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Human–Wildlife Interactions

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Articles 241 - 270 of 451

Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences

Influence Of Removal Sampling Of Small Mammals On Abundance And Diversity Attributes: Scientific Implications, Thomas P. Sullivan, Druscilla S. Sullivan Jan 2013

Influence Of Removal Sampling Of Small Mammals On Abundance And Diversity Attributes: Scientific Implications, Thomas P. Sullivan, Druscilla S. Sullivan

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Terrestrial small mammals occupy a variety of temperate and boreal forests in North America and Eurasia and contribute to biodiversity within these ecosystems. Researchers commonly use a variation of removal trapping to sample small-mammal populations and communities in these systems. However, it is not known if recurrent removal sampling might bias abundance estimates or alter the very populations under study. We addressed 2 questions: (1) are estimates of population size and species richness and diversity gained from removal trapping different from those based on live-trapping? and (2) what residual impact does removal trapping have on small-mammal populations and communities, as …


Keys To Managing A Successful Archery Deer Hunt In An Urban Community: A Case Study, Chad M. Stewart, Bruce Keller, Chad R. Williamson Jan 2013

Keys To Managing A Successful Archery Deer Hunt In An Urban Community: A Case Study, Chad M. Stewart, Bruce Keller, Chad R. Williamson

Human–Wildlife Interactions

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations can expand greatly in suburban areas where hunting is limited or prohibited. Incorporating a hunting program for management purposes is often unfeasible due to property parcelization and varying opinions on deer management within each community. We present the case of Hidden Valley Lake, Indiana (707 ha), whose deer population was effectively reduced by archery hunting within a dense human population. Prior to implementing a managed archery program, deer density estimates exceeded 60 deer/km2. After the first year of the managed archery hunt, where 230 deer (~36 deer/km2) were removed, …


Potential Role Of Wildlife In Pathogenic Contamination Of Fresh Produce, Jeff A. Langholz, Michele T. Jay-Russell Jan 2013

Potential Role Of Wildlife In Pathogenic Contamination Of Fresh Produce, Jeff A. Langholz, Michele T. Jay-Russell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The safety of fresh produce is an important concern in the United States, especially in the wake of recent national foodborne illness outbreaks. The agricultural industry has implemented steps to enhance food safety along the entire farm-to-fork supply chain. This includes on-farm measures to exclude wildlife and to remove its habitat in and around fields. Farmers and others from across the United States have expressed concern about the ecological consequences and uncertain food safety benefits of such practices. This article reviews the scientific rationale behind management of wildlife and its habitat as part of good agriculture practices for enhancing food …


Avian Diets In A Saline Ecosystem: Great Salt Lake, Utah, Usa, Anthony J. Roberts Jan 2013

Avian Diets In A Saline Ecosystem: Great Salt Lake, Utah, Usa, Anthony J. Roberts

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Saline lakes provide a prey-rich, predator-free environment for birds to utilize during migration and stopover periods. The Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah is the largest salt lake in North America and is utilized by millions of migratory birds. It also is host to multiple commercial endeavors. Proposed expansion of commercial use of the GSL would result in increased impounded area and water extraction for mineral production, which may increase the GSL’s salinity and negatively impact invertebrate abundance. I review previous literature and synthesize diets of avian species utilizing the GSL to determine the importance of each invertebrate species, including brine …


Beware The Boojum: Caveats And Strengths Of Avian Radar, Robert C. Beason, Tim J. Nohara, Peter Weber Jan 2013

Beware The Boojum: Caveats And Strengths Of Avian Radar, Robert C. Beason, Tim J. Nohara, Peter Weber

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Radar provides a useful and powerful tool to wildlife biologists and ornithologists. However, radar also has the potential for errors on a scale not previously possible. In this paper, we focus on the strengths and limitations of avian surveillance radars that use marine radar front-ends integrated with digital radar processors to provide 360° of coverage. Modern digital radar processors automatically extract target information, including such various target attributes as location, speed, heading, intensity, and radar cross-section (size) as functions of time. Such data can be stored indefinitely, providing a rich resource for ornithologists and wildlife managers. Interpreting these attributes in …


