Environmental Health and Protection Commons^™

The Effect On Australian Animals Of 1080-Poisoning Campaigns, John C. Mcilroy

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Animals in Australia vary greatly in their sensitivity to 1080 poison, with known LD_50’s ranging from 0.11 to over 800 mg kg ^-1. Many native species, particularly in western Australia, have evolved tolerances to 1080 through ingestion of native plants that contain fluoroacetate or prey that consume those plants. Despite this, some native species, particularly a few herbivorous mammals, birds and rodents, could be poisoned during control campaigns against vertebrate pests. Field studies indicate that poisoning campaigns are not significantly affecting populations of common non-target animals, but further impact studies are required on vulnerable, rare, endangered, or uncommon …

Rodent Damage In Hawaiian Macadamia Orchards, Mark E. Tobin

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Roof rats (Rattus rattus) damage an estimated 5-10% of the annual macadamia nut crop in Hawaii, resulting in farm value losses of between $2-4 million. The Denver Wildlife Research Center field station in Hilo, Hawaii studies the biology, impact, and control of rodent pests in Hawaiian agricultural crops. This paper describes field and laboratory research currently being conducted to address rat problems in macadamia nut orchards.

Evaluation Of Methyl Anthranilate As A Bird Repellent In Fruit Crops, Michael L. Avery

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 15th (1992)

Methyl anthranilate (MA) is a grape-flavored food additive that is aversive to birds. Previous studies had indicated that anthranilates can deter frugivorous birds but that anthranilates are phytotoxic. In this study, I tested the bird repellency to 2 MA formulations on blueberry plants in a large flight pen. Neither MA formulation protected the blueberries from damage by cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) or European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). The encapsulated formulation, however, was nonphytotoxic. Due to the on-going need for safe bird deterrent compounds, further development and testing of MA as a bird repellent on fruit is warranted. …

Conference Summary And A Look To The Future, James E. Miller

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 5th (1991)

It is with mixed feelings that I agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to accept this challenge of trying to summarize the implications of this Fifth Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference. Even though it has been over 8 years ago, I still remember burning the midnight oil and working in the predawn hours on the last eve of the First Eastern Conference trying to prepare closing remarks for use by my former Deputy Administrator, Merrill L. "Pete" Petoskey. In fact, even though some of the guard has changed, at least one of the professionals who helped provide their insight as we prepared those …

Conference Participants

Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference: 5th (1991)

Participants

Threatened And Endanger Species Of Wetiands And Waterways In Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, And Nebraska, Ann Burruss

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Wetlands and waterways, including perennial and intermittent streams, creeks, and rivers, are habitats for many rare animal and plant species. Wetlands in many areas continue to decline in acreage and suffer adverse impacts from conversion and development. Waterways are also under pressure from channelization and leveeing.

This study has two major components. First, a series of databases was developed that includes animals and plant species that are wetland or waterway dependent and found in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, or Nebraska. The databases allow ready access to detailed information on each species and probable locations within each state. The plant and animal …

Wildlife Damage Management In The 90s—Does The Professional Fit The Profession?, Jay B. Mcaninch

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

A recurring theme at animal damage conferences has been the lack of interest in, and recognition of, animal damage management or problem wildlife manage-ment as an important topic in the wildlife profession (Timm 1982; Berryman 1983, 1989; Jones 1983; Miller 1987; San Julian 1989; Schmidt 1989a). This concern has been raised by Animal Damage Control (ADC) workers in urban, suburban, agri-cultural and forested systems and, in fact, can be heard in nearly any landscape in which wildlife are in conflict with people's use of the land. While the scope of these issues involves the largest potential constitu-ency the wildlife profession …

Utah State University's Academic Program In Wildlife Damage Management, Michael R. Conover, Raymond D. Dueser, Frederick F. Knowlton, Joseph A. Chapman

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Every wildlife species has positive values or benefits it provides to society. Some people enjoy hunting, while others enjoy watching and hearing wildlife; still other people derive pleasure simply knowing animals exist free from human dependency (King 1947, Ehrenfeld 1976, Steinhoff 1978). Each species also has negative values (Decker and Purdy 1988) associated with adverse impacts, such as property damage, damage to agricultural crops, predation on other valuable species, or simply being a nuisance. For any location and point in time, the net value of any wildlife resource is the sum of all its positive and negative values. The goal …

