially acceptable manner. The four components of the WADCP are program management and administration; support of individual member activities; research, monitoring, and surveys; and promotional and educational activities. An overview of each of these components is provided.

Nebraskan Work Patterns And Available Benefits, John C. Allen, Sam Cordes, Amy M. Smith, Matt Spilker, Amber Hamilton

Rural Futures Institute: Publications

Includes

Executive Summary

Introduction

Methodology

Respondent Profile

Findings

Nebraskans and Work

Rural Nebraskans and Benefits

Biology, Justice, And Women's Fate, Dorothy E. Roberts

All Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.