Innovative solutions to human-wildlife conflicts : National Wildlife Research Center accomplishments, 2008

2009·7.8 MB·English

by  National Wildlife Research Center (U.S.)

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

Reserve
aSK361 USDA
.N3722
2009
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Miscellaneous Publication No. 1603
B
Innovative Solutions to
Human-Wildlife Conflicts
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/
4
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://w\A/w.aphis. usda.gov/ws/nwrc
Main telephone number NWRC Field Stations
[phone]
FAX: [phone] Bismarck, ND Olympia, WA
[phone] [phone]
Information Services FAX: [phone] FAX: [phone]
[phone]
FAX: [phone] Gainesville, FL Philadelphia, PA
E-mail: nwrc@usda,gov [phone] [phone]
FAX: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Animal Care
[phone] Hilo, HI Sandusky, OH
[phone] [phone]
Research Programs FAX: (808) 961^776 FAX: [phone]
Agriculture and Resource Protection:
[phone] Logan, UT Starkville, MS
[phone] [phone]
Invasive Species and Technology Development: FAX: [phone] FAX: [phone]
[phone]
Millville, UT, Office Kingsville, TX
Wildlife Diseases: [phone] [phone]
[phone] FAX: [phone] FAX: [phone]
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 [phone] (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 [phone] (voice) or [phone] (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 May 2009
Contents
Introduction.1
Developing Methods.6
Agriculture and Resource Protection Research Program.7
Wildlife Disease Research Program .19
Invasive Species and Technology Development Research Program.31
Program Support—Registration Highlights.45
Providing Wildlife Services.48
National Support.49
International Cooperation.54
Valuing and Investing in People.56
Awards and Training.57
Staff Changes.58
2007 Publication Awards.59
Supporting Student Research.60
Enhancing Information and Communication.62
Legislative and Public Affairs.63
Library.63
Web Site.64
Archives.64
Seminars.64
Meetings, Workshops, and Conference Presentations.67
Publications.67
Introduction
The mission of the National Wildlife Research helping resolve the ever expanding and changing
Center (NWRC) is to apply scientific expertise to issues associated with wildlife damage management
resolve human-wildlife conflicts while maintaining and remains well positioned to address new issues
the quality of the environment shared with wild¬ through proactive efforts and strategic planning
life. As the research arm of the USDA Animal and activities.
Riant Health Inspection Service’s (ARHIS) Wildlife
Services (WS) program, NWRC develops methods NWRC research is organized under three research
and information to address human-wildlife conflicts programs that reflect APHIS’ commitment to
related to: “protecting agricultural and natural resources from
agricultural animal and plant health threats, zoo¬
• agriculture (crops, livestock, aquaculture, and notic diseases, invasive species, and wildlife
timber), conflicts and diseases’’^
• human health and safety (wildlife disease,
aviation), • Agriculture and Resource Protection—Focuses
• property damage, on reducing wildlife damage to crops, aquacul¬
• invasive species, and ture, timber resources, livestock and property;
• threatened and endangered species. examines the ecology, behavior, and manage¬
ment of birds and mammals; and develops
The NWRC employs more than 160 scientists, tech¬ methods to mitigate wildlife-aviation strike
nicians, and support staff to develop and evaluate hazards.
new wildlife damage management tools and strate¬
gies that are biologically sound, environmentally • Invasive Species and Technology Development—
safe, and socially responsible. NWRC’s research au¬ Develops methods for reducing damage by
thority comes from the Animal Damage Control Act invasive vertebrate species to native wildlife and
of 1931. This Act allows the Secretary of Agriculture ecosystems; promotes technological development
to conduct investigations, experiments, and tests to in areas related to pesticide registration, formula¬
determine the best methods of controlling animals tion chemistry, chemical analysis, benefit-cost
injurious and/or a nuisance to agriculture, horti¬ analysis, and wildlife contraceptives.
culture, forestry, animal husbandry, wildlife, and
human health and safety. It also gives authority to • Wildlife Disease—Explores ways to reduce the
the USDA to develop methods and control wildlife spread and transmission of diseases from wildlife
that are reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. to humans and domestic animals; develops dis¬
ease diagnostic methods; develops methods and
NWRC’s research programs and priorities are strategies to monitor wildlife pathogens; assesses
based on nationwide research needs assessments. risks to agriculture and human health and safety;
Congressional directives, WS program needs, and and assists WS operations with surveillance and
stakeholder input. The Center is committed to monitoring.
