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United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

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A Visual Method For Indexing Muskrat Populations, Richard M. Engeman, Desley A. Whisson Oct 2005

A Visual Method For Indexing Muskrat Populations, Richard M. Engeman, Desley A. Whisson

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The native range for muskrats (Ondatru zibethicus) includes much of North America, but they also have been introduced beyond their native range, including into the Fall River, California, where they have come into conflict with human interests. An easily applied method to assess their abundance is an important need for their management. We developed a muskrat visual index (MVI) to provide the information necessary to address this need. Observations were made at randomly located sites along the river. The number of muskrats observed during a 45 min period was recorded during the late afternoon peak activity time at each …

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Genetic And Spatial Structure Within A Swift Fox Population, Ann M. Kitchen, Eric M. Gese, Lisette P. Waits, Seija M. Karki, Edward R. Schauster Oct 2005

Genetic And Spatial Structure Within A Swift Fox Population, Ann M. Kitchen, Eric M. Gese, Lisette P. Waits, Seija M. Karki, Edward R. Schauster

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

1. We incorporated spatial data on swift foxes (Vulpes velox) with genetic analysis to assess the influence of relatedness between individuals on their social and spatial ecology. We recorded the space use patterns of 188 radio-collared swift foxes in southeastern Colorado from January 1997 to December 2000. One hundred and sixty-seven foxes were also genotyped at 11 microsatellite DNA loci and the degree of relatedness between individuals was estimated.

2. We described the genetic structure of the population by examining the relatedness of neighbors and the relationship between the spatial and genetic distance of all individuals. We found …

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Normal Hematologic And Biochemical Values For Prelaying Greater Sage Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) And Their Influence On Chick Survival, Mike R. Dunbar, Michael A. Gregg, John A. Crawford, Mark R. Giordano, Susan J. Tornquist Sep 2005

Normal Hematologic And Biochemical Values For Prelaying Greater Sage Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) And Their Influence On Chick Survival, Mike R. Dunbar, Michael A. Gregg, John A. Crawford, Mark R. Giordano, Susan J. Tornquist

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Declines in greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) productivity and population numbers throughout their range demand a better understanding of how nutrition influences sage grouse populations. During March and April 1999–2001, blood samples were collected from 158 female (73 adult, 85 yearling), free-ranging, prelaying, greater sage grouse from an area in northwestern Nevada, USA, and southeastern Oregon, USA. These blood samples were evaluated to establish normal blood values for sage grouse and ascertain if certain blood parameters, as indices of nutrition, are useful for predicting if sage grouse hens would raise at least one chick to 1 August. Results of logistic …

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Lines Of Defense: Coping With Predators In The Rocky Mountain Region, Eric M. Gese, Sean P. Keenan, Ann M. Kitchen Aug 2005

Lines Of Defense: Coping With Predators In The Rocky Mountain Region, Eric M. Gese, Sean P. Keenan, Ann M. Kitchen

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

This sourcebook provides information useful to producers of all types of livestock in the Rocky Mountain States. The applicability of this information to specific livestock operations will depend upon the characteristics of the operation and the willingness and ability of producers to experiment with various techniques and procedures. Most producers will have experience with some methods of preventing losses to predators. Information in this booklet may provide new insights or sources of information for learning more about methods of depredation management. The booklet also includes information about techniques others are using, and provides opportunities for producers to contact people willing …

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Capsicum Oleoresin: Development Of An In-Soil Repellent For Pocket Gophers, Ray T. Sterner, Stephen A. Shumacke, Stanley E. Gaddis, Jean B. Bourassa Aug 2005

Capsicum Oleoresin: Development Of An In-Soil Repellent For Pocket Gophers, Ray T. Sterner, Stephen A. Shumacke, Stanley E. Gaddis, Jean B. Bourassa

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A pre- and post-monitoring study was conducted of the potential use of capsicum oleoresin as an in-soil repellent for northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides). Pocket gophers were captured in irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L), affixed with radio transmitters, and monitored daily for location. Six plots (4.87 × 4.87m) each were randomly assigned to capsicum oleoresin and soybean oil treatments; these were set up based upon the centers of initial core areas of gophers. Mean (±SD) volumes of capsicum oleoresin and water and soybean oil and water mixtures (10 + 90 by volume) dispensed onto plots equaled 178.5 (±4.7) and 175.7 …