Generational Habituation And Current Bald Eagle Populations, Jeremy E. Guinn Jan 2013

Generational Habituation And Current Bald Eagle Populations, Jeremy E. Guinn

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) populations have expanded, even as increasing human presence and activity near nesting sites has increased. The generational habituation hypothesis may explain current bald eagle behaviors associated with human presence. Generational habituation begins when a juvenile imprints on a nest area near human activity, then selects a similar nest site when it is reproductively mature. Successive generations also may imprint on nest sites near human activity, expanding the population into areas that once were considered suboptimal nesting habitat. Generational habituation has implications in several areas important to basic and applied ecology in a wide range …


In The News, Joe N. Caudell Jan 2013

In The News, Joe N. Caudell

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Commentary Managing Risk From Bears And Other Potentially Lethal Wildlife: Predictability, Accountability, And Liability, Stephen Stringham Jan 2013

Commentary Managing Risk From Bears And Other Potentially Lethal Wildlife: Predictability, Accountability, And Liability, Stephen Stringham

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Commentary Rethinking Airport Land-Cover Paradigms: Agriculture, Grass, And Wildlife Hazards, Travis L. Devault, Michael J. Begier, Jerrold L. Belant, Bradley F. Blackwell, Richard A. Dolbeer, James A. Martin, Thomas W. Seamans, Brian E. Washburn Jan 2013

Commentary Rethinking Airport Land-Cover Paradigms: Agriculture, Grass, And Wildlife Hazards, Travis L. Devault, Michael J. Begier, Jerrold L. Belant, Bradley F. Blackwell, Richard A. Dolbeer, James A. Martin, Thomas W. Seamans, Brian E. Washburn

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Site Characteristics, Pinyon-Juniper Management, And Precipitation On Habitat Quality For Mule Deer In New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Jon C. Boren, Heather Halbritter, Shad Cox Jan 2013

Effects Of Site Characteristics, Pinyon-Juniper Management, And Precipitation On Habitat Quality For Mule Deer In New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Jon C. Boren, Heather Halbritter, Shad Cox

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wildlife enterprises are increasingly important to ranch income in the western United States. Habitat management practices that facilitate wildlife are needed for optimal management of multiple-use ranches, particularly for economically important species, such as mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), that are declining throughout much of their range. We tested the effects of vegetation cover type, site characteristics, pinyon-juniper management treatments, and precipitation on body condition and size of spring-summer-autumn (SSA) home ranges of mule deer to assess habitat quality on the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center (CRLRC), a multiple-use research ranch in east central New Mexico. Accrual of …


Reliability And Precision Of Pellet-Group Counts For Estimating Landscape-Level Deer Density, David Decalesta Jan 2013

Reliability And Precision Of Pellet-Group Counts For Estimating Landscape-Level Deer Density, David Decalesta

Human–Wildlife Interactions

This study provides hitherto unavailable methodology for reliably and precisely estimating deer density within forested landscapes, enabling quantitative rather than qualitative deer management. Reliability and precision of the deer pellet-group technique were evaluated in 1 small and 2 large forested landscapes. Density estimates, adjusted to reflect deer harvest and overwinter mortality, were compared with a drive count on the small landscape and with aerial counts using forward-looking infrared videography (FLIR) on the large landscapes. Estimates by 2 expert and 2 novice counters (range = 17.6 to 18.6 deer/km2) on the small landscape were not different from each other …


Jaguar And Puma Attacks On Livestock In Costa Rica, Ronit Amit, Elias José Gordillo-Chávez, Raquel Bone Jan 2013

Jaguar And Puma Attacks On Livestock In Costa Rica, Ronit Amit, Elias José Gordillo-Chávez, Raquel Bone

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Human–felid conflicts threaten long-term conservation of jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor). We interviewed ranchers from 50 ranches and inspected farms in northern Costa Rica that reported recent attacks on livestock by these 2 felids. We analyzed ranch characteristics, livestock management practices, details of predation, estimated market-value of economic losses, and ranchers’ perception of damage. Ranchers reported 81 felid attacks on livestock, including 60 head of cattle, 16 horses, 3 sheep, 1 pig, and 1 goat. Mean size of ranches was 233 km2, and mean livestock herd size was 109, including cattle, horses, …


