Drones in Wildlife Work

Vol. 8 No.4 Winter 2014

Amphibians in Turmoil Role of GIS in Research How to Become a Wildlifer

Winter 2014 Vol. 8 No. 4

The Wildlife Professional (ISSN 1933-2866) is a quarterly magazine published by The Wildlife Society (5410 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2144) as a benefit of membership. The magazine’s goal is to present timely research, news, and analysis of issues and trends in the wildlife profession. You can learn more about The Wildlife Society and the benefits of membership, including publications and web resources, by contacting headquarters or visiting www.wildlife.org. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Wildlife Society (TWS).

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD TWS STAFF Rotating feature departments include: Thomas Decker, chair U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Byron Kenneth Williams Executive Director David Bergman USDA APHIS Wildlife Services COMMENTARY Matthew P. Bettelheim URS Corporation Publishing and Communications Dean E. Beyer, Jr Mich. DNR Nancy Sasavage Director/Editor-in-Chief EDUCATION Ed Boggess Minn. Div. of Fish & Wildlife Divya Abhat Managing Editor Kristina Boyd Yaak Valley Forest Council Cassie Martin Science Writer ETHICS IN PRACTICE Robert Brown N.C. State Univ., retired Hannah Robbins Editorial Intern Richard Chipman USDA APHIS Wildlife Services HEALTH AND DISEASE Jenifer Chutz DCI West Biological Consulting Government Affairs Mike Conner Joseph W. Jones Ecological Laura Bies Director HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONNECTION Research Center Keith Norris Assistant Director Scott Edwards Miss. Dept of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks Mark Hofberg Intern Rhys Evans U.S. Air Force Julia King Intern LAW AND POLICY Joe Fontaine Univ. of Neb., Lincoln Shawn Haskell Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Operations RESEARCH AND PRACTICE Barb Hill Bureau of Land Management, retired Ed Thompson Chief Operating Officer Serra Hoagland USDA Forest Service Aniket Gajare Database and IT Administrator PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT K.C. Jensen S.D. State Univ. Lilliam Matheson Program Assistant Olivia LeDee Minn. DNR Danielle Prete Conferences and Membership REVIEWS Zack Lowe Purdue Univ. Coordinator Joe McGlincy The Wildlife Company Hedy Ross Development Manager TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY Lindsey Messinger Univ. of Neb., Lincoln Zahir Shad Digital Content Manager Misty Sumner Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. Mariah Simmons Wildlife Programs Coordinator Samara Trusso Pa. Game Commission WILDLIFE IMAGING Robin White U.S. Geological Survey Office and Finance Yolanda F. Wiersma Memorial Univ. Jane Jorgenson Lead Bookkeeper/Office Manager COPYRIGHT AND PERMISSIONS SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADVERTISING TWS GOVERNING COUNCIL Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of any article published by The Wildlife Society for limited personal or The Wildlife Professional is a benefit of membership in Rick Baydack President The Wildlife Society. A portion of your dues may be tax educational use within one’s home institution is hereby granted Gary E. Potts President-Elect deductible, so consult your tax adviser. Institutions can without fee, provided that the first page or initial screen of a Bruce Thompson Vice President subscribe for $120 a year. display includes the notice “Copyright © 2014 by The Wildlife Jonathan B. Haufler Past President Society,” along with the full citation, including the name(s) of Membership categories and annual dues: Individual ($81), Family Arthur R. Rodgers Canadian Section the author(s). Copyright for components of this work owned ($125), New Professional ($51), Student ($41), Retired ($41), Carol L. Chambers Southwest Section by persons or organizations other than TWS must be honored. Government Agency ($1,800). For more information about Harriet Allen Northwest Section Instructors may use articles for educational purposes only. To membership benefits, please email [email protected] or David E. Andersen North Central Section copy or transmit otherwise, to republish, or to use such an contact The Wildlife Society, 301-897-9770 or [email protected]. Paul R. Johansen Northeast Section article for commercial or promotional purposes requires specific Darren Miller Southeastern Section permission and a possible fee. Permission must be requested For advertising information, go to www.wildlife.org/adrates by writing to [email protected]. or contact Bob Silverstein, 240-498-9674, rsilverstein@ Bob Lanka Central Mountains and AdSalesExperts.net. Plains Section Cynthia Graves Perrine Western Section COVER: Van Helker, a lieutenant pilot with NOAA’s CONTRIBUTOR GUIDELINES Matthew Gould Student Liaison National Marine Mammal Laboratory, releases a drone All TWS members are encouraged to submit story ideas that will capture images of endangered Steller sea lions Graphic design by Lynn Riley Design. or manuscripts to The Wildlife Professional. Guidelines (Eumetopias jubatus) off the coast of western Alaska. are available at www.wildlife.org/guidelines. Email inqui- Credit: Lin Pin Koh/Conservation Drones ries to [email protected].

Periodical postage paid at Bethesda, MD, The Wildlife Society facebook.com/thewildlifesociety and at additional mailing office. Headquarters POSTMASTER: Send address changes to @wildlifesociety The Wildlife Professional, 5410 Grosvenor 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200 youtube.com/user/WildlifeSociety Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2144. Bethesda, MD 20814-2144 http://linkd.in/erYapf P: (301) 897-9770 F: (301) 530-2471 [email protected] www.wildlife.org

2 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society

Winter 2014 Vol. 8 No. 4

COVER STORY 18 The Drone Debate Intersection of Drone Technology and Wildlife Work By Cassie Martin

ARTICLES 24 Protecting Its Own 46 Exploring the Gender Gap How New Hampshire manages its in Leadership nongame and endangered wildlife A Survey of The Wildlife Society’s By Allison Keating Leadership Institute alumni 18 By Kerry L. Nicholson Credit: Courtesy Lin Pin Koh/Conservation Drones Trouble in the Aquatic World 28 50 The Power of GIS Wildlife professionals battle Useful tips on using spatial amphibian declines analysis tools By Deanna H. Olson and By Christa L. LeGrande and Tara Chestnut Jacqueline L. Frair Tackling Climate Change in 32 54 Lessons in Hunting and South Carolina Conservation Education Using resiliency mapping to Exploring the Conservation Leaders strengthen landscapes for Tomorrow Program By Anna Huckabee Smith By Mary Pfaffko Paths to Becoming a Wildlifer 36 58 Genetic Tools for Wildlife Making yourself marketable for Conservation and Management the wildlife profession A new TWS Working Group By Scott E. Henke and focuses on molecular ecology Paul R. Krausman By Emily Latch, Rachel Crowhurst, 46 From Wildlife to Livestock— Sara Oyler-McCance, and Stacie 40 Credit: NEBRASKAland Magazine/ Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Vice Versa J. Robinson Disease transmission creates a 60 Exploring a Notable Social thorny wildlife-livestock divide Movement By Daniel O’Brien, Walter Cook, How hunting has influenced wildlife Stephen Schmitt, and David conservation in North America Jessup By Divya Abhat 44 A Roadmap for Natural Resources Management New report outlines goals for science, education, and outreach By Wendy Fink, Daniel Edge, and Eric Hallerman

DEPARTMENTS 50 6 Editor’s Note 62 Field Notes Credit: Christa LeGrande 7 Letters to the Editor 63 In Memory 8 Leadership Letter 64 Gotcha! More Online! 10 Science in Short This publication is available online to TWS members through the membership center 14 State of Wildlife on wildlife.org. Mouse icons and text printed in blue indicate links online.

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 5 First Impression, Lasting Impression You are probably familiar with the old saying, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” Ac- cording to psychologists, that first impression can be The Wildlife Society wishes to nearly impossible to reverse and, more importantly, it sets the tone for the relationship that follows. thank the following organizations for their financial support of Just seven days after I joined The Wildlife Society (TWS) as the Director of Publications and Com- Courtesy of Nancy Sasavage The Wildlife Professional. munications, I traveled to Pittsburgh to attend the 21st Annual Conference with more than 1,500 wildlife professionals and students. I was initiated into the Society’s culture by the TWS Council. Having come from a publishing background at a medical association, I was thrilled to find a mixture of men and women representing the diversity of the Society. Immediately, I was welcomed into the fold by the warmth of this group as I learned about the Society’s recent progress and the new strategic plan. My scientific training in biochemistry and molecular biology at Michigan State and the University of Illinois seemed to earn me some points as I chatted one-on-one with council members. When I mentioned that I was a member of Ducks Unlimited, avid bird watcher, and feisty cowgirl to boot, they smiled.

But my introduction to TWS members during the actual conference blew me away! I started off on Sunday with a symposium on barn owls. After listening to two talks on a study conducted in my home state of Illinois, I was feeling more and more at home with my new colleagues. As I sat in the plenary and other sessions such as wildlife diseases, human diversity and changing professional identities, and genomics in wildlife, I couldn’t help feeling that my new job was right where I was meant to be.

The positive vibe and energy was everywhere I went. I was especially impressed with so many students and young professionals giving posters, networking at receptions, and of course, competing in the quiz bowl late into the night. The IGNITE! session, in which presenters shared their personal and professional passions using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds, showcased incredible professionals of all ages.

At the meeting of The Wildlife Professional Editorial Advisory Board, I got acquainted with a team of 25 individuals who were chosen to represent the breadth of TWS members. This new group was eager to build upon the publication’s outstanding reputation earned by Steve Belinda, 2010-2014 chair, their predecessors, and the TWP staff.

My heartfelt thanks to Lisa Moore, my predecessor, who left a wonderful legacy for us to build on. Lasting impression, you betcha!

Nancy Sasavage Editor-in-Chief [email protected]

6 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society Thoughts on the Wilderness Act in legislated wilderness is in the best interest In his guest editorial in the fall issue of The of wildlife conservation, and my hope is that Wildlife Professional, James Kurth praised the eventually Congress will clearly emphasize that Wilderness Act, noting that this 50-year-old point. As one of the foundations of wilderness, Act has been nothing but positive for wildlife conservation warrants more than lip-service and conservation and that it, “... may be even more intervention is sometimes necessary to restore or important today.” I agree that wild lands, but not maintain ecosystem function, even in the wilder- necessarily legislated wilderness, are important ness (Holl et al. 2012). to conserving wildlife and, in particular, large Vol. 8 No. 3 mammals that often range over vast areas. Still, Further, this is a plea for consistency in the ways Fall 2014 despite good intentions, wilderness―or otherwise that wilderness legislation is interpreted by agen- protected areas―does not alone guarantee viable cy personnel, which remains a major shortcoming populations in the long term (Soule et al. 1979, and a primary hindrance to wildlife conservation Krausman et al. 1992, Burkey 1994). In the ab- in wilderness (Bailey 1992, Bleich 1999). The sence of resources, large mammals cannot depend debate must continue and even be expanded, exclusively on resources within many wilderness especially given it is “even more important today” areas (Bleich 2005, Owen-Smith 2013). Further, than it was 50 years ago. generalizing about the benefits of wilderness to wildlife is hazardous, because benefits to one spe- Vernon C. Bleich, Ph.D., CWB cies can simultaneously be detrimental to another Bismarck, North Dakota (Schoenfeld and Hendee 1978).

In his editorial, Kurth also noted that wilderness currently, “...protects nearly 110 million acres of The Role of Evolutionary the wildest corners of our land, from the Ever- Biology in Wildlife glades to the Arctic.” While that may be true, it’s I read with interest the response by Vernon evident that many wilderness areas have been Bleich (Fall 2014) to our article on the relevance delineated by special interest groups and then of evolutionary biology to wildlife management approved by Congress primarily for political and conservation (Hutchins et al. 2014). While reasons. Further, home ranges of different species we appreciate his comments, we would like to are under widely different management goals, clarify that our intent was not to summarize all ranging from full protection to intensive agricul- of the previous calls for wildlife professionals to ture and minerals extraction” (Salwasser et al. integrate evolutionary thinking into our field; we 1987) and, as a result, to assume that wilderness recognize that there have been others over the designation is the solution to persistence of many years that have made similar pleas. Rather we species is not only wishful but misleading. wanted to highlight the fact that few truly have taken this message to heart. We also wanted to Defenders of wilderness have emphasized “natural- provide contemporary examples of the direct ness” or “solitude” as primary attributes of such and practical relevance of evolutionary biology areas. Conservation is listed, nevertheless, as one of to wildlife management and conservation, which six objectives of wilderness (U.S. Congress 1964). make these arguments all the more powerful. Proponents also contend that “wilderness is good for wildlife” because it prevents habitat destruction, Michael Hutchins, Ph.D. but conservation of wilderness and conservation of Silver Spring, MD wildlife are not necessarily compatible objectives (Bleich 1999).

The subtitle of Kurth’s editorial: “Wilderness Please send letters to: [email protected] helps sustain wildlife” is correct. My plea is not Letters may be edited for publication. for less wilderness; rather, it is for recognition that in many cases management intervention

By Rick Baydack

f you attended the 21st Annual Conference of The as become, an important consideration in natural Wildlife Society (TWS) in Pittsburgh, you heard resource and environmental decisions that are made I me speak to this question several times as I took on a regular basis in North America and beyond. on the role of your President. Here I want to review My hope is that the importance of wildlife becomes my thoughts for all TWS members on what I believe central to the wants, needs, and aspirations of human to be a pivotal question about our profession. societies wherever they are located.

Credit: Leslie Greer Goodman Why do wildlife matter? There are many ways to dis- As I have considered the question of why do wildlife Rick Baydack, Ph.D. sect this seemingly straightforward question. To you, matter, I can best formulate my answer by referring is President of The your family, and friends? To your well being? To to examples from my personal and professional expe- Wildlife Society and Professor and Chair other cultures and society? To future generations? riences. Those stories continue to grow as I progress of Environmental further in my career, and they help drive my passion Science and Studies Or perhaps the question needs to be posed as: Why for this wonderful and exciting endeavor. Here are at the University of Manitoba. should wildlife matter? A slightly different intonation, just a few thoughts of why wildlife matter to me. but to others this question may sound more appropriate. For me, “do” hits the mark and is the correct It’s about hiking a mile into a large wetland in Manito- usage of the verb. ba’s Interlake to a sandbar in mid-September, and as the sun sets and nightfall advances, marveling at the For others, maybe the question still is not quite the sounds and almost hidden images of sandhill cranes right one. You might feel that a more fitting query falling from the sky to find their night roosting sites. would be one of the following: Why do wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife education, wildlife It’s about appreciating the unique and exciting policy, or even wildlife publications matter? sounds of wildlife—the gobble of the turkey in Nebraska's Pine Ridge area, the cry of a loon in the Obviously, there are many ways to structure this boreal forest, the bugle of an elk in Colorado’s Rocky question. But, more importantly, I ask you if this Mountain National Park, the howl of a wolf near elaboration actually leads to a more relevant question Thompson in northern Manitoba, or the chatter of for us: Why does The Wildlife Society matter? prairie grouse in grassland areas of North America.

However you feel that the question should be And finally, it’s about fighting the good fight to sus- framed—and you may wish to frame it in many tain and preserve wildlife for future generations. ways—my challenge to all members is to spend some time thinking about how you would formulate your So those are but a few reasons why wildlife matter to own answer. In my mind, “why do wildlife matter” me. I am sure each of you has countless reasons, vivid captures the essence of our profession. examples, and stirring stories of why wildlife matter to you. My challenge is for you to tell those stories. To As I see it, there is no right or wrong answer. Instead, tell those stories far and wide, early and late, to young I believe there are countless answers that one can and old alike. But do tell your stories because as Wini develop which will come from our individual feelings Kessler expressed in her remarks upon becoming and perceptions about our wonderful field. TWS President in 2012,”Our profession is the greatest story never told.” Further, the more answers that are generated and revealed to others—whether they are TWS members or It’s clearly time for us to tell our stories. I look for- not—the greater influence all of us and TWS will have ward to hearing your thoughts and ideas during my on ensuring that wildlife resources remain, as well time as president of this great society.

8 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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ASSOCIATE: USDA APHIS NWRC FRIEND: Canadian Science Publishing AFFILIATE: Pennsylvania State Chapter, NWTF Pennsylvania Trappers Association The Pennsylvania Chapter of The Nature Conservancy TWS North Central Section TWS Florida Chapter TWS Western Section TWS North Carolina Chapter Whitetails Unlimited TWS Southeastern Section Ebola Affects Gorilla’s Social Structure A deadly virus currently plaguing thousands of people in West Africa also impacts gorillas’ population dynamics, according to new research published online in the Journal of Animal Ecology. Between 2001 and 2005, yearly Ebola outbreaks killed thousands of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Pascaline Le Gouar of France’s Universite de Rennes and her colleagues investigated how this emerging infectious disease impacted the demographics, reproductive potential, and social dynamics of gorillas in the Republic of Congo between 2001 and 2010. Using multi-state recapture modeling, the team examined survival rates and transition rates between social statuses in two adult gorilla populations—one population affected by Ebola and another of undetermined epidemiological status—before, during, and after an outbreak that occurred from 2003 to 2004. They found that during the outbreak, males and females increasingly transferred from a breeding to non-breeding status. But immediately following the outbreak, the number of breeding groups increased, indicating that environmental conditions remained hospitable. However, because Ebola also affected gorillas in surrounding areas, which decreased the immigration rate, population recovery was delayed. Le Gouar and her colleagues recommend integrating social dynamics in demographic models to better Credit: British Ecological Society understand the role of social structure in sensitivity and response to disease outbreaks.

The researchers recommend managers proceed with caution Tortoise Migration when relocating gopher tortoises and encourage extensive health Uninhibited by Infection assessments before moving tortoises between populations. Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) ailing from upper respiratory tract infec- Mitigation Protocol tions may migrate farther than originally Benefits Sharks thought, potentially spreading disease along Moving aggressive sharks out of human- the way, according to a study recently pub- conflict areas instead of killing them lished in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases benefits sharks, humans, and endangered

Credit: Wildlife Disease Association (v50/i4). A keystone species native to the marine taxa, according to a study published southeastern U.S., gopher tortoise popula- in Animal Conservation (v17/i4). Tradi- tions are declining in part due to highly contagious and easily tional shark attack mitigation methods spread respiratory diseases caused by Mycoplasma spp. bacte- Credit: Zoological Society of London employ gillnets, which not only kill sharks, ria. Jessica McGuire, formerly of the University of Georgia, and but other endangered marine species that her colleagues radio-tracked 40 adult tortoises on a long-term get caught in the nets. However, a program developed in 2004 study site at the Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichuaway in in Recife, Brazil, after more than a decade of abnormally high Southwest Georgia from 2011 to 2012. All of the tortoises tested shark attack rates, sought to reduce shark-human interactions positive for respiratory infection, but only 10 adults showed while maintaining coastal ecosystem integrity by using fishing severe symptoms, including swelling of eyes and nasal passages methods such as bottom longlining and drumlines to capture, and emaciation. The home ranges of severely infected tortoises transport, and release sharks offshore. André Afonso of the were significantly larger than that of their asymptomatic and University of the Algarve in Portugal and his colleague, Fábio mildly affected counterparts. Severely sick tortoises also moved Hazin of Federal Rural University of Pernambuco in Brazil, longer distances over short periods—one tortoise in particular compared attack and species mortality data collected during the moved more than a mile in a day. For comparison, gopher tor- program from 2004 to 2011. During that period, the program toises typically travel only a few hundred feet per day, although was operational for 73 months and inactive for 23 months due they are capable of traveling multiple miles to forage or mate. to funding difficulties. They found that when the program was active, the shark attack rate diminished by approximately 97 percent. Meanwhile, fishing mortality of abundant taxa was low and protected species had a 100 percent survival rate. However, To submit suggestions of journal papers when the program was inactive, the shark attacks rebounded for review in Science in Short, contact [email protected]. to similar rates prior to its implementation. Afonso and Hazin suggest that the strategy may be an effective and ecologically balanced tool for shark attack mitigation.