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Effectiveness Of A Motion-Activated Laser Hazing Systemfor Repelling Captive Canada Geese, Scott J. Werner, Larry Clark Aug 2005

Effectiveness Of A Motion-Activated Laser Hazing Systemfor Repelling Captive Canada Geese, Scott J. Werner, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Effective management techniques are needed to disperse Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and reduce the human–wildlife conflicts associated with high population densities. We evaluated the effectiveness of a motion-activated laser hazing system for repelling captive Canada geese. The system decreased occupancy of 8 pairs of geese on the treated subplot by 83% during habituation trials. When an additional pair of geese were added to the experiment, occupancy of the treated subplot decreased .92% during each of the 20 nights of the extended habituation test. Avoidance (conditioned during the test) remained ,80% of pretreatment levels during the 2 days immediately following the …

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Wildlife Hazard Management At Airports: A Manual For Airport Personnel, Edward C. Cleary, Richard A. Dolbeer Jul 2005

Wildlife Hazard Management At Airports: A Manual For Airport Personnel, Edward C. Cleary, Richard A. Dolbeer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The Federal Aviation Administration, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, produced the second edition of this manual. The first edition was published December 1999. The U.S. Departments of Transportation and Agriculture prohibit discrimination in all their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact one of the …

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Evaluation And Significance Of Tetracycline Stability In Rabies Vaccine Baits , J. J. Johnston, T. M. Primus, T. Buettgenbach, C. A. Furcolow, M. J. Goodall, D. Slate, R. B. Chipman, J. L. Snow, T. J. Deliberto Jul 2005

Evaluation And Significance Of Tetracycline Stability In Rabies Vaccine Baits , J. J. Johnston, T. M. Primus, T. Buettgenbach, C. A. Furcolow, M. J. Goodall, D. Slate, R. B. Chipman, J. L. Snow, T. J. Deliberto

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Tetracycline is widely used as a biomarker for bait consumption by wildlife; tetracycline is incorporated into bones and teeth and can be detected by fluorescence microscopy several weeks postconsumption. During 2003, the United States Department of Agriculture distributed more than 10 million tetracycline-containing rabies-vaccine baits to control the spread of wildlife vectored rabies to humans, pets, and livestock. To estimate the percentage of target species consuming the baits, raccoons and skunks were collected in baited areas and teeth were analyzed for the presence of the biomarker. Several incidents of low biomarker detection rates prompted an investigation of the stability of …

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Dramatic Reduction In Predation On Marine Turtle Nests Through Improved Predator Monitoring And Management, Richard M. Engeman, R. Erik Martin, Henry T. Smith, John Woolard, Carrie K. Crady, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Bernice Constantin, Margo Stahl, John Griner Jul 2005

Dramatic Reduction In Predation On Marine Turtle Nests Through Improved Predator Monitoring And Management, Richard M. Engeman, R. Erik Martin, Henry T. Smith, John Woolard, Carrie K. Crady, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Bernice Constantin, Margo Stahl, John Griner

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We describe improvements to monitoring/ indexing methodology for predators of marine turtle nests on the east coast of Florida, and the resulting marine turtle conservation implications from integrating the methodology into predator management. A strip transect from dune line to the shore improved an already successful design for monitoring raccoons, and was also sensitive for armadillos. The data were integrated into predator management operations to effectively and efficiently remove the species responsible for turtle nest predation. Tracking plot data also served to validate predator patterns of behavior relative to turtle nesting and improve prospects for preventive predator management strategies. Perhaps …

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Preliminary Serologic Survey Of Selected Diseases And Movements Of Feral Swine In Texas, A. Christy Wyckoff, Scott E. Henke, Tyler Campbell, David G. Hewitt, Kurt C. Vercauteren Jun 2005

Preliminary Serologic Survey Of Selected Diseases And Movements Of Feral Swine In Texas, A. Christy Wyckoff, Scott E. Henke, Tyler Campbell, David G. Hewitt, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) populations occur throughout eastern, central, and southern Texas, and their populations appear to be increasing. Despite their abundance and wide distribution, little is known about their range and interaction with domestic animals. In the last decade the national pork production industry has enforced an eradication program for economically detrimental swine diseases such as pseudorabies and brucellosis. It is hypothesized that feral hogs can be reservoirs that could reintroduce diseases to disease-free domestic swine herds. The objectives of this on-going project are to determine the prevalence of selected swine diseases that exist within feral hog …