Consumption Of Whole Cottonseed By White-Tailed Deer And Nontarget Species, Benjamin D. Taylor, Eddie Lyons, Dale Rollins, Cody B. Scott, James E. Huston, Charles A. Taylor Jan 2013

Consumption Of Whole Cottonseed By White-Tailed Deer And Nontarget Species, Benjamin D. Taylor, Eddie Lyons, Dale Rollins, Cody B. Scott, James E. Huston, Charles A. Taylor

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Supplementing diets of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with pelleted rations is an increasingly common practice aimed at increasing deer antler size on rangelands in Texas. Feed loss to consumption by various nontarget species (e.g., raccoons [Procyon lotor] and feral pigs [Sus scrofa]) raises both ecological and economic concerns. Whole cottonseed is a feedstuff that may afford a more targeted supplemental feeding effort. Accordingly, we determined: (1) consumption rates of whole cottonseed by feral pigs and raccoons in captivity; and (2) species visitation at feed sites and preference for whole cottonseed relative to whole corn …


Deer-Activated Bioacoustic Frightening Device Deters White-Tailed Deer, Aaron M. Hildreth, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Kurt C. Vercauteren Jan 2013

Deer-Activated Bioacoustic Frightening Device Deters White-Tailed Deer, Aaron M. Hildreth, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Kurt C. Vercauteren

Human–Wildlife Interactions

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) damage urban and suburban plantings, as well as crops and stored feed. We tested the efficacy of a frightening device that played pre-recorded distress calls of adult female white-tailed deer when activated by an infrared motion sensor for a period of 13 days. This deer-activated bioacoustic frightening device reduced deer entry into protected sites by 99% (δ = -558, P = 0.09) and bait consumption by 100% (δ = -75, P = 0.06). The frightening device that we evaluated demonstrated potential for reducing damage in disturbed environments and agricultural settings.


Toward An Understanding Of Beaver Management As Human And Beaver Densities Increase, William F. Siemer, Sandra A. Jonker, Daniel J. Decker, John F. Organ Jan 2013

Toward An Understanding Of Beaver Management As Human And Beaver Densities Increase, William F. Siemer, Sandra A. Jonker, Daniel J. Decker, John F. Organ

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Estimates of beaver (Castor canadensis) density play an important role in wildlife managers’ decisions about beaver population management, because managers anticipate higher incidence of problem complaints when a beaver population increases. To manage the impacts of beavers in an urbanizing landscape, managers need better information on changes in stakeholder beliefs and attitudes as beaver and human densities reach high levels. We conducted additional analysis of data collected in 2002 through mail surveys of residents in New York and Massachusetts to test hypothesized relationships between beaver density and damage experience, attitudes toward beavers, and norms about beaver management actions. …


Landowner Attitudes Toward Introduced Wild Turkeys In Northwestern Minnesota, Chad J. Parent, Brett J. Goodwin, Eric M. Dunton Jan 2012

Landowner Attitudes Toward Introduced Wild Turkeys In Northwestern Minnesota, Chad J. Parent, Brett J. Goodwin, Eric M. Dunton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were introduced to northwestern Minnesota, USA, in 2006 and 2007. This provided an opportunity to examine landowner feelings for a wildlife species not endemic to the region. In 2007, we mailed surveys to 200 landowners to evaluate landowner interactions, feelings, and concerns with turkeys. Overall response rate was 76%. Eighty-nine percent of respondents in northwestern Minnesota reported positive feelings toward turkeys, 9% were indifferent, and 2% reported negative feelings. The introduced turkeys were not perceived to be problematic:


Brown Treesnakes: A Potential Invasive Species For The United States, Samantha Sue Kahl, Scott E. Henke, Marc A. Hall, David K. Britton Jan 2012

