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United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

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Tools For The Edge: What’S New For Conserving Carnivores, John A. Shivik Mar 2006

Tools For The Edge: What’S New For Conserving Carnivores, John A. Shivik

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The loss of large carnivores at the edges of parks, preserves, and human habitations threatens the conservation of many species. Thus, effective predation management is a conservation issue, and tools to mitigate conflicts between humans and predators are required. Both disruptive-stimulus (e.g., fladry, Electronic Guards, radio-activated guards) and aversive-stimulus (e.g., electronic training collars, less-than-lethal ammunition) approaches are useful, and technological advances have led to many new, commercially available methods. Evaluating the biological and economic efficiency of these methods is important. However, social and psychological effects should also be considered. The management of animal damage to human property is necessary, and …

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Protecting The Flying Public And Minimizing Economic Losses Within The Aviation Industry: Technical And Direct Management Assistance Provided By Usda Wildlife Services At Airports To Reduce Wildlife Hazards Fiscal Year 2005, Richard A. Dolbeer Mar 2006

Protecting The Flying Public And Minimizing Economic Losses Within The Aviation Industry: Technical And Direct Management Assistance Provided By Usda Wildlife Services At Airports To Reduce Wildlife Hazards Fiscal Year 2005, Richard A. Dolbeer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Biologists with USDA Wildlife Services provided technical and operational assistance at a record 674 airports and military airbases in FY 2005 to reduce wildlife hazards to aviation. Operational assistance included live-trapping birds of prey, such as this juvenile red-tailed hawk, at 65 airports. Captured birds were released in areas away from the airports. Studies have shown that juvenile (nonbreeding) red-tailed hawks rarely return to airports after translocation. The overall red-tailed hawk population in the USA has increased over 2-fold since 1970. The population in the Great Lakes region has increased over 3-fold.

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Height Distribution Of Birds Recorded By Collisions With Civil Aircraft, Richard A. Dolbeer Feb 2006

Height Distribution Of Birds Recorded By Collisions With Civil Aircraft, Richard A. Dolbeer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The National Wildlife Strike Database for Civil Aviation in the United States contained 38,961 reports of aircraft collisions with birds (bird strikes) from 1990–2004 in which the report indicated the height above ground level (AGL). I analyzed these strike reports to determine the distribution of all strikes and those strikes causing substantial damage to aircraft by height. For the 26% of strikes above 500 feet (152 m) AGL (n=10,143), a simple negative exponential model, with height as the independent variable, explained 99% of the variation in number of bird strikes per 1,000-foot (305-m) interval. Strikes declined consistently by 32% every …

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Total Plasma Protein And Renesting By Greater Sage-Grouse, Michael A. Gregg, Mike R. Dunbar, John A. Crawford, Michael D. Pope Feb 2006

Total Plasma Protein And Renesting By Greater Sage-Grouse, Michael A. Gregg, Mike R. Dunbar, John A. Crawford, Michael D. Pope

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population declines have been attributed to reduced productivity. Although renesting by sage-grouse may contribute significantly to annual productivity during some years, little information is available on this aspect of sage-grouse reproductive ecology. We investigated the relationship between total plasma protein, age of hen, time of first nest initiation, and time of first nest loss on occurrence of renesting. We captured, assigned age, extracted blood, and radiomarked prelaying, female sage-grouse on 4 study areas during 1999–2004. We monitored radiomarked females from mid-April through June to identify period of nest initiation (early, mid, or late), nest …

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Accuracy Of Aerial Telemetry Locations In Mountainous Terrain, Glen F. Gantz, L. Charles Stoddart, Frederick F. Knowlton Feb 2006

Accuracy Of Aerial Telemetry Locations In Mountainous Terrain, Glen F. Gantz, L. Charles Stoddart, Frederick F. Knowlton

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Aerial telemetry is commonly used to locate wildlife in remote areas (Gilmer et al. 1981, White and Garrott 1990, Samuel and Fuller 1996). If locations are used to determine home range, habitat use, or similar parameters, error associated with locations must be estimated (Cederlund et al. 1979, Laundre et al. 1987, White and Garrott 1990, Carrel et al. 1997).