‘ From APHIS Strategic Plan (2007-2012)
Introduction 1
In addition to the three main research programs,
the NWRC maintains a broad range of support func¬
tions, including pesticide and drug registration,
analytical chemistry, animal care, administration,
information transfer, archives, quality assurance, fa¬
cility development, and legislative and public affairs.
Strategic Planning
In 2008, the NWRC Management Team and staff
developed a new 5-year strategic plan for the
Center. The NWRC Strategic Plan for 2008-2013 in¬
forms and provides guidance to NWRC employees, worked as a fisheries technician for the Washington
partners, and stakeholders regarding the Center’s Department of Fisheries. He quickly moved into a
vision, mission, and long-term strategic goals. It career in animal control as a consultant while at
identifies several key challenges NWRC manage¬ BGSU, where he took jobs with the private pest
ment and employees face and aligns NWRC’s goals control industry and did mosquito, rodent, and bird
with the APHIS mission and organizational priorities. control work.
During 2008-2013, NWRC will strive to reach the After receiving his doctorate in 1974, Dr. Bruggers
following strategic goals: spent 5 years as a bird control specialist with the
• Strengthen research capacity United Nations Development Program. There, he
• Value and invest in NWRC employees led and participated in bird control and crop protec¬
• Enhance animal well-being tion projects in both western and eastern African
• Improve information and technology transfer countries. This experience led Dr. Bruggers to the
• Develop and secure adequate workforce and Denver Wildlife Research Center (DWRC) in 1979
infrastructure (now the NWRC as of 1998), where he joined the
Section of International Programs first as a wildlife
Leadership Changes biologist and then as Section Chief in 1984. During
this time. Dr. Bruggers published more than 80
NWRC Director Richard Bruggers Retires—After scientific papers and a book, Quelea, Africa’s Bird
a long and very productive professional career. Dr. Pest (Oxford University press). Over the years. Dr.
Richard Bruggers retired as Director of the NWRC Bruggers worked in 34 countries, while providing
in April 2008. Dr. Bruggers began his academic ca¬ oversight for 110 assignments for NWRC scientists
reer with an undergraduate degree at Hope College working in 95 countries. This was a period of critical
in Holland, Michigan. Subsequently, he received importance for U.S. Government technical assis¬
both his master’s and doctorate degrees in biol¬ tance to developing countries. The U.S. Agency for
ogy at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in International Development, the World Bank, the in¬
Ohio, where he studied animal behavior. Like many ternational agriculture research centers, and several
at NWRC, Dr. Bruggers gained his early profes¬ United Nations agencies all relied on the NWRC’s
sional experience as a field technician. In 1969, he research and technical expertise.
2 Introduction
In 1994, Dr. Bruggers was selected as the Assistant Dr. Bruggers’ contributions to the wildlife services
Director of the DWRC/NWRC and, in 2004, as the field have been recognized with one USFWS Group
Director of the NWRC. Dr. Bruggers worked a total Achievement Research Award, six DWRC/NWRC
of 5 years with the United Nations, 8 years with the scientific publication awards, an Accomplished
U.S. Department of the Interior, and 22 years with Graduate recognition award at BGSU, USDA
USDA. He has had a long and illustrious 35-year and APHIS International Honor Awards, a Jack
career as a scientist who has made many impor¬ H. Berryman Institute Award, a Wildlife Services
tant contributions to bird pest management, brown Deputy Administrator’s Strategic Vision and
treesnake methods development, international ca¬ Strategic Management Award, a nomination for the
pacity building, and the development and impact of Presidential End Hunger Award, and two USDA
the NWRC in the field of wildlife damage research. Honor Awards (the highest recognition within
Some of Dr. Bruggers’ notable contributions relate USDA). Dr. Bruggers was also an elected Fellow of
to the first studies to aerially mark birds; develop¬ The Explorers Club, a prestigious international pro¬
ment of miniature transmitters for quealea in Africa; fessional society dedicated to the advancement of
development of repellents; and behavioral ecology field research and scientific exploration.
studies to mitigate bird damage to crops in Africa.
Dr. Bruggers has also made invaluable contribu¬ New NWRC Director and Assistant Director—
tions toward the development of the NWRC. He Dr. Larry Clark was named as the new Director of
has developed and instituted the Center’s current the NWRC in April 2008. Prior to this position, Dr.