Brown Treesnakes: A Potential Invasive Species For The United States, Samantha Sue Kahl, Scott E. Henke, Marc A. Hall, David K. Britton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Brown treesnakes (ˆ) are mildly venomous, exotic snakes that have the potential to become an invasive species in North America, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The snake is native to northern and eastern Australia, New Guinea, and other islands of northern and western Melanesia. The snakes were first found outside their native range on Guam in 1953. The exact date they reached the island is uncertain, but they are believed to have arrived on military cargo transport vessels some time during or just after World War II. During the years that followed, the population of brown …


Modification Of Net Configurations Of The Coda Netlauncher® To Enhance Bird Capture, Amanda M. Prisock, Brian S. Dorr, James C. Cumbee Jan 2012

Modification Of Net Configurations Of The Coda Netlauncher® To Enhance Bird Capture, Amanda M. Prisock, Brian S. Dorr, James C. Cumbee

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We modified and evaluated capture nets fired from the Coda Netlauncher® as a tool for capturing various avian species. We modified the netlauncher by using customized nets to maximize the area of the capture zone. We captured 137 birds, comprising 12 species, in 23 attempts between July 2008 and October 2009 using this method. Capture success rates varied from 25 to 69% were comparable to success rates reported for other capture methods for these species. However, individual capture success for different net configurations varied greatly from 3 to 65%. Minimal injuries and 2 bird fatalities were reported. The netlauncher, using …


A Model To Predict The Likelihood Of Cliff Swallow Nesting On Highway Structures In Northern California, Robert W. Coates, Michael Delwiche, W. Paul Gorenzel, Terrell P. Salmon Jan 2012

A Model To Predict The Likelihood Of Cliff Swallow Nesting On Highway Structures In Northern California, Robert W. Coates, Michael Delwiche, W. Paul Gorenzel, Terrell P. Salmon

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) are colonially breeding migratory birds that frequently nest on highway structures. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, people cannot harm swallows or their active nests. This restriction causes problems and delays for construction and maintenance divisions of many departments of transportation. In planning future projects, it would be useful for these divisions to have a habitat selection model that can predict the likelihood of cliff swallow nesting on a particular highway structure. We used logistic regression on data collected from 206 highway structures and 2 different land cover data sets to develop …


Factors Influencing Survival Of Desert Mule Deer In The Greater San Andres Mountains, New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Brock D. Hoenes, Cristina L. Rodden Jan 2012

Factors Influencing Survival Of Desert Mule Deer In The Greater San Andres Mountains, New Mexico, Louis C. Bender, Brock D. Hoenes, Cristina L. Rodden

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Mule deer numbers have declined precipitously in the San Andres Mountains of southcentral New Mexico. To assess reasons for population declines, we monitored condition, survival, and causes of mortality for a range of 37 to 64 radio-collared, >1.5-year-old female mule deer annually, and a range of 14 to 31 radio-collared, >1.5-year-old male mule deer annually from 2003 to 2009, and modeled environmental factors affecting survival. We found annual survival rates of 0.74 to 0.86 for females and 0.74 to 0.92 for males, rates that were similar among years within sexes. Causes of mortality for 50 radio-collared females and 22 radio-collared …


An Investigation Into The Use Of Road Drainage Structures By Wildlife In Maryland, Usa, James L. Sparks Jr., J. Edward Gates Jan 2012

An Investigation Into The Use Of Road Drainage Structures By Wildlife In Maryland, Usa, James L. Sparks Jr., J. Edward Gates

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Culverts have been installed beneath roadways for drainage or to contain existing streams; however, most of them have not been installed to facilitate the passage of wildlife. Prior studies of existing drainage structures used by wildlife have been narrow in scope, targeting a restricted number of culverts, time periods, or locales. Use of culverts by wildlife has been postulated to promote connectivity of fragmented populations and their habitats and to reduce roadkills. We monitored 265 culverts located throughout Maryland, USA, with game cameras in all seasons and in every physiographic province. Our objectives were to identify those species using culverts …


Using Radio-Telemetry To Assess The Risk European Starlings Pose In Pathogen Transmission Among Feedlots, Shannon M. Gaukler, H. Jeffrey Homan, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier Jan 2012