Typically, aerial locations are subject to 2 sources of error. If the transmitter-equipped animals are not sighted from the aircraft, their ground location must be estimated. Then, the estimated ground location must be identified on a map and recorded. The combined …

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Vaccines Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Lynette B. Corbeil, Carlos M. Campero, Jack C. Rhyan, Robert H. Bondurant Feb 2006

Vaccines Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Lynette B. Corbeil, Carlos M. Campero, Jack C. Rhyan, Robert H. Bondurant

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Human sexually transmitted infections are prevalent throughout the world. Several have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcome and increased susceptibility to HIV infection, in addition to the discomfort of inflammation of the genital tract. Yet vaccines to protect against the infection at the genital mucosa are not available. Hepatitis B is an exception, but this virus becomes systemic and protection may be at the systemic level. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have long been associated with reproductive failure in cattle. These infections cause considerable economic loss, which has been a stimulus to investigation. Consequently, vaccines and mechanisms of immune protection have …

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What Carnivore Biologists Can Learn From Bugs, Birds, And Beavers: A Review Of Spatial Theories, Julie K. Young, John A. Shivik Feb 2006

What Carnivore Biologists Can Learn From Bugs, Birds, And Beavers: A Review Of Spatial Theories, Julie K. Young, John A. Shivik

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Information on the ecology and evolution of a species can be enhanced by studying spatial ecology. Even though space use has been a focus of carnivore research for decades, the theoretical framework for such studies remains poorly developed. Most spatial ecology theory has instead been developed and tested with invertebrates and expanded into fishery and ornithological research. The goal of this review is to examine spatial theories being tested in other taxonomic groups that could positively influence how carnivore biologists design studies. Details are provided from studies that illustrate methods to quantify space use, and four broad areas of spatial …

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A Comparison Of Coyote Ecology After 25 Years: 1978 Versus 2003, J. K. Young, W.F. Andelt, P.A. Terletzky, J.A. Shivik Feb 2006

A Comparison Of Coyote Ecology After 25 Years: 1978 Versus 2003, J. K. Young, W.F. Andelt, P.A. Terletzky, J.A. Shivik

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Most ecological studies of coyotes are of short duration and studies are generally never repeated, thus the opportunity to compare changes in coyote (Canis latrans Say, 1823) ecology over time is rare. We compared coyote home ranges, activity patterns, age, and diet at the Welder Wildlife Refuge in south Texas between 1978-1979 and 2003-2004 (25 years later). The Minta index of overlap between 1978 and 2003 home ranges was 51.7 ± 7.0 (n = 7), much greater than the Minta index value based on randomized tests (28.7 ± 8.6), indicating similar spatial patterns between time periods. The Minta …

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Gopherus Polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Coyote Predation, Jon A. Moore, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, John Woolard Feb 2006

Gopherus Polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) Coyote Predation, Jon A. Moore, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, John Woolard

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Gopherus polyphemus is listed as a species of special concern by the state of Florida (Florida Wildlife Code Chap. 39 F.A.C.), and as a threatened species by the Florida Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals (Moler 1992. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida: Volume 111, Reptiles and Amphibians. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. 291 pp.). Coyotes (Canis latrans) are invasive to Florida with ranges that are expanding within the state (Schmitz and Brown 1994. An Assessment of Invasive Non-Indigenous Species in Florida's Public Lands. Florida Dept. Environmental Protection. Tallahassee, Florida. 283 pp.; Wooding and Hardinsky …

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Efficacy Of Scent Dogs In Detecting Black-Footed Ferrets At A Reintroduction Site In South Dakota, Sara A. Reindl-Thompson, John A. Shivik, Alice Whitelaw, Aimee Hurt, Kenneth F. Higgins Feb 2006

Efficacy Of Scent Dogs In Detecting Black-Footed Ferrets At A Reintroduction Site In South Dakota, Sara A. Reindl-Thompson, John A. Shivik, Alice Whitelaw, Aimee Hurt, Kenneth F. Higgins

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) are difficult to monitor because of their nocturnal and fossorial habits, but land use and management are influenced by their potential presence. Detector dogs have been suggested as a method for determining ferret presence, although its efficacy has not been thoroughly investigated. We evaluated 2 dogs trained specifically for determining ferret presence in field evaluations conducted in black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies at the Conata Basin reintroduction site in South Dakota, USA, during September and October 2003. We tested the dogs on 4 test colonies that had no record of …

