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August 2, 2004
Providing
Wildlife Services
Assessment
of Rodent Populations on Lehua Islet. During the week of
July 12-17, 2004, two National Wildlife Research Center
(NWRC) scientists from the Hilo, HI, field station conducted
rodent surveys on Lehua Islet, Kauai. Lehua Islet, a state
seabird sanctuary, is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and
is located off the northern tip of Niihau, 17 miles west
of Kauai. Its size is approximately 1 square kilometer.
NWRC scientists teamed up with 5 scientists from other state
and federal agencies as well as the National Tropical Botanical
Gardens to assess rodent abundance prior to future eradication
efforts. Rat activity was documented using tracking tunnels
and snap traps; 7 carcasses were collected for identification.
Eradication of rats and rabbits will benefit restoration
efforts for rare native plants on the island.
Information
and Communication
International Society of Chemical Ecology Annual Meeting.
The National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) sponsored a
symposium at the International Society of Chemical Ecology
annual meeting held July 25–28, 2004 in Ottawa, Ontario.
The topic of the symposium was “Chemically Mediated
Behavior in Wildlife: Examination and Application.”
Two NWRC scientists from Fort Collins, CO, and Olympia,
WA, co-organized the symposium and presented papers on applying
knowledge of chemically mediated behavior to protect forest
resources from damage by herbivores.
Developing
Methods
Rat
Reproduction and Control Studies on the Aleutian Islands.
Introduced rats cause a high mortality rate among protected,
nesting seabirds in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is designing a program
to eradicate the rats from many of the islands in the Alaskan
Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. With support from the
USFWS, a scientist from the National Wildlife Research Center
(NWRC) in Fort Collins, CO, designed and conducted a field
study to test the efficacy of a hand-broadcast bait application
of a diphacinone rodenticide pellet on a 10-acre area of
the island and to learn more about the rats of Kiska Island.
The rats were already feeding heavily on seabirds and, consequently,
were hard to lure to tracking stations, chew sticks, and
traps. Compiled data examined in July 2004 provide much
insight. All female rats captured were pregnant with 9-10
embryos, showing a very high reproductive performance when
faced with an abundant, nutritious food source. When birds
are not available, rats do not appear to fare well, though
some subsist on invertebrates and seaweed. The pelleted
bait was readily taken by the rats and seems to have controlled
rats on a sample plot where rat sign dropped about 85% versus
dropping only 17% on the control plot. To treat entire islands,
this successful approach to rat control can be adapted to
aerial application by helicopters working off ships
July 19, 2004
Developing
Methods
Scientists
complete cormorant roost study. In June 2004, biologists
from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Starkville,
MS, field station and the Wildlife Services operational
programs in Alabama and Mississippi completed a study of
double-crested cormorant roosts in eastern Mississippi and
western Alabama. These roosts serve as sources of birds
that cause damage on surrounding catfish farms. NWRC scientists
found that cormorants in this region use an average of 3
roost sites from January to April, spending about 20 days
per roost. More than 95% of cormorants located during the
day in this study were within 19 km of the roost they used
the previous night. Cormorants from about half of the roosts
in this region regularly fed on catfish ponds, but birds
from about the same number of roosts did not use catfish
ponds. The scientists also found that cormorants from this
region switched roosts less frequently and traveled shorter
distances to feed than those in previous studies conducted
in the Delta Region of western Mississippi. The biologists
conducting this study recommend concentrating roost management
activities in this region to disperse the roosts known to
impact aquaculture facilities, and to leave the roosts that
do not impact aquaculture undisturbed. This strategy will
allow managers and producers to maximize their resources
by focusing their efforts on problem roosts, thereby moving
birds to roost sites that are less likely to contribute
to the damage situation.
Information
and Communication
NWRC
presents research on new mongoose baits and efficacy of
frog control. Three scientists from the National Wildlife
Research Center (NWRC) Hilo, HI, field station attended
the Hawaii Conservation Conference June 29-30, 2004. The
scientists presented NWRC research on the development of
new mongoose lures, attractants, and baits, coqui frog hydration
effects on pesticide efficacy, and a poster on partnerships
among research, management, and community associations in
coqui frog control. The poster presentation was developed
in conjunction with the Hawaii operational program. More
than 500 people from around the world attended the conference.