What's In A Name?, Robert S. Cook

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Communication is a vital part of this complex world in which we live. Even with the vast vocabulary that has evolved throughout recorded history, we still often find difficulty in expressing ourselves. As receivers of information, we struggle to grasp what the other person is trying to say. Also, when we speak to others, we struggle for the right words to use so that we can convey to that person exactly what we mean. The words we use and how we use them are very important to us as we communicate with each other. We have all experienced a time …

Social, Political, Legal, And Ethical Aspects Of Wildlife Damage Management, Robert H. Schmidt, Terrell P. Salmon

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wildlife damage management practices are more influenced by our social environ-ment today than in any other period during history. Change is clearly in the wind, and the scope and range of that change will be defined by the social, legal, political, and ethical constraints determined by all seg-ments of society. By defining the decision-making environment, however, management decisions can be made with a clearer under-standing of potential ramifications and, hopefully, a refinement of uncertain princi-ples that influence management decisions affecting natural resource use (Holling 1978).

Educating People About Wildlife Damage, Jeffrey S. Green

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Managing the damage that species of wildlife cause to human-owned resources is a legitimate area of specialization in the field of wildlife management. In recent years, wildlife damage management, particularly the Federal government's Animal Damage Control (ADC) program, has come under increased scrutiny and opposition. Reasons for the increased focus on ADC are varied but no doubt center on the fact that some of ADC's activities involve killing animals. Groups opposed to ADC have used the media to gain a following, but the glimpses of ADC they have shown to the public are rarely balanced or objective. Stories usually focus …

Effects Of A Visual Barrier Fence On The Behavior And Movements Of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Nancy S. Foster-Mcdonald, Scott E. Hygnstrom

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Prairie dogs prefer an open view of their surroundings and may abandon an area with visual obstructions. We examined the effects of a visual barrier fence, which had a see-through visibility of 60%, on the foraging, vigilance, and aggressive behaviors of adult female black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) in central Nebraska. We expected animals near a visual barrier to spend more time in vigilance and less time foraging. Adult female prairie dogs exposed to a visual barrier spent a greater amount of time foraging and less time in a headbob position than those not exposed to a fence (P = …

Burrowing Owl Ecology And Suggestions For Minimizing Impacts Of Prairie Dog Control, Martha J. Desmond, Julie A. Savidge

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) are declining throughout much of their range. They were placed on the Audubon Society's Blue List in 1971 and were listed as a Species of Special Concern in 1986. Little information exists on burrowing owl population sizes and causes of population declines appear to be mostly speculation. Although considerable research has been done on burrowing owls in the Western United States, relatively little is known of the burrowing owl population in the Great Plains. In the Great Plains, burrowing owls will nest in abandoned badger (Taxidea taxus) burrows but are most commonly associated with black-tailed prairie …

Reducing Nuisance Canada Goose Problems Through Habitat Manipulation, Michael R. Conover

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Urban populations of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) cause considerable problems when large numbers congregate in parks, playing fields, and backyards. In most cases, geese are drawn to these sites to feed on the lawns. I tested whether geese have feeding preferences for different grass species. Captive Canada geese preferred Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and disliked tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) over colonial bentgrass (Agrostis tenuis cv. Highland), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and red fescue (Festuca rubra). They refused to eat some other ground covers such as pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) and English ivy (Hedera helix). These results suggest that goose numbers at …

Environmentalism And Animal Welfare: Cornerstones Of Wildlife Damage Management, Rick D. Owens

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

There are two issues which each of us, personally and as professional wildlife biologists, share a belief in, and which are essential to the conduct of our day-to-day wildlife management activities. Unfortunately, because of associated negative implications, we have failed to appropriately acknowledge and receive credit for our concerns regarding these issues. These are the issues of environmentalism and animal welfare. This discussion will serve to clarify what these terms should mean to us, why they should be considered cornerstones of wildlife damage management, and the actions we must take in addressing these issues. It is imperative that we become …

A Matter Of Perspective, Dale Rollins

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Abstract: One's views regarding the relative or absolute merits of predators are largely a matter of individual perspective. Surveys have documented that rural and urban residents differ greatly on the scope of predator problems and methods for predator management. In order to educate the urban public, a broadcast quality videotape was produced that outlines the controversy surrounding predator control in general, and coyote control in particular. This video examines the coyote from the perspective of a sheep rancher, an "environmentalist," and an ecologist. The intent of the program is to neither praise nor condemn the coyote, but to provide the …