Using Radio-Telemetry To Assess The Risk European Starlings Pose In Pathogen Transmission Among Feedlots, Shannon M. Gaukler, H. Jeffrey Homan, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We monitored site-use and movements of 102 radio-tagged European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during the winter months at 2 concentrated animal feeding operations (feedlots) in central Kansas. Our research investigated the spatial ecology of wintering starlings as part of a broad epidemiological study on the possible role of starlings in pathogen transmission at feedlots. Site fidelity was 0.677 and 0.552 (days at capture-site per total days tagged) for feedlots A and B, respectively. Minimal exchange (9%) occurred between feedlots A and B and was often followed by a roost-site change. Starlings rarely abandoned the feedlot where they were captured, …


Apparent Prevalence Of Swine Brucellosis In Feral Swine In The United States, Kerri Pedersen, Sarah N. Bevins, Brandon S. Schmit, Mark W. Lutman, Michael P. Milleson, Clint T. Turnage, Troy T. Bigelow, Thomas J. Deliberto Jan 2012

Apparent Prevalence Of Swine Brucellosis In Feral Swine In The United States, Kerri Pedersen, Sarah N. Bevins, Brandon S. Schmit, Mark W. Lutman, Michael P. Milleson, Clint T. Turnage, Troy T. Bigelow, Thomas J. Deliberto

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Samples were collected in 35 states as part of a national monitoring system to detect multiple diseases in feral swine (Sus scrofa). During March 2009 through December 2010, we collected serum samples from 4,479 feral swine from 13 states, and 159 animals tested were seropositive for brucellosis. No difference in likelihood of infection was found between males and females, but adults were more likely than sub-adults or juveniles to be exposed to brucellosis. Feral swine sampled during winter months also were more likely to be seropositive than animals sampled during other seasons. Apparent prevalence varied among states, and …


Contagious Ecthyma In A Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep From Utah, David J. Wilson, Leslie Mcfarlane Jan 2012

Contagious Ecthyma In A Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep From Utah, David J. Wilson, Leslie Mcfarlane

Human–Wildlife Interactions

In December 2008, near Flaming Gorge Reservoir in northeastern Utah, a 2 ½-year-old male Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) was reported in poor body condition with bloody lesions covering the muzzle area. The sheep was euthanized, and samples were submitted to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan, Utah. The gross and microscopic lesions confirmed the diagnosis of contagious ecthyma (CE). This is the first documented report of CE in bighorn sheep from Utah.


Unintended Consequences Of Bovine Brucellosis Management On Demand For Elk Hunting In Northwestern Wyoming, Mandy E. Kauffman, Benjamin S. Rashford, Dannele E. Peck Jan 2012

Unintended Consequences Of Bovine Brucellosis Management On Demand For Elk Hunting In Northwestern Wyoming, Mandy E. Kauffman, Benjamin S. Rashford, Dannele E. Peck

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Management strategies proposed to mitigate the risk of brucellosis transmission between elk and cattle (e.g., test-and-slaughter of all elk, elimination of feedgrounds, use of contraceptives) could result in a substantial decrease in elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) populations. These strategies could impact hunting and outfitting industries through reduced regional elk populations. Loss of hunters, particularly nonresidents, could result in economic losses for the state and hinder elk management. We estimated 2 empirical models using panel data from multiple hunt areas to determine effects of elk population changes on demand for elk hunting licenses in northwest Wyoming. First, we used …


Brucellosis In The Greater Yellowstone Area: Disease Management At The Wildlife–Livestock Interface, Brant A. Schumaker, Dannelle E. Peck, Mandy E. Kauffman Jan 2012