July
12, 2004
Information
and Communication
On June 29-30, 2004, three scientists from the National
Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Hilo, HI, field station
presented NWRC research at the Hawaii Conservation Conference.
More than 500 people from throughout the world attended
the conference. The presentations included an invited lecture
on the development of new mongoose lures, attractants, and
baits, a lecture on coqui frog hydration effects on pesticide
efficacy, and a poster presentation on partnerships among
research, management, and community associations in coqui
frog control. The poster presentation was developed in conjunction
with the Hawaii Wildlife Services operational program.
June
28, 2004
Information
and Communication
Presentation
on Caribbean tree frogs—Two researchers from the National
Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Hilo, HI, field station
made a presentation at the Pepeekeo Community Association
meeting on the Big Island on June 19, 2004. Approximately
14 people attended the meeting, including realtors and landowners
of a new 100-lot subdivision. The presentation consisted
of ecological, prevention, and control information on invasive
Caribbean tree frogs, and information on other invasive-animal
research conducted by the NWRC field station. The researchers
discussed preventing frogs from entering an area by inspecting
all plants and landscaping materials; properly disposing
of yard debris and clearing understory vegetation; and not
collecting plant material from transfer stations or infested
areas.The researchers plan to keep in contact with association
members to answer additional questions.
June
21, 2004
Providing
Wildlife Services
Scientist
teaches virological sampling. In June 2004, a National Wildlife
Research Center scientist from Fort Collins, CO, traveled
to Arcata, CA, to train researchers from The University
of Minnesota and Colorado State University in field methods
for virological sampling of wildlife. It is anticipated
that West Nile virus (WNV) could reach northern California
this year. The training will assist these researchers in
efforts to conduct WNV surveillance on northern spotted
owls and their prey species. The owls are susceptible to
WNV infection and are listed as threatened under the Endangered
Species Act.
June
14, 2004
Developing
Methods
One
of the primary nesting beaches on Lake Champlain, VT, for
the threatened eastern spiny softshell turtle has suffered
nearly 100% losses of nests to raccoon predation in recent
years. A National Wildlife Research Center scientist from
Fort Collins, CO, worked with Vermont Wildlife Services
to develop a raccoon indexing method for application to
the Lake Champlain beach during the 2004 turtle nesting
season. A photographic index based on trailmaster cameras
was used in place of tracking plots. Application of the
method to control is currently ongoing, with predation and
benefit-costs to be assessed at the end of the turtle nesting
and hatching season. The data should permit analysis of
efficacy of removal efforts and efficacy of an electric
fence for excluding raccoons from the beach. It will simultaneously
index other species, such as fox, that may also be preying
on turtle nests.
In
late 2004 or early 2005, a National Wildlife Research Center
(NWRC) scientist from Fort Collins, CO, will begin testing
a passive tracking index (PTI), previously developed for
coyotes, foxes and dingoes, on the Ethiopian wolf. The Ethiopian
wolf is the rarest canid in the world, and monitoring its
population is essential to recovery efforts. The NWRC scientist,
who developed the index, collaborated with scientists from
The Murelle Foundation in 2003 to test the PTI on various
wildlife species in the lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia. Based
on that success, during February 2004, the PTI was tested
for use with the Ethiopian wolf. Placement of the tracking
plots on roads and trails in the Bale mountains was ineffective.
However, the wolves were observed moving from molerat mound
to molerat mound, their primary food source in the area.
Because molerat mounds are surrounded by bare ground, these
sites will be tested for use of tracking plots.
June
7, 2004
Developing
Methods
Beginning
in January 2004 and continuing through the end of the year,
a newly developed indexing method for difficult-to-observe
reptiles and amphibians, developed by a National Wildlife
Research Center (NWRC) biometrician, has been instituted
in two Florida state parks. The NWRC biometrician worked
with Wildlife Services biologists and Florida state park
personnel to develop a passive tracking index method for
reptiles and amphibians that involves placing boards along
transects within different habitats. Weekly indices are
calculated from two consecutive days of data collection
each week. The data are comprised of the number of each
species found under each board each day. Data will be collected
throughout December 2004 to obtain information on seasonal
activity. Already, important information has been obtained
on the abundance and prevalence of the invasive greenhouse
frog, as well as on species of concern such as the threatened
Florida scrub lizard, and the oak toad, which has seen a
reduction in its occupied areas. The greenhouse frog is
also invasive in Hawaii and has become a source of concern
there. Future tests of the indexing method might be applied
in Hawaii.