An Update On The Revision Of The Handbook, "Prevention And Control Of Wildlife Damage", Scott E. Hygnstrom, Robert M. Timm, Gary A. Larson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wildlife species have an important role in our environment and they provide many recreational, economic, and aesthetic benefits. Management of these species is necessary, however, when they cause damage to agricultural, industrial, and natural resources, and threaten personal property, public health, and safety. Published estimates indicate that commensal rodents, field rodents, and predators combined, cause >$2 billion in damage in North America annually. Because of the social and economic impacts of wildlife damage, there is a need for up-to-date information on the prevention and control of wildlife damage for producers, resource managers, administrators, and the public. The book, "Prevention and …

Damage Due To Scent Marking By Eastern Gray And Fox Squirrels, John L. Koprowski

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The stripping of bark by eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) is a serious problem in England with 50 to 100% of the trees damaged in some locations (Shorten 1957). The economic consequences of such damage have resulted in much research (Kenward 1982, 1983; Kenward and Parish 1986); squirrel-induced damage to trees also occurs in North America (Allen 1943, Brenneman 1954) but is rarely of the magnitude observed in England. At least 10 hypotheses (reviewed by Kenward 1983) have been suggested to account for bark-stripping damage including: 1) reduction of tooth wear; 2) uncontrolled gnawing reflex; 3) source of nesting material; …

The Denver Wildlife Research Center: An Update, Richard D. Curnow

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The Denver Wildlife Research Center (DWRC) has progressed as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in its capability to support the APHIS Animal Damage Control (ADC) program and provide the agency and the public with expanded knowledge and new or alternative tools to reduce wildlife conflicts with agriculture and other human endeavors. As a result of this increased capability, the DWRC conducts research and provides data that conform to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Good Laboratory Practice Standards for pesticide registration and reregistration and to the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Act …

Tenth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings: Contents And Frontmatter, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Ronald M. Case, Ron J. Johnson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Workshop held in Lincoln, Nebraska, April 15-18, 1991.

These proceedings consist of 41 presented papers on a variety of subjects relative to the prevention and control of wildlife damage. Subject sessions included: Wildlife Damage Management and the Public, Predators, Rodents, Birds, Programs and Projects, USDA-APHIS-ADC Activities, Professionalism, and General.

Materials in this section include list of previous workshops, editors of the Proceedings, members of the Workshop Committee, Sponsors, Supporters, Acknowledgements, Commercial Exhinitors, Contributors, and Table of Contents.

The Handbook Of Wildlife Depredation Techniques: A Synopsis, Tim Fagan, John Demaree

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In 1979, the Game Division Administration of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) appointed John Demaree and Tim Fagan to develop a handbook that would address the ever increasing problem of wildlife depredation. Field personnel were often times at a loss on how to deal with or evaluate the assorted types of damage situations they were encountering. Because Wyoming requires landowners to be reimbursed for damage done by big and trophy game and game birds to their crops and livestock, an evaluation and techniques handbook was desperately needed. The initial handbook, completed in January 1981, was 74 pages, and …

Seasonal And Site Differences In Food Consumed By Double-Crested Cormorants In Arkansas, Albert E. Bivings

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Double-crested cormorants (Phalacro-corax auritus) are a common migrant in Arkansas in the fall and spring. In most years, many linger until freeze-up prior to moving south. In south Arkansas, they may overwinter if climactic conditions are not too severe. Although they were formally year-round residents, there are no current reports of substantial breeding flocks in the state. According to band returns, most cormorants found in Arkansas come from North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba (James and Neal 1986).

Previous investigations by Bivings et al. (1989) and Campo et al. (1988) reported that gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) comprised the …

Relative Effectiveness Of Repellents For Reducing Damage By Elk, William F. Andelt, Dan L. Baker, Kenneth P. Burnham

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

We tested the repellency of chicken eggs, MGK' Big Game Repellent (BGR), coyote (Canis latrans) urine, thiram, Hinder', Hot Sauce Animal Repellent' (Hot Sauce), and Ropey on captive tame elk (Cervus elaphus) in Colorado from December 1990 to February 1991. Coyote urine and BGR performed better than the other repellents for deterring elk from feeding on cubed alfalfa rations. Consumption of cubed rations treated with odor repellents increased from Day 1 through Day 5 of the trial, but consumption of thiram-treated rations decreased. During the second phase of the study, hungry elk consumed significantly more apple twigs that were treated …