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Oral Rabies Vaccination—A Progress Report, Dennis Slate, Charles Rupprecht, Mike Dunbar, Robert Mclean Jun 2005

Oral Rabies Vaccination—A Progress Report, Dennis Slate, Charles Rupprecht, Mike Dunbar, Robert Mclean

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) targeting specific wild Carnivora species has emerged as an integral adjunct to conventional rabies control strategies to protect humans and domestic animals. ORV has been applied with progress toward eliminating rabies in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in western Europe and southern Ontario, Canada. Beginning in the 1990’s, coordinated ORV was implemented in Texas to contain and eliminate variants of rabies virus in the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus ) and coyote (Canis latrans ) and in several eastern U.S. States with the goal of preventing spread of raccoon (Procyon lotor ) rabies. …

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Evaluation Of Optimized Variable Area Transect Sampling Using Totally Enumerated Field Data Sets, Richard M. Engeman, Ryan M. Nielson, Robert T. Sugihara Jun 2005

Evaluation Of Optimized Variable Area Transect Sampling Using Totally Enumerated Field Data Sets, Richard M. Engeman, Ryan M. Nielson, Robert T. Sugihara

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Plotless density estimators (PDEs) can be efficient alternatives to quadrat sampling for estimating the density of stationary objects. Variable area transect (VAT) sampling had been identified, and optimized relative to effort, in previous Monte Carlo simulated population studies as a low-labor field method that demonstrated superior estimation properties among many PDEs considered. However, natural populations tend to be much more complex and less predictable in spatial distribution than computer generated populations. Therefore, we carried out a Monte Carlo simulation study that used 17 fully enumerated field populations rather than simulated populations. These natural populations represented a variety of population densities …

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Comparison Of Nicarbazin Absorption In Chickens, Mallards, And Canada Geese, C. A. Yoder, L. A. Miller, K. S. Bynum Jun 2005

Comparison Of Nicarbazin Absorption In Chickens, Mallards, And Canada Geese, C. A. Yoder, L. A. Miller, K. S. Bynum

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Nicarbazin (NCZ), a coccidiostat commonly used in the poultry industry, causes reduced hatchability and egg quality in layer hens at a concentration of 125 ppm (8.4 mg/kg) in the feed. Although this effect is undesirable in the poultry industry, NCZ could provide a useful wildlife contraception tool for waterfowl, particularly urban geese. We tested the absorption of NCZ in chickens (Gallus gallus), mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and Canada geese (Branta canadensis) gavaged with 8.4 mg of NCZ/kg per bird each day for 8 d. Plasma levels of 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) differed significantly among species. Peak plasma DNC levels were 2.87 f 0.15 …

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Evaluation Of Optimized Variable Area Transect Sampling Using Totally Enumerated Field Data Sets, Richard M. Engeman, Ryan M. Nielson, Robert T. Sugihara Jun 2005

Evaluation Of Optimized Variable Area Transect Sampling Using Totally Enumerated Field Data Sets, Richard M. Engeman, Ryan M. Nielson, Robert T. Sugihara

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Plotless density estimators (PDEs) can be efficient alternatives to quadrat sampling for estimating the density of stationary objects. Variable area transect (VAT) sampling had been identified, and optimized relative to effort, in previous Monte Carlo simulated population studies as a low-labor field method that demonstrated superior estimation properties among many PDEs considered. However, natural populations tend to be much more complex and less predictable in spatial distribution than computer generated populations. Therefore, we carried out a Monte Carlo simulation study that used 17 fully enumerated field populations rather than simulated populations. These natural populations represented a variety of population densities …

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Chamaeleo Gracilis (Graceful Chameleon). Reproduction In Florida., Richard M. Engeman, Desta Hansen, Henry T. Smith Jun 2005

Chamaeleo Gracilis (Graceful Chameleon). Reproduction In Florida., Richard M. Engeman, Desta Hansen, Henry T. Smith

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

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Sensory Modality Used By Coyotes In Responding To Antipredator Compounds In The Blood Of Texas Horned Lizards, Wade C. Sherbrooke, J. Russell Mason Jun 2005