A
National Wildlife Research Center scientist worked with
the Wildlife Services Florida State Director and Wildlife
Specialists from January to April 2004 to develop and implement
efficient indexing methodologies to aid efforts to remove
the feral cats that threaten the highly endangered Key Largo
woodrat. For monitoring cats on Key Largo, sand plots were
created atop the island’s coral substrate along routes
that cats were expected to follow. By collecting the data
weekly to index the cat activity, areas with high activity
were targeted for live trapping (cats were given over to
a local animal shelter) and efficacy was assessed before
moving traps to other areas identified by the index as needing
trapping. In this way, feral cat populations in Key Largo
woodrat habitat were efficiently and effectively reduced.
Information
and Communication
A
National Wildlife Research Center researcher attended weekly
meetings in March and April 2004 to help organize “Math
Bowl,” a mathematics competition for junior high students
in Fort Collins, CO. In the competition, four teams of four
students each are asked to solve mathematical and some statistical
questions. Two competitions were held on April 23, one for
6th and 7th graders, and one for 8th and 9th graders. This
was the second year of competition and the most impressive
aspect was that all teams scored higher this year than the
winning team from last year. Events such as this help increase
student interest in the mathematical sciences.
June
1, 2004
Information
and Communication
On
May 25, 2004, National Wildlife Research Center scientists
participated in a joint planning session with the Wildlife
Services’ Rabies Coordinator and Rabies Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) Specialist. Since 1922, there
have been more than 10,000 positive cases of skunk-variant
rabies in California, with over 1,200 livestock and 20,000
pet cases of rabies. GIS plots revealed three traditional
“hot spots” of skunk-variant rabies in the state
(i.e., Contra Costa-Alameda, San Luis Obispo-Santa Barbara,
and Butte-Yuba-Yucca counties). Strategies were devised
to estimate disease impacts and oral rabies vaccine (ORV)
costs. Ultimately, scenario and forecast analyses will be
provided as decision-making tools for evaluating the potential
savings likely to accrue from a skunk-variant rabies ORV
program.
May
3, 2004
Providing
Wildlife Services
Biologists
at the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Sandusky,
OH, field station captured 400 brown-headed cowbirds in
April 2004 to aid in a cooperative recovery effort for the
endangered Kirtland’s warbler in Michigan. The trapped
cowbirds were used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) as decoys to lure other cowbirds to traps in areas
where warblers nest, thereby reducing the incidence of nest
parasitism during May and June. Since 1972, cowbird parasitism
has been reduced from over 50% to less than 5% of nests,
and the nesting population of warblers has increased from
about 180 to over 900 pairs. NWRC has provided the USFWS
with cowbirds for this endangered species project annually
since 1980. Other cooperating agencies include the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service, the Michigan Audubon Society,
the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S.
Forest Service.
Information
and Communication
On
April 20, 2004, a scientist from the National Wildlife Research
Center (NWRC) Logan, UT, field station presented a talk
"Current Development and Future Directions in Nonlethal
Predation Management for Wolves" at the Wolf Stewards
meeting in Odanah, WI. The conference was attended by approximately
100 people, including members of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and
Michigan state agencies, Wildlife Services operational personnel
from several states, and the general public.
Two
scientists from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
Sandusky, OH, field station participated in a meeting of
the Bird Hazard Task Force at John F. Kennedy International
Airport (JFKIA) on March 18, 2004. The scientists updated
findings from an examination of laughing gull dietary patterns
and invertebrates inhabiting JFKIA. Preliminary study findings
suggest Jamaica Bay laughing gulls forage on a wide variety
of foods, most of marine origin (e.g., horseshoe crab eggs).
Terrestrial (e.g., insects) and anthropogenic (e.g., French
fries) foods are also important. The NWRC scientists also
provided an overview of several 2004 research projects to
be conducted at JFKIA.