Burrow-Building Strategies And Habitat Use Of Voles In Pacific Northwest Orchards, Leonard R. Askham, James Sipes

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Seidel and Booth (1960) wrote that the "life histories of the genus Microtus are not numerous in the literature." In support of his observation he cited 6 publications, all dated between 1891 and 1953. Since then the literature has exploded with a proliferation of publications. An international literature review recently revealed over 3,500 citations for the genus. When Pitymys and Clethrionomys are included another 350 and 1,880, respectively, were found. Over the last 10 years approximately 3 new publications on voles appeared every 4 days; a significant output for what some would consider such an insignificant species. Most of the …

Keynote Address: The Ideal Realist: How Job Realities Shape Ideology And The Role Of Natural Resource Professionals In Today's Environment, Gary J. San Julian

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I am now Vice President for Research and Education for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)—the world's largest conservation organization. The Federation has 5.6 million members and supporters. In this position, I no longer have a small clientele of a few thousand people. In this position, hundreds of thousands of people watch NWF very closely. We have a real slice of American life in the Federation. Consequently, I have had the opportunity to see things in a broader perspective; I have been forced to broaden my horizons. What I see now causes me great concern. I see changes in the way …

The Future Of Extension Education Programs In Wildlife Damage Management, James E. Miller

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Almost 10 years ago in October 1981, at the Fifth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop here in Lincoln, I presented the keynote address to those in attendance entitled, "Wildlife Damage Control and the Cooperative Extension Service" (Miller 1981a). Although a great deal of change has occurred within the Extension System and within other agencies responsible for animal damage control since 1981, the role and responsibility for Extension educational programs in the prevention and control of wildlife damage has not changed significantly. There have been some changes in the audiences requesting assistance and in the manner, delivery mechanisms, and methodologies …

Home Ranges And Movements Of Coyotes In The Northern Chihuahuan Desert, V. W. Howard Jr., Gino G. Delfrate

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The coyote (Canis latrans) is among the most studied animals in North America. Because of its adaptability and success as a predator, the coyote has flourished and is still expanding its range. Coyotes can now be found throughout most of North America and south into Central America (Voight and Berg 1987). Studies in recent years have been extensive to understand the interrelationships of prey and coyotes (Shelton and Klindt 1974, Beckoff and Wells 1981), as well as demographic relationships (Davis et al. 1975, Knowlton and Stoddart 1978, Mitchell 1979, Bowen 1981) and feeding strategies (Todd and Keith 1976, Andelt et …

Using Livestock Protection Collars, Dale Rollins

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The Livestock Protection (LP) Collar is the most selective, specific control technique available for removing problem coyotes that are actually attacking livestock. Since its registration several years ago, adoption of this tool has been fairly slow by ranchers in Texas. To facilitate the adoption of this control technology, a broadcast-quality educational videotape was produced to outline common mistakes made by users and to develop better methods for applying the collars. Collar inventor Roy McBride shares his expertise relative to common mistakes and hints for ensuring success with collars. Also, the rationale behind the development of "county collar pools" is discussed. …

Comparison Of Handmade And Molded Rubber Tranquilizer Tabs For Delivering Tranquilizing Materials To Coyotes Captured In Leg-Hold Traps, Doris E. Zemlicka, Kevin J. Bruce

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Leg-hold traps are an important tool in selectively capturing coyotes (Canis latrans) causing agricultural depredations. Because animals captured in leg-hold traps may incur injury and trauma to their feet and legs, there has been growing opposition to use of such traps. Each year, state or federal legislation is proposed to restrict the use of traps and considerable research effort has been devoted to the examination of trap improvements or alternatives. A variety of trap modifications have been suggested to reduce foot injuries and make the technique more generally acceptable, including use of padded jaws (Linhart et al. 1986, Olsen et …

Attitudes Of Nebraska Sheep Producers Toward Predators, Dale J. Hafer, Scott E. Hygnstrom

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The economy of the State of Nebraska is highly dependent on the agricultural industry. When factors arise that complicate and threaten facets of the industry, those involved, particularly producers, often express a high degree of concern toward those threatening factors. The sheep producers of Nebraska experience this situation with predation. Predators can often cause economic and emotional losses for producers. In 1987, Johnson and Timm estimated that coyotes (Canis latrans) cause $630,000 in damage annually to the sheep industry in Nebraska. Nationally, losses of sheep and lambs to predation is estimated at $21.7 million with coyotes responsible for 63.7% of …