10 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society Anthrax Grass Attracts Zebras Hunting Impacts Tapirs Carcasses of animals felled by anthrax New hunting regulations may be not only fertilize the surrounding vegeta- inadequate to sustain French Guiana’s tion that other animals graze on, they also lowland tapir population, according to contaminate that vegetation with Bacillus a study published in Oryx (v48/ anthracis—the bacteria responsible for the i3). South American tapirs (Tapirus deadly anthrax toxin, according to new re- terrestris) are locally threatened by search published in the Proceedings of the overharvesting. However, there are Royal Society B, Biological Sciences (v281/ very few hunting rules, and data on i1795). Although scientists deciphered the Credit: Cambridge University Press tapir density in Amazonia are scarce. Credit: The Royal Society soil microbe’s complex life cycle, ques- Mathias Tobler of the San Diego tions remain about how the pathogen is transmitted and why Zoo Global Institute for Conservation Research and his some species are more affected than others. Wendy Turner colleagues estimated tapir densities and determined of the Centre for Ecological and Environmental Synthesis at sustainable harvest levels in French Guiana. The team the University of Oslo and formerly of the University of Cali- set up four camera-trap surveys in the Nouragues Nature fornia, Berkeley, and her colleagues observed 26 grazing sites Reserve between 2006 and 2009, collecting 160 tapir around Namibia’s Etosha National Park—13 sites contained photos. Using a capture-recapture model, the researchers zebras (Equus spp.) killed by anthrax and 13 others served as calculated a density of 0.1235 tapir per square-mile and controls. Sites were tested annually for the presence of anthrax estimated the sustainable harvest level to be 0.0034 tapir spores on vegetation and in the soil, and the team mounted per square-mile. Compared to hunting surveys collected motion-sensing camera traps at each site to capture animal from 11 sites between 1999 and 2006, they found tapirs grazing—collecting 1.2 million photos over the three-year study. were hunted at unsustainable levels in at least seven of the Turner found that vegetation at anthrax sites flourished and that sites and harvest rates could be as much as seven times herbivores, especially zebras, were four times more likely to eat higher than the calculated sustainable level. The researchers grasses at those sites compared to control sites in the first two conclude that if harvest levels set by the new hunting law years after death. She concludes that understanding factors that remain unsustainable, it will not prevent overhunting, and alter host-pathogen contact rates over time could help wildlife that stronger regulations are needed. managers predict where and when outbreaks are likely to occur. Rhino Hormones Better Refuges Don’t Genetically Indicator of Mating Status Buffer Bighorn Rams Hormone levels may be a better indica- Wildlife refuges may not always coun- tor than behavior when determining teract the evolutionary consequences of captive rhinos’ readiness to mate, accord- hunting as previously thought, according ing to an online study in General and to a study in Ecology and Evolution (v4/ Comparative Endocrinology. Hunted i17). Game hunters often target individual to near extinction in East Africa, east-

animals with specific phenotypic traits Credit: Elsevier ern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis

Credit: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. such as deer with large antlers or ibex with michaeli) populations have rebounded long horns, creating artificial selective to an estimated 4,880 individuals—about 10 percent of which pressure. Previous theoretical studies suggest protected areas live in European zoos. Captive breeding programs produce adjacent to hunting grounds may act as a buffer by reducing variable results and previous studies show some captive the impact of selective harvesting. Fanie Pelletier from the individuals reproduce more often and others not at all. Over University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada, and colleagues the course of six years, Katie Edwards of the University of examined records of more than 7,000 trophy bighorn rams Liverpool and colleagues collected nearly 10,000 fecal sam- (Ovis canadensis) hunted in Alberta from 1974 to 2011. They ples and analyzed the ovarian cycles, adrenal activity, body compared age at death, horn length, and horn base circumfer- condition, and behavior of 39 captive females from 11 zoologi- ence of 5,033 rams shot near refuges and 2,054 rams shot away cal institutions—17 rhinos previously gave birth, 15 had not, from refuges. Researchers found rams taken near refuges were and seven were not yet of breeding age. Rhinos who had not slightly older and had horns approximately three percent longer given birth had irregular and sometimes longer estrous cycles, than those taken further away. The data indicate that rams do showed estrous behavior less regularly, were more tempera- migrate out of protected areas but not enough to counteract the mental, and weighed more than their peers. The researchers impact of selective harvesting. Pelletier suggests decreasing the conclude behavior is not always a reliable indicator of estrus hunting rate might allow large males to survive and reproduce and suggest zookeepers use other methods such as hormone more, thereby reducing the impact of selective harvesting. tests to determine mating status.

Feeding Stations a Mixed Amur Tigers’ Sex Determined Bag for Black Bears by Snowy Footprints Artificial feeding stations intended to at- A new tool that identifies the sex of Amur tract wildlife and ecotourists have both tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) from their positive and negative impacts on black snowy footprints may aid in the effective- bears, according to a study in The Journal ness of monitoring efforts, according to of Wildlife Management (v78/i7). Con- a study published in the Wildlife Society troversial due to their potential negative Bulletin (v38/i3). In China, the once impacts on bear populations and bear- robust Amur tiger population now hovers Credit: TWS Credit: TWS human interactions, feeding stations are around 20 individuals dispersed over privately owned, and managers lack sufficient data to establish a large area—making monitoring and conservation efforts guidelines for these bear-watching sites. Between 2008 and 2013, difficult. Footprints have been used to identify sex for years; Sophie Massé of Canada’s University of Quebec at Chicoutimi however, the technique depends on manual measurements and colleagues captured, weighed, aged, radio collared, and of snowy footprints and is not sufficient to distinguish adult tracked 27 adult male black bears (Ursus americanus) near an females from adolescent males. Sky Alibhai of North Carolina’s established feeding station in a boreal forest. Eleven frequented Duke University and colleagues collected 523 digital images the feeding station and were 41 percent heavier than their “un- of left-hind footprints from 40 captive adult male and female fed” counterparts. They also traveled less—unfed bears’ seasonal Amur tigers between 2011 and 2012. Using statistical analysis home ranges were two to seven times the size of fed bears. While software, the team created an algorithm for sex determination— feeding stations support the energetic needs of many bears, they based on 128 measurements per footprint—that was 98 percent also may encourage dense populations that exceed social carrying accurate. Tested on 83 footprints from eight trails left by capacity. Massé suggests managers consider these factors when unknown free-ranging tigers, the algorithm predicted five trails debating the removal of a feeding station and avoid establishing were left by females and three were left by males. The research- feeding stations close to human recreational sites. ers suggest it could be a community-friendly, cost-effective, and non-invasive tool for Amur tiger field monitoring. Brine Shrimp Support

Waterfowl and Fisheries Vole Habitat Quality Ducks wintering on Utah’s Great Salt Impacts Owls Lake aren’t significant competition for the Improving vole habitat may benefit great region’s commercial brine shrimp indus- gray owls, according to a study published try, according to a study in The Journal in the Wildlife Society Bulletin (v38/i3). of Wildlife Management (v78/i7). During Great gray owls (Strix nebulosa) prey on winter months when fresh waters freeze voles (Microtus spp.) and pocket gophers over, migrating ducks turn to the Great (Thomomys spp.); however, factors Credit: TWS Salt Lake for sustenance, primarily in the impacting the habitats of these prey popu- Credit: TWS form of brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana). The crustaceans lations have not been well studied. Ryan are economically significant and until recently, managers Kalinowski of Humboldt State University and his colleagues knew little about how waterfowl impacted the lake’s popula- quantified vole and gopher abundance as well as vegetation tions. Between 2009 and 2012, Anthony Roberts and Michael features in randomly selected grazed and ungrazed meadows in Conover from Utah’s Department of Wildland Resources California’s Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National tracked winter diets of northern shoveler (Anas clypeata) Park during owl nestling and fledgling stages between 2010 and and green-winged teal (Anas crecca) ducks. They aged, sexed, 2011. The team used trapping webs to estimate vole abundance, weighed, and analyzed the intestinal contents of 391 shovelers count surveys for gopher abundance, and surveyed vegetation and 133 teal. Brine shrimp comprised 75 to 100 percent of the by examining a variety of factors including height, stem density, birds’ winter diet, and decreases in duck body mass positively wetness, and sward height. They correlated abundance data with correlated with decreases in egg abundance in the lake. Re- vegetation data and found that vole presence was positively asso- searchers estimate ducks removed 78,000 kg of brine shrimp ciated with sward height and corn lily (Veratrum californicum) eggs per season—less than one percent of what commercial dominance and weakly negatively associated with cattle graz- harvest and other species of waterfowl remove from the eco- ing and stem density. Meanwhile, gopher abundance was only system. Roberts suggests managers include pelagic areas in weakly positively associated with cattle grazing and corn lily mid-winter population surveys and continue monitoring brine dominance. Kalinowski and his colleagues suggest prioritizing shrimp egg densities, especially during colder winters when vole habitat by maintaining sward height of 290 mm where corn ducks’ food sources are limited. lily is not dominant, and 125 mm where it is dominant.

12 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society

at preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species as well as preserving the state’s ecosystems. This is the latest push in the state’s fight against invasive species. Since 2011, New York has spent $30 million on various prevention programs. And last summer, Governor Andrew Cuomo established the first-ever Invasive Species Awareness Week. Now, the new regulations designate more than 100 animal and plant species Canada as either prohibited or regulated based on their potential threat to ecology, human health, and their economic value. It is illegal to knowingly possess, import, sell, purchase, transport, or Northwest introduce prohibited species, including wild boar (Sus scrofa), Central Northeast mute swan (Cygnus olor), and nutria (Myocastor coypus), Mountains North Central Western and Plains in the state. Meanwhile, regulated species including African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), monk parakeet (Myiopsitta Southeastern monachus), and Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata), can be pos- Southwest sessed, traded, and transported, but may not be released into the environment. Published in the federal register in September,

Mexico the regulations will go into effect in April 2015 to allow vendors in wildlife trade time to sell existing stocks and transition to alternative approved species. Source: New York Department of Environmental Conservation North America North Central News and events affecting wildlife and wildlife ILLINOIS—Gray wolves, American black bears, and mountain professionals from across North America lions have been added to Illinois’ list of protected species. In August, Governor Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 3049 into law, which “gives the Department [of Natural Resources] the ability to create long-term management goals and to draft response Southeast protocols on managing human-wildlife conflicts with these three FLORIDA—A virus that killed hundreds of bottlenose dolphins species,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) (Tursiops truncatus) along the U.S. East Coast in 2013 has been Director Marc Miller in a press release. Wolves, bears, and found in Florida’s intercoastal waterways, according to scientists at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. Researchers are concerned that sheltered populations of dolphins and other marine mammals that call these waterways home are especially vulnerable because they have never been exposed to the virus—until now. Similar to distemper in canines and measles in humans, morbillivirus suppresses the immune system, leaving infected animals vulnerable to opportunistic infections such as pneumonia. In August, 19 dolphins, including nine calves, were found in waterways and stranded on beaches near Kennedy Space Center. Necropsies confirmed morbillivirus was the culprit in some of the deaths, and it remains a suspect in the others because many of the bodies were too decayed to provide definitive results. For now, the virus seems to have subsided as no more dolphins have washed ashore. Source: Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Reuters

Northeast Credit: NOAA/Virginia Aquarium NEW YORK—In August, the New York Department of Envi- Volunteers assess a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) likely infected by ronmental Conservation in collaboration with the Department morbillivirus—a pathogen linked to last year’s unusual mortality event. Dolphins of Agriculture and Markets announced new regulations aimed in Florida’s intercoastal waterways recently tested positive for the deadly virus.

14 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society mountain lions disappeared from Illinois by the mid-1800s due to human settlement and expansion. However, these large predators are beginning to return to some of their former range in the eastern U.S. thanks to improved legal protection and habitat restoration efforts. Since 2000, seven gray wolves, four mountain lions, and two black bears have been spotted in Illinois, according to researchers at Southern Illinois University. Last year, IDNR officers were forced to shoot a mountain lion that posed a public safety threat. And this past June, wildlife officials monitored a black bear as it traveled 300 miles across the state. IDNR is currently developing protocols to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Meanwhile, the law also allows landowners to apply for a nuisance permit to remove an animal that isn’t an immediate threat, as well as take black bears or mountain lions if they pose an imminent threat to lives and property. The law takes effect January 1, 2015. Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Defense Council

Credit: USFWS Mountain Prairie Central Mountains and Plains Two mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) make their way through snowy terrain. Colorado is implementing a new strategy to increase its mule deer population, COLORADO—In August, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) which has declined significantly over the last few years due to unknown causes. released a draft strategy to mitigate declining mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations. Although fluctuation is normal, the most recent decline is atypical and brought the popu- the early 20th century and that populations aren’t experiencing lation well below CPW population objectives. The statewide other threats such as ocean warming. Source: Marine Mammal Sci- population was estimated at 390,000 individuals in 2013, down ence, Nature News, National Geographic from approximately 600,000 in 2006. The cause of the decline has not been identified, but it could be one or a combination of factors such as disease, predation, habitat fragmentation, human West recreation, and automobile collisions. Strategy objectives include HAWAII—Tern Island—part of the French Frigate Shoals atoll improving habitat quality and reducing loss, managing predator, designated as critical habitat for a variety of endangered and reducing the impacts of highways on mule deer movement and threatened species—is contaminated by numerous hazard- migration, reducing the impacts of human recreation, regulating ous substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and doe harvest, and continuing population and disease monitoring. dioxins leaching from buried military waste and micro-plastics CPW will work with the Bureau of Land Management and the that may carry the toxins up the food chain, according to a U.S. U.S. Forest Service to implement the outlined priorities over the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Preliminary Assessment. coming years. Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife The atoll serves as a breeding and nesting site for a variety of species including 1,200 endangered monk seals, 95 percent of the population of threatened Hawaiian green sea turtles, and 18 sea- Northwest bird species. “The next step in the cleanup process is a remedial GENERAL—Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) populations investigation, which involves sampling and defining contamination along the U.S. West Coast may have rebounded from decades sources and spread,” says Anna-Marie Cook, EPA Region Nine of hunting and collisions with ships, according to a recent Marine Debris Program Coordinator. “Depending on those results, study published in Marine Mammal Science. Using known we’ll try to figure out what the best mitigation strategies are historical population estimates as well as ship strike and hunt- through a feasibility study.” Overall, long-term mitigation will take ing data, a team of researchers at the University of Washington five to 10 years. Source: Environmental Protection Agency created models of the eastern North Pacific blue whale population. They estimate there are about 2,200 individuals—a number that resembles pre-whaling populations. The research- Southwest ers also estimate that the population is at approximately 97 TEXAS—In July, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) percent carrying capacity. However, critics note the study approved the first step in the construction of a SpaceX launch relies on incomplete data—historical catch numbers and kills site in Boca Chica—a largely undeveloped swath of land in by ship strikes are notoriously underreported—and assumes Southwest Texas and home to various endangered and threatened that the environmental carrying capacity hasn’t changed since species including green, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, and

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 15 loggerhead sea turtles, as well as northern aplomado falcons and ocelots. The FAA acknowledges in their record of decision that the project “may affect, is likely to adversely affect” all of the species. Construction of the facility—expected to take three years—will remove 16 acres of upland and three acres of wetland habitat and cut off an additional three acres of wetland from the Gulf of Mexico. SpaceX’s mitigation strategies include noise and light management, habitat preservation, monitoring, and annual reports to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These strategies will likely decrease annual losses from 91 nesting sea turtles, according to the FWS Environmental Impact Statement, to one adult and one nest each of loggerhead, green, leatherback, and hawksbill sea turtles. Meanwhile, Kemp’s ridley sea turtles will likely lose three Credit: Jonathan Nightingale, Flickr Creative Commons adults and three nests per year. The FAA decision allows SpaceX Nesting northern gannets (Morus bassanus) roost on Cape St. Mary’s in Newfoundland. to apply for construction and launch licenses, but once they are is- This year, thousands of birds abandoned their nests early due to a decrease in the food sued, the FAA is responsible for verifying the mitigation strategies supply. Researchers estimate that breeding success will be less than 50 percent. are in place. Source: Federal Aviation Administration, Scientific American degrees Celsius, according to Environment Canada. The warm temperatures may have driven mackerel and other fish into deep- Canada er, cooler waters, beyond the reach of the birds—leaving them to NEWFOUNDLAND—In August, northern gannets (Morus scavenge off fishing boats or find food elsewhere. A similar event bassanus) abandoned their nests in droves, leaving newly happened in 2012, but fewer chicks were abandoned. This year, hatched chicks in peril. Every summer, tens of thousands of gan- researchers estimate that breeding success will be less than 50 nets flock to Cape St. Mary’s, one of just six colonies, to breed percent. Source: CBC News, Leader Post, Environment Canada and rear young. Usually the seabirds care for their chicks until they fledge in September, but this year the birds abandoned nests in droves a month early. Researchers at Memorial University Visit wildlife.org for daily news updates. hypothesize that warming waters may have something to do with the unusual event—waters off the east coast increased by three

International MALAYSIA—Illegal capture and trade of a monitor lizard is on the rise in Borneo, according to a report by TRAFFIC— the World Wildlife Federation and International Union for Conservation of Nature’s trade monitoring program. The island is home to over 100 species of lizard, but the nocturnal, sub- terranean earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) has caught the attention of poachers who, according to the report, market the species as rare and the “Holy Grail” for private col- lectors. Researcher Tom Harrisson of the Sawarak Museum noted that the species may be overlooked rather than rare in a 1963 letter to Nature; however, peer-review journals have published little research on the species since. Reports of private ownership were sparse prior to 2012, but an account detail- ing newly discovered habitat may have spurred an increase in illegal collection expeditions in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. All three Bornean countries—Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei Credit: Indraneil Das Darussalam—legally protect the earless monitor lizard with An earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) rests near a stream. The fines and jail time for those convicted of illegal capture or trade. rare species recently caught the attention of poachers, prompting conservation TRAFFIC recommends the Convention on International Trade of organizations such as TRAFFIC to recommend the species receive additional protections under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna add the lizard to Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. its list for additional protection. Source: TRAFFIC, Nature

16 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society

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THE INTERSECTION OF DRONE TECHNOLOGY AND WILDLIFE WORK

By Cassie Martin

Last summer, the National Park Service announced a ban on the recreational use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in all national parks—a region covering more than 400 parks and nearly 84 million acres of public land. In the short run, each park is making its own rules to implement the ban; but the Service is drafting a comprehensive, uniform ban that should be ready by the end of this year.

Credit: Cynthia Lax

Cassie Martin is Science Writer for The Wildlife Professional.

18 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society he decision came just a few months after drone technology presents significant challenges. “I three national parks—Zion, Grand Canyon, don’t think everyone is convinced that it’s the best T and Yosemite—banned drone technology fol- tool to answer everybody’s questions,” Hanson says. lowing incidents of drones disturbing wildlife and “You have to do your research about what data the tourists. In Zion National Park, for example, visi- tool can provide.” As the drone debate heats up, it’s tors saw an unmanned aircraft scare bighorn sheep, worth considering how this tool can—and can’t— causing young sheep to become separated from the advance the cause of wildlife research. herd. Elsewhere in the park, canyon hikers were frightened by the echo of an unseen drone. Such un- Evolution of a Wildlife Tool intended consequences helped fuel the ban. The development of drones for wildlife research and management in the U.S. began in the early 2000s, Previously, tourists could fly aircraft within park when the University of Florida’s (UF) Unmanned boundaries—usually for taking video or photo- Aircraft Systems Research Program—in coopera- graphs—if they obtained a special park permit. tion with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) This type of use is no longer allowed; however, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—began adapting wildlife scientists and managers are increasingly the technology for natural resources applications. using drones both inside and outside national Early versions included remote-controlled aircraft parks for research and monitoring. In fact, the equipped with GPS, a camera, and not much else. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already Now, their UAS include autopilot software that issued more than 600 permits that allow institu- enables them to fly to hundreds of pre-programmed tions and agencies to fly unmanned aircraft, but waypoints and gyro-stabilization technology that the agency has not tracked how many of those are keeps the aircraft level. for wildlife research. The university’s latest iteration is the Nova 2.1. Because rapidly expanding drone technology is Used to fly over wetlands and undeveloped land, relatively new and controversial—mainly due to the 14-pound aircraft is hand-launched, durable, privacy concerns and its association with military waterproof, and can capture high-resolution, geo- defense initiatives—the FAA is developing new referenced imagery. Data collected from this model rules for its use in American airspace, with the new have been used to evaluate fine-scale characteristics regulations due September 30, 2015. Once regula- of pygmy rabbit habitat in Idaho, assess distribution tions are in place, the FAA conservatively estimates and abundance of nesting brown pelicans in Florida, 8,000 drones will be flying in U.S. airspace, with estimate sea turtle population size and differentiate as many as 30,000 by 2020. The vast majority of their beach nesting tracks. Back in the lab, computer those, about 80 percent, will be used in agriculture software stitches together photographs captured by activities such as surveying crops and monitoring Nova 2.1, allowing researchers to count the number drought areas. Another 10 percent will be used for of old, new, and abandoned pelican nests or estimate domestic surveillance and the remaining 10 percent the burrow density of pygmy rabbits. “The technol- will be divided among recreation, tracking sporting ogy has really taken off since we began 14 years ago,” events, and wildlife monitoring. says Franklin Percival, program director of UF’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Program. “We “The use of UAS is getting larger by the day, and are finally getting to the point where we can address that trend will continue,” says Leanne Hanson, a bi- [wildlife management] questions.” A drone hovers over Nevada Fall in ologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) who Yosemite National has been using drones since 2011 to survey wildlife The first step to answering those questions is inte- Park. The National Park Service banned drone such as sandhill cranes and greater sage-grouse. grating drones into research and management by use earlier this year, But Hanson—who gave a presentation on her drone making sure they are not only safe to fly, but also except for research and management work at The Wildlife Society’s 2014 annual confer- safe for wildlife. The FAA has set up six test sites purposes. Credit: Brian

Credit: Brian Whitehead ence in Pittsburgh—notes that for all its promise, around the U.S. to evaluate unmanned aircraft in Whitehead

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 19 require a GPS and a rugged, inexpensive camera such as a GoPro, collecting more sophisticated data requires investment in drones equipped with expen- sive programs and high-end computers. The Puma AE by AeroVironment, which costs $250,000, is well-suited for use in both terrestrial and marine environments. Weighing 13 pounds with a 9.2- foot wingspan, it is capable of flying for more than three hours on battery alone and nine hours with the addition of solar cells. The company’s smaller Raven—costing $50,000 and weighing 4.2 pounds with a 4.5-foot wingspan—flies for only 90 minutes.