On
April 22, 2004, three National Wildlife Research Center
(NWRC) scientists from Fort Collins, CO, traveled to Modesto,
CA, for a meeting of the Vertebrate Pest Research Advisory
Council. This Council funds some Center research projects
aimed at improving wildlife damage management technology.
In attendance were a number of California county agriculture
commissioners, Wildlife Services (WS) staff, University
of California-Davis researchers, and agricultural producers/growers.
Research updates provided by NWRC scientists dealt with
(1) a benefit-cost analysis of WS-CA, (2) the development
of a reproductive agent to reduce fertility in crows and
rodents, and (3) the development of a novel toxicant for
coyotes.
On
April 24, 2004, a scientist from the National Wildlife Research
Center (NWRC) made a presentation in Golden, CO, on "West
Nile Virus Overview and History in North America" at
a public forum on "Wildlife Diseases and You"
sponsored by the Colorado Wildlife Federation and the National
Wildlife Federation. Presentations provided information
on West Nile virus and Chronic Wasting Disease on both national
and regional issues related to wildlife, domestic animal,
and human health.
Two
scientists from National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
Starkville, MS, field station joined New York Wildlife Services
(WS) biologists at the annual meeting of the Oneida Lake
Association in Cicero, NY, April 21-22, 2004. The WS biologists
presented information and answered questions from local
residents on a joint program for conducting research and
management on double-crested cormorants that breed in central
New York. This meeting serves as an annual forum for natural
resource managers to update local citizens, economic development
organizations, and environmental interests on work pertaining
to the economic and ecological well-being of the Oneida
Lake ecosystem. Approximately 350 residents and interested
parties attended the event.
From
April 20-23, 2004, a scientist from the National Wildlife
Research Center (NWRC) Bismarck, ND, field station, the
Wildlife Services (WS) Nebraska State Director, and a professor
from the University of Nebraska were invited by the Cargill
Company to consult with managers concerned about a histoplasmosis
outbreak related to large populations of starlings, pigeons,
and house sparrows at a plant site in Blair, NE. The participants
discussed methods of excluding birds from the facility and
reducing nuisance bird populations. A possible long-term
joint WS operations, WS/NWRC research and University of
Nebraska project was discussed as a way of providing assistance.
On
April 22, 2004, four scientists from the National Wildlife
Research Center (NWRC) Hilo, HI, field station staffed an
Earth Day booth at the University of Hawaii, Hilo. Booth
posters displayed NWRC research and provided general information
on invasive mongooses, birds, rodents, coqui and greenhouse
frogs, and brown treesnakes. In addition, field station
scientists discussed damage caused by invasive species and
provided curriculum packets so that teachers could bring
information back to the classroom and develop lessons. The
booth also displayed damage control tools (e.g. traps, bait
stations, radio collars), wildlife damage samples (e.g.
damaged macadamia nuts chewed by feral pigs and rodents),
and animal specimens. In attendance were 1,500-2,000 children
from kindergarten through high school, college students
and community members.
Two
researchers from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
Hilo, HI, field station presented an informational booth
at the Nanawale Community Fair in the Puna district of the
Big Island on April 24, 2004. Approximately 200 people attended
the fair. The NWRC biologists presented ecological and damage
control information on invasive rodents, Caribbean tree
frogs, brown treesnakes, birds, and mongooses using visual
displays, written material, and animal specimens. They also
assisted the community coordinator in mapping out coqui
frog populations within Nanawale Estates, and gave advise
on how to conduct sound surveys to estimate frog densities.
The researchers plan to follow up the fair presentation
with a presentation to the Nanawale Community Association
members and homeowners, focusing on coqui frog biology and
how to coordinate frog control within the community.
April
26, 2004
Information
and Communication
A
researcher from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
Hilo, HI, field station presented a training session on
rodent control in sugarcane at the Hawaiian Commercial &
Sugar plantation on the island of Maui on April 6-7, 2004.