Sensory Modality Used By Coyotes In Responding To Antipredator Compounds In The Blood Of Texas Horned Lizards, Wade C. Sherbrooke, J. Russell Mason

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We investigated the hypothesis that the squirting of blood from orbital sinuses by Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) is an antipredator defense against some mammalian species. Coyotes (Canis latrans) were tested for the first time. As expected, Texas horned lizards squirted blood in response to coyote attacks, and coyotes exhibited startle response, avoidance response, or both as a result of these events. Whereas lizard carcasses mixed into normal foodmash elicited regurgitation by coyotes, possibly due to physical effects, blood of horned lizards similarly mixed into food did not. Coyote responses to simulated squirts of 5 compounds, …

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Leiocephalus Carinatus Armol'ri (Northern Curlytailed Lizard). Cannibalism., Christopher L. Dean, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, Walter E. Meshaka Jr. Jun 2005

Leiocephalus Carinatus Armol'ri (Northern Curlytailed Lizard). Cannibalism., Christopher L. Dean, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, Walter E. Meshaka Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

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Weast Nile Virus Serosurveillance In Iowa White-Tailed Deer (1999-2003), Julian Santatella, Robert Mclean, Jeffrey S. Hall, James S. Gill, Richard A. Bowen, Harlo H. Hadow, Larry Clark Jun 2005

Weast Nile Virus Serosurveillance In Iowa White-Tailed Deer (1999-2003), Julian Santatella, Robert Mclean, Jeffrey S. Hall, James S. Gill, Richard A. Bowen, Harlo H. Hadow, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Sera from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were collected in Iowa during the winter months (1999-2003), 2 years before and after West Nile virus (WNV) was first reported in Iowa (2001), and were analyzed for antibodies to WNV. Samples from 1999 to 2001 were antibody negalive by blocking enzyme-linikedI immunosorbent assay (bELISA) and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90). Prevalence derived from bELISA (2002, 12.7%; 2003. 11.2%) and WNV PRNT90 (2002,7.9%; 2003, 8.5%) assays were similar. All sanlples were negative for antibodies against St. Louis encephalitis virus as determined by PRNT90. Antibodies to flaviviruses were …

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Mechanisms Of Magnetic Orientation In Birds, Robert C. Beason May 2005

Mechanisms Of Magnetic Orientation In Birds, Robert C. Beason

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Behavior and electrophysiological studies have demonstrated a sensitivity to characteristics of the Geomagnetic field that can be used for navigation, both for direction finding (compass) and position finding (map). The avian magnetic compass receptor appears to be a light-dependent, wavelength-sensitive system that functions as a polarity compass (i.e., it distinguishes poleward from equatorward rather than north from south) and is relatively insensitive to changes in magnetic field intensity. The receptor is within the retina and is based on one or more photopigments, perhaps cryptochromes. A second receptor system appears to be based on magnetite and might serve to transduce location …

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Fence-Line Interactions Among Farmed And Free-Ranging Cervids: Preliminary Results, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Justin W. Fischer, Robert Pooler, Michael J. Lavelle, Greg Phillips May 2005

Fence-Line Interactions Among Farmed And Free-Ranging Cervids: Preliminary Results, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Justin W. Fischer, Robert Pooler, Michael J. Lavelle, Greg Phillips

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Occurrences of disease outbreaks within and near captive cervid (mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni)) farms have recently drawn attention to these facilities. Some state wildlife and agricultural agencies have pondered making double fencing mandatory or otherwise increasing regulation of captive operations. Diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and Bovine Tuberculosis (bovine TB) are a threat to captive and free-ranging cervid populations. Concerns over these and other diseases being transmitted from captive to wild cervids, and vice versa, have increased. In most cases, captive …

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Probabilistic Risk Assessment For Snails, Slugs, And Endangered Honeycreepers In Diphacinone Rodenticide Baited Areas On Hawaii, Usa, John J. Johnston, William C. Pitt, Robert T. Sugihara, John D. Eisemann, Thomas M. Primus, Melvin J. Holmes, Joe Crocker, Andy Hart May 2005

