View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE
provided by DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Wildlife Damage Management Conferences -- Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center Proceedings for
2005
The Role of Raccoons in the Ecology of Bovine Tuberculosis
Kurt C. VerCauteren USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center, [email protected]
Holly Smith USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center
Justin Stevenson USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdm_wdmconfproc
Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons
VerCauteren, Kurt C.; Smith, Holly; and Stevenson, Justin, "The Role of Raccoons in the Ecology of Bovine Tuberculosis" (2005). Wildlife Damage Management Conferences -- Proceedings. 91. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdm_wdmconfproc/91
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Wildlife Damage Management Conferences -- Proceedings by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. THE ROLE OF RACCOONS IN THE ECOLOGY OF BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS
KURT C. VERCAUTEREN, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, CO, USA HOLLY J. SMITH, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Gaylord, MI, USA JUSTIN S. STEVENSON, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Gaylord, MI, USA
Abstract: Bovine tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial disease that has had significant socioeconomic impacts on the region of northern lower Michigan. The role raccoons may play in the ecology and maintenance of the disease on farms in the core disease is unknown. Preliminary results of 61 radio collared raccoons have yielded a better understanding of raccoon movement and habitat use within an agricultural complex. Preliminary analysis of raccoons suggests annual home range sizes of .824km2 and .608km2 for males and females, respectively. Additionally raccoons and cattle have been documented at resource interfaces, further illustrating the potential for indirect disease transmission among species.
Key words: bovine tuberculosis, livestock, Michigan, Mycobacterium bovis, Procyon lotor, raccoon, radio telemetry
Proceedings of the 11th Wildlife Damage Management Conference. (D.L. Nolte, K.A. Fagerstone, Eds). 2005
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious, state and federal governmental agencies can bacterial disease affecting both human and assess the occurrence of bovine tuberculosis animals. Accordingly, the intercourse of in Michigan. The most likely species to humans and wildlife, resulting from actual fulfill the three criteria are the raccoon and or potential disease transmission, has red fox, two species possessing an become a subject of increasing angst. appreciably small home range size and Although red fox (Vulpes vulpes), raccoon dispersal distance. Although data on the (Procyon lotor), and cattle are sympatric incidence and pathology of TB in raccoons relative to distribution and habitat has been acquired, information on the home utilization, the effects of interspecific range and dispersal characteristics of interactions between the aforementioned are raccoons has not been investigated in questionable. Understanding the potential Michigan since 1943 (Stuewer 1943). transmissibility, either directly or indirectly, Similarly, the available literature on the of disease between mesocarnivores and behavioral ecology of the red fox in domestic cattle will garner further Michigan is lacking. Information on the understanding of the ecology and average home range size and dispersal epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis. distances of raccoons and red foxes is Additionally, as the prevalence within the fundamental to determining whether the deer population decreases, a sentinel species raccoon and/or red fox would be an effectual would be a valuable determinant by which sentinel species for estimating the
46 prevalence of bovine tuberculosis within an raccoon, red fox and cattle radio area. transmitters. The system was designed to Sixty one raccoons (Procyon lotor) record proximity of radio collared and 5 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were live individuals around natural watering sources trapped and subsequently radio collared within pastures and grazing allotments. For throughout a 90.6 km2 farmland community each animal frequency captured, the system in northeastern lower Michigan. Trapping recorded date, time and number of pulses. was accomplished utilizing cage traps, egg Additionally, passive infrared type trap devices and soft-catch foothold monitors that trigger automatic cameras traps. Raccoons and red foxes were photographed study animals and non-target immobilized with ketamine/xylazine species in and around watering sources. We injections and biological information utilized Reconyx cameras to record images, including premolars, blood samples, body time, date and temperature information at measurements and genetics samples was remote field sites. Cameras were mounted acquired. Raccoons were the primary focus on existing vegetation and positioned to due to their activity associated with cattle observe maximum recordable areas. and forestlands where deer are most Preliminary analysis of raccoons prevalent. Due to the relatively high suggests annual home range sizes of prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in red fox .824km2 and .608km2 for males and females, we decided to garner supplemental respectively. The minimum convex polygon information by radio collaring a sample for method of home range analysis was used to investigation. achieve these results. Further analysis will Individuals were located 3-5 times be conducted using estimators more per week via radio telemetry to ascertain appropriate for delineating concentrated home range, dispersal characteristics, spatial areas of use. During the study an average of distribution and proximity to livestock. 60-80 locations per animal were recorded. Time intervals for telemetry observation Home ranges are analyzed utilizing were 1900-2300, 2300-0300 and 0300-0700, ArcView GIS and Home Range Extension designed to capture maximum animal for ArcView. activity. For each animal location, 2-3 Remote data collection computers compass bearings were taken and were able to document activity of both subsequently processed utilizing Locate raccoons and cattle around watering sites. software. In order to reduce the risk of This data allows further analysis of the movement related bias, locations were potential for direct and indirect contact recorded within 10 minutes. Homing between these two species. techniques were utilized to identify loafing The camera systems captured images and denning sites throughout raccoon home throughout the study season, furthering the ranges. Additionally, nine bovine were ear understanding of the temporal and spatial tagged with radio transmitters to minimize usage of water resources by cattle and the assumption of proximity to radio raccoon. Raccoons and cattle were collared raccoons and red foxes. documented utilizing the same space just Radio collared individuals were hours apart which may provide for indirect further documented at resource interfaces transmission of disease. via a D5041A data collection computer and Radio collared individuals that were R2100 receiver (ATS, Isanti, MN), which lost due to mortality were subsequently allowed automatic recording of both necropsied and submitted for bovine
47 tuberculosis testing. Additionally, trapping move over the agricultural landscape sessions are presently being conducted to exposing themselves to multiple farms and recapture and submit the remaining study livestock sources. animals for testing. Preliminary results for 11 raccoons tested include 1 positive for LITERATURE CITED bovine tuberculosis. Steuwer, F.W. 1943. Raccoons: Their habits Raccoons demonstrated throughout and management in Michigan. this study that they live and thrive in close Ecological Monographs 13:203-257. proximity to livestock and therefore could provide a vector for bovine tuberculosis. Additionally they have shown their ability to
48