Innovative solutions to human-wildlife conflicts : National Wildlife Research Center accomplishments 2006

2007·7.6 MB·English

by  National Wildlife Research Center (U.S.)

document
Historic, archived
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United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Miscellaneous Publication No. 1597
Innovative Solutions to
Human-Wildlife
Conflicts
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U.S. 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/ws/nwrc
Main telephone number NWRC FieldStations
[phone]
FAX: [phone] Bismarck, ND Olympia, WA
[phone] [phone]
Information Services FAX: [phone] FAX: [phone]
[phone]
FAX: [phone] Gainesville, FL Sandusky, OH
e-mail: [email protected] [phone] [phone]
FAX: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Animal Care
[phone] Hilo, HI Philadelphia, PA
[phone] [phone]
Research Programs FAX: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Birds: [phone]
Mammals: [phone] Logan, UT Starkville, MS
ProductDevelopment: [phone] [phone] [phone]
Wildlife Disease: [phone] FAX: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Millville, UT, Office Kingsville, TX
[phone] [phone]
FAX: [phone] FAX: [phone]
TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)prohibitsdiscriminationin Mentionofcompaniesorcommercialproductsdoesnotimply
allitsprogramsandactivitiesonthebasisofrace,color, nationalorigin, recommendationorendorsementbyUSDAoverothersnotmentioned.USDA
age,disability,andwhereapplicable,sex,maritalstatus,familialstatus, neitherguaranteesnorwarrantsthestandardofanyproductmentioned.
parentalstatus, religion,sexualorientation,geneticinformation,political Productnamesarementionedsolelytoreportfactuallyonavailabledataand
beliefs,reprisal,orbecauseallorpartofanindividual'sincomeisderived toprovidespecificinformation.
fromanypublicassistanceprogram. (Notallprohibitedbasesapplyto
allprograms.) Personswithdisabilitieswhorequirealternativemeansfor Thispublicationreportsresearchinvolvingpesticides. Allusesofpesticides
communicationofprograminformation(Braille, largeprint,audiotape,etc., mustberegisteredbyappropriateStateand/orFederalagenciesbeforethey
shouldcontactUSDA'sTARGETCenterat(202)720-2600(voiceandTDD). canberecommended.
Tofileacomplaintofdiscrimination,writetoUSDA, Director,OfficeofCivil
Rights, 1400IndependenceAvenue,S.W.,Washington, D.C.20250-9410, CAUTION:Pesticidescanbeinjurioustohumans,domesticanimals,desirable
orcall(800)795-3272(voice)or(202)720-6382(TDD).USDAisanequal plants,andfishorotherwildlifeiftheyarenothandledorappliedproperly.
opportunityproviderandemployer. Useallpesticidesselectivelyandcarefully. Followrecommendedpracticesfor
disposalofsurpluspesticidesandpesticidecontainers.
Coverphotocredit: U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior,U.S.FishandWildlife
Servicephotoofadouble-crestedcormorant.
IssuedJanuary2007
Contents
Introduction 1
Developing Methods 4
Bird Research Program 5
Mammal Research Program 15
Product Development Research Program 27
Program Support 38
Wildlife Disease Research Program 43
Providing Wildlife Services 56
National Support 57
International Cooperation 62
Valuing and Investing in People 66
2005 Publication Awards 68
Supporting Student Research 68
Enhancing Information and Communication 70
Information Services 71
Seminars 74
Meetings, Workshops, and Conference Presentations 76
Publications 77
Introduction
Nilgai antelope with a radio collar is released in Texas. (APHIS photo by Tyler Campbel
National Wildlife Research Center
— —
Mission The mission of the U.S. Department of Expertise NWRC employs more than 150
Agriculture's (USDA) Wildlife Services (WS) Program scientists, technicians, and support personnel
is to provide Federal leadership in managing at its Fort Collins, CO, headquarters and at field
problems caused by wildlife. The National Wildlife stations in several other States. NWRC scientists
Research Center (NWRC) functions as the research have expertise in a wide range of disciplines,
arm of WS by applying scientific expertise to the including animal behavior, wildlife biology, wildlife
development of information and practical methods sensory biology, epidemiology, chemistry, wildlife
to resolve problems caused by the interaction of diseases, immunology, reproductive physiology,
people and wildlife. As part of WS' strategic plan statistics, toxicology, wildlife genetic for ensics,
to improve the coexistence of people and wildlife, and veterinary medicine. NWRC's research is
NWRC has identified four strategic program goals: organized under four programs:
(1) developing methods, (2) providing wildlife
services, (3) valuing and investing in people, and • The Bird Research Program focuses on reducing
(4) enhancing information and communication. bird damage to crops and aquaculture facilities;
WS is dedicated to helping meet the wildlife-damage reducing bird-aircraft collisions; developing new
management needs of the United States by building bird repellants; and reducing predation losses
on NWRC's strengths in these four key areas. This and property damage caused by vultures.
annual research highlights report is structured
around these program goals. • The Mammal Research Program examines
the ecology, behavior, and management of
mammalian predators in relation to livestock,
game animals, and threatened and endangered
species; develops methods for reducing invasive
species damage on islands; and provides
solutions to problems associated with foraging
mammals.
The Wildlife Disease Research Program explores
ways to reduce the spread and transmission of
diseases from wildlife to humans and domestic
animals; monitor wildlife for pathogens; provide
risk assessments for agriculture and human
health and safety; and assist WS operations for
surveillance and monitoring efforts.
The Product Development Research Program
encompasses studies for pesticide registration,
formulation chemistry, chemical analysis,
benefit-cost analysis, and wildlife contraceptive
development.
Introduction 1
—
Construction Update The NWRC headquarters BSL-3 level facilities have safeguards that are
is located on 43 acres on the Foothills Research designed to prevent the spread of agents that may
Campus of Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort be transmitted through respiration. The renovation
Collins. During fiscal year 2006, several planning created a BSL-3-enhanced laboratory plus two
and construction activities took place, related to standard animal rooms and six animal cubicles that
completing the Master Plan for the NWRC site. can be used for BSL-3 animal disease research.
This renovated space will be used beginning in the
Renovation was completed on a portion of the spring of 2007 for BSL-3 research studies, after a
existing Animal Research Building to create break-in period under BSL-2 conditions.
Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory space and
animal holding and testing space for ongoing wildlife
disease research and diagnostics.
2 Introduction
Artist's rendering ofthe NWRC Invasive
Species Research Building.
(Ben Robbins, BurkettDesign,
Denver, CO; reproduced by
permission.)
Construction of the Invasive Species Research The last building to be constructed as part of the
Building (ISRB) was completed in November NWRC Headquarters Master Plan is a new Wildlife
2006. The 25,000-ft2 ISRB will provide NWRC with Disease Research Building (WDRB). The WDRB
indoor animal research space specifically designed will house most of NWRC's BSL-3 disease research
to hold wild animal species that are not native to and will be constructed to BSL-3-Ag standards.
the United States. The building will be capable of During 2006, the environmental assessment, a writ-
maintaining tropical climates with high humidity ten Program of Requirements, and the "30-percent
and high temperatures and will contain a diagnostic design" of this anticipated 25,000-ft2WDRB were
imaging laboratory. This laboratory will provide completed. Final design and construction will take
digital radiography and ultrasound capabilities for place in 2007 and 2008 with a planned completion
all research and animal-care needs on the entire date of December 31, 2008.
NWRC
site.
Introduction 3
Developing Methods
GOAL: Increase effective methods available for
damage management.
wildlife
The managementofstarling populations in feedlots and dairies is a difficult problem foragricultural producers. (APHIS file photo.)