Courtesy of Shawn Stephenson/USFWS Both battery-powered drones are launched by hand and each is capable of carrying GPS monitoring sys- A team of NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife different scenarios, including conducting wildlife tems and high-resolution infrared, electro-optical, researchers watches surveys. In May, the University of Alaska Fair- and thermal imaging cameras. Programmed to fly as a drone flies off banks—one of the six test sites—conducted its first between 100 and 500 feet above the ground, the the coast of Oregon’s drone survey of wildlife when officials flew a small, drones record data including images of wildlife and Bolon Island during a common murre rotocraft drone resembling a helicopter 200 feet habitat, and send it directly to a computer software population survey. above grazing caribou. The purpose of the flight program monitored by researchers on the ground. was to determine whether this method could be used to count caribou without disturbing them. Benefits of a Bird’s-eye View Compared with manned aircraft that have long Early results are promising. “One looked up for a been used for aerial wildlife surveys, drones confer moment and went back to grazing,” says Roseanne multiple benefits, particularly in terms of cost, Bailey, director of the FAA test site and deputy low-impact on wildlife communities, and safety, as director of the University of Alaska Center for recent research attests. Last summer, FWS and the Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Integration. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration drones were quieter and less imposing than tradi- (NOAA) used drones to survey sea bird popula- tional manned aircraft, and the researchers are now tions that nest on boulders and cliffs along Oregon’s planning more test flights to count musk ox and Pacific coast in areas that can only be reached by other large animals, especially ones that are more air. Using two remote-controlled drones—an RQ- sensitive to manned surveys, such as walruses. 20A Puma AE and an MD4-1000 quadcopter by the “There is a distinct need to count them at this criti- company microdrones—a team of researchers flew cal time when young are still with their mothers,” the camera-equipped devices over nesting colonies says Bailey. “Right now we can’t do that because the of common murres, double-crested cormorants, and adults panic at the sight and sound of manned air- pelagic and Brandt’s cormorants. craft and stampede, killing the young.” Bailey hopes to get the project up and running later this year. After the flights were completed, the drone- captured images were downloaded to a computer As drone technology expands, wildlife researchers where GIS software estimated the number of should consider a variety of factors when selecting a birds in the colony, allowing Shawn Stephenson, a drone that meets their needs, including cost, flight wildlife biologist with Oregon FWS, and his team time, maneuverability, and data-collection equip- to estimate the size of the breeding population. The ment. Drones used in wildlife research can range researchers hope to conduct multiple drone surveys in price from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of every year to acquire more accurate population- thousands of dollars, depending on the model. change data throughout breeding seasons. “I believe that this technology holds significant advantages to On the lower end of the spectrum, drones produced the way NOAA collects environmental intelligence,” by 3D Robotics range from $500 to $1,300, weigh says Jason Mansour, deputy chief for unmanned as much as 4 pounds, and can fly for approximately aircraft operations with NOAA’s Aircraft Operations 10 to 45 minutes. While cheaper models usually Center, who operated the drones for the mission.

20 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society NOAA uses a variety of methods to conduct its the future,” he says. “Sometimes, it takes out-of-the- studies including manned aerial and boat surveys, box thinking to embrace new technology.” satellite monitoring, and now drones. In addition to overall efficiency, drones minimize Along the remote islands of Hawaii’s Papah nau- hazards that come with the job. “When I get in a moku kea Marine National Monument, NOAA helicopter, there’s a risk that the helicopter can scientist Todd Jacobs recently used a drone to survey crash and I can be killed,” Stephenson says. “If endangered monk seals, green sea turtles, and vari- we’re using the [drones], there’s no risk for me. I’m ous seabird species. “When you get more remote, where planes aren’t an option, then [drones] become invaluable,” he says. During the survey for monk seals, Jacobs and his crew inadvertently documented hundreds of green sea turtles during the day along a sandbar. Usually, nesting sea turtles are most active at night, when drones are prohibited from flying—an FAA rule that applies to the entire U.S. “This is such amazing information that the green sea turtle team may want to reconsider how they collect data in

(Top) A drone captured this image of a common murre nesting site in Chapman Pointe, Oregon. Researchers will run the images through GIS software to estimate population size. (Below, left) NOAA researchers launch a Puma AE drone off Oregon’s Pacific coast. This particular drone model is growing in popularity among wildlife researchers, as it can fly for up to nine hours in a variety of environments. Also at Chapman Point, Jason Mansour (below, right) of NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center and a colleague examine a quadcopter drone equipped with a point-and-shoot camera.

All Photos Courtesy of Shawn Stephenson/USFWS

How Drones Curb Poaching New Eyes in the Sky Fight Illegal Wildlife Harvest By Cassie Martin

Some of Earth’s rarest species may soon become dependent on drones for on the ground and can still get comparable photo- their survival. Around the world, surveillance drones are being used to combat graphs.” That safety benefit is especially significant illegal poaching of species such as rhinos, elephants, and orangutans. for wildlife researchers in light of a 2003 study In August 2013, for example, park rangers in Nepal’s Chitwan and Bardia na- that examined job-related deaths of wildlife profes- tional parks began using drones in an effort to monitor and thwart poachers of sionals from 1937 to 2000 and found that aviation the region’s rare elephants, rhinos, and tigers. The effort began in 2012, when accidents accounted for 66 percent of all biologist the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) partnered with Conservation Drones—an orga- mortalities (Sasse, 2003). Stephenson also found nization that promotes unmanned aerial systems for global wildlife research—to provide the Nepali government with six drones. Even before official monitoring that drones were less disruptive to wildlife commu- began, the drones began impacting poaching: Test flights alarmed poachers, nities compared to a loud helicopter hovering 800 which led to a decline in illegal activity. to 1,200 feet above bird colonies. “It scares them off the nest, which is detrimental to breeding birds and Similar success is occurring in Africa. Game reserves have seen a decline in poaching following the 2012 announcement of a $5 million global impact grant causes predation by other avian species,” he says. from Google, which WWF is using to test aerial surveillance systems in three With smaller, quieter drones, however, Stephenson undisclosed African countries to avoid tipping off poachers. The organization could fly much closer to the colonies—between 200 hopes to deploy drones in a fourth country within a year. and 500 feet—without disturbing the birds. This relatively new technology is a welcome addition to the anti-poaching arse- nal. Illegal poaching is estimated to be a $10-billion-a-year industry, according Drawbacks of Drones to the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and fighting it is an uphill battle. Although drones are equipped with hi-tech gadgets In Kenya’s Kruger National Park, there are as many as 12 poaching gangs at that can assist in surveys and research, there are lim- any one time, and efforts to stop them can be deadly. “People are getting killed its to their capabilities. “It’s a complicated tool, and every other week,” says Crawford Allan, director of the North American branch it’s not just about the aircraft,” says Percival. “You of TRAFFIC, the world’s largest wildlife-trade monitoring program run by WWF have to determine what data you need and if there is and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. a sensor that is capable of getting that data.” Many For years, Allan and others like him have been working with countries to halt of the drones used by agencies such as NOAA and illegal poaching of endangered species through policy and on-the-ground the USGS for wildlife research have been repurposed initiatives. Now, with drones, park rangers are gaining an advantage over their from the military. “They were really designed for one well-funded and well-armed foes. The unmanned aircraft carry advanced task, and we’re using them for something else,” says technologies such as acoustic sensors that detect and pinpoint the location of gunshots, thermal imaging cameras to spot poachers and animals at night, NOAA’s Jacobs. sensors that can detect humans carrying metal, and sensors that can track animals like rhinos that have radio- frequency identification chips implanted in their horns. Authorities can use this real-time data to catch poachers in the act, protect rangers from ambushes, study the dynamics of endangered populations, and handle human- animal conflicts near park borders. More important, the data are safeguarded against hacking by radio-frequency mesh networks and encrypted digital network relays. It is still too early to determine the ultimate impact drones will have on poaching. Most programs are in the early stages of development, and many countries are hesitant to allow drones, citing privacy, security, and environmental concerns. In May, Kenya banned the private use of drones, halting monitoring efforts despite previous plans by the government to deploy drones in all 52 of its national parks based on a Kenya Wildlife Service study that found drones decreased poaching by 96 percent. South Africa soon followed suit. Meanwhile, India’s defense ministry halted the use of drones to track Credit: Courtesy of Lin Pin Koh/Conservation Drones poachers of its singular endangered one-horned rhino. “[Governments] are worried about their natural environment, about what the Park rangers and army personnel carry drones to a launch impacts to wildlife and tourists will be,” says Allan. “In my experience, it will site in Nepal. Multiple organizations, including the WWF and make tourists feel more assured that it could help wildlife and in search and Conservation Drones, are working to provide governments and conservationists around the world with affordable drones to rescue if something were to go wrong.” keep wildlife safe from poachers.

22 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society Regulatory red tape is another drawback. Currently, U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2011, Louisiana FAA regulations restrict widespread use of drones hunters Cy Brown and James Palmer founded Loui- for conservation and management. For example, the siana Hog Control, a company that uses drones—in agency typically allows drone use only for govern- this case Styrofoam airplanes equipped with ment agencies and academic institutions with infrared and thermal imaging cameras—to special permission. It can take up to six months to spot hogs so hunters on the ground obtain a permit to fly a drone, which can hinder can shoot them. However, the FAA management efforts such as assessing the immedi- grounded their operation more ate ecological damage from oil spills. And the FAA than a year ago, along with places limits on flight altitude to one nautical mile other commercial and hob- within the pilot’s line-of-sight, and no higher than byist drone pilots across the 1,200 feet above ground level. But Jacobs predicts country, threatening thousands once the new FAA rules are published, better sen- of dollars in fines for flying sors will become available as the market grows, small drones without approval. and drones will become easier to use. Until then, “Nobody really knows what you understanding the aircraft’s limitations and work- can and cannot do [with drones],” ing within them will be important for incorporating Brown says. “It was a useful tool drones into the wildlife professional toolbox. that we had. We don’t make money doing this, so we can’t afford to get fined Drones and Hunting by the FAA.” Brown is skeptical of the FAA’s Apart from their use in wildlife research, drones September 2015 deadline and doesn’t foresee his are being used by some individuals to locate game drones flying again anytime soon. or invasive wildlife for harvest—a practice rife with controversy. In 2012, reports of a hunter in Alaska Not everyone agrees that drones should be readily using a drone to track and kill a moose prompted available to the public, even after regulations are in Alaska Wildlife Troopers to bring their concerns to place. “[Drones] should be approved for the greater the Alaska Board of Game and Fish, which subse- good: things like conservation, fighting wildfires, quently banned the practice early in 2014. Many mitigating pollution,” says Crawford Allan, direc- drone opponents argue that using the technology tor of the North American office of TRAFFIC, the violates the principles of fair chase and distribution world’s largest international wildlife-trade monitor- of hunting opportunity and creates two classes of ing program, which supports the use of drones to hunters—those who have the technology and those fight poaching (see sidebar on page 22). “The risk who do not. Montana, Colorado, Idaho, and Wiscon- of drone use outweighs societal benefit,” he says. sin have already banned the use of drones for aid in Anyone can fly a drone, but not everyone who flies hunting, and various hunting groups have started one is necessarily trained properly, which increases petitions to ban drone use in Wyoming, New Mexico, the risk for crashes, mid-air collisions with manned and Vermont. Meanwhile, last summer the Canadian and unmanned aircraft, and other accidents. “If we provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan pre-empt- suddenly have the sky full of them just to make a ed similar controversy by outlawing hunters from buck and for fun, we really have to take a step back tracking or herding prey with remote-controlled and consider it.” aircraft, including drones. “There’s no debate that drones cross the line,” says Tim Brass, a spokesman As drones increase in popularity around the world, for the non-profit hunting and conservation group the FAA and wildlife researchers proceed with cau- Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. “Sportsmen tion. “It’s such a new technology, none of us really generally agree that we like hunting to remain a chal- know what’s going to happen,” says USGS biologist lenge, and the use of drones takes that away.” Leanne Hanson. But as researchers experiment with drones’ potential for wildlife conservation and The challenge of fair chase is less of a concern when management, its addition to the wildlife professional it comes to using drones to scout destructive inva- toolbox seems inevitable. sive animals such as feral pigs—a nuisance species that causes $1.5 billion in damage to crops, habitat, This article has been reviewed by subject-matter experts. and wildlife in the U.S. annually, according to the

By Allison Keating

t was the last Friday in March 2014, as I stood greatest need of conservation including 40 spe- on the beach with nothing but brown sand, cies that are listed as threatened or endangered. In I blue sky, and white waves rolling in across the an effort to protect and manage these species, the horizon for as far as I could see. After a long, cold agency works closely with universities, scientists winter, the smell of the ocean filled the air on this from public agencies, and conservation groups to warm spring day. I took a deep breath and thought carry out monitoring, research, and habitat res- to myself once again how much I love my job. toration. Here, I highlight some ongoing projects

Credit: Ellen Macneil carried out by the state’s nongame and endangered

Allison Keating, This is my twelfth year with the New Hampshire wildlife program. CWB, is a Program piping plover (Charadrius melodus) protection ef- Specialist with the fort and the 25th anniversary of the New Hampshire Plovers: Small Birds, Large Efforts New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Fish and Game’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife In 1986, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Nongame and Program—the guardian of more than 400 species (FWS) listed piping plovers as endangered under the Endangered Wildlife that are not hunted, trapped, or fished. The program Endangered Species Act, there were an estimated Program and serves as the state’s was launched as part of a broad effort to halt and 790 breeding pairs along the Atlantic coast but none representative in reverse the trend toward species extinction. Over the in New Hampshire. Back then, populations were the New England years, the scope of work has evolved from address- dwindling. From Nova Scotia to North Carolina, Chapter of The Wildlife Society. ing the most urgent needs of the time to taking a dune habitats were being lost to development, shore- proactive approach to protecting species and their lines were being eroded by weather and wheeled habitats before it is too late, while staying true to the vehicles, and piping plovers had to compete with overarching goal—to maintain the diversity humans for space on coastal beaches. of wildlife for future generations. Ten years later a resident of Seabrook, N.H. was jog- Nudging Species Along ging on the beach when he spotted a piping plover,

Credit: Allison Keating In 2005, the agency developed the New which he reported to New Hampshire Audubon. The Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan, which following year the New Hampshire Department of identified 123 species and 27 habitats in Fish and Game began regular monitoring and habitat management and documented five nesting pairs of piping plovers.

With only 18 miles of coastline, New Hampshire has the shortest coast of any oceanic state. Of that, approximately two miles are sandy dunes and beaches that provide suitable piping plover breeding habitat. Each spring, between three and

A public beach in New Hampshire serves as nesting habitat in the spring for piping plovers migrating from the south in search of new territories and a potential mate. The species—listed as state endangered and federally threatened throughout its range along the Atlantic coast—faces numerous challenges such as the threat of predation by both wild and domestic animals including gulls, fox, skunks, dogs, and feral cats. Credit: Victor Young/NHFG

24 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society seven pairs of plovers arrive in New Hampshire to colony while waving their arms, shouting and using nest and raise their young. In an effort to protect the pyrotechnic “screamers” to scare off stubborn gulls. birds, for 12 springs, a team of state biologists with the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program set up Today, due to the temporary fencing along the sandy dunes. Further, the continued presence of team made beach goers aware of the birds’ presence, people on the islands and educating them on ongoing efforts to protect the spe- deterrence of gulls, the cies. Biologists also worked with town and state officials tern colony is at, or near, to manage timing of beach raking so as not to impact carrying capacity with chicks and collaborated with local animal control offi- more than 2,500 pairs of cers to control wild and domestic predators near plover common terns (Sterna nesting areas. In 2012, the team celebrated a milestone hirundo)—currently of its ongoing protection efforts when the 100th chick listed as threatened on successfully fledged from the New Hampshire coast. I the state’s endangered found solace in the thought that those 100 chicks born species list. Even some in New Hampshire became part of the overall Atlantic federally and state en- Coast population of piping plovers, which despite all dangered roseate terns Credit: NHFG odds, is holding steady at approximately 1,800 breed- (Sterna dougallii) and ing pairs (FWS, unpublished data). Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) nest there. The tern A biologist holds a common tern chick colony at the Isles of Shoals continues to be an exem- on Seavey Island. The There’s still work to be done, however. FWS’s Recov- plary model of how—with time and effort—species can New Hampshire Non- ery Plan for the Atlantic coast population of piping be brought back from the brink of extinction. In 1997, game and Endangered plovers, developed in 1996, calls for a minimum of researchers recorded only six nesting pairs of common Wildlife Program has implemented a num- 2,000 breeding pairs, maintained for five consecu- terns; but by 2013, there were 2,619 nesting pairs of ber of management tive years and distributed across four recovery units: common terns in addition to 59 roseate tern pairs and measures to recover Atlantic Canada, New England, New York-New Jersey two Arctic tern pairs (N.H. Conservation License Plate this state threatened and southern (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Report 2014). species such as monitoring nesting colonies North Carolina). Each recovery unit has an individual as well as scaring off recovery goal for the species. For example, the New American Marten: Making their Mark predatory gulls. England recovery unit goal is 625 pairs (FWS 1996) The American marten (Martes Americana)—once a and, according to latest available estimates, that unit is thriving species in New Hampshire—faced a significant above its goal with around 850 breeding pairs. decline during the early 1900s due to loss of habitat and unregulated trapping carried out to feed the Collaborating to Restore Terns growing fur trade. In an attempt to protect the state’s About 10 miles off shore from the New Hampshire remaining population, the New Hampshire legislature coastal beaches lay the Isles of Shoals in the Gulf of eliminated marten trapping statewide in 1935 (Silver Maine. In the 1800s, the islands were home to active 1957). In 1953 and later in 1975, state biologists carried fishing villages and supported one of the largest tern out reintroduction efforts; however, marten sight- colonies in the Gulf of Maine. However, after the ings remained scarce. A lack of surveys to evaluate fishing villages were abandoned, the gull population the success or failure of these reintroduction attempts devoured the terns along with their eggs and chicks. combined with a general lack of observations led to This change ultimately led to the complete abandon- American marten being one of the first species added ment of the tern colony by 1955. to the state’s Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1979 (Kelly 2005). In 1997, the state’s nongame program and New Hampshire Audubon jointly initiated a tern restora- In the early 2000s, researchers with the N.H. Non- tion project. Researchers placed wooden tern decoys game Program and the University of Massachusetts around Seavey Island and set up a speaker system launched an effort to assess the status and dis- to play tern colony sounds. The sights and sounds tribution of New Hampshire’s American marten caught the attention of six pairs of common terns population—listed as threatened in the state. They migrating north that successfully nested and raised used GIS to map 157 records of marten observations, young that first year. Staff living on the neighbor- undertook a live-trap effort, and collected biological ing White Island also staged daily non-lethal gull information from trapped animals such as inciden- control, including walking the perimeter of the tern tal captures by recreational trappers and road kill.

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 25 were periodically displaced; and, although they did return, they used the area less than during the “pre-construction” period. Researchers also noted an increase in predators and competitors such as red fox and coyotes in the study area following construction, likely due to maintained roads and trails that provided easy access into high elevation habitats that otherwise would not have been used (Siren 2013).

Changing Legislation, Landscapes When the New Hampshire legislature established the nongame program in 1988, it dedicated $50,000 of annual support contingent upon the program first raising an equal amount in private donations. For 24 out of 25 years, the program has succeeded in meeting this challenge. While private Credit: NHFG support has grown steadily—exceeding $100,000 some years—state support has remained stagnant. University of New Ultimately, they reported that American marten Hampshire graduate student, Alexej Siren were found in regions ranging from the White But New Hampshire’s view of supporting endangered uses radio telemetry Mountain National Forest to the northernmost town wildlife is unique. “Nongame programs nationwide to track radio-collared of Pittsburgh on the Canadian border. Researchers are funded by a hodgepodge of sources,” Kanter says. American marten also reported finding both males and females as well “What sets New Hampshire apart is our dedicated as part of a study to see how their habitat as juveniles and adults, which were all good indica- donors and the personal connections made between use changed from tors of reproduction (Kelly 2005). supporters and the program.” Every individual who pre- to post-wind farm donates $35 or more gets a thank-you letter, gift, and construction. Marten Marten require large blocks of unfragmented for- a subscription to “Wildlines,” the program’s quarterly require unfragmented habitat and, as a ests and are often considered an umbrella species newsletter. Supporters are invited to participate in result, wind farms can because their territories can cover different forest special events such as anniversary celebrations where be disruptive to the types, which also provide habitat for numerous other they have the opportunity to meet biologists and animals. wildlife species. “A growing interest in wind power in learn first-hand about ongoing work and the benefits the Northeast poses a serious threat to wildlife like of their donations. American marten; yet, there have been few studies done to determine the effects of wind farm develop- “Ten years after the nongame program was estab- ment on wildlife,” says John Kanter, N.H. Nongame lished, New Hampshire implemented its first and and Endangered Wildlife Program coordinator. Re- only conservation license plate—known as the moose cently, however, program biologists partnered with plate—in large part due to the efforts of a fourth the University of New Hampshire to investigate the grade elementary school teacher and her students impacts of wind farm development on marten. They from Holderness, New Hampshire,” Kanter says. live-trapped, radio-collared, and marked marten Since it began, the state has sold more than 75,000 with small ear tags in an effort to study the animals’ moose plates, which has generated nearly $3 million habitat use, movements, and home range sizes. They for nongame wildlife conservation efforts including also set up trail cameras and carried out snow track restoration of the tern colony on the Isles of Shoals. surveys to document the presence of additional marten and other wildlife within the study area before, The most influential source of financial support during, and after wind tower construction. for nongame conservation has been from the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program administered by The research—completed in 2013—consisted of FWS. Established in 2000, these grants are awarded pre-construction and post-construction surveys to every state based on a formula that incorporates to determine any changes in behavior or habitat the state’s size and population. To date, the state use by wildlife. Researchers found that during the has received $7.1 million in federal matching funds. construction phase of the wind towers, marten In order to qualify for SWG funding, states and