The scientist discussed the biology and ecology of rodents
in sugarcane, damage characteristics, sampling techniques,
and current control strategies. The various training sessions,
sponsored by the Hawaii Agricultural Research Center (formerly
Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association) and the sugarcane plantations,
provide field supervisors and crew chiefs with up-to-date
information on such things as developing sugarcane varieties,
cultivation improvements, pest control, harvesting, milling,
and other aspects of growing sugarcane in Hawaii. Future
sessions by NWRC staff on rodent damage assessment surveys
and controlled field baiting trials have been requested
by the plantation managers.
On
March 16, 2004, the South Dakota State University Microbiology
Club visited the National Wildlife Research Center in Fort
Collins, CO. A speaker from the nearby Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory provided information
on the mission of the CDC and the types of diseases studied
in its labs. NWRC scientists discussed the Wildlife Services
mission and provided an overview of NWRC research, focusing
on wildlife contraceptive and disease studies. The 14 club
members then received a tour of the NWRC facilities.
April
19, 2004
Information
and Communication
A
National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) scientist participated
in a discussion of woodpecker damage to wood utility poles
as part of the International Conference on Utility Line
Structures held March 28-31, 2004, in Fort Collins, CO.
The group included individuals from several U.S. and Canadian
utility companies. The discussions centered on the extent
of woodpecker damage to poles, potential products for prevention,
control and repair of damage, and current NWRC repellent
research on pileated woodpeckers. The group toured the NWRC
research campus and saw first hand the amount of damage
pileated woodpeckers can do to untreated poles.
A
scientist from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
Logan, UT, field station presented a lecture entitled "Big
dogs and big cats: carnivore research in North and South
America" on Saturday, April 3, 2004, in Rocky Mountain
National Park, Colorado. This talk was sponsored by the
National Park Service as part of the Lyceum Lecture Series
focusing on predators. The NWRC scientist discussed research
projects examining the interactions of wolves, coyotes,
and pronghorn antelope in the Grand Teton National Park
area, as well as research investigating relationships among
jaguars, native prey, and livestock in Brazil. This lecture
was attended by more than 100 persons from the Estes Park
and Denver, CO, areas.
March
29, 2004
Information and Communication
On March 22-23, 2004, National Wildlife Research Center
(NWRC) scientists from Fort Collins, CO, and Sandusky, OH,
traveled to Philadelphia, PA, to attend the annual “Chemosensory
Challenges for Industry” symposium held by the Monell
Chemical Senses Center (where another NWRC scientist is
based). Presentations covered a variety of topics, including
several of practical interest to Wildlife Services. These
relevant topics included chemical methods to suppress bitterness
and astringency, strategies to suppress malodors and to
prevent ammonia production in urine, and fragrance chemicals
(such as citrus oil) to mask human scent. Other meeting
participants included more than 100 scientists and science
managers sent by Monell industrial sponsors.
A biologist from Great Britain’s Central Science Laboratory
visited the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Sandusky,
OH, field station March 8-11, 2004, to exchange information
on bird control at airports and at waste disposal areas.
The biologist viewed research underway at the NWRC Ohio
field station and participated in bird strike data collection.
In addition, differences between US and UK philosophies
about airport management and bird control were explored
while visiting a northern Ohio airport. The visiting biologist
presented a seminar on bird control at landfills and Canada
goose control in southern England to NWRC and Ohio Wildlife
Services personnel.
On March 12, 2004, a scientist from the National Wildlife
Research Center (NWRC) Hilo, HI, field station presented
a seminar to members of the National Invasive Species Council,
and the Invasive Species Advisory Committee. The seminar
was on current research and the role of the field station
within the National Wildlife Research Center. The National
Invasive Species Council is an inter-departmental council
that coordinates federal invasive species activities. Council
members include the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture,
Commerce, State, Defense, Treasury, Transportation, and
Health and Human Services, as well as the Administrators
of the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Agency
for International Development. The Council actively works
with the Invasive Species Advisory Committee, established
to advise the federal government on invasive species issues
and represent stakeholders. Members of the Council attending
included James Tate, Science Advisor to the U.S. Department
of the Interior Secretary; Hilda Diaz-Soltero, USDA; A.
Gordon Brown, USDI; Pete Egan, Armed Forces Pest Management
Board and 15 others.
