Digital Commons Network^™

Making Contact: Rooting Out The Potential For Exposure Of Commercial Production Swine Facilities To Feral Swine In North Carolina, Richard M. Engeman, Carl Betsill, Tom Ray

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Despite North Carolina’s long history with feral swine, populations were low or absent in eastern counties until the 1990s. Feral swine populations have since grown in these counties which also contain a high density of commercial production swine (CPS) facilities. Sixteen of the highest swine producing U.S. counties also populated with feral swine are in North Carolina. Disconcertingly, since 2009, positive tests for exposure to swine brucellosis or pseudorabies virus have been found for feral swine. We surveyed 120 CSP facilities across four eastern counties to document the level and perception of feral swine activity around CSP facilities and to …

Pituophis Catenifer Deserticola (Great Basin Gophersnake) Predation, Steven J. Wamback, Richard M. Engeman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A variety of taxa have been observed to· prey upon Pituophis catenifer, including mammals, birds-of prey, and other snakes. Here, we describe an unusual two-day observation of predation on a mature Great Basin gophersnake by a brown trout (Salmo trutta).

The observation took place in Jones Canyon, Utah, USA, on the grounds of the Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery (JHNFH). Jones Creek' emanates from springs at the head of Jones Canyon on hatchery grounds, and flows north to south 6.4 km to the Green River, approximately paralleling the Utah-Colorado border. The stream runs for about 0.3 km …

Efficacy Of Rodenticide Baits For The Control Of Three Invasive Rodent Species In Hawaii, William C. Pitt, Laura C. Driscoll, Robert T. Sugihara

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We tested the efficacy and palatability of nine commercial rodenticide bait formulations on Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans), roof rats (R. rattus), and house mice (Mus musculus). Efficacy varied by rodenticide tested and rodent species. Generally, rodenticides were more effective against mice than for either of the rat species, and mice tended to consume more rodenticide bait than the laboratory chow alternative food. Efficacy was generally highest for the second-generation anticoagulants tested; however, this varied across products and one-first-generation rodenticide had similar effectiveness. Bait acceptance (palatability) also varied both by rodenticide and by rodent species. …

Impacts Of Generalist Mesopredators On The Demography Of Small-Mammal Populations In Fragmented Landscapes, Timothy S. Eagan Ii, James C. Beasley, Zachary H. Olson, Olin E. Rhodes Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Abstract: A consequence of the reduction and subsequent fragmentation of native habitats has been the loss or severe reduction of specialist predator populations from these altered ecosystems, resulting in a “release” of generalist predators. Demographic aspects of small-rodent populations, especially predator-driven density cycles, have been extensively studied. However, the majority of studies examining predator–prey dynamics have been conducted in relatively undisturbed ecosystems, while more limited data are available for regions that have been greatly modified by human settlement. Using raccoons (Procyon lotor (L., 1758)) and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818)) as focal species, we used an …

Use Of Overhead Wires To Deter Waterfowl From Sewage Treatment Ponds, Thomas W. Seamans, E. Christopher Willis, Bradley F. Blackwelll

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Deterring birds from water on or near airports is an important part of a bird strike reduction program. Overhead wires of various materials and in a variety of patterns can reduce bird use of specific areas. It has been suggested that widely spaced wires can be as effective as narrowly spaced wires and therefore more economical due to decreased material and initial labor costs. However, when a 50-foot design was placed over waste-water ponds in North Carolina, the total number of waterfowl using the ponds increased when compared to the year prior to placement of the wires. Canada goose numbers …

Anthraquinone-Based Bird Repellent For Sunflower Crops, Scott J. Werner, George M. Linz, James C. Carlson, Susan E. Pettit, Shelagh K. Tupper, Michele M. Santer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Non-lethal alternatives are needed to manage bird damage to confectionery and oilseed sunflower crops (Helianthus annuus). Ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) can cause localized damage to newly planted sunflower, and blackbirds (Icterids) damage ripening sunflower annually in the United States of America. We conducted seed germination experiments, a repellent efficacy study with ring-necked pheasants and Avipel^® repellent (a.i. 50% 9, 10-anthraquinone), and laboratory and field efficacy studies with common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) and Avipel^®-treated confectionery sunflower. Compared to the germination of seeds not treated with anthraquinone, we observed no negative effects of …

Effect Of Gonacontm Vaccine On Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs: Immune Response And Health Effects, C. A. A. Yoder, Lowell A. Miller