26 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society territories were required to develop a Wildlife Action underfunded. State wildlife grants are a great boost Plan. This plan identifies 123 species and 27 habitats to national conservation efforts, albeit temporary. that are in greatest need of conservation. Thanks to Depending on Congress to appropriate and approve these initiatives, new research is underway for species funding yearly to keep state wildlife grants going we knew little about such as the state-endangered is like gambling with nature. As long as the status Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) and state- quo is maintained and states are dealt a winning threatened black racer snake (Coluber constrictor). hand, conservation work will continue for nongame, Another important outcome is the availability of con- threatened, and endangered species. However, if servation tools such as statewide GIS-based habitat funding is pulled, all of the time, money, and effort maps and training. These tools are available to local spent over the past decade could be wasted. conservation and regional planning commissions and others to help identify natural resources in their areas “We need a modern-day form of the Pittman- and learn how to incorporate conservation planning Robertson Act that is broader in scope and into town master plans and local land use decision- encompasses all wildlife and habitats—not just those making processes. hunted, fished, and trapped,” says Kanter. “It is easy to get bogged down in the details, but we all need to A Modern-Day Pittman-Robertson? keep the big picture in mind: biodiversity. Conserva- “Wildlife conservation doesn’t just happen on its tion of nongame wildlife and their habitats benefits For more infor- own; it takes people, time and money,” Kanter says. all wildlife, and people too, through clean air and mation about The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937, which legis- water and temperature regulation. In some ways, the N.H. Fish lated a tax on all hunting and fishing related equip- conservation can be viewed as a public health issue. and Game’s Nongame and ment, has provided decades of dedicated funding Clearly, when we work to protect the natural world, Endangered for sport fish and wildlife in the United States. we are investing in our own future.” Wildlife Program, visit wildnh.com/ Yet in 2014, conservation and management of the nongame. This article has been reviewed by a subject-matter expert. majority of nongame wildlife species is still largely

By Deanna H. Olson and Tara Chestnut

parasitic fungus, similar to the one that of species such as the northern leopard frog caused the extinction of numerous tropical (Lithobates pipiens) for educational use (Dodd A frog and toad species, is killing salaman- 2013). In later years, however, causes of declines ders in Europe. Scientists first identified the were less evident. In 1989, herpetologists at the fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, First World Congress of Herpetology traded in 2013 as the culprit behind the death of fire alarming stories of losses across continents and in salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) in the seemingly protected landscapes, making it clear

Courtesy of Deanna H. Olson Netherlands (Martel et al. 2013) and are now that amphibian population declines were a “global

Deanna H.Olson, exploring its potential impact to other species. phenomenon.” In response to these reports, in Ph.D., is a Supervisory Although the fungus, which kills the amphibians 1991, the International Union for Conservation of Research Ecologist by infecting their skin, has not yet spread to the Nature (IUCN) established the Declining Amphib- with the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific United States, researchers believe it’s only a mat- ian Populations Task Force to better understand Northwest Research ter of time before it does and, when that happens, the scale and scope of global amphibian declines. Station. the impact on salamander populations could be Unfortunately, the absence of long-term monitor- devastating (Martel et al. 2014). ing data and targeted studies made it difficult for the task force to compile information. Reports of worldwide declines of amphibians began a quarter of a century ago (Blaustein & Today, according to AmphibiaWeb.org, there are Wake 1990). Globally, some amphibian popula- 7,342 amphibian species in the world—double tion declines occurred in the late 1950s and early the number since the first alerts of declines— 1960s, and declining trends continued in North making the situation appear deceptively less dire. America (Houlahan et al. 2000). In the earlier In fact, our understanding of genetic diversity Courtesy of Tara Chestnut years, population declines were attributed pri- significantly raises the stakes, and we are at risk Tara Chestnut is marily to overharvest due to unregulated supply of losing far more species than we believed only a an Ecologist with few years ago. According the U.S. Geological to the IUCN, amphibians Survey’s Oregon Water Science Center. now lead the list of verte- She also is a Ph.D. brate taxa affected by the candidate at Oregon larger “biodiversity crisis” State University’s Environmental and sixth major mass- Sciences Program. extinction event on Earth (Keith et al. 2014, Wake and Vredenburg 2008).

Author Tara Chestnut samples wetlands for the amphibian chytrid fungus in Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon. Although the fungus has been around for decades, researchers are investigating how factors such as land use change, climate change, and pollutants could be making frogs and salamanders more vulnerable to the disease. Credit: Charlie Crisafulli

28 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society Decline and Mitigation Across the world, numerous factors are responsible for the ongoing decline in amphibian populations such as habitat loss, invasive species, chemical contaminants, diseases, climate change, and synergisms among several of these factors.

The Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa)—recently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (Federal Register 2014)—is an example of a species facing combined threats. Once common in large, relatively warm wetlands Courtesy of Deanna H. Olson with permanent water across the This map shows the Pacific Northwest, Oregon spotted frog populations reflecting the 1,377 species that have been in- global distribution are believed lost from at least 78 percent of their ventoried for the fungus. It’s widespread—found of the amphibian former range. Factors—several of which are driven about half the time overall—yet at most sites with chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium by human-caused changes to the landscape—such the fungus, amphibians do not show symptoms of dendrobatidis. The as loss of wetlands, hydrological changes, disease, chytridiomycosis. Now, emerging science suggests fungus has been and depredation by non-native predators, including that some strains of the fungus may be located detected in 71 of 105 introduced trout and bullfrogs, have contributed to exclusively in North America (Schloegel et al. 2012). sampled countries. declining populations. Consequently, it’s likely that some North American amphibians co-evolved with some of these strains, Yet, for each of these threat factors alone or in which would explain why we see amphibian popu- concert, science, management, and the public are lations that test positive for chytrid infection, but playing key roles in the form of research, manage- without disease-related die-offs. Given the ubiquity ment, and monitoring. The following is a sampling and antiquity of the global pandemic lineages of the of ongoing efforts to address and mitigate threats amphibian chytrid, the question of whether some facing amphibians in the U.S. subtle environmental or strain change has occurred to trigger symptoms becomes extremely relevant. Research. One stressor that has been gaining attention—with significant research contributions New research aimed at studying the ecology of the over recent years—is the amphibian chytrid fungus, fungus has also helped us to understand patterns of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes the occurrence. This aquatic fungus appears to be sensitive disease chytridiomycosis. This pathogen, described to temperature conditions, and is not as prevalent in 15 years ago (Longcore et al. 1999), can be lethal areas that get extremely hot and cold. In at least one under some circumstances, which has been the strain of the fungus, researchers found that differences case for the federally endangered mountain yellow- in frogs’ generation time and fecundity were observed legged frog (Rana muscosa). The species appears to in response to different thermal regimes (Voyles et al. be more susceptible to chytridiomycosis than other 2012). We pursued the fungus at high latitudes to see frogs in the region, and exposure to pesticides may if its range might be limited there due to extreme cold weaken its immune response. temperatures. In Alaska, we found the fungus throughout the range of the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus), In response, researchers are working to understand the only amphibian species that inhabits the Alaska geographic and biologic occurrence of the fungus interior and a unique frog species in that they “freeze” along with pathogenicity patterns. The U.S. Forest in winter. Our research showed that frogs can largely Service—with the help of world scientists, profes- clear the pathogen during this process, although upon sional ecologists, resource managers, and volunteer warming, lingering fungal zoospores appeared to be citizen scientists—has developed occurrence maps able to quickly re-establish infection.

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 29 sites on federal lands and reported that those populations from across the nation were declining at a rate of 3.7 percent per year, noting that salamanders were declining at a faster rate than frogs. Further, their research showed that amphibian occupancy of sites declined in all parts of the U.S., with the south experiencing greatest declines.

Today, researchers can better quantify species decline metrics with monitoring conducted by a diversity of professional ecologists, citizen scientists, and land managers. Standardized survey protocols have been established based on habitats and life history attri- Credit:Tara Chestnut butes of species in various regions and compiled into A wood frog sits frozen Credit:Tara Chestnut a manual developed by Partners in Amphibian and in a test tube as part of a study on the effect of In another recent advance in research, the occurrence Reptile Conservation (Graeter et al. 2013). In 2000, cold temperatures on of the amphibian chytrid fungus can now be detected Congress established the USGS Amphibian Research the amphibian chytrid as a free-living form by filtering water, in addition to and Monitoring Initiative to investigate the status and fungus. Wood frogs swabbing animals to detect it on their skin. As part trends of amphibians, identify causes of amphibian (see inset) are found at higher latitudes and have of our research, we described water sampling across declines, and provide critical information to natural a unique ability to freeze the U.S. where we reported this fungus persists year- resource managers to support effective management in winter months—a round, with variable densities in the environment actions that address declines. However, with our cur- characteristic that offers (Chestnut et al. 2014). Water is moved between water- rent knowledge of a variety of threat factors and their some protection from the fungus. However, sheds for a number of management and conservation potential interactions, wildlife professionals might warming temperatures needs such as fire fighting, fish hatchery production, consider increasing the scope and scale of routine caused by climate and reintroduction programs. Well-meaning nature amphibian monitoring. change could make the enthusiasts and teachers have relocated animals and species more vulnerable to disease. released pets and classroom animals that may be On-the-Ground Management. With ongoing infected with or carry the amphibian chytrid fungus. management measures, wildlife professionals are al- In addition, amphibians are part of an enormous ready seeing signs of success. For example, research world trade for food and pets, with hundreds of mil- shows that habitat restoration can result in increases lions of animals, and the water they live in, moving in spotted frog populations, and scientists noted across borders every year. Hence, infected waters may that between 1991 and 2011, Columbia spotted frog be a concern for amphibian health as well as infected populations (Rana luteiventris) in the northwestern individual amphibians. In fact, the stakes for salaman- U.S. grew rapidly in response to wetland restoration der conservation have been raised this year, given the in areas with historical population declines (Hossack deadly consequences of the newly described chytrid et al. 2013). Still, long-term benefits of management fungus, B. salamandrivorans, for many of the world’s efforts for many species are currently unknown; salamanders. Researchers note that movement of however, experts agree that no single action is animals or the water in which they’re kept could prove enough to recover most species. Further, some lethal to native U.S. species such as forest-dwelling threats are challenging to control such as the effects newts. As a result, they are exploring the possibility of of non-native fish and bullfrogs. For example, the modifying existing methods used to sample wetlands Oregon spotted frog requires permanent year-round for amphibian chytrid fungus in an effort to provide water and, as a result, management actions such as early detection for this and other aquatic diseases. altering hydrologic regimes that would reduce or eradicate harmful predators could also hurt the frogs Monitoring and Modeling Tools. Using occu- and other aquatic organisms. pancy modeling—statistical methods that account for imperfect detection—in 2013, researchers with the In terms of threats from disease, federal and state U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Amphibian Research wildlife agencies, in collaboration with the Woodland This article is and Monitoring Initiative provided the first estimate Park Zoo in Washington State, have implemented open access online. of the rate of amphibian declines in the U.S. (Adams reintroduction programs that screen Oregon spot- et al. 2013). They studied amphibian occupancy of ted frogs for the amphibian chytrid fungus before

30 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society release to new locations. In the wild, Oregon spot- made formal protections such as listing under the ted frogs have tested positive for several diseases of Endangered Species Act (ESA) less necessary. concern including the amphibian chytrid fungus, the fungus-like pathogen Saprolegnia, and trematode A prime example of this process has been the parasite Ribeiroia ondatrae, which causes limb mal- development of multi-agency conservation strat- formations. However, it isn’t clear if these diseases egies among federal agencies that have helped are a threat to populations because the strains that preclude formal decisions to list species under the occur throughout the range along with the effect ESA. The tri-agency con- of co-infections are not known. Strain differences servation strategy for the warrant identification and study for differential forest-dependent Siskiyou pathogenicity. Screening animals prior to reintro- Mountains salamander duction is a sound precaution that will prevent the (Plethodon stormi) is one introduction of virulent strains that may be present example of this approach. in the area where animals were collected but may be In fact, targeted surveys novel to areas where they are released. for animals and habitats resulted in discovery of a Collaborative Efforts. Ultimately, partnerships new species—the Scott Bar and joint efforts are critical in managing amphibian salamander (Plethodon populations. For a host of considerations such as ethi- asupak)—and the designa- cal, aesthetic, biomedical, ecological, or “One-Health” tion of high-priority sites ─a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary for long-term management collaborations and communications for the health of the Siskiyou Mountains of humans and the environment─we are no longer salamander across a swath free to consider species as we once have. Our role has of Forest Service and Bureau shifted from exploiting species for various uses toward of Land Management Lands, becoming their stewards. The bridging of science, in cooperation with the U.S. Credit: Tara Chestnut management, and the public to address amphibian Fish and Wildlife Service. declines is creating a new platform for conservation A researcher swabs a rough-skinned biology, where partnerships and open communication newt for traces of pathways expedite the pace of science and its applica- What Lies Ahead the chytrid fungus tion to field settings. It’s a bottom-up approach where We are entering a new age of information trans- Batrachochytrium local human communities are making great strides to fer about wildlife threats and population status, dendrobatidis. Authors Olson and Chestnut affect their local wildlife communities, and a top-down which enables an improved response of both re- recently completed a approach where programs that span regions and con- search and management to a variety of stressors. study in the Willamette tinents can have strong ripple effects. This is especially E-communications and real-time web portals for Valley, Oregon, evident in the U.S., where a variety of state, federal, information are being developed for a variety of investigating the relationship between tribal, and private lands are being managed for eco- purposes, and this will change how we aggregate and B. dendrobatidis in system services inclusive of amphibian diversity. assess data, conduct risk assessments, and respond to the environment and critical issues. The fate of amphibians and other im- the occurrence of Public and private coalitions are growing as neigh- periled species are not random. There is a human link disease in amphibian populations. boring landowners determine where to establish to most known amphibian threats and, as a result, we protected areas, and how each group can address have a role in both their imperilment and stewardship. amphibian declines and identify solutions, which We expect to continue to test new tools for amphibian may span a larger spatial context. As landown- conservation that may have application for broader ers and managers coordinate efforts, each entity wildlife consideration. Amphibians also serve as ideal contributes resources that allow species inventories tools to teach future generations how wildlife are in- across a much broader area than could be achieved tegrated with their environment and how our actions by one landowner alone. This cooperative process fa- affect their futures and ours. In this way, amphibians cilitates greater understanding of amphibian species are helping to bind science, management, and the ecology, recognition of new species, understanding public into a new alliance for conservation. of known or suspected threats, and implementation of multi-agency protections. In some cases, these This article has been reviewed by subject-matter experts. cooperative efforts and conservation strategies have

By Anna Huckabee Smith

he old adage, “nothing ever stays the same” trout as mountain stream temperatures rise, and could not ring truer than when it comes to species range shifts into the state from more south- T Earth’s changing climate. The planet’s surface erly regions. Last year, I began editing the 2015 temperature has already increased by 1.4 degrees version of South Carolina’s State Wildlife Action Fahrenheit in the last century (National Research Plan—a comprehensive assessment of the state Council 2012) and is expected to increase another of wildlife in South Carolina. I collected data on 0.6 degrees Fahrenheit in the near future due to species of greatest conservation need such as shore-

Courtesy of Anna Huckabee Smith carbon dioxide emissions already present in the birds and high elevation mammals—many of which

Anna Huckabee atmosphere (NASA 2014). The result has been—and may be vulnerable to climate change. Then, earlier Smith, CWB, is State will continue to be—rising sea levels, changes in pre- this year, I had the opportunity to take the National Wildlife Grants cipitation patterns, more intense storm events, and Conservation Training Center’s Climate Academy Coordinator for the South Carolina changes in species behavior and ranges as they adapt course (Rentz 2012)—a 10-month online program Department of to new conditions (National Research Council 2012). that addresses the basics of climate change—and Natural Resources. Already, species are shifting their ranges poleward or learn more about the science behind the climate upward in elevation (Root et al. 2003). statistics and vulnerability assessments.

As a wildlife biologist with the A Holistic Approach South Carolina Department of Traditional conservation practices tend to focus Natural Resources (SCDNR), on static systems in protected areas without much I have become keenly aware of regard to the surroundings (Heller and Zavaleta the effects of rising sea levels 2008; Mawdsley et al. 2009). However, current Credit: Mary Bunch/SCDNR along our coast, threats to native research shows that the context or matrix in which conservation land lies highly influences the reserve itself (Mawdsley et al. 2009; Heller et al. 2008). In the face of climate change, natural resource agencies must, therefore, make sure they have representative examples of all habitats and multiples of such habitats (Ando and Hannah 2011). This will ensure viable ecosystems will continue to persist and maintain biological diversity. In the meantime, we must reduce anthropogenic stressors such as invasive species, barriers to dispersal, and habitat loss to allow the ecosystem to better adapt to inevitable changes (Heller and Zavaleta 2008).

As part of the Climate Academy program, I worked on a final project that combined knowledge that I gained through the program by way of readings, discussions, and workshops along with my past experience in deal- ing with climate change. As a result, I was better able

Mary Bunch/SCDNR to look objectively at my agency’s current methods of Brown tree tops line Buzzard Roost Mountain after a prescribed burn in 2010. Burns incorporating climate change into management plans such as these benefit the federally endangered smooth coneflower (see inset) that is and strategize how to make improvements. My final found on several sites at Buzzard Roost. project recommended the following: (1) a review of

32 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society existing management plans for SCDNR’s conservation landholdings and the incorporation of climate change scenario planning; (2) the need to continue reducing stressors within currently owned conservation lands to improve resiliency scores; and (3) the use of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) resiliency mapping technology —a tool that helps assess the ability of an ecosystem to remain functional in the face of climate change—to evaluate existing conservation lands and locate potentially new conservation lands.

Review of Existing Plans. In 2012, the U.S. Fish Buzzard Roost heritage Preserve and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and At- Far above average (> SD) mospheric Administration, along with state and tribal Above average (1 to 2 SD) Slightly above average (0.5 to 1 SD) partners, released the final National Fish, Wildlife Average (0.5 to -0.5 SD) and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy (2012)—a Slightly below average (-0.5 to -1 SD) Below average (-1 to -2 SD) plan to help inform land management decisions as Far below average (<-2 SD) the climate, and subsequently the landscape, shifts Credit: B. Paddock/USFWS (Based on Anderson et al. 2014) to a new state. The strategy recommends updating A graphic of Buzzard current management plans or creating new plans that scenarios projected by the Intergovernmental Panel Roost Heritage consider alternate scenarios due to climate change. It on Climate Change such as a warming trend of 0.2 Preserve in South also recommends reducing stressors that are currently degrees Fahrenheit up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit and Carolina’s Blue Ridge degrading the ecosystem such as dams that inhibit insert long-term goals such as how to transition Mountains highlights resiliency potential migration of spawning fish and exotic invasive species to new plant assemblages into the updated man- of landscapes in the that compete with native species for food and space. agement plans. The next step is for the SCDNR to region, with dark implement these plans and monitor their effective- green representing The SCDNR manages properties for both wildlife ness based on predictive outcomes and monitoring areas of most potential and brown signifying habitat and outdoor recreation that can be enrolled metrics. Plans will consider conservation decisions areas with less in Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) as well as that extend beyond the usual 10-year cycle and potential. Researchers Heritage Preserves (HP). Although the agency’s instead look 30 to 50 years into the future (Stein et scored areas based current management plans for each of its WMAs al. 2013; Glick et al. 2011). on factors such as elevation, geology, and HPs rarely address climate change scenarios, connectedness, and under my recommendation as part of the Climate Reducing Stressors. Properties already in con- wetland density. Academy project, the agency proposes to implement servation should be enhanced to strengthen their measures put forth by the National Fish, Wildlife resilience. Wildlife professionals also should mitigate and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy. Further, in existing threats such as invasive species, habitat rewriting these management plans, the agency will fragmentation, pollution, disease, and barriers such carry out “scenario planning,” which will involve as dams or roads that restrict movement. One way considering three or four alternative futures and to do that is for agencies to initiate or strengthen conservation strategies for the various properties partnerships with the U.S. Department of Transpor- (Peterson et al. 2003). For example, if the climate tation, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and power were to warm to the point that Table Mountain companies to help mitigate deleterious effects of pine, native to the Appalachian Mountains, no some of these barriers. Further, agencies can tap into longer exist, what new species—if any—could we available grant opportunities for invasive species encourage as a viable substitute in the ecosystem? control. Municipalities also can assist with pollution and nutrient-loading issues by better educating their As part of this effort, a focus group of experts— citizenry on keeping chemicals and fertilizers out of comprised of natural resource professionals familiar the storm drain discharge. with the properties and systems—will review current management plans, consult predictive models, Mapping Resilient Landscapes. Research and conduct vulnerability assessments of plants and describes a landscape as the “stage” and species and animals to determine sensitivity to changes. In ad- communities as “players” on that stage (Groves et dition, the group will consider climate change al. 2012). In that vein, if species diversity is tied to

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 33 the geophysical stage, then preserving that stage will where to begin reducing stressors. In addition, when protect biodiversity even though the players such as selecting new areas to incorporate into conservation plants and animals may change over time. Research landholdings, the SCDNR can utilize this same resil- shows that where topographic diversity is high, the iency mapping to locate hotspots. number of closely associated microhabitats also should be high, creating refugia for species during dramatic For example, the Buzzard Roost HP—a 501-acre events such as drought. land in the Blue Ridge mountain ecoregion of South Carolina—scored far above average in potential resil- Recently, researchers with TNC took this concept of a iency. That’s because its diverse landscape is home stage to the next level by developing a map made up to many rare plants including the federally endan- of layers of data that, when taken together, pinpoint gered smooth coneflower. The tract abuts the Sumter hotspots for resiliency across the Southeast. Resiliency National Forest and contains marble rock outcrops is defined as “the capacity of a site to adapt to climate and six distinct communities in their natural state change while still maintaining diversity and ecological including the rare Table Mountain pine. Calcium de- function” (Anderson et al. 2014). Researchers measured posits make for a rich variety of land snails in the area. physical complexity and permeability of the landscape Further, few non-native invasives are present on the by inserting variables that help define the amount of tract and road and housing density in the region is low. diversity and resistance. These included landform variety, amount of urbanization, wetland density, and the Meanwhile, Belfast WMA—4,664 acres of land located presence of rare species. The data sets were adjusted to in the piedmont—scored below average in resiliency. account for differences among the ecoregions. Most of that land has been converted to loblolly pine plantations. In addition, road and housing density Layering the final resiliency map on that of the is moderate in the region and more than 50 acres of SCDNR’s conservation landholdings reveals which power lines cross the property. A portion of the site holdings score above average, average, or below aver- scored higher due to its undisturbed bottomland hard- age for potential resiliency. Knowing what variables woods and travel corridor potential for wildlife moving went into the scoring process gives the agency a hint at between two ranger districts of the Sumter National Forest. However, deer, turkey and furbearers are plentiful. Restoration efforts are underway to improve native habitat including restoring bottomlands and potentially re-introducing shortleaf pine. A Renewed Look at Landholdings The expected benefit of evaluating SCDNR’s existing conservation landholdings and revising their associated management plans to include climate change should better equip the SCDNR to anticipate and address potential future scenarios. Using decision support tools, such as TNC’s resiliency mapping technology, will enable the agency to focus its efforts on the most influential landscapes. We hope that this effort will extend beyond state lines to neighboring states with which we share ecoregions and wildlife habitats. We also expect to involve our federal and non-governmental organization partners in the evaluation process so that all conservation lands in the state are assessed.