March
22, 2004
Providing
Wildlife Services
A
scientist from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
has joined a small team of scientists and epidemiologists
(five from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[CDC] and one from the USDA) to conduct an investigation
of monkeypox virus in Ghana. The 2003 outbreak of monkeypox
virus in the United States is believed to have started following
importation of exotic pet species from Ghana. The joint
CDC/USDA investigation will involve: evaluation of human
disease, the search for animal reservoirs, and expansion
of laboratory capacity to support in-country disease surveillance.
The team arrived in Accra on March 16, 2004 and will be
working closely with the Ministry of Health (Ghana), the
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (University
of Ghana), and the National Zoo for the 3-week investigation.
During
mid-February 2004, scientists from the National Wildlife
Research Center Bismarck, ND, and Sandusky, OH, field stations
visited dairy farmers in upstate New York who are concerned
about sanitation and disease (both in the barns and milk)
and the impact on milk production from starlings eating
high-quality dairy supplements. Wildlife Services recently
re-registered DRC-1339 in New York for use in feedlots and
dairies and in February began using this avicide to reduce
troublesome starling populations. After pre-baiting with
nontoxic bait, DRC-1339 was used at three dairy farms that
had starling populations ranging from <1,000 to 8,000
birds. Starling populations declined by 40-90% the day following
application. Baiting at one site seemed to benefit surrounding
farmers. For example, personnel at a buffalo ranch about
5 miles north of a bait site retrieved numerous dead starlings
the day after the baiting took place and subsequently reported
fewer starlings after the baiting.
Information
and Communication
A
National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) scientist participated
in the Tres Rios Nature Festival held March 13 and 14, 2004,
at the Estrella Mountain Regional Park, near Phoenix, Arizona.
The festival was the first of a planned annual event to
provide wildlife educational opportunities for area residents.
Organizers anticipated approximately 10,000 people would
attend. NWRC collaborated with Arizona Wildlife Services
(WS) to present information on the North American beaver.
A taxidermic mount of a beaver, beaver skulls, footprints
and extracted teeth, gnawed tree sections, stems treated
with textural repellent, and telemetry equipment, were all
available for hands-on experiences. NWRC and WS personnel
discussed beaver biology and ecology, along with management
approaches and ongoing research. A poster provided written
descriptions and pictures depicting the animals, and the
costs and benefits derived from their behaviors. Interested
participants were given information on Wildlife Services
and the National Wildlife Research Center and children were
offered copies of the “Living with Wildlife”
handout on beaver. Several teachers took copies of the beaver
handout for use in their classrooms.
On
March 5, 2004, a National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
scientist from Fort Collins, Colorado, addressed about 60
Wildlife Master volunteers at their annual training meeting
in Broomfield, Colorado. Wildlife Masters are volunteers
who answer telephone inquiries about human-wildlife conflicts
as part of the Colorado State University Extension Program.
Attendees represented a six-county area of Colorado’s
Front Range. The scientist presented selected slides and
videotapes describing the behavior of eastern Colorado wildlife,
the pesticide guidelines affecting wildlife damage management
tools, and commercial control products sold to homeowners.
A
scientist with the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
Hilo, HI field station met with government officials, Wildlife
Services operational personnel, and commercial plant growers
to discuss a proposed emergency declaration on nonnative
coqui frogs. The emergency declaration is based on statutes
on excessive noise emitted by the coqui frogs and the potential
effects on "human health and the interference with
the comfortable enjoyment of life and property." The
scientist will continue to advise Hawaii elected officials
as requested.
Twenty-six
researchers from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
presented talks at the 21st annual Vertebrate Pest Conference,
held in Visalia, California, on March 1-4, 2004. The meeting,
to discuss issues and research in the area of wildlife damage
management, was attended by wildlife professionals from
the United States and 15 other countries. After the meeting,
the NWRC hosted two visitors from the Cooperative Research
Centre in Australia and one visitor from the Central Science
Laboratory. Both groups will be cooperating with the NWRC
in future research efforts.