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Use Of Infrared Thermography To Detect Signs Of Rabies Infection In Raccoons (Procyon Lotor), Mike R. Dunbar, Kathleen A. Maccarthy B.S. Feb 2006

Use Of Infrared Thermography To Detect Signs Of Rabies Infection In Raccoons (Procyon Lotor), Mike R. Dunbar, Kathleen A. Maccarthy B.S.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Infrared thermography was evaluated as a technique to determine if raccoons (Procyon lotor) experimentally infected with rabies virus could be differentiated from non-infected raccoons. Following a 10-day adjustment period, raccoons (n = 6) were infected with a virulent rabies street strain raccoon variant by injection into the masseter muscle at a dose of 2 x 104 tissue-culture infectious dose (TCID50) in 0.2 ml (n = 4) or 105 TCID50 in 1 ml (n = 2). Five of the six raccoons developed prodromal signs of rabies 17 to 22 days post-inoculation …

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Immunocontraception Of Florida Feral Swine With A Single-Dose Gnrh Vaccine, G. Killian, L. Miller, J. Rhyan, H. Doten Feb 2006

Immunocontraception Of Florida Feral Swine With A Single-Dose Gnrh Vaccine, G. Killian, L. Miller, J. Rhyan, H. Doten

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

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Modeling Blackbird Abundance In The Prairie Pothole Region Using A Hierarchical Spatial Model, George M. Forcey, George M. Linz, Wayne E. Thogmartin, William J. Bleier Feb 2006

Modeling Blackbird Abundance In The Prairie Pothole Region Using A Hierarchical Spatial Model, George M. Forcey, George M. Linz, Wayne E. Thogmartin, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Blackbirds are ubiquitous members of the avian fauna in the Prairie Pothole Region. However, their abundance combined with their food habits make blackbirds significant agricultural pests on sunflower. Cost estimates for blackbird damage to sunflower in the northern Great Plains range from 4-11 million U.S. dollars per year. Because of their economic impact on agriculture, it is imperative to understand the environmental factors that influence blackbird abundance patterns. This study attempts to quantify the effects of landscape-level land use and climate patterns on blackbird abundance in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States.

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Innovative Solutions To Human–Wildlife Conflicts Feb 2006

Innovative Solutions To Human–Wildlife Conflicts

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Contents

Introduction
Developing Methods
Bird Research Program
Mammal Research Program
Product Development Research Program
Program Support
Wildlife Disease Research Program
Providing Wildlife Services
National Support
International Cooperation
Valuing and Investing in People
2005 Publication Awards
Supporting Student Research
Enhancing Information and Communication
Information Services
Seminars
Meetings, Workshops, and Conference Presentations
Publications

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Innovative Solutions To Human–Wildlife Conflicts Jan 2006

Innovative Solutions To Human–Wildlife Conflicts

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services (WS) Program is to provide Federal leadership in managing problems caused by wildlife. The National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) functions as the research arm of WS by providing scientific information on the development of socially acceptable methods for wildlife damage management. As part of WS’ strategic plan to improve the coexistence of people and wildlife, NWRC has identified four strategic program goals: (1) developing methods, (2) providing wildlife services, (3) valuing and investing in people, and (4) enhancing information and communication. WS is dedicated to helping meet the wildlife …

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A Simple Hplc Method For The Determination Of Chlorpyrifos In Black Oil Sunflower Seeds , Richard E. Mauldin, Thomas M. Primus, Theresa A. Buettgenbach, John J. Johnston, G. M. Linz Jan 2006

A Simple Hplc Method For The Determination Of Chlorpyrifos In Black Oil Sunflower Seeds , Richard E. Mauldin, Thomas M. Primus, Theresa A. Buettgenbach, John J. Johnston, G. M. Linz