The Climate Academy course was a great experience for me because it stimulated my thinking on how to take larger themes and downscale them so that South Carolina could begin to assess and mitigate climate change at the state level. It is my hope that other agencies that also are just beginning to consider climate impacts will be able to utilize this simple project as a starting point to a much larger endeavor.

34 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society

Paths to Becoming a Wildlifer MAKING YOURSELF MARKETABLE FOR THE WILDLIFE PROFESSION

By Scott E. Henke and Paul R. Krausman

s professors in university wildlife depart- joint publication by Johns Hopkins University ments, we often receive phone calls from Press and The Wildlife Society (TWS) in 2016. What A prospective employers—state and federal follows is a preview of what we’ve learned over the wildlife agencies, natural-resource NGOs, or private years about the qualities employers look for in po- landowners—seeking students as paid or volun- tential employees, and what students can do to meet teer interns to help with research or management those needs. on ranches, forests, wetlands, or other habitat

Courtesy of Scott E. Henke types. For each inquiry we ask what qualifications New Skills, Old Values Scott E. Henke, the employer desires, such as an undergraduate You’ve heard the expression, “The more things Ph.D., CWB, is or graduate degree, specific work experience, or change, the more they stay the same.” To some Regents Professor personal character attributes. We then attempt to extent this applies to professional wildlife man- and Chair in the Department of match the best qualified student with the employer. agement and conservation, where there’s no Animal, Rangeland substitute for fundamentals. It’s true that as and Wildlife With more than 70 years of combined experience as technology improves, more employers require ex- Sciences at Texas A&M University- wildlife professionals and instructors, we’ve gained pertise in data processing, GIS and GPS systems, Kingsville. many insights into what employers want, and aerial or remote imaging, and social networking helped hundreds of students obtain employment in skills. However, most employers of all types con- the wildlife profession. In fact, we view this duty as tinue to ask for the same traits in employees that part of our job, which is to educate future genera- have been valued for decades. tions of wildlife biologists and prepare students to be marketable for employment. But what makes Topping their list of essentials is a solid education them marketable? in wildlife. Though many part-time and seasonal technician and ranch-hand jobs may not require a We feel that this question is so important that we’re college degree, full-time employment as a biologist co-authoring a book on the subject, scheduled for or manager generally does require at least a Bachelor Courtesy of Paul R. Krausman of Science, and often there’s a Paul R. Krausman, preference for a graduate-level Ph.D., CWB, is Boone and Crockett degree. Students who want to Professor of Wildlife obtain a thorough education in Conservation at wildlife will find excellent guid- the University of Montana and a Past ance in the curriculum required President of The for certification by TWS. This Wildlife Society. includes:

On a cold winter’s day in 2010, John Rappold, ranch manager of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch in Dupuyer, Montana discusses wildlife management with 8th grade students as part of the Boone and Crockett Club’s Lee and Penny Anderson Conservation Education Program. The program provides hands-on outdoor education opportunities for children and Credit: Bethann G. Merkle /commnatural.com adults from across the United States.

36 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society • General courses in wildlife management, zoology, ecology, and physical science • Wildlife biology courses including either mammal- ogy, ornithology, or herpetology • Botany courses including plant taxonomy • Wildlife policy, administration, or law enforcement • Quantitative sciences such as statistics, modeling, sampling methods, or advanced math (calculus, biometrics, regression analysis) • Communications (composition, public speaking).

In addition to the basics, employers expect students to be well-versed in ecological theory and wildlife species management, with a strong understanding of human dimensions and well- developed written and oral communication skills. They also expect new graduates to understand the National Environmental Policy Act, policy development, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Beyond these book smarts, Credit: The Wildlife Society employers want new hires to be competent in dents who plan to continue with higher education Armed with binoculars the field, with experience performing a variety of should consider that most graduate-level wildlife and cameras, student techniques with the major species of their con- programs in the United States have a minimum members of The Wildlife Society cern. Finally, employers want employees who GPA requirement of 3.0 for admission. Profes- head out on a bird are connected to others in the profession, which sors assume that students who maintained a 3.0 or watching tour at can often be achieved by attending student and higher GPA as undergraduates will likely continue Andrew Molera State professional meetings of TWS and other wildlife to perform at the same level as graduate students, Park in California’s scenic Big Sur. The organizations. while students with lower GPAs may be seen as not field trip—organized likely to be successful in graduate school. as part of The Wildlife We have found that new graduates often believe Society’s 16th that if they possess the majority of these attri- Some of you may feel you’re not interested in at- Annual Conference in Monterey—highlighted butes, then they are highly marketable within the tending graduate school. But before you make such ongoing condor wildlife profession. That’s largely true, but it’s a decision, consider the experience of Josh (his recovery efforts in the worth digging deeper to explore what really gives real name and a true story, though Josh and most region and offered potential hires an edge. other individuals named in this article prefer to students insight into bird banding and mist remain anonymous). Josh was an average student netting. Making the Grade who graduated in the 1990s and was hired by a We have an on-going debate with our students state wildlife agency. After 10 years of service, he about the importance of grade point average noticed that several interns he trained eventually (GPA) in gaining employment. In our experience, became his boss. The difference was that the interns a GPA of 3.0 or better is needed to secure a perma- had obtained graduate degrees. Josh decided he nent position in the wildlife profession because it wanted to do the same so he could advance into demonstrates professional competency to employ- higher positions within the agency. Unfortunately, ers. Consider this: would you have confidence in a Josh discovered that his 2.4 GPA as an undergradu- medical doctor who graduated at the bottom of his ate prevented him from admission into a graduate class, or would you prefer a doctor who earned high program, so he was destined to remain in his same marks in school? If you answered the latter, then job for the remainder of his wildlife career. Though why should the wildlife profession expect any less? he hadn’t realized it when he was an undergrad, his low grades were going to affect the rest of his life. A high GPA also demonstrates your dedication So our advice to students is to hit the books and to the profession and shows that you set a high keep your mind open to the possibility, one day, of standard for yourself—traits that future employers attending graduate school. Employers do consider assume will continue in the workplace. And stu- grades, and GPA matters.

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 37 No Substitute for Experience nent employee on the ranch, where he was able Another attribute important to employers is hands- to demonstrate his knowledge and desire to work on experience. Employers expect new hires to have with deer. Today, Justin is the head biologist of a field experience with a variety of techniques and 300,000-plus-acre wildlife enterprise where he species, so it’s wise to acquire as much experience works with white-tailed deer daily. as possible while you’re an undergraduate. Attend all potential field trips offered in your classes. Go to Character Matters workshops and conferences when possible. Vol- While obtaining experience as an undergraduate, unteer your time to assist professors and graduate you also will be demonstrating critical character students with their research. By doing so you are in- attributes such as responsibility and dependability, vesting in yourself and your future—and there may punctuality, time management, and good judgment. be money in the system to help you along the way. Such qualities aren’t optional; employers demand them. They need people they can count on, and University research grants often include money people who can get the job done well and on time. to pay for technician assistance. As professors, we Such a work ethic will be noticed by professors and typically get this assistance by hiring undergradu- employers, and will result in excellent reference let- ates within our wildlife programs. It’s also common ters when it’s time to move up in your career. practice to hire students who have volunteered their time in the past because we know the quality of Case in point: Lance was an undergraduate research their work, their dependability, and their personal- assistant who helped on numerous graduate- ity. If all of these attributes are positive, we prefer to student projects. He did high-quality work and was hire these known quantities rather than a person of extremely honest, always admitting if he made an unknown abilities. error and ready to rectify the problem. He showed up to work on time, or called if he was running even Beyond volunteering, it’s smart to acquire as wide a a few minutes late. After a while, supervisors knew variety of experiences as possible because you never they could depend on Lance and his quality of work. know how or where such skills may prove useful. This is the type of employee that everyone should For example, during an interview with the U.S. Fish strive to become—one who is competent, depend- and Wildlife Service, one of our students was asked able, and completely trustworthy. Needless to say, if he had any wood-working experience. Though he when Lance graduated he received an excellent didn’t feel qualified to say “yes,” the student then reference letter praising his integrity. remembered that once, as a member of his university’s student chapter of TWS, he had helped make Keep it Positive duck nest boxes. As it turned out, that was exactly A positive attitude is another intangible quality what the employer wanted the student to do, and often sought by employers. We have both conducted the student got the job. Never think an experience considerable research in harsh desert environments is unimportant, and obtain all types of experience, of the U.S. Southwest, where summer heat can often including animal and plant work, habitat manipula- exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity can tion, policy development, and public interactions. top 90 percent. Beyond such physical trials, field You never know when an experience may be the key biologists in that region also may have to contend to a job. with threats involving illegal immigration and drug runners. A person who can keep a positive attitude This holds true even for work in which you have and sense of humor under such stressful conditions little interest. For example, when Justin was an is a welcome member of any team. undergraduate, he wanted to work solely with white-tailed deer: if it didn’t have antlers, he wasn’t Projecting a positive image also is important be- interested. However, Justin did well in his ornithol- cause wildlife professionals are often in the public ogy class and became well-versed in the birds of eye, so the image you project may reflect on both southern Texas. This skill served him well when you and your organization. This extends to your on- This article is he landed an internship on a ranch where he led line image in this age of Facebook, a platform that open access online. wildlife tours that included spotting birds. He did has probably damaged young biologists’ careers such a good job that Justin was hired as a perma- more than it has helped their social lives.

38 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society We know of one young woman, for example, who was completing her final semester as an undergraduate wildlife major with a 3.6 GPA, a variety of animal and habitat-manipulation experiences, and solid references—all strong qualifications for a job. A state wildlife agency was considering hiring her as a biologist. As part of their background check, the agency pulled up her Facebook page and saw she had posted numerous photographs of herself drinking alcohol with friends. Because the position required the use of the agency’s trucks and boats, she was perceived as a liability threat and passed by for the job. When she learned she lost the job due to her Facebook page, she removed the photographs, but the damage had been done. Like it or not, public forums like Facebook are fair game for employers, so be sure to project a professional image if you want to be taken seriously. Credit: Gabe DeLoach/Panthera

Leave Your Comfort Zone soon landed a Conservation Education Fellowship at Andrea Heydlauff, vice president of Panthera, In a competitive job market like ours, you may need the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), where she takes a break from to venture far beyond familiar turf to launch your taught kids at the Bronx Zoo. shooting a film about career. That was certainly true for Veronica, who children in the Brazilian was born and raised in southern Texas and had no At first she felt out of place as one of the only Pantanal who live on a conservation ranch with desire to leave it, let alone enter Yankee territory Fellows without biological training, but she stuck wild jaguars. Heydlauff (anything north of the Texas border). Like many with it. She was hired full-time by WCS’s Interna- became interested in new professionals, Veronica wanted to work close tional Division and eventually became colleagues working with wildlife to home, and she hoped for a job as a biologist with with such notable biologists as George Schaller and soon after college. the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Alan Rabinowitz. Andrea worked on the Great Cats upon graduation. Half her wish came true when Program and the Tiger Program for WCS, and now NRCS offered her a job, but it was in South Dakota, serves as the Vice President for Panthera, a global about 1,000 miles to the north. Veronica was re- organization dedicated to conserving the 38 spe- luctant, but decided to give it a try. Today, 10 years cies of wild cats. To top it off, Andrea recently won later, she has not only survived crossing the Texas awards for best children’s wildlife film from both border (and survived ten South Dakota winters), the Montana International Film Fest and Wildlife but she has built a successful career as a range spe- Roscars in South Africa for “My Pantanal,” her film cialist. The message here is: keep your mind—and about people living with jaguars in Brazil. your options—open. Andrea’s story emphasizes two important points. Dream Big First, some “non-traditional” students such as Sometimes students take circuitous paths toward English literature majors are worth taking a wildlife careers, with detours that lead to unexpected chance on if they have the drive, determination, rewards. We know of one student, Andrea Heydlauff, and dedication to obtain the classes and experienc- For a preview who, after earning an undergraduate degree in es needed for a successful career in wildlife. The of the authors’ English literature, wanted to work with wildlife second related point is that if you want to obtain a upcoming book—and a list abroad. She was so impressive and dedicated in her career in wildlife and do not have the credentials— of more than 50 drive that she completed most of the additional class- get to work. You can do it! potential jobs es needed for certification by TWS and was accepted one can obtain as a master’s student at the University of Arizona, All this brings us back to basics: hard work, with a wildlife where she began working with ranchers on elk and integrity, openness to new experiences, and deter- degree—go to wildlife.org. livestock issues. Excelling in both her work and her mination can pave a path to success in the wildlife studies, she earned her M.S. in wildlife science and field, and in life.

By Daniel O’Brien, Walter Cook, Stephen Schmitt, and David Jessup

arlier this year, a federal judge upheld a domestic sheep—forcing wildlife and livestock man- 2010 decision by the Payette National Forest agers to do all they can to address and manage these E in Idaho to close 70 percent of its forest to ongoing threats amidst conflict and controversy. domestic sheep grazing in an effort to protect the region’s wild bighorn sheep (Idaho Statesman, When Wildlife Infect Livestock: 2014). The decision was based on evidence that Bovine Tuberculosis domestic sheep can spread pneumonia to wild big- Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine

Courtesy of Daniel O’Brien horns and, as a result, forest service officials called tuberculosis (bTB), originated from an ancestor of

Daniel O’Brien, for separation of the animals. The federal judge, human tuberculosis (Smith et al. 2009). The most DVM, Ph.D., is a Wallace Tashima was responding to the Idaho common strains of M. bovis were likely imported to Veterinary Specialist Wool Growers Association’s motion to overturn the North America from Great Britain in the nineteenth with the Michigan Department of decision, based on an argument that there was un- century via infected cattle (Smith et al. 2011). M. Natural Resources’ certainty over whether domestic sheep did indeed bovis infects a wide variety of species (O’Reilly and Wildlife Disease transmit pneumonia to wild bighorns. Daborn 1995), including humans (Grange 2001). Laboratory. In fact, public health concerns about bTB by 1900, Unfortunately, disease transmission from livestock particularly in children (Palmer and Waters 2011), to wildlife and vice versa does occur. In fact, every led federal, state, and local governments to estab- year, cattle in Michigan fall prey to bovine tubercu- lish the bTB eradication program in 1917, which losis—a disease once widespread in cattle that is now included cooperative measures such as tuberculin spread primarily by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus testing of cattle and meat inspection laws in an virginianus). Meanwhile, wild bighorns are regu- effort to eliminate bTB in livestock (Olmstead and larly infected with pneumonia that’s transmitted by Rhode 2004, Palmer and Waters 2011). The program was largely successful and, by 1940, researchers estimated that 25,600 human lives in the Deer feed on surplus potatoes near a potato United States had been saved as processing facility in a result (Olmstead and Rhode Presque Isle County, 2004). Further, the program’s Michigan, where benefits to the livestock sector bTB is endemic. Spreading potatoes between 1918 and 1962 were on the ground is estimated at approximately considered a Generally $3.2 billion. Accepted Agricultural Management Practice, because of plant Despite these successes, how- disease concerns ever, bTB continues to persist in associated with their free-ranging wildlife, although incorporation into in some cases, culling has prov- soil. If this occurred on recreational land, en hugely successful in reducing however, the practice transmission and the potential would be considered for transmission from the wild illegal deer feeding to domestic cattle herds (Corner and be subject to prosecution—a point 2007, O’Brien et al. 2011b). For not lost on deer hunters example, although feral Asian in the area. water buffalo (Bubalis bubalus) Credit: Elaine Carlson/Michigan Department of Natural Resources

40 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society in Australia maintained bTB, intensive culling eliminated both the disease and its reservoir host. In fact, From Wildlife to Livestock—and Vice Versa combined with testing and controlled movement of cattle, culling allowed Australia to declare bTB free- dom in 1997, and 2000 marked the last case of bTB in cattle. Further, the disease was declared exotic to Australia in 2010 (Radunz 2014).

New Zealand has seen similar successes related to introduced brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)—identified as maintenance hosts of bTB

since 1967. As part of the bTB eradication effort, offi- Credit: Daniel O’Brien cials employed an intensive possum culling strategy of “systematic overkill” (O’Brien et al. 2011b), com- in some culled areas. In contrast, a major badger Warren MacNeill, conservation officer with the bined with cattle testing and movement controls. culling trial in the Republic of Ireland between 1997 Michigan Department of As a result, infected cattle herds have been reduced and 2002 found culling significantly and consistently Natural Resources Law by 95 percent since 1994. Further, bTB has been reduced the risk of cattle herd infections in culled Enforcement Division eradicated from possum populations across 500,000 areas (Griffin et al. 2005). surveys piles of carrots (foreground left) and hectares since 2011 (Livingstone et al. 2014). sugar beets (background Public involvement also can aid or complicate disease center) placed as Complicated Eradication Efforts eradication efforts. In Minnesota, for example, the deer bait in Michigan’s Culling is more straightforward when target species public tolerated four consecutive years—2007 to Alcona County, where baiting has been illegal such as water buffalo and possums are considered 2010—of ground and aerial culling of deer in order since 1999. While local invasive pests and, therefore, treated as such. How- to eradicate a spillover of bTB from cattle before it cattlemen generally ever, where the target species is publicly esteemed for became established (Carstensen and DonCarlos applaud the restrictions, its economic and cultural merit such as white-tailed 2011). Impressively, deer hunters’ license fees funded merchants, vegetable farmers, and many deer deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the U.S. (an impor- approximately 90 percent of culling operations hunters decry them as tant source of hunting revenue) or for its conservation (Carstensen et al. 2011). Combined with increased unneeded, detrimental value such as wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) harvest opportunity, culling reduced the deer popu- to the “good nutrition” of in Canada (considered the most important remnant lation in Minnesota’s core area by 55 percent and the deer, and an unconstitutional intrusion on population of a once-abundant species), opposition apparent bTB prevalence to zero. No infected deer property owners’ rights. to culling has forced scientists and wildlife managers have been identified since 2009, and Minnesota re- to search for alternatives. These include vaccination gained its bTB accredited-free status for cattle in 2011. (Waters et al. 2012), programs for captive breeding of Co-author bTB-free animals followed by reintroduction (Nishi et In contrast, Michigan’s residents were opposed to Affiliations al. 2006), and human dimensions approaches that are large reductions in deer numbers (Dorn and Mertig Walter Cook, aimed at improving hunter cooperation with agency 2005, Frawley and Rudolph 2008), making agency DVM, Ph.D., is a Clinical Associate disease control strategies (O’Brien et al. 2011b). culling politically untenable. Further, winter feeding Professor of Wildlife and baiting of deer, which concentrates them and Population Health in Culling can also have complex, unforeseen conse- exacerbates disease transmission, has been difficult to the Department of Veterinary Pathobi- quences. In the case of Eurasian badgers (Meles eliminate. While hunters halved the deer population ology at Texas A&M meles) in the United Kingdom, culling has been in Michigan’s core area by 2004, it has since rebound- University. found to disrupt the animals’ social structure, caused, and the downward trend in bTB prevalence abated Stephen Schmitt, ing survivors to range more widely and over longer (O’Brien et al. 2011a). DVM, is Supervisor distances. This phenomenon—referred to as the “per- of the Michigan Department of turbation effect” or PE (Godfray et al. 2013)—may The debate surrounding the use of culling for bTB Natural Resources’ increase bTB transmission among badgers and to control in Michigan is a good example of differing Wildlife Disease Laboratory. cattle. In a major Randomized Badger Culling Trial perceptions between wildlife conservationists and (Donnelly et al. 2007) conducted at 10 replicated livestock advocates about what constitutes appropri- David Jessup, DVM, MPVM, is Executive sites in the U.K. between 1998 and 2005, the PE was ate use of a publicly owned wildlife resource. For Manager of the considered responsible for increased prevalence of example, hunters and animal protection advocates Wildlife Disease bTB in badgers in culled areas and suggested as an find themselves (perhaps awkwardly) on com- Association. explanation for higher rates of cattle herd infections mon ground in opposing drastic reductions in deer

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 41 numbers to eradicate bTB, emphasizing the low prev- Domestic sheep and goats can carry a number of alence of disease and its imperceptible effect on the pathogens including, but not limited to Mannheimia deer population (O’Brien et al. 2011a). Cattle produc- haemolytica and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, ers counter that if even one of their cows is diagnosed which are pathogenic to bighorn and Dall sheep with bTB, they risk the entire herd being depopulat- (Callan et al. 1991, Foreyt et al. 1994a, 1996, George ed. Further, cattle farms in the state that are infected et al. 2008, Onderka and Wishart 1988). These two with bTB must agree to a federal- and state-approved organisms, singly or more often together, can cause herd plan that mandates farm management practices acute fatal pneumonia in bighorn sheep, sometimes if the producer is to receive full indemnity for con- wiping out entire herds; but survivors can carry demned cattle. Such practices may include restricting them and subsequently pass them along to lambs access of cattle to lowland areas frequented by deer. and other susceptible adult animals. Although not all Federal and state epidemiologists consider these bighorn pneumonia outbreaks have been associated measures prudent risk management. Cattle produc- with prior contact with domestic sheep, many across ers argue that forcing them to exclude any of their most of the western states have. In fact, an analysis land from grazing constitutes unconstitutional ‘tak- of over a dozen experimental or observational stud- ing’ of private property by the government. ies where captive bighorn were exposed to domestic sheep found that 79 of 80 otherwise healthy bighorn A domestic goat and When Livestock Infect Wildlife: put in contact with normal domestic sheep under bighorn sheep share the same space on Bighorn Pneumonia varying conditions in 12 separate trials died. To a open range land in In contrast to bTB, with pneumonia the primary perhaps lesser extent, domestic goats may pose a Hells Canyon, Idaho. concern is that domestic livestock may spread disease similar risk to bighorn sheep (Jansen et al 2006, Both sheep and to wildlife. Researchers have accumulated a large Foreyt 1994b). goats can carry lethal strains of bacteria and body of evidence over many years including nearly mycoplasma. Although 100 years of observations of bighorn getting sick Recently, researchers at Washington State University grazers insist that it is and dying after contact with domestic sheep or goats were able to provide unequivocal evidence that do- rare for the animals to (Goodson 1982), observations on experimental mix- mestic sheep can transmit fatal bacterial pneumonia co-mingle, numerous cases have been ing under more controlled conditions (Wehausen et to bighorn sheep under conditions of close contact documented where al. 2011), pathogen inoculation trials (Wehausen et al. (Lawrence et al. 2010). As part of the study, they feral or lost sheep 2011), cellular level research on comparative immune introduced gene spliced and florescent-dyed bacteria, or goats have joined function (Silflow et al. 1989, 1993), and risk analyses Mannheimia (formerly Pasteurella) haemolytica bighorn herds, and vice versa. (Clifford et al. 2009). into the nasal cavity of domestic sheep, noting that the organisms were not present in bighorn. Re- searchers found that when the sheep and bighorn were separated by double fencing at various distances nothing happened; however, when they were allowed fenceline contact, one bighorn became ill. Further, when the animals were allowed to comingle, all the bighorn quickly succumbed to pneumonia caused by the gene-marked bacteria.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and bighorn advocacy groups have sought to implement policies and practices, such as swapping problematic sheep allotments for cattle grazing allotments (cattle don’t carry the disease) or trucking sheep out of high country instead of trailing them down through bighorn habitat, that maximize separation and reduce risk of contact—basic principles of preventive medicine. The cattle industry also uses preventive approaches to limit spread of “shipping fever pneumonia” in cattle, a very similar disease caused by many of the same bacteria that can Credit: C.A. Johnson lead to severe disease and death in calves especially

42 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society after stressful conditions such as shipping long distances. In addition, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has endorsed a set of best management practices that emphasize separation of domestic and bighorn sheep to reduce disease transmission.