Probabilistic Risk Assessment For Snails, Slugs, And Endangered Honeycreepers In Diphacinone Rodenticide Baited Areas On Hawaii, Usa, John J. Johnston, William C. Pitt, Robert T. Sugihara, John D. Eisemann, Thomas M. Primus, Melvin J. Holmes, Joe Crocker, Andy Hart

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Three probabilistic models were developed for characterizing the risk of mortality and sub-acute coagulopathy to Poouli, an endangered non-target avian species, in broadcast diphacinone-baited areas on Hawaii, USA. For single-day exposure, the risk of Poouli mortality approaches 0. For 5-d exposure, the mean probability of mortality increased to 3% for adult and 8% for juvenile Poouli populations. For Poouli that consume snails containing diphacinone residues for 14 d, the model predicted increased levels of coagulopathy for 0.42 and 11% of adult and juvenile Poouli populations, respectively. Worst-case deterministic risk characterizations predicted acceptable levels of risk for non-threatened or endangered species …

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Parasitized And Non-Parasitized Prey Selectivity By An Insectivorous Bird, Gregory A. Jones, Kathryn E. Sieving, Michael L. Avery, Robert L. Meagher May 2005

Parasitized And Non-Parasitized Prey Selectivity By An Insectivorous Bird, Gregory A. Jones, Kathryn E. Sieving, Michael L. Avery, Robert L. Meagher

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The identification and conservation of naturally occurring enemies of crop pests is an important means of improving biological control in cropping systems. One particularly important potential mechanism whereby birds might stabilize and improve pest control is consumption of individual prey that escape mortality from other agents of biological control. We tested the hypothesis that birds prefer to forage upon non-parasitized fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) prey via captive feeding trials, where birds were also offered armyworms parasitized by Euplectrus plathypenae (Howard) larvae. While birds were equally willing to eat both parasitized and non-parasitized armyworm prey of the same …

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Caffeine For Reducing Bird Damage To Newly Seeded Rice, Michael L. Avery, Scott J. Werner, John L. Cummings, John S. Humphrey, Michael P. Milleson, James C. Carlson, Thomas M. Primus, Margaret J. Goodall May 2005

Caffeine For Reducing Bird Damage To Newly Seeded Rice, Michael L. Avery, Scott J. Werner, John L. Cummings, John S. Humphrey, Michael P. Milleson, James C. Carlson, Thomas M. Primus, Margaret J. Goodall

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The economic impact of blackbirds can be severe to rice producers in the United States. One approach to managing this damage is the application of bird-deterrent chemical to the crop. Previous pilot trials suggested that caffeine offered potential as a safe, economical bird repellent. In this study, cage feeding trials with female red-winged blackbirds and male brown-headed cowbirds confirmed that a treatment rate of 2500 ppm caffeine on rice seed reduced consumption as much as 76%. Trials with mixed species blackbird flocks in a 0.2-ha flight pen resulted in just 4% loss of caffeine-treated rice compared to 43% loss of …

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Research To Support And Enhance Feral Swine Removal Efforts, Richard M. Engeman, Bernice Constantin, Stephanie A. Schwiff, Henry T. Smith, John Woolard May 2005

Research To Support And Enhance Feral Swine Removal Efforts, Richard M. Engeman, Bernice Constantin, Stephanie A. Schwiff, Henry T. Smith, John Woolard

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Swine adversely affect the environment in most places around the world where they have been introduced into the wild. In many of those places swine removal is key to protection of a variety of special habitats, wetlands in particular. We have pursued several avenues of research and technique development to enhance swine removal efforts, primarily in Florida. An easily-applied passive tracking index (PTI) with good statistical properties has been effective for monitoring swine distribution and relative abundance, thus aiding the location of control method applications and the evaluation of control results. A quadrat sampiing methodology used in conjunction with the …

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Proximal Cues Of Pocket Gopher Burrow Plugging Behavior: Influence Of Light, Burrow Openings, And Temperature, Scott J. Werner, Dale L. Nolte, Frederick D. Provenza Apr 2005

Proximal Cues Of Pocket Gopher Burrow Plugging Behavior: Influence Of Light, Burrow Openings, And Temperature, Scott J. Werner, Dale L. Nolte, Frederick D. Provenza