March 1, 2004
Developing
Methods
On
February 18, 2004, National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
scientists from the Fort Collins, CO, headquarters, and
the Sandusky, OH, and Gainesville, FL, field stations met
in Christiansburg, VA, with biologists from Virginia Wildlife
Services to review progress on the NWRC Research Project,
“Develop new or improved vulture management methods
to reduce damage and livestock predation and disperse nuisance
roosts.” In addition, meeting participants visited
nearby NWRC study sites where NWRC researchers and WS biologists
had trapped and tagged 200 black vultures (and equipped
20 with radio transmitters) to document black vulture use
of an urban roost in Radford, VA, and black vulture activities
on livestock ranches within the New River Valley. The findings
of this study will help determine if dispersal of communal
roosts can be effective as a management tool for decreasing
black vulture use of nearby livestock operations.
On
February 10-11, 2004, biologists from the National Wildlife
Research Center Sandusky, OH, and Bismarck, ND, field stations,
in cooperation with New York Wildlife Services personnel,
conducted field trials using alpha-chloralose (AC) to capture
European starlings at dairy farms in upstate New York. AC
is a capture agent being investigated as an alternative
control tool for managing starlings at livestock farms.
Starlings feed on silage and protein supplements intended
as livestock feed, defecate on structures, equipment, and
animals, and may act as livestock disease vectors as they
move among farms. Two farms with starling populations ranging
from 1,000 to 5,000 birds were baited with AC. Approximately
30% of possible baited birds were captured. AC-affected
birds were found up to 1 km from the bait site, but were
found in diminishing frequency with increasing distance
from the bait site. Mortality due to AC overdose was less
than 10% of the captured birds. Snow cover was essential
for locating affected birds as they often attempted to hide
when AC began to impair their mobility. This operational
scale experiment will be repeated and refined based on the
results from these initial trials.
Information and Communication
On
February 23, 2004, a journalist from National Public Radio
(NPR) interviewed a scientist from the National Wildlife
Research Center (NWRC), Hilo, HI, field station about NWRC
research on managing Coqui tree frogs in Hawaii. The scientist
provided basic information on the Coqui’s biology
and current distribution, as well as information on the
economic, ecological, and human impacts of the invasive
frogs. Research progress was summarized and currently recommended
chemical and nonchemical control strategies available to
ornamental nurseries and homeowners were discussed. Arrangements
were also made for the journalist to visit Coqui-infested
sites and get a homeowner’s perspective on the severity
and extent of the problem. The program will air on NPR in
March.
Scientists
from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Sandusky,
OH, and Gainesville, FL, field stations participated in
the fifth meeting of the national Communication Tower Working
Group in Arlington, VA, February 11, 2004. The Working Group
is chaired by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist
and is composed of researchers and other representatives
from federal government and state agencies, academic institutions,
and industry. The group’s objective is to reduce the
hazard communication towers present to birds, especially
during migration, without affecting aviation safety. Not
only do birds collide with towers, but under some weather
conditions, they also may be attracted to warning lights
required on all towers 200 or more feet high. Biologists
at the Sandusky, OH, field station are conducting studies
to determine the visual abilities of birds. Such information
could provide engineers design specifications that can be
used to develop tower lighting that will not attract birds.
The same information might be usable to alert birds to the
presence of approaching aircraft.
On
February 10, 2004, a biologist from the National Wildlife
Research Center (NWRC) Sandusky, OH, field station spoke
about NWRC and career preparation to students in the Ohio
State University Department of Natural Resources Professional
Survey of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife class. The course
is designed to introduce types of natural resources careers,
specifics on the work within the speaker’s organization,
and personal insights from the speakers on their career,
education, and training. The primary goal of the course
is to inform and assist students in making career choices.
The NWRC biologist discussed the organization’s history
and mission, and introduced the students to the varied areas
of research with which NWRC scientists are involved. Students
expressed particular interest in coursework that would allow
them to better compete for natural resources careers (e.g.,
the degree of quantitative skills required) as well opportunities
for internships and summer work.
The
National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Director and three
biologists from the NWRC Gainesville, FL, Starkville, MS,
and Sandusky, OH, field stations participated in Wildlife
Services’ Eastern Regional Managers’ Meeting
February 3-5, 2004, in Tampa, FL. WS Eastern and Western
Regional Directors, the NWRC Director, and the National
Coordinators of Wildlife Disease, Aviation Safety, and Rabies
gave updates on current activities. Group discussions focused
on wildlife diseases, aviation safety, Canada geese, double-crested
cormorants, and invasive species. Additional presentations
were given on the National Environmental Policy Act, Equal
Employment Opportunities/Civil Rights, and administrative
and technological issues.