However, here, too, there’s conflict over management measures and policies to address disease transmission from domestic sheep to wildlife. For example, groups such as the Wild Sheep Foundation, Western Watersheds Project, and others have argued that retir- ing domestic sheep grazing allotments, or optimizing viewing and hunting of bighorn sheep, is far more financially productive than domestic sheep grazing on what are fairly marginal lands. In addition, they argue that funds spent by bighorn viewers and hunters bet- Credit: Kristin Mansfield ter support rural communities, and that the fees paid Richard Harris (left), by woolgrowers to use public lands are often less than enhance bighorn survival and calls for federal agencies wildlife manager the cost of administering the leases. to help develop and fund bighorn and domestic sheep with the Washington education and outreach programs. Department of Fish Meanwhile, grazers point out that just as wildlife and Wildlife and Glen Landrus, then species often can’t survive without using private A Deep Divide president of the Wild lands, many grazers can’t survive without access to Despite a handful of attempts to achieve consensus, Sheep Foundation’s public lands. Further, woolgrower lobbyists argue debate and conflict continue to play out in the news Washington Chapter, that close contact between the animals rarely oc- media, university research labs, state and federal examine a bighorn ewe from the Tieton herd curs under free-ranging conditions. These lobbyists wildlife and wild land management agencies, lo- that died of pneumonia have succeeded in blocking USFS funding to reduce cal communities, and in political efforts to either in April 2013. Ultimately, contact between bighorn and domestic sheep until a establish or block risk-reduction efforts. Disease- the entire herd was more effective and efficient vaccine is developed. The based wildlife-livestock conflicts are really a divide sacrificed in an effort to prevent the spread of a current prototype vaccine requires four evenly spaced between business and utilitarian perspectives and devastating pneumonia shots given to healthy animals at optimal intervals— traditional conservation perspectives about wildlife outbreak to adjacent something that’s not feasible to implement in the management. The divide is about whose financial in- bighorn herds. case of free-ranging bighorn sheep. The vaccine also terests will predominate when disease conflicts exist, doesn’t provide any protection against Mycoplasma who will have the greatest use of public resources, ovipneumonia, a major causal component of the who will bear the costs of limiting disease transmis- bighorn pneumonia complex. Further, the organism sion, and whether state and federal disease control lives within cells, which makes any vaccination effort and wildlife management policies can be enforced nearly impossible. on private or even public land.

Still, efforts are underway to at least partially bridge The divide isn’t just about disease and biology; some of these divides. In Wyoming, the Statewide there are huge political, financial, legal and social Bighorn/Domestic Sheep Interaction Working interests and precedents at stake. As is the case with Group—established in 2000—developed a set of rec- conflicts over brucellosis in the Yellowstone eco- ommendations in 2004 that has served as a template system and Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada, for managing bighorn and domestic sheep (State-wide efforts to resolve problems posed by bTB in deer WDA is all wildlife Bighorn/Domestic Sheep Working Group, 2004). For and cattle and pneumonia in bighorn and domestic diseases, all conservation, all one example, the working group encourages the Wyoming sheep continue to evolve. There are no easy answers health, all the time. Game and Fish Department to prepare a map showing and, as a result, these divides promise to be with us the distribution of occupied habitat for native core and for the foreseeable future. reintroduced bighorn sheep populations. It also rec- This article is ommends the domestic sheep industry explore grazing open access online. This article has been reviewed by subject-matter experts. management strategies that reduce impacts and

A Roadmap for Natural Resources NEW REPORT OUTLINES GOALS FOR SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH

By Wendy Fink, Daniel Edge, and Eric Hallerman

n May of this year, a collaborative team led by Top Stressors on Water the Association of Public and Land-grant Uni- Water resources face pressures from a variety of Iversities (APLU) released a major new report, human activities, with poorly managed agriculture “Science, Education, and Outreach Roadmap for and energy production heading up the list. A third Natural Resources” (APLU 2014) that reflects the stressor—climate change—complicates water man- opinion and expertise of 138 scientists from vari- agement by imposing stressful impacts throughout ous disciplines and agencies as gathered from five ecosystems.

Courtesy of Wendy Fink surveys conducted over six months.

Wendy Fink is The capacity of soil and water to meet current Associate Director Based on the data collected, the team identi- and future demands for agricultural, forest, and of Food, Agriculture, fied six “grand challenges” of natural resource rangeland products is one of the critical issues and Natural Resources at the management today (see box). With this wealth of stemming from agriculture. Based on the study Association of Public information as a reference point for discussions results, natural resource managers must identify and Land-grant with elected and appointed public officials, we hope and implement methods to reduce nutrient loads in Universities in Washington, D.C. to justify increased funding for research, education water while maintaining healthy economies. These and outreach in the challenge areas. Here we de- include planting winter cover crops to retain soil scribe one of the challenges—water—as an example and nutrients through the season and developing of how the data will be used. agricultural fertilizer best practices and implementing on-farm nutrient management plans. The impact of both regional and national agriculture policies and subsidies as well as potential solutions also must be identified.

In terms of energy production, it’s critical to know how much water is needed for various energy generation systems as withdrawals and resulting effluent discharges can impact aquatic organisms. Similarly, natural resource managers must identify Harvesters trawl sources of water and air pollution associated with horseshoe crabs in a energy production—data that could inform devel- biomedical fishery off opment of technologies that reduce the ecological the coast of Maryland. Research shows footprint of all types of energy production. For that collecting and example, researchers are exploring the use of water bleeding crabs for containment and treatment methods that encour- biomedical purposes age recycling and subsequently reduce impacts of could contribute to a population decline of fracking from oil and gas production on water. the species in parts of the East Coast Issues posed by climate change also require careful (Anderson et al. study. Professionals must determine species and 2013). Authors of the recent APLU report ecosystem responses to multiple climatic, ecologi- call for an improved cal, and social variables through both observational understanding of the and experimental approaches. Improved models impact of harvest of and simulations—such as modeling tools that help exploited populations. Credit: Eric Hallerman downscale global climate models to determine

44 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society

How the Roadmap Works The goal of the peer-reviewed report, “Science, Education, and Outreach water yield forecasts—will help achieve a better Roadmap for Natural Resources,” is to provide a realistic path to achieve understanding of water resources under different concrete results in research, education, and outreach over the next five to climate-change scenarios and can contribute to 10 years in each of the following six challenge areas: better water management. • Sustainability—Conserve landscapes and environmental quality while meeting increasing human demands. Knowledge Gaps • Water—Restore and protect watersheds for biodiversity, water security, Today, our knowledge of ecosystem responses to and pollution reduction. water pollutants is largely based on the response of one variable to one stressor. However, watershed • Climate Change—Understand the impacts of climate change on issues such as disease transmission, pest risk, fire, air and water quality, urbanization, for example, imposes simultane- and species survival and develop adaptation strategies. ous changes to many aspects of stream function, making prioritization of stressors difficult. A better • Agriculture—Foster an agricultural industry that is both profitable and understanding of linkages could inform policy environmentally sustainable. aimed at setting meaningful standards for water • Energy—Develop renewable energy sources to meet increasing de- quality and quantity that maintain ecosystem func- mand and reduce the ecological footprint of energy extraction. tion and biological diversity. • Education—Strengthen natural resources education at all levels to produce informed and engaged professionals, policymakers and In the future, successful management of wa- citizens. tersheds for biodiversity and water quality will For each of these, the roadmap frames the issue, examines current require holistic, interdisciplinary research that is capacity and gaps in the science, identifies research needs and priori- linked with policy and social-science studies to ties, and anticipates outcomes either by following the status quo or by develop science-based solutions to on-the-ground adopting the roadmap’s recommendations. problems. The report calls for improved understanding of mechanistic linkages between land use, extractive consumption of water resources, and watershed resistance and resilience. Outcomes Making an Impact expected from implementing the best management Following release of the report, APLU provided and conservation practices learned as a result of information on the roadmap to Congress during a these studies include maintaining watershed func- June National Coalition for Food and Agriculture tion and security in balance with societal needs. Research Luncheon on Capitol Hill. APLU also discussed the findings with the U.S. Department Role of Education of Agriculture and the Office of Management and Public acceptance of natural resource plans de- Budget. To facilitate other interactions with policy pends upon integrating scientific information and makers, leaders of the APLU Boards on Natural societal values. However, much of the American Resources and Oceans, Atmosphere, and Manage- public has little understanding of the process by ment carry a tri-fold summary of the report. which scientific knowledge is gained. As a solution, we recommend improving the public’s under- APLU will continue to reach out to other relevant standing of the scientific process, combined with federal agencies. TWS members are encour- more effective science communication in order to aged to refer to the roadmap in their professional elevate the discussion of natural resources issues. interactions with legislators and may obtain more Achieving this goal will involve including science, information on APLU’s website, www.aplu.org. technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum on natural resources in K-12 education. Other important areas for education include strengthen- Co-author Affiliations ing natural resources curricula in higher education; Daniel Edge, Ph.D., is a Professor and Head of the improving the scientific literacy of our nation’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State citizens; effectively communicating scientific in- University in Corvallis, Oregon. formation to the general public; promoting natural Eric Hallerman, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department resource stewardship; developing a conservation of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Polytechnic ethic; and promoting diversity in the natural re- Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. sources professions.

By Kerry L. Nicholson

ast year, at The Wildlife Society’s (TWS) students, respectively, receiving a degree in biologi- annual conference in Milwaukee, I gave a cal sciences were women (NSF 2013), though how L presentation on the number of women with those numbers flush out into employed women with wildlife-related degrees or employed in wildlife wildlife biology degrees is not well documented. jobs, including those in leadership positions. To Still, the overall low representation of women in the gather data, I surveyed 13 high-level administrative profession reflects an underutilization of potential positions within organizations critically intertwined and perspectives and denies role models for female Courtesy of Kerry L. Nicholson with natural resources and wildlife and roughly students in wildlife programs (Nicholson 2009). Kerry L. Nicholson, 400 leadership spots within TWS including posi- Given the retirement bubble facing the wildlife Ph.D., is a furbearer biologist with the tions with Council, in sections and chapters, and on profession today, it’s important that we address this Alaska Department of TWS’s journals. The data showed an overwhelming “leak in the pipeline”—a concept that refers to the Fish and Game. dearth of women in wildlife leadership—less than 5 steady attrition of girls and women in fields related percent of 708 positions surveyed. to science, technology, engineering, and math (Pell 1996). Unfortunately, only a few studies have The lack of women in influential positions within explored the gender differences in capitalizing on the wildlife field is sobering, although there does opportunities for career advancement. As a result, seem to be a hint of change on the horizon. In 2009, I thought I would examine how the early career 61 and 52 percent of undergraduates and graduate professionals of today are using their training to become the leaders of tomorrow. I began by looking at our own Society.

My Personal Story I joined the Alaska student chapter of TWS in 1997 while I was an undergraduate in the wildlife ecology program at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. I attended my first TWS annual conference in Reno, Nevada in 2001, thanks to encouragement and support as well as a plane ticket from my advisor, Eric Rexsted. The experience opened my eyes to the possibilities and opportunities that can be obtained from organizations like TWS, the Ecological Society of America, or the American Society of Mammalo- gists. These societies not only offer professionals the opportunity to attend training and workshops on current and timely issues, but they also serve as a venue to express one’s opinion, provide valuable feedback, and create a network of individuals that are critical for continued professional development.

Courtesy of Mindy Rice In 2009, I applied to TWS’s Leadership Institute Mindy Rice, Leadership Institute alum and president of The Wildlife Society’s (TWS) (LI)—a program that provides members in the early Colorado State Chapter, cradles a newborn black bear as part of a study of urban black bears in Durango, Colorado. Rice credits the Leadership Institute for introducing stages of their careers with some basic leadership her to senior members of TWS, which subsequently led her to engage in the Society’s training to help them advance in the workplace. local and state chapters. As part of the program, participants immerse

46 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society themselves in a variety of projects—both at the individual and group level—such as interpreting leadership materials, exploring leadership issues, and participating in intensive mentoring activities and workshops at the TWS annual conference.

As a young scientist looking at career options and ways to advance my career, I thought participation in the LI would be an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of TWS. In addition, I was curious about other people’s reasons for applying and what they gained from participating. I saw the LI program as providing potential Credit: Jesse DeVoe/Montana State University career advantages and wondered if others saw the same benefits. In looking back and Kjellberg 2007). In my survey, men (43 percent) Julie Cunningham, president-elect of at the most tangible influences on my personal wanted to improve their professional network and The Wildlife Society’s advancement, the LI provided some facial recogni- women (44 percent) thought it would benefit their Northwest Section and tion and networking opportunities I could not have career goals. wildlife biologist with managed easily on my own. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, addresses Salary appeared to play only a small part in mo- agency personnel, Leadership Institute Survey tivations. In fact, the only participant to mention sportsmen, landowners, In January 2014, I conducted a short survey of my the need for a training segment on salary negotia- university students, fellow alumni about how they have leveraged the LI tions happened to be male; however, many of the and other volunteers about to partake in a experience in their lives. From its launch in 2006 participants of both genders agreed it was a neces- bighorn sheep capture. until 2013, the LI has had 204 applicants. Notably, sity after the initial suggestion was made. Still, A recent survey of 137 of those were women and 67 were men. Of the studies show that women lack confidence in their Leadership Institute applicants, 90 were accepted: 73 percent women professional abilities, particularly when it comes to participants revealed that more than 70 (66) and 27 percent (24) men. I surveyed those 90 salary negotiations—men have confidence in their percent of women felt people, of which 55 (or 61 percent) responded: 41 skills while women undervalue theirs (Babcock and that the experience women and 14 men. At the time of the survey, 33 Laschever 2009). So, by the time they are firmly provided them with percent of the respondents were associated with uni- established in their careers, roughly 40 to 49 years, confidence in their leadership abilities versities (as a student, faculty, or researcher) and 55 a man’s yearly salary in the biological sciences while 78 percent of percent worked for government groups (13 in state, field is $80,000 compared to a woman’s salary of men were motivated 11 in federal, and one tribal). $65,000 (NSF 2013). to move to a higher position in their career. I asked for their top three reasons for applying to the More interesting is what was not selected as an op- LI. The most popular reason for both men (71 percent) tion. None of the men said they participated in the and women (59 percent) was to obtain or strengthen LI to build self-confidence, felt the need to prove their leadership skills. The second and third most their leadership abilities, or improve their current popular reasons differed slightly. Fifty-seven percent situation, whereas 20 percent of the women selected of the men said it would benefit their career goals, these options. whereas 40 percent of women wanted to become more involved in TWS. This is more in concordance with Benefits of the Leadership Institute the gender socialization model that says women place I asked the participants to pick five direct conse- greater importance on social aspects and working quences of participating in the LI program. Men conditions with a greater emphasis on relationships and women agreed on all five of their top reasons: than on competition for rewards; whereas, men tend to express greater concern for income, job security, • Increased leadership skills and advancement (Rowe and Snizek 1995, Hagstrom • Became more involved with TWS national level

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 47 • Improved professional network tion,” Cunningham says. “TWS invested in me, and I • Became more involved with TWS state level will continue to work to return that investment. The • Learned strategies and operation roles within TWS leadership training, plus the exposure to Council’s activities, helped give me the background to confi- Again, what is interesting is what was not consid- dently serve the Society in leadership roles.” ered as a consequence between men and women. Men did not think there was any improvement to • Mindy Rice. Rice completed her LI training their personal life, to their relationship skills, or in 2009, became president of the Colorado State an increase in being perceived as a leader, whereas Chapter in 2012, and intends to run as the Cen- women did. Further, respondents cited a number of tral Mountain and Plains section representative. other benefits of attending the LI. “The Leadership Institute gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from more senior members of Increased Interest in Leadership. Both men TWS, which I wouldn’t have been able to do on my and women agreed that after participation in the own as a new professional,” she says. “This led me LI, their interest in leadership increased, and they towards getting more heavily involved in my state felt more connected to TWS and their local state and regional chapters, and I consider the relation- chapter. In addition, 39 percent of the women and ships I made while part of the Leadership Institute 21 percent of the men who went through the LI a continuous support in my career.” increased their leadership roles within TWS after participation. The following is a sampling of com- • Kent Fricke. A 2010 LI alum, Fricke became ments from LI alumni. chair-elect for the Student Development Working Group in 2011, served as the student representative • Julie Cunningham. After participating in the to Council in 2013, and was elected to be a member- LI in 2008, Cunningham became president of TWS’s at-large in the Nebraska Chapter in 2012. “The LI Montana State Chapter and recently became presi- helped me to improve my relationships with leaders dent-elect of the Northwest Section. The “Leadership and mentors in my college department, increased Institute helped me understand TWS on a deeper my research collaboration with other members of level and strengthened my loyalty to our organiza- TWS, and enhanced my ability to see myself in a leadership role in my career,” he says.

Still, it appeared that more men (78 percent) than women (65 percent) were motivated to move to a higher position, where they wanted to take on more responsibility. Liisa Schmooele (LI 2012) said that she wasn’t motivated at the time to move to a higher position for several reasons such as feeling the need to establish herself solidly in her current job as an endangered species biologist. Additionally, Liisa did not want to rush moving up the ladder because the higher you advance, the more your job becomes a desk job and less connected to field work.