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Management of prairie dogs in the past has included poisoning, fumigants, barriers, and relocation. Because of the diverse attitudes related to prairie dog management, nonlethal methods that allow the existence of prairie dogs but help minimize damage related to population growth need to be developed. GonaCon^TM is an immunocontraceptive vaccine that elicits antibodies to native GnRH; this prevents the secretion of reproductive hormones necessary for sperm and oocyte production. Prairie dogs were vaccinated with 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4mL of the GonaCon^TM emulsion intramuscularly in the upper thigh containing 100, 200, or 400μg GnRH conjugate, respectively. Control animals were …

The Effect Of Cooking On Diphacinone Residues Related To Human Consumption Of Feral Pig Tissues, William C. Pitt, Michelle Higashi, Thomas M. Primus

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We examined feral pig tissues to determine whether the potential hazard of consuming meat from pigs previously exposed to diphacinone rodenticide baits was reduced by cooking. Residue levels were measured in cooked and uncooked tissues of feral pigs exposed to sub-lethal quantities of the anticoagulant rodenticide. Pigs were provided large amounts of baits or untreated food to consume, then euthanized prior to the onset of symptoms indicative of rodenticide poisoning or sickness. For analysis, we grouped pigs into three levels of mean diphacinone consumption: 0, 3.5, and 7.4 mg/kg. None of the pigs displayed obvious signs of toxicity during the …

Comparing A Bioenergetics Model With Feeding Rates Of Caged European Starlings, H. Jeffrey Homan, Randal S. Stahl, George M. Linz

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We tested a bioenergetics model integrated within a mortality model that estimates numbers of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) poisoned with the avicide, Compound DRC-1339 Concentrate. The bioenergetics model predicted daily metabolic rate. Accuracy and reliability of this variable is critical because other algorithms (e.g., toxicity regressions, feeding behavior) in the mortality model depend on metabolic rate to calculate the amount of DRC-1339 ingested per bird. We tested the bioenergetics model by comparing its estimates of metabolic rate with those generated from measuring feeding rates of caged starlings during a feeding trial conducted outdoors during January 2008. Over the …

Assessment Of Tannin Variation In Tamarisk Foliage Across A Latitudinal Gradient, Amanda M. Hussey, B. A. Kimball, Jonathan M. Friedman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Certain phenotypic traits of plants vary with latitude of origin. To understand if tannin concentration varies among populations of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) according to a latitudinal gradient, an analytical method was adapted from an enological tannin assay. The tannin content (wet basis) of tamarisk foliage collected from 160 plants grown in a common garden ranged from 8.26 to 62.36 mg/g and was not correlated with the latitude of the original North American plant collection site. Tannins do not contribute to observed differences in herbivory observed among these tamarisk populations.

Who Hits And Hoots At Whom? Potential For Interference Competition Between Barred And Northern Spotted Owls, Nicholas J. Van Lanen, Alan B. Franklin, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Raoul F. Reiser Ii, Peter C. Carlson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is a controversial species in the Pacific Northwest that is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The barred owl (Strix varia), a species historically restricted to eastern North America, has recently expanded its range to completely overlap that of the northern spotted owl. Recent evidence suggests that barred owls may compete with northern spotted owls and may be one cause for recent declines in some northern spotted owl populations. Our focus was to examine whether barred owls have the potential to competitively exclude northern spotted owls from …

Efficacy Of Erl-4221 As An Ovotoxin For Feral Pigs (Sus Scrofa), Dustin L. Sanders, Fang Xie, Richard E. Mauldin, Jerome C. Hurley, Lowell A. Miller, Michelle R. Garcia, Randy W. Deyoung, David B. Long, Tyler A. Campbell

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Context. The expansion of feral pig populations across the United States has increased the occurrence of damage and damage complaints.Newtechniques are needed to more effectively manage feral pig damage, including the development of fertility control agents.

Aims. We aimed to assess the ovotoxic properties of ERL-4221 as a candidate fertility control agent for feral pigs.