Research Project Management System; established Clark served as the Center’s
(along with the Center’s previous Director) the Assistant Director and was
new NWRC headquarters in Fort Collins, provid¬ responsible for manag¬
ing Wildlife Services with state-of-the-art research ing the NWRC and its field
facilities and Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) capabilities; stations, setting internal
initiated improved security measures to protect policies and directives, and
staff and other assets throughout the Center; and promoting collaboration
acquired a dedicated Legislative and Public Affairs among research programs.
Specialist for the Center.
Dr. Larry Clark. Dr. Clark received his
(Photo by Gail Keirn)
Dr. Bruggers’ own background in field research Ph.D. in Biology from the
helped him recognize the need for modernizing the University of Pennsylvania and began his career
NWRC’s Field Station facilities, and the Center ac¬ with APHIS in 1991. During the past 17 years,
complished much of this work during his tenure. Dr. he has been instrumental in establishing NWRC’s
Bruggers has fostered WS research and operational wildlife disease research capabilities and has held
collaborations and closer relationships with univer¬ positions as both an APHIS science fellow and re¬
sities, other APHIS programs, and other partners. search scientist. In 1995, Clark became one of the
In these endeavors, Dr. Bruggers has worked tire¬ first NWRC staff members to establish a coopera¬
lessly to garner stakeholder and financial support tive relationship with the Colorado State University
for research and methods development activities at community.
NWRC.
Introduction 3
Dr. Mark Tobin was Research Building and the future Wildlife Disease
selected as the new Research Building (WDRB) BSL-3 Ag biocontain¬
Assistant Director to fill ment research building (described below).
Dr. Clark’s vacant posi¬
tion in August 2008. Dr. Acoustic Attenuation of the Invasive Species
Tobin was the Agriculture Research Building—A building exhaust acousti¬
and Resource Protection cal attenuation construction project was completed
Program Manager be¬ on the existing Invasive Species Research Building
fore becoming Assistant (ISRB) in August 2008. The purpose was to re¬
Dr. Mark Tobin. Director. In his 20-year duce the sound generated by the massive amount
(Photo by Gail Keirn)
career with NWRC, Dr. of exhaust air that is eliminated continuously from
Tobin has served as Supervisory Research Wildlife the air exhaust stacks located on top of this indoor
Biologist at the Hilo, Hawaii, and Starkville, animal research building. The ISRB provides a
Mississippi, field stations. His research has included state-of-the-art facility to properly care for and study
developing tools and methods to control aquacul¬ invasive wildlife. Rooms in the building are designed
ture bird depredation and rodent damage in Hawaii. to simulate temperature and humidity ranges from
He received his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University temperate to tropical ecosystems. The lack of re¬
of California, Davis. circulated air in the ISRB leads to the tremendous
amount of exhaust air being eliminated through
Construction Update the stacks. New acoustic attenuators in lengthened
exhaust stacks have reduced the noise to more ac¬
NWRC’s 43-acre headquarters campus is located ceptable levels for both humans and animals.
on the Foothills Research Campus of Colorado State
University in Fort Collins, Colorado. As part of the Wildlife Disease Research Building—WS is working
Master Plan for the NWRC site, several planning to construct a new BSL-3 Ag research facility called
and construction activities took place during fiscal the Wildlife Disease Research Building (WDRB) at
year (FY) 2008. NWRC’s headquarters campus. The new research
building will contain approximately 21,000 sq-ft of
Guard House and Guard Stand—A new Guard user space and will greatly expand ARHIS’ capa¬
House and Guard Stand to further enhance the se¬ bilities to respond to wildlife disease emergencies
curity capabilities of the NWRC site was completed and resolve important disease issues that involve
in July 2008. The new Guard House and Guard livestock-wildlife and human-wildlife interactions.
Stand are located just outside the main entrance to
the NWRC site and provide facilities for the Center’s To support both experimental and field investiga¬
security guard service to better provide surveillance tions, a complete laboratory infrastructure and
and monitoring of all vehicular traffic entering and animal testing capability will be included in the
exiting the NWRC site. The enhanced security helps new BSL-3 Ag research facility to provide support
the Center to meet the higher level security require¬ for diagnostics methods development, vaccine de¬
ments for the BSL-3 biocontainment research velopment, risk assessments, and wildlife disease
suite that opened this year in the existing Animal surveillance and monitoring activities. Diagnostic
4 Introduction