Confidence. More women (70 percent) strongly felt that they gained confidence in their leadership abilities whereas only 50 percent of the men agreed. Rachel Williams (LI 2013) said she had “gained enough confidence” to run for chair-elect for the Credit: Stu Tuttle Wildlife and Habitat Restoration Working Group. Rachel Williams, a recent graduate of the Leadership Institute, and then partner biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish and the Natural Resources Conservation Science, conducts an ecological assessment of the health of a stream in Arizona’s Indian Creek. For Career Advancement. More of the men (57 Williams, the Leadership Institute provided her with the confidence needed to run for chair- percent) felt that after participating they achieved elect for The Wildlife Society’s Wildlife and Habitat Restoration Working Group. an increase in job responsibilities and their careers

48 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society advanced, whereas the women (51 percent) saw Kent Fricke releases little to no increase in responsibilities and no direct a marked river otter at its capture site in advancement in their career. In a follow-up, several a restored wetland noted that it could be due to timing—they were not in along the Platte the right position at the right time—or advancement River in central within their workplace is based on a set schedule, so Nebraska. Currently a Ph.D. student at the no direct correlation could be observed. University of Nebraska, Fricke found that Leadership Styles Leadership Institute As a part of the survey, the participants took training helped improve his relationships with a test to determine their classic “leadership mentors in his college styles”—authoritarian, participative or democratic, department. delegative, and situational or adaptable. The women graduates of LI were evenly split on leadership style between delegative or democratic leaders, whereas the men tended to be predominantly democratic leaders. This is a slightly different result than expected of men, because many studies described men as tending to manifest task-oriented and autocratic styles, while women tend to be more democratic (Eagly et al. 2003). Research shows that the middle ground between democratic and autocratic tends to be most effective. Often women have better practice at finding that middle ground because they have faced a double standard, where women experience backlash if they are considered too authoritative or Credit: NEBRASKAland Magazine/ Nebraska Game and Parks Commission masculine in their approach or ineffective if they are too feminine (Eagly et al. 2003, Eagly 2013). waiting around to be told what to do. Those who participated in the LI have taken that initial step, Kelly Douglas (LI 2008) has a democratic leader- bolstered their self-confidence, and made those ship style in which she strives to be supportive and personal connections of which some seem to have encouraging of all group members. Her challenge, far reaching consequences. For some women from though, is often being too hard on herself. She the LI, maybe it has helped reduce the leak in the consistently ranks her performance lower than those pipeline by strengthening the ties to the wildlife she works with because of her high standards. “Basi- field through participation in the Society at a critical cally, I have a really high standard for myself, which junction or provided that self-affirmation needed to can affect my confidence level when leading a group. pursue increased job responsibilities or experience But I always take on leadership roles in my career that sense of accomplishment. and keep asking others to evaluate my leadership style/skills, so I can continue to improve.” Though women differ from men in how they perceive and use the benefits from leadership Stepping Up training, they are not likely to differ in their abil- In her recent book, Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg re- ity to perform leadership roles. Rather, women phrased what my mother frequently told me while bring a different perspective to the decision-making growing up, which was to “stop sitting on the sidelines process, which should be developed early to get the and step up to the plate,” though Sandberg phrased it true potential and longer-lasting effect of female as “sit at the table.” Sandberg, formerly of Google and leadership talent. The next step, then, is to move now COO of Facebook, says that you should not ex- forward despite potential or existing barriers or pect to get the corner office by sitting on the sidelines. professional challenges. I believe bravery can be refined to create brilliance; we just need patient In looking at anyone who has succeeded into mentors and supportive peers. So, be brave, step leadership positions, I would imagine none were up, or sit at the table—I will join you.

By Christa L. LeGrande and Jacqueline L. Frair

or Silvia Saldivar-Bellassai, former graduate Since its commercialization in the 1980s, GIS— student at the SUNY College of Environ- computer systems designed to capture, manipu- F mental Science and Forestry, Geographic late, and analyze all types of geographical data Information Systems (GIS) technology proved (Wikipedia)—has become one of the fastest growing critical to her study of Chacoan peccary (Catagonus software tools in the United States due to its wide- wagneri), a species found only in the Gran Chaco spread and diverse applicability (U.S. Department ecoregion spanning western Paraguay, southeastern of Labor 2010). In wildlife research, biologists use

Credit: Nathan Rolls Bolivia, and northern Argentina. Chacoan peccary GIS for a variety of reasons such as to map the home

Christa L. LeGrande have become endangered due to loss of habitat from range of an individual species, relate records of animal recently graduated deforestation along with overharvest—both linked occurrence to local and regional environmental condi- from SUNY College to increased development of roads in the region. As tions, and visualize the distribution of resources. For of Environmental Science and Forestry part of her effort to evaluate the impact of land-use example, researchers in Rhode Island are currently with an M.P.S. change on peccary distribution, Saldivar-Bellassai mapping coyote territories and behaviors as part of the in Conservation linked camera-trap records of peccary occurrence to Narragansett Bay Coyote Study, and using real-time Biology. the availability of land cover and water and proximity data to evaluate where and how coyotes are using the of roads derived from remotely sensed images. She area’s resources. By using GPS tracking collars and then mapped rates of deforestation and road devel- mapping the animals’ whereabouts, researchers can opment using satellite images collected over a period target where human-coyote interactions occur, help of 20 years to project the future trend in habitat for mitigate potential problems, and educate Narragansett peccary. Saldivar-Bellassai used GIS at nearly every Bay residents about co-existing with such wildlife. step—from planning field surveys to mapping her final results for publications—demonstrating how Despite the utility of GIS to wildlife science and integral GIS has become to the wildlife profession. management, introductory GIS courses are not Courtesy of Jacqueline L. Frair required for many undergraduate majors, and Jacqueline L. Frair, graduate students typically enter their programs or Ph.D., is an Associate professionals enter the workplace lacking a critical Professor of Wildlife Science and Associate conceptual background in geography and spatial Director of the analyses. Further, formal GIS training isn’t a require- Roosevelt Wild Life ment for The Wildlife Society (TWS) certification. Station at the State University of New We see the current lack of foundational training as a York, College of serious impediment to professional growth. To help Environmental Science close that gap, we have outlined key elements of GIS, and Forestry in Syracuse, New York.

Researcher Silvia Saldivar- Bellassai uses GIS software to visualize vegetation types in the Paraguayan Dry Chaco region to determine occupancy of the peccary—a species (see inset) threatened by habitat loss. Credit: Silvia Saldivar-Bellassai Credit: Christa LeGrande

50 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society fundamental skills necessary to effectively use GIS in it. Software packages will usually list minimum wildlife research, and ways to cultivate these skills. computer hardware requirements. We recommend adding storage and speed on top of minimum Considering the Components of GIS software requirements in order to realize the full The main components of GIS are the computer potential of a GIS. system and software, spatial data, data management and analysis functions, and people (Heywood et al. Spatial data. Spatial data are “geo-referenced” 1998). Here, we consider each of these components, or linked to a specific coordinate system to repre- highlighting elements from which wildlife profes- sent their position in space relative to other data sionals might benefit most. (Burrough 1986). In order to successfully create, display, and manipulate spatial data, you’ll need a Computer systems and software. Unlike simple basic understanding of data, or fixed reference points visualization software, GIS allows users to overlay on the Earth’s surface, and projections, which are objects such as animal locations or forest patches, turn raw pictures of air photos or satellite images into attributed information This visual such as land cover types, quantify those at- representation shows tributes, and determine how they relate to the predicted probability of an observer in New ecological indicators such as animal density, York State hearing a for example. calling coyote. Purple represents a lower Most state, federal, and academic institutions probability of detecting a call, while red shows in North America use ArcGIS—developed by a higher probability. ESRI. ArcGIS licensing costs can be substan- These probabilities were tial, ranging from approximately $1,500 to generated by spreading $7,000 a year depending on the package, sound over space using SPreAD-GIS however, discounts are available for students and used to correct for and conservation organizations. Although detectability-bias when freeware packages such as GRASS GIS and counting coyotes in the field (Hansen 2013). QGIS also enable substantial GIS function- Credit: Sara Hansen ality, they lack some of the capabilities of ArcGIS such as a full suite of spatial analysis and map used to translate fixed locations from a curved Earth publishing tools. For the wildlife biologist, a number to a flat map surface. When coordinate systems are of specialized packages greatly facilitate GIS analyses. misaligned, data collected from the same location For example, the Geospatial Modeling Environment may appear to be tens to thousands of meters apart in integrates ArcGIS with the statistical program R to the GIS output. bundle complex sets of routines—or steps in an analysis—used in home range, movement, and network Spatial data can be created or acquired from a vari- analyses. Other specialized packages include Bio- ety of means such as handheld or animal-borne GPS mapper for niche modeling, Adehabitat for resource units and satellite imagery as well as online, where selection functions, FRAGSTATS for fragmentation there is a significant amount of free data available. indices, and Linkage Mapper for corridor mapping Once in the GIS, spatial data are stored as “layers,” (See table on page 52). with each layer representing a theme such as animal locations (points), roads (lines), water bodies (areas In order to run GIS software that can process what or patches referred to as polygons), or land cover are typically large amounts of data, you need a type (raster or polygon). Points, lines, and polygons computer with a large amount of memory and data are vector data—data comprised of sets of points, storage capacity (running spatial analyses software either discrete or continuous—whereas raster consumes two to five times more disk space), a fast data are represented by a grid of cells (typically processor, and a high-quality graphics processor and squares), and each cell has a single value represent- display. The more geoprocessing tools the software ing some attribute of the area over which it lies. For offers, the more space and speed required to run example, one 30-x-30 m cell might have a value

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 51 Specialized Software Packages for Wildlife Biologists breeding bird data collected between 1980 and 2000 with their land cover data that was collected around Software Focus Cost the same time. If these datasets did not contain ArcGIS Spatial analysis, raster and vector $ information in their metadata, such as when the data QGIS Data viewing, editing, analysis Free were collected, researchers would not have been able GRASS GIS Image processing, raster and vector Free to rely on the information for their study. In fact, FRAGSTATS Calculating fragmentation indices Free checking the metadata provides researchers with Species distribution modeling, calculating SDMTools Free fragmentation indices details necessary to effectively determine which data Biomapper Niche modeling Free (send postcard) might be most suitable for a particular study. Proper Desktop GARP Niche modeling, species distribution modeling Free metadata helps prevent a “garbage-in, garbage-out” Adehabitat Resource selection, home range analysis Free scenario in which even the most sophisticated analysis cannot overcome the limitations of an unreliable Geospatial Modeling Resource selection, home range analysis Free Environment or inappropriate dataset. Linkage Mapper Corridor mapping Free Circuitscape Corridor mapping Free Another component to consider when working with Connectivity Analysis Tools Corridor mapping Free spatial data is error, which can arise from the data’s HEXSIM Spatial population viability analysis Free age, measurement accuracy, labeling of attributes, re- RAMAS Spatial population viability analysis $ projection among coordinate systems, data analysis, ERDAS IMAGINE Remote sensing, image interpretation Free and even the metadata itself. Errors in the analysis IDRISI Selva GIS and process create frustration, exacerbated by the often Remote sensing, image interpretation $ Image Processing cryptic error codes provided by GIS software.

This table of specialized software packages for wildlife biologists lays out key features Data management and analysis. Every wildlife of each package such as ArcGIS’ spatial analysis feature, Biomapper’s niche modeling biologist using GIS should be able to import spa- capabilities, and Linkage Mapper’s corridor mapping merits. (Credit: Christa LeGrande) tial data into a GIS, reproject data to display over existing data layers such as satellite images, identify relationships between their data and other spatial of 10, representing percent cover of tall oatgrass data, and summarize those data. For Jonathon (Arrhenatherum elatius) within that area. Valente, a Ph.D. student at Oregon State University, using GIS proved to be integral to his research on When you acquire spatial data, you should refer migratory birds in southern Indiana. Valente first to the metadata—or data about data—which, at a used a GIS to delineate patches of forest from land- minimum, should explain the total area covered by cover data within a 17,000-square-kilometer study the dataset (such as New York State), when the data area. He then used GIS to quantify the total area of were collected, attribute descriptions (such as if each forest patch (or patch size), identify its nearest landcover type is herbaceous), the coordinate system neighboring patch (or patch isolation), and create used to specify locations (such as the commonly used randomly placed points across a gradient of patch Universal Transverse Mercator), the spatial resolu- size and isolation to establish a set of stratified ran- tion (size of raster cells, for example), and the data dom survey locations for field sampling of forest-bird source (information on who compiled the data). diversity. This process took several dozen processing steps. “Trying to do something like that without GIS Metadata is critical to research. In fact, in a study would be phenomenally challenging and time con- carried out a few years ago, researchers relied heav- suming,” says Valente, a self-taught GIS practitioner. ily on metadata to evaluate the impacts of land use “I don’t think we could easily perform a study and and climate on wetland breeding bird abundance ask questions at broad spatial scales without it.” in Canada’s Prairie Pothole region. As part of their research, avian ecologist Greg Forcey and colleagues Spatial analyses can be intimidating and, from our used a number of data sources including the North collective 46 years of GIS experience, we can say un- American Breeding Bird Survey for data on breed- equivocally that you need to be organized, patient, and ing bird abundance, the National Climatic Data and methodical when conducting your analysis. You may Information Archive for climatic values, and the repeat the same steps multiple times, create an enor- Prairie Farm and Rehabilitation Administration’s mous set of intermediate GIS layers, and spend far generalized land cover data. They compared wetland more time on the analysis than you initially planned.

52 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society Evelyn Merrill, professor of wildlife and landscape Next, practice makes perfect. In our experience you ecology at the University of Alberta, has a good rule can only fully use a GIS with a little help—perhaps for planning a GIS analysis, which is to “estimate how from the GIS specialist in your office, a particu- long you expect the process to take, double it, and add larly adept coworker or fellow student, or even a two weeks.” To that advice we add the following: GIS listserv (most states have one to network local GIS users). However, exhaust as many options as 1. Document your processing steps and file-naming possible on your own before seeking help, which scheme in great detail. Keep a dedicated notebook means extensively reading through the help files, for your GIS exercise and insert screen captures of trying different pathways to achieve your analysis your analytical process at critical steps. goals, and learning to methodically troubleshoot 2. Save your GIS project often. Before you start a the process. new analysis, hit “save”—even well engineered software like ArcGIS may freeze and disappear, GIS’s Place in the Future A researcher holds causing you to lose any unsaved work. As the value and necessity of GIS in wildlife con- a non-native eastern 3. Never use path names that have spaces or un- servation continue to grow, its place in wildlife cottontail, fitted with a radio transmitter usual characters in the name. Instead of using education should become more central. “More as part of a study the spacebar insert an underscore (“_”). ArcGIS GIS exposure for young people would be valuable on conservation will let you save names with spaces, but not all and more productive for wildlife management as a and management of of the internal routines will recognize that name. whole,” Valente says. “I definitely look for [techs] declining populations of native New England Checking the path name should become your first having experience in that area. It increases their cottontails in the region. troubleshooting step. efficiency and improves work 4. Back up your data often on separate disks or hard quality.” Despite growing drives. Each of us has lost months of tedious GIS consensus over the impor- analytical work—don’t let that happen to you. tance of GIS, some of the 5. For any data you create or modify, keep good best wildlife programs in the metadata. This will become increasingly impor- country still do not require tant as more journals now require publishing your GIS training. data alongside your article. Academic programs take GIS users. GIS training empowers professionals to their lead from professional explore questions they may not have asked before society, so it is worth con- and provides them with a powerful tool and market- sidering whether GIS skills able skills with which to address those questions. have become so essential Increasingly, basic GIS skills are expected of wildlife to the wildlife researcher professionals. Here’s how you can gain those skills. that the TWS certification program should be modified. First, begin by working on formal or informal Until then, professors should coursework—through structured university courses, consider embedding GIS professional workshops at conferences, or through applications within courses informal, self-directed training. A number of online as a way to generate student courses are available, along with programs leading interest in the more techni- to GIS certificates and degree programs. The web- cal GIS training. Universities Credit: Jonathan Cohen site GIS Lounge offers information and links to GIS and agencies also might Distance Learning Programs. For self-directed train- consider providing fundamental GIS training at ing, “Geospatial Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide” graduate and professional levels. Although the road by de Smith, Longley, and Goodchild is an excellent to learning GIS can be daunting, with a steep learn- resource. Further, ESRI provides a valuable set of ing curve, the personal investment is worthwhile tutorials for managing data and conducting analyses and having more GIS-savvy professionals in the using ArcGIS. Bear in mind that there isn’t a one- field will most certainly pay dividends for wildlife size-fits-all in GIS training; however, start with the conservation as a whole. basics of importing and manipulating data, and from there customize your training based on your specific This article has been reviewed by a subject-matter expert. analysis needs.

By Mary Pfaffko

ntil this year, I had never been hunting. standing the full breadth of work of the state fish and As a wildlife biologist and an avid birder, wildlife agencies for whom I work, and their hunting U however, I relate to hunters because of our constituencies who help fund and implement wildlife shared passion to track down a particular species, conservation. I also hoped to improve my ability to our love for the outdoors and for gear—whether guns communicate with those constituencies, especially as and scopes or binoculars and field guides. a birder who benefits from their contribution.

John Odenkirk/Virginia DGIF Still, I have always felt the need to better understand Creating Future Leaders Mary Pfaffko is the role of hunting in wildlife conservation and the Launched in 2005, the CLfT program is comprised the Teaming with importance of conserving the entire suite of species of classroom discussions and field experiences Wildlife Associate that occurs within habitats and landscapes. I have targeted toward non-hunters interested in learn- with the Association of Fish and Wildlife wanted to walk in the boots of a hunter and actively ing more about the value of hunting. It’s worth Agencies. engage in the wildlife resource, as a necessary step noting, however, that this four-day program does on my path to becoming a well-rounded, effective not pressure or even intend for participants to conservation leader. become hunters or even to hunt during the course. In fact, on its website, CLfT is referred to as “a Earlier this year, I attended Conservation Leaders conservation program, not a hunter education or for Tomorrow (CLfT)—a professional development safety course or a hunter-recruitment effort ….” program focused on hunting awareness and conser- Hunting is only a small part of the course and vation education for natural resource students and entirely optional. professionals. I signed up in hopes of better under- The CLfT program—a joint effort of the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation and the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI)—operates out of eight facilities nationwide including the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation in Dundee, Illinois and the High Lone- some Ranch in DeBeque, Colorado. There’s no charge to attend the course, and CLfT provides food, lodging, and transportation with financial support from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other organizations. Since its launch, there have been over 1,100 participants—all deemed by CLfT organiz- ers as current and future leaders within the natural resources profession.

As a wildlife professional, I am interested in the role of hunting in conservation. In 2011, I began working on the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) Teaming with Wildlife (TWW)

Credit: Dave Windsor/CLfT program whose primary goal is to identify a dedicated source of funding for state nongame wildlife Author Mary Pfaffko takes aim at a ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) with help from hunting mentor, Joli Vollers, as part of the Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow conservation to prevent wildlife from becoming Program. This four-day boot camp is designed to educate non-hunters in the role of endangered. Currently, the primary source of hunting in conservation. federal funds is the annually appropriated State

54 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program, which funds the implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs). SWAPs are guiding documents for at- risk species conservation in every state, and part of my job is to support the implementation of those plans. I also work to support AFWA’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources—comprised of top executives from the outdoor recreation retail and manufacturing, sportsmen, energy, agricultural, private landowner, automotive, financial, educational, and conservation sectors. The panel’s goal is to provide recommendations for a 21st century model of funding wildlife conservation, filling the gap between game and nongame funding.

And so, on February 3, 2014, I arrived at the beauti- ful Wildlife Farms in Casscoe, Arkansas, ready to Credit: Dave Windsor/CLfT explore methods to incorporate hunting perspec- Jim Miller (above), tives into my job. As a woman with no hunting or CLfT instructor and shooting background, I fit in perfectly. Just over past president of The half of the other students also were women with no Wildlife Society, shows hunting background. Other participants included program participants how to clean pheasants state fish and wildlife biologists, educators, an from their hunt in attorney, and a federal grants manager. What we preparation for freezing shared—an overflowing passion for wildlife and and cooking, as becoming leaders—bonded us instantly despite the author Pfaffko and fellow-participant different backgrounds that brought us together that Aneesah Rasheed week. And with the approximately 16:13 student- (below) try their hand to-instructor ratio, it didn’t matter if some students at cleaning a freshly had more experience or expertise because the harvested pheasant. “My participation in instruction was so personalized. the program greatly increased my ability Boot Camp for Conservation to talk about and In only four days, we covered hunting from start share the excitement of hunting, trapping, to finish. We learned everything from the science and fishing with my and policy of hunting to how to prepare the harvest. colleagues, partners, The course is organized into roundtable discus- Credit: Dave Windsor/CLfT and hunters or sions in the classroom and hands-on exercises in the anglers,” says Becky Gwynn, another field. On day one of the course, we were fitted for a wildlife under the public trust to be managed by the program participant. shotgun and assessed eye dominance—determining government. This principle of wildlife management the strength of one eye over the other in sighting is the cornerstone of the North American Model and judging speed and range. Classroom activities for Wildlife Conservation, which is responsible for covered the following core areas: successful recoveries of iconic game species such as wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and striped bass. We Hunter Demographics and Motivations. This held interactive discussions about current man- session covered who hunts and why. We learned agement and policy issues including conservation about the role of hunting in society, the biological ba- funding, chronic wasting disease, trophy hunting, sis for hunting, and hunter responsibilities and ethics. and high-fence and game preserve hunting.

Then and Now in Conservation. This session Use of Firearms, Fishing Tackle, and Traps. covered the Public Trust Doctrine, which holds These sessions covered the safe handling, use, and

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 55 cleaning of different types of firearms, ranging sportsmen and women who help continue one of from bolt action to lever to semi-automatic rifles the greatest conservation success stories in the and shotguns. We learned which type of firearm to world,” Marks says. use when hunting for particular kinds of animals, in addition to when to use archery or dogs. In small My biggest learning experience by far involved groups, we rotated through stations to learn about trapping. I learned about the benefits of trap- different types of firearms, fishing tackle, and traps. ping animals such as coyotes to help prevent and We also learned about safety, laws, and regulations. eliminate human-wildlife conflict, along with the By the end, we completed the Arkansas Game and importance of managing populations of native or Fish hunter education course and exam and are invasive species as well as using naturally sourced now permitted to hunt in most states. products. I explored different types of traps such as snares and foothold traps and learned about their Armed with these basics, we went outside. We shot function and safe operation. Trapping sometimes clays and targets, watched demonstrations on set- requires a greater connection with an animal than ting traps, cast fishing lines into the White River, any other form of harvest because a trapper must be learned to track and stalk deer in the forest, went able to predict exactly where an animal will step. As on a mentored upland game bird hunt, and then a result, trappers spend a great deal of time outdoors learned to store and prepare the harvest. I packed to understand a habitat and its inhabitants, becom- and froze a Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) to ing fundamentally connected to the environment take home for a friend, along with instructor Jim and the sustainability of the species they pursue. Miller’s favorite family recipe. CLfT participants take Learning from the Pros notes as part of the This comprehensive course brought my own educa- The instructors made the critical thinking in the program’s classroom component. Instructors tion and experience full circle, as it provided the classroom just as fun as the hands-on work in the discussed historical experience of hunting that I had been missing. field. They included university faculty, state and and contemporary Meanwhile, for John Marks, Esq., senior assistant federal agency personnel, non-profit personnel, issues in conservation general counsel for the Arkansas Game and Fish and dedicated hunters and conservationists—all such as fair chase and trophy hunting and also Commission, the program served as a means to certified instructors and experts in their respec- provided practical tips learn more about hunting and trapping methods tive fields. Throughout the program, they shared on handling hunting, regulated by the Commission. “CLfT reminded hilarious hunting stories, and their respectfulness fishing, and trapping me of the valuable role ethical hunting and trap- encouraged me to explore complex material such equipment before taking participants out ping plays in wildlife management and deepened as the ethical considerations of using bait and into the field. my appreciation for the passion of the American scent lures. “To me, being part of this program is important; to have a chance to provide perspective to professionals who have not had the opportunity in their past experiences to understand hunting, hunters, and the conservation elements associated with hunting,” says Tom Decker, CLfT instructor, wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and TWS member. “It is really rewarding to meet so many passionate and engaging people in our profession.”