Methods. We conducted two palatability trials to determine ERL-4221 acceptance and one experimental trial with ERL- 4221 at the captive wildlife facility of Texas A&M University-Kingsville during 2008. Our experimental trial had three treatments, a control containing no ERL-4221, baits containing 16.0 …

The Need To Quantify Ecosystem Services Provided By Birds, Daniel G. Wenny, Travis L. Devault, Matthew D. Johnson, Dave Kelly, Cagan H. Sekercioglu, Diana F. Tomback, Christopher J. Whelan

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

What are the birds worth--what is their actual dollar value to human society? To most of us in the ornithological community, birds are invaluable. But in these times we need more specific rationales to convince policy makers and business leaders to include bird conservation in land-use and development decisions. Over the past two decades, awareness of our dependence on a variety of ecosystem services (natural ecological processes that benefit human society) and of their importance and prevalence has progressed toward the goal of making conservation a mainstream value. Building strategies for the protection of ecosystem services into conservation and land-use …

The Nebraska Deer Exchange: A Novel Program For Donating Harvested Deer, Aaron M. Hildreth, Scott Hygnstrom, Kit M. Hams, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have become overabundant throughout their historic range, especially in developed landscapes. A variety of techniques, including controlled hunts in urban–suburban areas, are being used to increase harvest. Deer donation programs have been initiated in nearly all 50 states of the United States, and have been successful at providing venison to the hungry, but at significant costs to wildlife agencies and hunters. Our objectives were to: 1) develop a low-cost program to facilitate the exchange of excess harvested deer from hunters to recipients; 2) evaluate the attitudes of participating hunters and recipients; and …

A Field Evaluation Of A Trap For Invasive American Bullfrogs, Nathan P. Snow, Gary W. Witmer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Native to the eastern United States, American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana [Lithobates catesbeianus]) have been introduced in many countries throughout the world. There have been relatively few effective and efficient control methods developed to manage bullfrogs. Particularly in the Hawaiian Islands, Pacific coast of North America, and Japan, finding effective methods for controlling invasive bullfrogs is needed with special emphasis on low impacts for sensitive native species. We conducted a field study to examine the efficacy of a newly designed live trap for capturing invasive bullfrogs. We found that our trap was successful at capturing bullfrogs because we …

Artificial Nest Cavity Used Successfully By Native Species And Avoided By European Starlings, Laura A. Tyson, Bradley F. Blackwelll, Thomas W. Seamans

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We describe a weather-durable cavity design used successfully by cavity-nesting species native to the eastern USA and, although accessible, avoided by European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). The artificial nest cavity was constructed using 9.5-cm inside diameter polyvinyl chloride tubes cut to 27.5-cm lengths. The tubes were mounted horizontally with 5.1- cm entry holes drilled through one of the capped ends. Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis), House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon), and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) nested in 49 of 100, newly mounted tubes on utility poles in north-central Ohio, USA from April through June 2009. …

Vertebrate Species Introductions In The United States And Its Territories, Gary W. Witmer, Pam L. Fuller

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

At least 1,065 introduced vertebrate species have been introduced in the United States and its territories, including at least 86 mammalian, 127 avian, 179 reptilian/amphibian, and 673 fish species. Examples in each major taxonomic group include domestic cat, small Indian mongoose, red fox, goat, pig, rabbit, rats, house mouse, gray squirrel, nutria, starling, Indian common myna, red-vented bulbul, brown treesnake, red-eared slider, brown trout, tilapia, and grass carp. We briefly review some of these species and the types of damage they cause. We then review the basic types of methods used for control or eradication of each taxonomic group, including …

Modeling Connectivity Of Black Bears In A Desert Sky Island Archipelago, Todd C. Atwood, Julie K. Young, Jon P. Beckmann, Stewart W. Breck, Jennifer A. Fike, Olin E. Rhodes Jr., Kirby D. Bristow

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Landscape features such as rivers, mountains, desert basins, roads, and impermeable man-made structures may influence dispersal and gene flow among populations, thereby creating spatial structure across the landscape. In the US–Mexico borderland, urbanization and construction of the border fence have the potential to increase genetic subdivision and vulnerability to isolation in large mammal populations by bisecting movement corridors that have enabled dispersal between adjacent Sky Island mountain ranges. We examined genetic variation in black bears (Ursus americanus) from three regions in central and southern Arizona, US, to assess genetic and landscape connectivity in the US–Mexico border Sky Islands. We found …

Partitioning Of Anthropogenic Watering Sites By Desert Carnivores., Todd C. Atwood, Tricia L. Fry, Bruce Leland