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Burrow plugging is readily observed among mammals adapted for digging (i.e., fossorial mammals) as they create and maintain their burrows. We investigated the influence of light, burrow openings, and thermal environment as cues of pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama, Thomomys talpoides) behavior. When given free access to light and no light during artificial-burrow preference trials, both Thomomys spp. consistently plugged (i.e., avoided) light treatments. Burrow openings did not notably affect plugging behavior of T. mazama. Gophers (T. talpoides) plugged the artificial burrows within the light and cold (7 -C) treatments, but not within the no-light, and 18 or 31 -C treatments …

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Review Of Brown Treesnake Problems And Control Programs, Bruce A. Colvin, Michael W. Fall, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Lloyd L. Loope Mar 2005

Review Of Brown Treesnake Problems And Control Programs, Bruce A. Colvin, Michael W. Fall, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Lloyd L. Loope

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Preventing spread of the brown treesnake (BTS) from Guam and mitigating its impacts on Guam are national responsibilities for the United States. BTS very likely arrived at Guam’s major harbor shortly after World War II with salvaged war materials returned from strategically crucial military operations in 1942-1945 on islands near New Guinea, where BTS is native. Though this scenario is not 100% confirmed, it is rare to find a biological invasion for which there is such strong evidence of the source, pathway, and timing. BTS invaded the whole of Guam over several decades. In conjunction with research into the rapid …

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Evaluation Of Attractants For Live-Trapping Nine-Banded Armadillos, Daniel J. Gammons, Michael T. Mengak, L. Mike Conner Mar 2005

Evaluation Of Attractants For Live-Trapping Nine-Banded Armadillos, Daniel J. Gammons, Michael T. Mengak, L. Mike Conner

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In the past 50 years, the range of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) in the south has been rapidly expanding. As their range expands, armadillos increasingly come into conflict with suburban landowners. When foraging, armadillos often uproot ornamental plants. Their rooting also destroys gardens, lawns, and flower beds. Their burrowing can damage tree roots and building foundations. Most armadillo damage is a result of their feeding habits. Armadillos dig shallow holes, 1- 3 inches deep and 3-5 inches long, as they search for soil invertebrates.

A recent survey of Georgia county extension agents by scientists at the University …

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Invasive Iguanas As Airstrike Harzards At Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, Bernice Constantin Mar 2005

Invasive Iguanas As Airstrike Harzards At Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Richard M. Engeman, Henry T. Smith, Bernice Constantin

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Green iguanas are large lizards exotic to Puerto Rico, but abundant around Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in metropolitan San Juan, where we assessed their potential as an airstrike hazard. During our two rnonth sanipling period, operatio~iso il portions of (he airfielJ hdJ Lu be hdltcJ 011 s io~~ ~ d s i ujluot, t" l i ~l )d~ i j~. ~ ~ byi t ~ d iguana incursions to aircraft traffic areas. All 5 records of collisions with iguanas in the FAA airstrike database were from SJU. Body size comparisons between mature iguanas and terrestrial mammals known as …

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Wildlife Population Monitoring: Some Practical Considerations, Gary W. Witmer Mar 2005

Wildlife Population Monitoring: Some Practical Considerations, Gary W. Witmer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The accurate estimation of wildlife population density is difficult and requires considerable investment of resources and time. Population indices are easier to obtain but are influenced by many unknowns and the relationships to actual population densities are usually unclear. Wildlife biologists, whether in the public or private sector, often find themselves in difficult situations where a resource manager or landowner wants good information, quickly, at low cost, and without clear objectives. In many situations, in addition to establishing clear objectives, a budget and timeframe, a biologist must understand and deal with the reality of many logistical concerns that will make …

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Efficacy Of An Animal-Activated Frightening Device On Urban Elk And Mule Deer, Kurt C. Vercauteren, John A. Shivik, Michael J. Lavelle Feb 2005

Efficacy Of An Animal-Activated Frightening Device On Urban Elk And Mule Deer, Kurt C. Vercauteren, John A. Shivik, Michael J. Lavelle

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Cervids readily adapt to suitable human-altered landscapes and can cause several types of damage, including economic loss associated with landscape and agricultural plantings, human health and safety concerns, and adverse impacts on natural habitats. The need for effective, practical, and nonlethal tools to manage damage caused by elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been heightened by the growing prevalence of locally overabundant populations and public demand for nonlethal wildlife management methods. Various frightening devices are available commercially, but most have not been subjectively evaluated. We used consumption …

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