The comradery among the instructors also was fun to observe. Watching experts interact, share their passions, and arrive at new ideas that could change the direction of conservation is rare and special. The synergy of their years of experienced hunting and conservation during those classroom discussions could perhaps one day help find solutions to issues such as conservation funding. Months later, I can still clearly recall words of wisdom from one Credit: Dave Windsor/CLfT

56 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society of the instructors, Richard McCabe, a former biologist with the Wildlife Management Institute, about remembering to breathe when shooting clays. I also remember the calm demeanor of Joli Vollers, an Iowa conservation officer and my hunting mentor, as she walked with me through the fields searching for pheasants.

Putting New Skills to Work After the class, I was bursting with enthusiasm. I texted all my hunter friends and family and begged them to help me turn my new skills into supper. Two weeks later, I was on my family ranch in Florida with my stepdad, hunting feral hogs that uproot the ranch. We waited until dark and staked out the spot they pass each night. My rifle was aimed, my head going through the checklist of things I had learned at CLfT, my finger waiting in position, ready to remove the safety when I got a hog in the crosshairs. We stayed very still, listening to the sounds of the night, and quietly telling stories while trying to muffle our laughter. Alas, the hogs never came into view. We waited until about midnight and then called it a night. None- theless, my stepdad and I had a great time, and I have a new connection with my family, which is really what life is all about.

On the professional front, CLfT gave me insight into the game management side of state fish and wildlife agencies. SWAPs are inclusive of all at-risk species, including game species, because of the intrinsic linkages between game and nongame wildlife conservation. For example, bass conservation is linked to freshwater mussel conservation, since water quality impacts wildlife, fishing, and habitat. This makes SWAPs guiding documents for the entire state fish and wildlife agency—not just the nongame divi- sions—and their conservation partners.

According to an unpublished 2004 WMI survey, more than 50 percent of graduates with wildlife degrees have no hunting experience. I recommend this course to them and others who, like me, have a passion for wildlife and the outdoors and an interest in the role of hunting in conservation. For wildlife professionals on the nongame track, this is a chance to broaden your knowledge and further engage in the ranks of wildlife conservation.

By Emily Latch, Rachel Crowhurst, Sara Oyler-McCance and Stacie J. Robinson

ranted interim status in November, 2013, apply these innovative technologies to non-model The Wildlife Society’s (TWS) Molecular wildlife species and to develop rigorous approaches G Ecology Working Group aims to promote for collecting, analyzing, and communicating data. scientific advancement by applying molecular Only with this knowledge, will our profession be techniques to wildlife ecology, management, and able to take advantage of the diverse ways in which conservation. The working group—composed of sci- molecular ecology can support wildlife conservation entists from diverse backgrounds—met for the first and management.

Credit: Troye Fox/UWM time in Pittsburgh at the TWS Annual Conference

Emily Latch, Ph.D., held in October. Our overarching goal is to enhance One of the important advances that has opened is Associate Professor awareness of molecular ecology and genetic applica- the door for using these technologies in our field is of Wildlife Genetics tions to wildlife biology and act as an informational known as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—a at the University of Wisconsin- and networking resource. During the group’s laboratory protocol that creates multiple copies Milwaukee and interim status, which runs for three years, we intend of specific DNA sequences from small amounts of President-Elect of to focus on a broad scope of molecular ecology that sample. Rather than using lethal sampling to obtain The Wildlife Society’s Molecular Ecology is applicable to wildlife including genetic and ge- DNA from study populations, PCR-based approach- Working Group. nomic methods, conservation genetics, non-invasive es have made possible low-impact, non-invasive genetic population monitoring, landscape genetics, sampling methods that can be used to study elusive evolutionary genetics, and molecular forensics. or protected species. For example, DNA extracted from feathers, scat, or hair left by the animal has Molecular Technologies in Wildlife facilitated important monitoring programs that help Molecular methods have facilitated widespread assess population recovery. This technology also has advances in wildlife ecology and conservation, important forensic applications that aid efforts to and rapid technological developments continue to combat poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. expand possible applications to these disciplines. However, much work needs to be done to effectively In addition, advances in DNA sequencing technology and genomics allow biologists to examine a greater portion of a species’ genome. Researchers already are using this genetic information to identify markers under natural selection, investigate the effects of management on fitness, or simply increase the number of markers available for poorly studied species. For example, DNA metabarcoding studies use genomic technologies to facilitate high-throughput collection of biodiversity data, often using DNA extracted from an environmental sample (eDNA) such as soil or water. These types of studies also have allowed multi-taxa biodiversity surveys from soil samples and gut contents, illuminated changes

Jennifer Fike, a geneticist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Molecular Ecology Laboratory in Fort Collins, loads samples on a DNA sequencer to quantify genetic variation within and among populations of sage grouse. Fike hopes to address questions related to the evolutionary history of the species and delineating appropriate units for conservation and management. Credit: Dean Biggins

58 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society in microbial communities associated with environ- the necessary analytical and computational tools to mental changes and revealed dietary preferences in overcome those obstacles. various species using feces as a source of DNA. eDNA techniques also show great promise for monitoring Working Group Goals rare species when observational detection is difficult The group is now actively recruiting members who and for tracking invasive species and diseases as want to promote scientific advancement by applying soon as they begin to colonize new areas. With such molecular techniques to wildlife ecology, manage- innovative genetic approaches, molecular ecologists ment, and conservation. Coming together as a can enhance our ability to answer previously intrac- working group allows us to tap into our colleagues’ table ecological questions and address traditional expertise and address these challenges collective- research and management issues in an efficient and ly. By creating inclusive networking and learning cost-effective way. opportunities, we also aim to be an informational resource to the larger membership of TWS—from Despite the technological advances in molecular helping wildlife management agencies identify genetic analysis, the field of molecular ecology as genetic tools for accomplishing management objec- applied to wildlife management faces numerous tives to helping wildlife geneticists stay current challenges. Molecular tools provide an exciting in a rapidly advancing field. We will use venues array of innovative technologies; however, there like TWS conferences to share groundbreaking may be risks associated with employing these tools science through symposia, offer training in cutting- in the field before they are completely vetted by the edge techniques through workshops, and provide wildlife community. Understanding the strengths networking and information-sharing opportunities and limitations of new genetic technologies is through subunit meetings. paramount to their use in wildlife management. Ensuring that data are of high quality and appro- At our inaugural meeting, we discussed development priate for the specific question is key, as is drawing of our charter and many exciting ways that we can from disparate fields in meaningful ways to maxi- contribute to the TWS membership at large. We are mize the value of genetic data in wildlife biology, eager to act on these ideas and to continue building a landscape and community ecology, statistics, bio- network of people who are using and/or are interested informatics and functional genomics. Additionally, in molecular methods in wildlife ecology. Our most although clearly communicating genetic methods immediate task is to secure members to transition and results to managers and the public can be from interim to official status. TWS members may add difficult, it is vital to effective science and policy the working group through their Member Portal. implementation.

Without question, rapid advances in DNA sequenc- To learn more about the Molecular ing technology as well as computational analysis Ecology Working Group, contact have provided a dizzying array of new genomic tools Stacie Robinson, President, at that allow us to begin understanding how and why [email protected]. genetic variation is distributed across the landscape and the functional significance of that variation. This type of data provides more powerful ways to assess taxonomy, gene flow, hybridization, diets, Co-author Affiliations demography, and even local adaptation of species. Rachel Crowhurst is Population Genetics Laboratory Manager These advances in molecular technologies have at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon and a member of the Molecular Ecology Working Group. been driven by research on the human genome; therefore, applying them to non-model wildlife Sara Oyler-McCance, Ph.D., is a Research Geneticist for the U.S. Geological Survey in Fort Collins, Colorado and Board species may seem rather daunting. Downstream Member of the Molecular Ecology Working Group. data analysis pipelines and analytical approaches will need to be developed to make progress. But Stacie J. Robinson, Ph.D., is a Research Ecologist for NOAA in the Protected Species Division at the Pacific Islands the promise of answering questions about genetic Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, Hawaii and President of components of fitness and selection will likely pro- the Molecular Ecology Working Group. vide the impetus for wildlife geneticists to develop

By Divya Abhat

ast year, the International Journal for others, coupled with the creation of some of our gov- Environmental Studies—a leading source ernment institutions such as the U.S. Forest Service L of interdisciplinary environmental re- and the rise of periodicals like Forest and Stream—a search—published a special monograph entitled new idea was given voice and expression. Theodore “Conservation and Hunting in North America.” This Roosevelt, the lion of conservation, explained this idea unique effort brings together a wide-ranging series best: That it was the right of every American citizen to of peer-reviewed articles written by leading con- sustainably use resources, including wildlife, but it cer-

Credit: Jocelyn Mathewes servation experts including Terry Jones, Valerius tainly wasn’t the right of any citizen to use resources Geist, and Paul Krausman, among others. Each in such a way that would deny future generations the Divya Abhat is Managing Editor article focuses on a different aspect of the undeniable same opportunity. So the great turning was to replace of The Wildlife relationship that exists between conservation and market hunting for profit with recreational hunting for Professional. hunting, all within the North American context. Mov- personal benefits of meat and recreation. At the same ing from a long historical perspective through to the time the great efforts to protect wilderness took hold present day, contributors explore such significant en- and the wings of conservation were established. vironmental issues as conservation and management of large carnivores, Canadian Inuit management of How does hunting serve as a tool for wildlife Arctic species, and archaeological perspectives on conservation? prehistoric conservation. I recently caught up with Shane Mahoney— First, there is the historic reality. Hunting was an guest editor and contributing author absolutely crucial part of the motivation for establish- of the monograph, director of ing the conservation ethic for a number of reasons. Conservation Force (an international The hunting population consisted of the average organization that strives for global hunter who was hunting to secure food, the market wildlife conservation, education, and hunter who had a business providing meat for people research), and international liaison to consume, and the hunting elite—those wealthy of The Wildlife Society—to learn individuals who borrowed a certain level of European more about the monograph. panache and approach such as fair chase, thereby elevating hunting to a socio-cultural expression. Thus When did unrestrained slaugh- there were members in all of those groups who had ter of species circa 15th through something critical to lose and to say about the disap- 18th centuries evolve into regu- pearance of wildlife. lated hunting? With that said, it was not only hunters who partici- Early settlers had discovered in North pated in this original idea of conservation in North America a land they believed limit- America. When the crisis for shorebirds became Courtesy of Shane Mahoney less. From their first colonizing efforts evident due to massive overexploitation for the fashion they set about taking resources as if they too had no trade, Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell made it an limit. As cities expanded, settlers rushed to fill the issue for entirely other reasons than wanting to hunt market demand– not just for meat, but also for feath- those birds. They were concerned simply about the ers and hides. They launched a wholesale slaughter destruction of those species as incredible life forms. and wildlife could not replenish fast enough. When they set about to stop the slaughter of those birds, the biggest problem they faced was the fashion Then suddenly, in the 1870s and on through the ‘80s— industry and not the meat industry. At that time, the with the establishment of organizations such as the women’s suffrage movement was looking for ideas, Boone and Crockett Club, the Sierra Club, and various issues, and causes that would demonstrate legitimate

60 The Wildlife Professional, Winter 2014 © The Wildlife Society and exemplary progressive social ideals. Those coura- What’s the key take-home message of the geous women saw conservation of our great shore bird monograph? fauna as an example of what it meant to be legitimate citizens and they fought to end the millinery trade by There are many but perhaps the most important is that essentially embarrassing people who wore hats with when people care, they can take on absurd odds and egret feathers or birds’ nests. win. Our predecessors in conservation took a big leap of faith in challenging the machinery of market hunting In this monograph, our primary task is to relay what in North America and turning wildlife harvest over to hunting has done. However, part of what we always recreational hunting, but they did it. “Sustainable Use” have to do is to point out that hunting and hunters is not just a term; it is one very effective way forward were not alone in their efforts or successes. for conservation.

What role has politics played—and what role What’s next? does it continue to play—in wildlife conservation in the United States and Canada? We’re well into a second monograph on the same topic, intended for publication in the same journal, hope- Conservation has always been in the vortex of politics. fully in spring 2015. The focus this time is providing Even the earliest efforts made in launching the move- specific case studies of wildlife recovery and conserva- ment became highly politicized issues. Many people in tion efforts that indisputably have their roots traced government despised Roosevelt and his colleagues for to the hunting world. When completed, these two their interventions, as these inevitably meant taking on monographs will provide one of the strongest collec- industries with huge political and economic influence. tions of peer-reviewed work on hunting’s conservation Remember that at this time, a pound of egret feathers potential available anywhere. I hope state and provin- was worth more than a pound of gold. You did not shut cial wildlife managers as well as academics will use this down lucrative markets and be held in high esteem by work to ponder and engage conservation’s future. those whose fortunes you just sequestered.

We should dispense with this idea that politics is some slippery eel invading our nest and devouring our ideas. Instead let’s realize that we are part of a social movement. Once we realize what conservation really is, rather than confusing it with our professions or occupations, then we can accept that this is and must naturally be a part of the political agenda of our country. After all, we cannot on the one hand want politics to work in our favor and then decry politics when it works against us.

Is the objective of this monograph to speak to the rest of the world?

Indeed it is. If we do not find common ground soon, and if we do not deal effectively with the human issues that surround conservation, we are going to see a brutal escalation in the loss of biodiversity. I believed it was important to make the world aware that hunting can be an effective conservation tool, though certainly not the only one, and that the North American experience in this regard is a powerful example with abundant evidence to demonstrate its effectiveness. This monograph recommends that sustainable use of wildlife can be a conservation mechanism anywhere, but that it has to be derived within the nation and the local culture.

Technology System Improves Shorebird Tracking transmitters made by the company Lotek—to their feathers. They also constructed and activated two telemetry towers Every fall, thousands of semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris that receive the NanoTag transmissions. When a tagged bird pusilla) migrate from the grassy, arctic tundra to the Southern flies within 12 kilometers of a tower, the tower picks up and Hemisphere. The shorebirds fly thousands of miles to their records its NanoTag’s unique signal, allowing the researchers wintering grounds in the Caribbean and off the coast of South to track any near-shore movement. America—but not before making a crucial stop in coastal states such as Maine and New Hampshire to replenish their Using this system of tracking technology, Holberton and energy reserves after a busy summer raising chicks. Tudor pinpointed exactly where the eastern coastal population of semipalmated sandpipers foraged before migrating south. But the precise location of the foraging and roosting sites and This information could have serious management implications the duration of the birds’ stay have remained a mystery—until because the sandpipers share mudflats with people digging for recently, when bird biologists found a new way to track the bait worms and clams—both of which are subsistence foods tiny shorebirds. Two summers ago, Rebecca Holberton of and major commercial fisheries in Maine. “Bottom line for our the University of Maine and Lindsay Tudor from the Maine project is that we’ve shown our birds aren’t going anywhere Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife received funding to else to fatten,” Holberton says. “If these areas aren’t providing use nanotech tracking technology to follow semipalmated enough food, then these birds won’t make it.” sandpipers as they traveled through the east coast of Maine. “We needed to identify feeding areas available during low tide, The sheer volume of data gleaned from the NanoTags and which is when the mud flats are available. And then high-tide, tower system is impressive given that previous banding tech- rocky ledges where they roost,” Holberton says. niques had considerably lower recovery rates. Kate O’Brien, wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service In the first year of their project, the researchers netted 95 (FWS), tracks a southern population of sandpipers as part of semipalmated sandpipers and glued NanoTags—coded radio her job and estimates that 2 percent of all banded birds are ever recaptured. Meanwhile, NanoTags and telemetry towers pick up about 80 to 90 percent of tagged birds, according to O’Brien. She attributes the high success rate to the fact that the towers never shut down and, as a result, collect data around the clock—a vast improvement from researchers having to use handheld receivers to manually collect data. Further, the NanoTags weigh a quarter gram and can track smaller species, such as the semipalmated sandpiper, that are sometimes weighed down by larger, traditional satellite transmitters. As a result, scientists can follow a greater number of species.

Though Holberton and Tudor have not yet published their preliminary data, they continue to move forward with their project, which includes establishing new collaborations with agencies such as FWS. This past summer, O’Brien piloted a sister project that monitors a southern population of sandpipers within the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells, Maine. Two local towers ping shorebirds and help O’Brien identify critical feeding and roosting sites inside the refuge. Additionally, O’Brien can access data from the network of telemetry towers that now line the eastern seaboard. “The Credit: Rebecca Holberton/University of Maine tower tracking, this whole collaboration, is unparalleled,” A researcher holds a sandpiper that’s been fitted with a small NanoTag. The O’Brien says. “To have all these different researchers sharing coded transmitter allows scientists to track the bird up and down the eastern information, sharing towers, working together— we all get to U.S. seaboard as it migrates between the arctic and South America. see the big pictures, and that’s unusual.”

Hal Salwasser Riffell was an assistant professor in the Center for Integrative The Wildlife Society lost former Studies and in the Department of Zoology at Michigan State president and noted forest ecologist University before moving to Mississippi State University in Hal Salwasser on October 15, 2014. 2004. There he was an assistant professor in the Department He was 69. of Wildlife and Fisheries and served as coordinator of undergraduate programs. Riffell eventually became an associate Salwasser graduated from California professor in the College of Forest Resources. His primary State University, Fresno with a B.A. in research focused on the effects of human activities on various biology in 1971 and earned a Ph.D. in avian species in grassland and wetland habitats. wildland resource science from the Uni- Credit: Oregon State University versity of California, Berkeley in 1979. Riffell also was a noted educator and mentor. “Sam was tremendously dedicated to wildlife and to the education In 1977, Salwasser became a wildlife ecologist for the U.S. of young professionals in wildlife management,” said Eric Forest Service (FS). During his 22-year career, he served as a Dibble, interim head of the department of wildlife, fisheries, senior analyst of natural resources for the President’s Com- and aquaculture at Mississippi State University. “He told me mission on American Outdoors, deputy director of Wildlife often that if he could turn someone on to the importance of and Fisheries, and director of New Perspectives. Later, he conservation biology, it would make his day.” worked as a forester in the Northern Rockies and taught wildlife conservation at the University of Montana. Salwasser Riffell received several awards during his career including concluded his career with FS as director of the Pacific South- the American Ornithologists’ Union Research Award and the west Research Station. George and Martha Wallace Award for Ornithology.

Salwasser became dean of the College of Forestry at Oregon Rhonda M. Sidner State University in 2000, where he developed policies and Noted bat researcher and Wild- forest management strategies that minimized environmen- life Society member, Rhonda tal impacts. He was instrumental in guiding regional policy, “Ronnie” Sidner passed away offering expert testimony to the Oregon State Legislature. August 2, 2014. She was 63. The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded him the Senior Executive Service Award for Superior Service three times: in Sidner earned a B.A. in arts 1992, 1996, and 1999. and elementary education from Kansas State University in 1972. Salwasser was president of The Wildlife Society from After graduation, she taught

1993-1994. He was a founding member of the Society for science in California for several Courtesy of Arizona Department of Fish and Game Conservation Biology and active in the Society for Ameri- years before continuing her can Foresters and the Ecological Society of America. education at the University of Arizona, where she earned a M.S. in mammology in 1982 and a Ph.D. in biology in 1997. Samuel K. Riffell The wildlife profession lost Sidner was an avid conservationist. She served as an ecological landscape ecologist and member consultant to private companies and various federal and state of The Wildlife Society, Samuel agencies. However, her most memorable research included Riffell on August 11, 2014. He a 25-year monitoring study of lesser long-nosed bats at Fort was 44. Huachuca, and tracking a population of cave myotis bats at Kartchner Caverns. “Her work mantra was ‘get the most Riffell graduated from Asbury information with the least disturbance,’” says colleague Debbie College in 1992 with a B.S. in Buecher. “She didn’t just talk it,” says Buecher. “She walked it.” biology. He went on to earn a M.S. in environmental studies from Sidner was on the faculty at the Tuscon Audubon Society’s

Baylor University in 1994 and a Courtesy of Mississippi State University Institute for Desert Ecology, educating the public at various Ph.D. in zoology from Michigan bat and wildlife festivals. She also was an adjunct faculty State University in 2000. member at the University of Arizona.

© The Wildlife Society www.wildlife.org 63 (Top) Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Wisconsin. Credit: Steve Jordan. (Below left) Red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), Wisconsin. Credit: Donald Brown. (Below right) Grey-headed bush shrike (Malaconotus blanchoti) feeds on a lizard, South Africa. Credit: Tom Knudson.

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