February
16, 2004
Information
and Communication
On
February 6, 2004, two biologists from the National Wildlife
Research Center (NWRC) Sandusky, OH, field station gave
seminars at the 44th Ohio Fish and Wildlife Conference.
The conference is sponsored by the Ohio Fish and Wildlife
Management Association, the Ohio Chapter of The Wildlife
Society, and the Ohio Chapter of the American Fisheries
Societies. The goal of the conference is to provide a forum
for current research on issues related to Ohio’s fish
and wildlife resources. The NWRC biologists presented seminars
entitled, “Tall fescue and wildlife: good, bad, or
indifferent?” and “Exploiting natural signals
to enhance avian visual repellents and alerts.” In
addition to Ohio State University students and faculty,
the conference was also attended by representatives from
Case Western University, Cleveland State University, Hocking
Technical Institute, Ohio Wildlife Services, the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the
Ohio Nature Conservancy.
February 9, 2004
Information
and Communication
A
National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) scientist gave
a seminar to faculty and students at the Honors College
of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Jupiter, Florida
on January 30, 2004. The talk covered general concepts of
monitoring and indexing wildlife populations, and specifically
described a design and analytical methods developed at NWRC
by the scientist. The presentation concluded with examples
of how indexing of wildlife species in conflict with human
interests has been applied to help manage damage by the
pest species.
Providing
Wildlife Services
During
the week of January 26, 2004 an National Wildlife Research
Center (NWRC) scientist worked with Florida Wildlife Services
to design data collection procedures to estimate feral swine
damage (as a follow-up to swine removal in a Florida state
park). These data will be compared to baseline information
collected one year previously which showed 19% damage. Visual
inspection of the park area suggests that current damage
will probably be less than 1%. The NWRC scientist helped
devise indexing procedures for the feral cat populations
that threaten the highly endangered Key Largo woodrat. Indices
will demonstrate efficacy by monitoring cat population levels
before, during and after application of a removal contract.
Work was also done to develop sampling designs to collect
data on the application of oral rabies vaccine baits to
raccoons in Florida. The sampling schemes will address spacing
of aerial baiting transects, uptake of baits by raccoons
and nontarget species, the probabilities that baits will
be encountered by raccoons and nontarget species, and the
probabilities that given an encounter the bait will be consumed
by either raccoons or nontargets.
February
2, 2004
Information
and Communication
On
January 23, 2004, a biologist from the National Wildlife
Research Center (NWRC) Starkville, MS, field station attended
the East Mississippi Ag Expo, along with Mississippi and
Alabama Wildlife Services (WS) personnel. More than 200
people were in attendance, including the Mississippi governor
and the head of the state legislature’s appropriations
committee. The NWRC scientist delivered a presentation addressing
the role of research in reducing avian impacts to catfish
aquaculture. The WS district supervisor presented updates
on a recently amended depredation order for farmers participating
in lethal control of double-crested cormorants to reduce
aquaculture depredation. The event was organized by the
Mississippi State University Cooperative Extension Service
and supported by 33 sponsors and exhibitors.
Two
biologists from the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)
Sandusky, OH, field station met with Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) representatives January 21, 2004, to review the Center
research under the USDA-FAA Interagency Agreement and to
discuss future research plans. The FAA Wildlife Strike Database
now includes U.S. Air Force wildlife strikes that occur
at joint use (military and civilian) airbases, bringing
the current total of entries to more than 56,000 strikes.
Center biologists also reviewed studies of ElectroBraid™
fencing to exclude deer from selected areas; the use of
plant growth regulators to maintain vegetation at a desired
height; the use of an almost pure (> 90% cover) fescue
for feeding by Canada geese; and the use of planted vegetation
plots at selected airports in the Pacific Northwest by insects,
birds, and small mammals. NWRC’s future wildlife aviation
research likely will focus on determining the features of
trash-transfer facilities that attract birds, evaluating
ElectroBraid™ fencing to exclude deer from large exclosures,
comparing efficacies of avian survey methods at airports,
and identifying features of water detention facilities that
attract birds.