Brucellosis In The Greater Yellowstone Area: Disease Management At The Wildlife–Livestock Interface, Brant A. Schumaker, Dannelle E. Peck, Mandy E. Kauffman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Elk (Cervus elaphus) and bison (Bison bison) of the Greater Yellowstone area are the last known reservoir of bovine brucellosis (Brucella abortus) in the United States. Domestic cattle occasionally contract the disease while grazing in areas where infected wild ungulates have aborted their fetuses or have given birth. Cases of brucellosis in cattle trigger costly quarantine, testing, and culling procedures. Government agencies and stakeholders, therefore, allocate valuable resources to prevent wildlife-to-cattle transmission. Scientific uncertainty about the biology, epidemiology, and economics of brucellosis makes it difficult to determine the length to which society should go to control it or the combination …


Role Of Bird Movements In The Epidemiology Of West Nile And Avian Influenza Virus, Sabir B. Muzaffar, Nichola J. Hill, John Y. Takekawa, William M. Perry, Lacy M. Smith, Walter M. Boyce Jan 2012

Role Of Bird Movements In The Epidemiology Of West Nile And Avian Influenza Virus, Sabir B. Muzaffar, Nichola J. Hill, John Y. Takekawa, William M. Perry, Lacy M. Smith, Walter M. Boyce

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is influenced by site fidelity and movements of bird hosts. We examined the movement ecology of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) as potential hosts for West Nile virus (WNV) and greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) as potential hosts for AIVs. Research was based on radio-telemetry studies conducted in the Central Valley of California, USA. While crows were restricted to a small area of only a few square kilometers, the distribution of the geese encompassed the northern Central Valley. The crows used 1.5 to 3.5 different roosting areas monthly from February through October, …


Lead-Free, High-Powered Rifle Bullets And Their Applicability In Wildlife Management, Joe N. Caudell, Scott R. Stopak, Paul C. Wolf Jan 2012

Lead-Free, High-Powered Rifle Bullets And Their Applicability In Wildlife Management, Joe N. Caudell, Scott R. Stopak, Paul C. Wolf

Human–Wildlife Interactions

In recent years, concern over the use of lead-based ammunition for hunting has been growing, primarily due to consumption of discarded offal by scavengers and donated game meat for human consumption. While there are alternative bullet technologies on the market that are suitable for hunting, these alternatives have not been adequately researched and tested for use in professional wildlife damage management (WDM). Differences between hunting and WDM include an increased level of precision necessary for safe WDM work, potentially greater distances for shots fired at targets, a need for instant incapacitation, and overall cost-effectiveness. To determine the applicability of lead-free …


Animal-Related Injuries Resulting In Emergency Department Visits And Hospitalizations In The United States, 2006–2008, Ricky L. Langley Jan 2012

Animal-Related Injuries Resulting In Emergency Department Visits And Hospitalizations In The United States, 2006–2008, Ricky L. Langley

Human–Wildlife Interactions

This paper presents information on emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations resulting from an animal-caused injury from 2006 to 2008 using data collected from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Information on the number of ED visits and hospitalizations from adverse animal encounters, the types of injuries resulting from such encounters, and the therapeutic procedures performed to treat injured persons from bites or stings caused by various species of animals are presented. The economic costs of animal-caused injuries also are discussed. Over 1 million hospital ED visits and 48,000 hospitalizations were reported annually in the United States due to …


Effects Of Hikers And Boats On Tule Elk Behavior In A National Park Wilderness Area, Benjamin H. Becker, Christopher M. Moi, Thomas J. Maguire, Robert Atkinson, Natalie B. Gates Jan 2012

Effects Of Hikers And Boats On Tule Elk Behavior In A National Park Wilderness Area, Benjamin H. Becker, Christopher M. Moi, Thomas J. Maguire, Robert Atkinson, Natalie B. Gates

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Human disturbance of wildlife may cause disruption of normal feeding, resting, reproduction, or care for juveniles. Such disturbance may be particularly undesirable in federally managed wilderness areas designed to minimize human influences on natural resources. We recorded tule elk (Cervus elephus nannodes) responses (standing, walking away, running) to off-trail hikers, off-shore boats, and other natural and anthropogenic factors in Point Reyes National Seashore in northern California during 2002 to 2008. Most disturbance behaviors were related to other elk exhibiting rutting behaviors, but off-trail hikers still explained a 100% increase and off-shore boats a 15% increase in baseline disturbance …