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We investigated the role of water features as focal attractors for gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and bobcats (Felis rufus) in west Texas to determine if they were foci for interspecific interaction. Mixed effects models indicated that species partitioned use of water features spatially and temporally. Linear models indicated factors influencing relative activity at water features varied by species. For coyotes and bobcats, the water availability model, containing days since last rainfall and nearest-neighbor distance to water was best supported by the data, with relative activity increasing with time between rainfall and distance between waters. For gray foxes, …

Efficacy Of European Starling Control To Reduce Salmonella Enterica Contamination In A Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation In The Texas Panhandle, James C. Carlson, Richard M. Engeman, Doreene R. Hyatt, Rickey L. Gilliland, Thomas J. Deliberto, Larry Clark, Michael J. Bodenchuck, George M. Linz

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Background: European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are an invasive bird species known to cause damage to plant and animal agriculture. New evidence suggests starlings may also contribute to the maintenance and spread of diseases within livestock facilities. Identifying and mitigating the risk pathways that contribute to disease in livestock is necessary to reduce production losses and contamination of human food products. To better understand the impact starlings have on disease transmission to cattle we assessed the efficacy of starling control as a tool to reduce Salmonella enterica within a concentrated animal feeding operation. We matched a large facility, slated for operational …

Domestic Calf Mortality And Producer Detection Rates In The Mexican Wolf Recovery Area: Implications For Livestock Management And Carnivore Compensation Schemes., Stewart W. Breck, Bryan M. Kluever, Michael Panasci, John Oakleaf, Terry Johnson, Warren B. Ballard, Larry Howery, David L. Bergman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Conserving large carnivores throughout the world will often require that they share the landscape with livestock. Minimizing depredations and increasing tolerance by livestock producers will be critical for conservation efforts. To investigate factors influencing calf mortality and producer detection rates (i.e., number of livestock killed by predators, found by producers, and correctly classified as to cause of death), we monitored radio-tagged domestic calves at two sites in the Mexican wolf recovery area (East Eagle [EE] and Adobe Ranch [AR]). Study areas differed in grazing practices, density of predators (mountain lions, black bears, coyotes, and Mexican wolves), and amount of effort …

Determinants Of Local And Migratory Movements Of Great Lakes Double-Crested Cormorants, Alban Guillaumet, Brian S, Dorr, Guiming Wang, Jimmy D. Taylor Ii, Richard B. Chipman, Heidi Scherr, Jeff Bowman, Kenneth F. Abraham, Terry J. Doyle, Elizabeth Cranker

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We investigated how individual strategies combine with demographic and ecological factors to determine local and migratory movements in the double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). One hundred and forty-five cormorants were captured from 14 nesting colonies across the Great Lakes area and fitted with satellite transmitters. We first tested the hypotheses that sexual segregation, density-dependent effects, and the intensity of management operations influenced home range size during the breeding season. The influence of these factors appeared to be limited in part due to random variability in foraging and dispersal decisions at individual and colony levels. We also designed a statistical …

Clinical And Pathologic Responses Of American Crows (Corvus Brachyrhynchos) And Fish Crows (C Ossifragus) To Experimental West Nile Virus Infection, N. M. Nemeth, B. V. Thomsen, T. R. Spraker, J. M. Benson, A. M. Bosco-Lauth, P. T. Oesterle, J. M. Bright, J. P. Muth, T. W. Campbell, T. L. Gidlewski, R. A. Bowen

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

West Nile virus (WNV)-associated disease has a range of clinical manifestations among avian taxa, the reasons for which are not known. Species susceptibility varies within the avian family Corvidae, with estimated mortality rates ranging from 50 to 100%. We examined and compared virologic, immunologic, pathologic, and clinical responses in 2 corvid species, the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and the fish crow (C ossifragus), following experimental WNV inoculation. Unlike fish crows, which remained clinically normal throughout the study, American crows succumbed to WNV infection subsequent to dehydration, electrolyte and pH imbalances, and delayed or depressed humoral immune …

Interspecific Variation In Wildlife Hazards To Aircraft: Implications For Airport Wildlife Management, Travis L. Devault, Jerrold L. Belant, Bradley F. Blackwell, Thomas W. Seamans

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Understanding the relative hazards of wildlife to aircraft is important for developing effective management programs. We used Federal Aviation Administration National Wildlife Strike Database records from 1990 to 2009 in the United States to rank the relative hazard of wildlife to aircraft. We summarized data for 77 species or species groups with ≥20 records where collisions occurred ≥500 ft (152 m) above ground level. We also assessed the effects of avian body mass, body density, and group size on relative hazard scores. The 3 most hazardous species or species groups were mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer ( …

