Innovative Solutions to Human–Wildlife Conflicts
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United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Miscellaneous Publication No. 1599 Innovative Solutions to Human–Wildlife Conflicts National Wildlife Research Center Accomplishments, 2007 United States Department of Agriculture National Wildlife Research Center Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 4101 LaPorte Ave. Wildlife Services Fort Collins, CO 80521–2154 http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc Main telephone number NWRC Field Stations (970) 266–6000 FAX: (970) 266–6032 Bismarck, ND Logan, UT (701) 250–4468 (435) 797–2505 Information Services FAX: (701) 250–4408 FAX: (435) 797–0288 (970) 266–6015 Millville, UT, Office FAX: (970) 266–6010 Gainesville, FL (435) 245–6091 e-mail: [email protected] (352) 375–2229 FAX: (435) 245–3156 FAX: (352) 377–5559 Animal Care Olympia, WA (970) 266–6204 Hilo, HI (360) 956–3925 (808) 961–4482 FAX: (360) 534–9755 Research Programs FAX: (808) 961–4776 Agriculture and Resource Protection: (970) 266–6133 Sandusky, OH Invasive Species and Technology Development: (970) 266–6159 Kingsville, TX (419) 625–0242 Wildlife Disease: (970) 266–6122 (361) 593–2426 FAX: (419) 625–8465 FAX: (361) 593–4311 Starkville, MS (662) 325–8215 FAX: (662) 325–8704 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all Mention of companies or commercial products does not imply recommendation its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or endorsement by USDA over others not mentioned. USDA neither disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental guarantees nor warrants the standard of any product mentioned. Product status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, names are mentioned solely to report factually on available data and to reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any provide specific information. public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication This publication reports research involving pesticides. All uses of pesticides of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc., should contact must be registered by appropriate State and/or Federal agencies before they USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a can be recommended. complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, or CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or (202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal plants, and fish or other wildlife if they are not handled or applied properly. opportunity provider and employer. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for disposal of surplus pesticides and pesticide containers. Issued January 2008 Contents Introduction ...............................................................................................1 Developing Methods ...................................................................................4 Agriculture and Resource Protection Research Program ......................... 5 Wildlife Disease Research Program .................................................... 19 Invasive Species and Technology Development Research Program ........ 30 Registration Program Support ........................................................... 43 Providing Wildlife Services .......................................................................46 National Support ............................................................................. 47 International Cooperation ................................................................. 48 Valuing and Investing in People ...............................................................50 2006 Publication Awards ................................................................. 52 Supporting Student Research ........................................................... 52 Staff Changes .................................................................................. 53 Information and Communication ..............................................................56 Information Services ..................................................................................57 Seminars ..................................................................................................59 Meetings, Workshops, and Conference Presentations ................................60 Publications ..............................................................................................60 i Introduction NWRC scientists have expertise in a wide range of disciplines, including wildlife biology, wildlife disease, chemistry, and veterinary medicine. National Wildlife Research Center The National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) is a permits NWRC to continue to effectively address world leader in providing science-based solutions both the current and rapidly emerging new priorities to complex issues of wildlife damage management. of APHIS, the WS program, and the Center in the As the research arm of the Wildlife Services (WS) area of human–wildlife conflict mitigation. program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Although agricultural and plant health are still NWRC works with WS operational staff to provide highlighted in the vision and goals of the new APHIS Federal leadership and expertise to resolve wildlife Strategic Plan for 2007–12, they also encourage a conflicts related to agriculture, livestock, human stronger emphasis on invasive species; emerging health and safety (including wildlife diseases), wildlife diseases, such as avian influenza; and invasive species, and threatened and endangered emergency response. These APHIS goals are species. NWRC is committed to finding nonlethal consistent with USDA’s 2005–10 Strategic Plan solutions to reduce wildlife damage to agricultural priorities—particularly “Enhance Protection and crops, aquaculture, and natural resources. As part Safety of the Nation’s Agricultural and Food of WS’ strategic plan to improve the coexistence Supply” and “Reduce the Number and Severity of of people and wildlife, NWRC has identified four Agricultural Pests and Disease Outbreaks.” strategic program goals: (1) developing methods, (2) providing wildlife services, (3) valuing and investing in people, and (4) enhancing information and communication. WS is dedicated to helping meet the wildlife-damage management needs of the United States by building on NWRC’s strengths in these four key areas. This annual research highlights report is structured around these program goals. Expertise NWRC employs more than 160 scientists, technicians, and support personnel at its Fort Collins, CO, headquarters and at field stations in several other States. NWRC scientists have expertise in a wide range of disciplines, including animal behavior, wildlife biology, wildlife sensory biology, epidemiology, chemistry, wildlife diseases, immunology, reproductive physiology, statistics, toxicology, wildlife genetic forensics, and veterinary medicine. NWRC’s main office is located in Fort Collins, CO. In August 2007, NWRC realigned its organizational structure and related project-management system to better address WS program, agency, and departmental priorities. This new project alignment Introduction 1 As a result of this new emphasis, the Center’s Construction Update current research projects have been realigned under three new Research Programs: NWRC’s 43–acre headquarters campus is located on Colorado State University (CSU) land in Fort • Agriculture and Resource Protection—Focuses Collins, CO. During fiscal year 2007, several planning on reducing wildlife damage to crops, aquaculture and construction activities took place, related to facilities, and timber resources; developing new completing the Master Plan for the NWRC site. repellants; reducing predation losses to livestock and property damage; and examining the ecology, Invasive Species Research Building—On behavior, and management of mammalian December 6, 2006, WS celebrated the opening predators. of its new 25,000-ft2 Invasive Species Research Building (ISRB). More than 100 people attended • Invasive Species and Technology Development— the opening ceremony, including representatives Develops methods for reducing invasive species from USDA, the builders (a Federal–private sector damage to native wildlife and ecosystems and partnership), and CSU. encompasses studies for pesticide registration, formulation chemistry, chemical analysis, The facility, built by the General Services benefit–cost analysis, and wildlife contraceptive Administration (GSA) and Everitt/Keenan Associates development. (a private developer), expands upon NWRC’s existing capabilities to conduct wildlife research by • Wildlife Disease—Explores ways to reduce the providing a state-of-the-art complex where invasive spread and transmission of diseases from wildlife wildlife can be properly cared for and studied. The to humans and domestic animals; develops ISRB also enhances NWRC’s ability to study the disease diagnostic methods; develops methods ecology, biology, behavior, and physiology of invasive and strategies to monitor wildlife pathogens; wildlife species and to develop management tools provides risk assessments for agriculture and and strategies for mitigating their damage and human health and safety; and