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Damage to ripening sunflowers by blackbirds is an important agricultural problem in the northern Great Plains. In an effort to reduce crop loss by non-lethal means, several insecticidal formulations were evaluated for potential bird repellency. One formulation, Lorsban®-4E, was highly effective in feeding studies with caged blackbirds. Chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate pesticide) is a registered insecticide and acaricide commonly used to control insects on sunflower, and is the active ingredient in Lorsban®-4E. To support further evaluation of chlorpyrifos repellency in field trials, a rapid, simple, high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analytical method was developed to assess residues in sunflower seeds, which …

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Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry For Direct Identification And Quantification Of Iophenoxic Acid In Serum, Melinda C. Wiles, Tyler A. Campbell Jan 2006

Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry For Direct Identification And Quantification Of Iophenoxic Acid In Serum, Melinda C. Wiles, Tyler A. Campbell

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A liquid chromatographic electrospray ionization mass spectrometric technique was developed for direct quantitation of iophenoxic acid (IA) in serum. IA was spiked into canine, feline, bovine, equine, and porcine sera, extracted, and quantified using negative ion monitoring following chromatographic separation on a Luna C18(2) 3 μm (100mm×2.1 mm) reversed-phase column. The limit of detection was 25 ng/mL and the limit of quantification was 50 ng/mL. Inter- and intra-assay accuracy (86–113% and 87–115%, respectively) and precision (1.8–7.7%) were calculated. Analysis of serum collected from feral pigs, raccoons, and opossums following ingestion of IA-marked baits confirmed the appropriateness of this method for …

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Potential Predators Of An Invasive Frog (Eleutherodactylus Coqui) In Hawaiian Forests, Karen H. Beard, William C. Pitt Jan 2006

Potential Predators Of An Invasive Frog (Eleutherodactylus Coqui) In Hawaiian Forests, Karen H. Beard, William C. Pitt

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

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Experimental Infection Of Fox Squirrels (Sciurus Niger) With West Nile Virus, J. Jeffrey Root, Paul T. Oesterle, Nicole M. Nemeth, Kaci Klenk, Daniel H. Gould, Robert G. Mclean, Larry Clark, Jeffrey S. Hall Jan 2006

Experimental Infection Of Fox Squirrels (Sciurus Niger) With West Nile Virus, J. Jeffrey Root, Paul T. Oesterle, Nicole M. Nemeth, Kaci Klenk, Daniel H. Gould, Robert G. Mclean, Larry Clark, Jeffrey S. Hall

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Tree squirrels (Sciurus spp.) have exhibited high seroprevalence rates, suggesting that they are commonly exposed to West Nile virus (WNV). Many characteristics of WNV infections in tree squirrels, such as the durations and levels of viremia, remain unknown. To better understand WNV infections in fox squirrels (S. niger), we subcutaneously inoculated fourteen fox squirrels with WNV. Peak viremias ranged from 104.00 plaque-forming units (PFU)/mL of serum on day 2 post-infection (DPI) to 104.98 PFU/mL on 3 DPI, although viremias varied between individuals. Oral secretions of some fox squirrels were positive for WNV viral RNA, occasionally …

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Determination Of Diphacinone Residues In Hawaiian Invertebrates, Thomas M. Primus, Dennis J. Kohler, John J. Johnston Jan 2006

Determination Of Diphacinone Residues In Hawaiian Invertebrates, Thomas M. Primus, Dennis J. Kohler, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatogaphic analysis combined with a solid-phase extraction clean-up method is used to assess the quantity of diphacinone residue found in invertebrates. Three invertebrate species are exposed to commercially available diphacinone-fortified bait used for rat control. The invertebrate samples are collected, frozen, and shipped to the laboratory. The samples are homogenized after cryogenic freezing. A portion of the homogenized samples are extracted with acidified chloroform-acetone, followed by cleanup with a silica solid-phase extraction column. Diphacinone is detected by UV absorption at 325 nm after separation by the chromatographic system. The method limit of detection (MLOD) for snail …

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Modeling Blackbird Abundance In The Prairie Pothole Region Using A Hierarchical Spatial Model, Greg M. Forcey, George M. Linz, Wayne E. Thogmartin, William J. Bleier Jan 2006

Modeling Blackbird Abundance In The Prairie Pothole Region Using A Hierarchical Spatial Model, Greg M. Forcey, George M. Linz, Wayne E. Thogmartin, William J. Bleier

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Blackbirds are ubiquitous members of the avian fauna in the Prairie Pothole Region. However, their abundance combined with their food habits make blackbirds significant agricultural pests on sunflower. Cost estimates for blackbird damage to sunflower in the northern Great Plains range from 4-11 million U.S. dollars per year. Because of their economic impact on agriculture, it is imperative to understand the environmental factors that influence blackbird abundance patterns. This study attempts to quantify the effects of landscape-level land use and climate patterns on blackbird abundance in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States.