Assessment Of Human-Coyote Conflicts: City And County Of Broomfield, Colorado, Stan Grant, Julie K. Young, Seth Riley

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In the summer of 2011, the Anthem Highlands neighborhood of the City and County of Broomfield (Broomfield), Colorado experienced multiple serious incidents between humans and coyotes. Broomfield has a detailed policy about coexisting with wildlife in general, and coyotes in particular, that includes extensive public education and outreach. Because of the serious nature of the incidents, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, with assistance from USDA-Wildlife Services and in collaboration with Broomfield, engaged in coyote removal efforts. One coyote was lethally removed after the first incident, another was shot after the second incident, 8 coyotes were lethally removed (7 …

The Role Of Starlings In The Spread Of Salmonella Within Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, James C. Carlson, Alan B. Franklin, Doreene R. Hyatt, Susan E. Pettit, George M. Linz

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

1. Characterizing and mitigating the disease risks associated with wildlife use of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) can reduce the spread of micro-organisms throughout the environment while increasing agricultural productivity. To better understand the disease risks associated with bird use of CAFOs, we assessed the capacity of European starlings Sturnus vulgaris to spread Salmonella enterica to cattle, their feed and water.

2. We sampled starlings, cattle feed, cattle water and cattle faeces from 10 CAFOs in Texas, USA. Samples were screened for Salmonella enterica to investigate: (i) the prevalence of S. enterica in starlings using CAFOs, (ii) whether there was …

Rodents And Other Vertebrate Invaders In The United States, Michael W. Fall, Michael L. Avery, Tyler A. Campbell, Peter J. Egan, Richard M. Engeman, David Pimentel, William C. Pitt, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Gary W. Witmer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Contents

Introduction

Assessing impacts of rodents and other vertebrate invaders

Accounts of some important vertebrate invaders
Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
Roof rat (Rattus rattus)
Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans)
House mouse (Mus Musculus)
Nutria (Myocastor coypus)
Gambian giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus)
Feral swine (Sus scofa)
Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus)
Rock pigeon (Columba livia)
House sparrow (Passer domesticus)
European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
Brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis)
Burmese python (Python …

Effects Of Management On Double-Crested Cormorant Nesting Colony Fidelity, Bronson K. Strickland, Brian S. Dorr, Fred E. Pogmore, Gary Nohrenberg, Scott C. Barras, John E. Mcconnell, John Gobeille

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The increase of double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus; hereafter, cormorant) populations during the last 2 decades has impacted many stakeholder groups. The negative effects of nesting cormorants on trees and other vegetation have motivated private organizations and government agencies to manage nesting colonies and reduce their impacts to private property and public resources. Management induced reproductive failure has been shown to influence cormorant inter-annual nesting colony fidelity, but not complete abandonment from a nesting colony site. We attached very high frequency (VHF) transmitters and Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitters to nesting cormorants to monitor their movement response on a …

Using Fences To Exclude Feral Hogs From Wildlife Feeding Stations, Jared Timmons, Justin Rattan, Tyler A. Campbell, David Long, Billy Higginbotham, Duane Campion, Mark L. Mcfarland, Nikki Dictson, James C. Cathey

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Research conducted in the South Texas Brush country has found that exclosure fences are an effective way to keep feral hogs from eating corn and supplemental feeds that are intended for other animals. These fences protect corn and protein pellets from feral hogs and though labor intensive, they will pay for themselves in feed savings. (Fig. 1A).

Wildlife managers and hunters manage many properties for whitetailed deer. They use corn as feed and as bait to attract them into hunting areas. They also provide supplemental feed such as protein pellets in order to increase antler scores, body weights, survival and …

The Relative Abundance Of Deer Mice With Antibody To Sin Nombre Virus Corresponds To The Occurrence Of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome In Nearby Humans, Charles H. Calisher, James N. Mills, J. Jeffrey Root, Jeffrey B. Doty, Barry J. Beaty

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Sin Nombre virus (SNV) is the principal cause of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the United States and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are its principal rodent host, and thus the natural cycle of the virus is related to the occurrence of HPS. Prevalence of rodent infection appears to be associated with fluctuations in deer mouse populations and, indirectly, with timing and amount of precipitation, a complex of biologic events. Given that rodent population abundances fluctuate, often acutely, it is not unreasonable to assume a direct correlation between the numbers of infected rodents and the number of human infections, …