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Effects Of Addition Of A Bird Repellent To Fish Diets On Their Growth And Bioaccumulation, Sheenan Harpaz, Larry Clark Jan 2006

Effects Of Addition Of A Bird Repellent To Fish Diets On Their Growth And Bioaccumulation, Sheenan Harpaz, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The effects of adding the nonlethal bird repellent methyl anthranilate (MA), at levels of 100 and 1000 mg/kg, to fish feed on the bioaccumulation and growth of juvenile (10 g) hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis) and juvenile (1g) African cichlid fish Aulonocara jacobfreibergi were investigated under laboratory conditions. The bird repellent did not have any effect on the fish growth or survival over a period of 6 weeks. MA residues at low levels of 11.2 ± 2.6 mg/g were found in lipophili tissues (liver) of MA-fed fish. Control fish, which had no MA added to their diet, …

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Monitoring Invasive Mammalian Predator Populations Sharing Habitat With The Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Parrot Amazona Vittata, Richard M. Engeman, Desley Whisson, Jessica Quinn, Felipe Cano, Pedro Quiñones, Thomas H. White Jan 2006

Monitoring Invasive Mammalian Predator Populations Sharing Habitat With The Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Parrot Amazona Vittata, Richard M. Engeman, Desley Whisson, Jessica Quinn, Felipe Cano, Pedro Quiñones, Thomas H. White

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Critically Endangered Puerto Rican parrots Amazona vittata are one of the rarest birds in the world. Several exotic mammal species capable of preying on Puerto Rican parrots cohabit the Caribbean National Forest with the only wild population of these parrots. We used tracking plates, monitoring blocks and trapping to index black rats, small Indian mongooses and feral cats in parrot habitat and in public-use areas in the same habitat type. We had high trap success for black rats at all sites (42% of all sites combined), among the highest reported in the world. Rat response to monitoring (nontoxic bait) blocks …

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Red-Winged Blackbird (Agelaius Phoeniceus) Reproduction In North Dakota, Rachel M. Bush, Mark E. Clark, Wendy L. Read, George M. Linz Jan 2006

Red-Winged Blackbird (Agelaius Phoeniceus) Reproduction In North Dakota, Rachel M. Bush, Mark E. Clark, Wendy L. Read, George M. Linz

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

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Effect Of Method Of Delivering Nicarbazin To Mallards On Plasma 4,4′-Dinitrocarbanilide Levels And Reproduction, C. A. Yoder, J. K. Graham, L. A. Miller, K. S. Bynum, J. J. Johnston, M. J. Goodall Jan 2006

Effect Of Method Of Delivering Nicarbazin To Mallards On Plasma 4,4′-Dinitrocarbanilide Levels And Reproduction, C. A. Yoder, J. K. Graham, L. A. Miller, K. S. Bynum, J. J. Johnston, M. J. Goodall

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Nicarbazin (NCZ), a coccidiostat used in the poultry industry, has been developed as a contraceptive for resident Canada geese. We tested the efficacy of NCZ as a contraceptive using mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) as a model for Canada geese. Nicarbazin-treated corn was fed ad libitum for 14 d at 0, 750, 1,000, or 1,500 ppm. Plasma and egg levels of 4,4′-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC), the active anticoccidial component of NCZ, differed among treatment groups in a dose-response relationship, but plasma levels did not differ between sexes. Nicarbazin caused a decrease in egg weight, but there was no effect of NCZ on …

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Evaluation Of Nicarbazin As A Potential Waterfowl Contraceptive Using Mallards As A Model, C. A. Yoder, J. K. Graham, L. A. Miller, K. S. Bynum, J. J. Johnston, M. J. Goodall Jan 2006

Evaluation Of Nicarbazin As A Potential Waterfowl Contraceptive Using Mallards As A Model, C. A. Yoder, J. K. Graham, L. A. Miller, K. S. Bynum, J. J. Johnston, M. J. Goodall

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Contraception may provide a useful nonlethal management tool to reduce wild bird populations. We tested the efficacy of nicarbazin (NCZ) as a contraceptive for waterfowl and assessed health effects of NCZ, using domestic mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) as a model for Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Mallards were given gelatin capsules containing 0, 8.5, 17.0, or 33.75 mg of NCZ/kg of BW perorally once daily for 14 d. Fecal 4,4′- dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and fluorescein were evaluated as potential markers of plasma and egg DNC levels. Plasma, egg, and fecal DNC levels differed among treatment groups in a dose …

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Molecular Effects Of Nicarbazin On Avian Reproduction, C. A. Yoder, J. K. Graham, L. A. Miller Jan 2006

Molecular Effects Of Nicarbazin On Avian Reproduction, C. A. Yoder, J. K. Graham, L. A. Miller

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Nicarbazin (NCZ) is an anticoccidial drug routinely used in the poultry industry that can negatively affect reproduction by reducing egg production, egg weight, and egg hatchability. The molecular mechanisms by which NCZ affects reproduction are unknown. Lipoprotein lipase, vitellogenin, transglutaminase, and calcium are all involved in egg formation and embryogenesis. Therefore, in vitro assays were used to evaluate 4 potential mechanisms of action of NCZ on egg formation and embryogenesis. First, a lipoprotein lipase assay was conducted to determine if NCZ increases lipoprotein lipase activity. Second, vitellogenin phosphorylation was evaluated to determine if NCZ acts as a vitellogenin phosphatase. Third, …

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Determination Of Diphacinone Residues In Hawaiian Invertebrates, Thomas M. Primus, Dennis J. Kohler, John J. Johnston Jan 2006

Determination Of Diphacinone Residues In Hawaiian Invertebrates, Thomas M. Primus, Dennis J. Kohler, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatographic analysis combined with a solid-phase extraction clean-up method is used to assess the quantity of diphacinone residue found in invertebrates. Three invertebrate species are exposed to commercially available diphacinone-fortified bait used for rat control. The invertebrate samples are collected, frozen, and shipped to the laboratory. The samples are homogenized after cryogenic freezing. A portion of the homogenized samples are extracted with acidified chloroform–acetone, followed by cleanup with a silica solid-phase extraction column. Diphacinone is detected by UV absorption at 325 nm after separation by the chromatographic system. The method limit of detection (MLOD) for snail …

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Evaluation Of Bird Response To Propane Exploders In An Airport Environment, Brian E. Washburn, Richard B. Chipman, Laura C. Francoeur Jan 2006

Evaluation Of Bird Response To Propane Exploders In An Airport Environment, Brian E. Washburn, Richard B. Chipman, Laura C. Francoeur

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Bird-aircraft collisions (bird-strikes) cause serious safety hazards to aircraft, costing civilian aviation at least $496 million annually in the U.S. Non-lethal bird-frightening devices, such as propane exploders, are commonly used to deter birds from airport environments. We conducted a study during August - October 2004 to determine the efficacy of propane exploders utilized with and without concurrent lethal reinforcement activities for altering bird behavior at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York. Two groups of 8 propane exploders each were deployed on the airfield. One group of propane exploders was set to “off” (control), whereas the other group …

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How To Keep Beavers From Plugging Culverts, Dale L. Nolte, Dale H. Arner, John Paulson, Jeanne C. Jones, Andy Trent Nov 2005

How To Keep Beavers From Plugging Culverts, Dale L. Nolte, Dale H. Arner, John Paulson, Jeanne C. Jones, Andy Trent

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Beaver populations increased dramatically during the last half century. Beavers and beaver dams now are found on rivers, streams, and creeks across the country. Although beavers dam streams for their own benefit, the ponds create habitats for birds, fish, and other wildlife. Unfortunately, as road engineers and maintenance crews know, beavers also plug culverts. When culverts are plugged (figure 1), roads can be washed away by flooding. Removing the beavers’ dams usually requires heavy equipment, which is costly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) was asked to investigate methods to solve the …

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