Search

Ecological light pollution is now recognized as a significant source of ecosystem alteration. We documented that holiday lights are a seasonal source of light pollution that constitute an ecological trap for eastern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger). Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) wildlife students surveyed a 2-km walking transect 5 times per month each month for the relative abundance and diel behavior of eastern fox squirrels and feral cats (Felis catus) on the TAMUK campus during 2018-2019. Eastern fox squirrels exhibited diurnal behaviors throughout the year but extended their foraging behavior nearly 4 hours after sunset with the addition of holiday lights. Feral cats and owls (Strigiformes) exhibited diurnal and nocturnal behaviors but conducted the majority of their hunting during crepuscular hours. We documented that monthly squirrel mortality increased 7-fold with the addition of holiday lights, possibly due to the extension of foraging time by squirrels. Although seasonal lighting is intended to be festive for humans, it can have negative consequences for eastern fox squirrels. Educating the public concerning the issue of light pollution on wildlife species is needed because the majority of the public appears unaware that bright lights can negatively alter wildlife behaviors. Reducing light intensity by either using less outdoor lights or perhaps using colored lights rather than clear white bulbs may lessen the negative effect on foraging behavior of squirrels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human–wildlife conflicts occur when wildlife has an adverse effect on human activities (e.g., predation of livestock, crop raiding). These conflicts are increasing, particularly in areas surrounding natural protected areas, where villagers engage in subsistence agriculture. Crop damage may cause farmers to retaliate and harm wildlife species considered responsible for the damage. Among the factors that determine the intensity of the conflict are the frequency of the damage and the amount of biomass consumed relative to the perceptions, values, and cultural history of the farmers affected. To better understand the conflicts between farmers and wildlife, we compared farmer perceptions of wildlife damage to corn (Zea mays) to damage estimates recorded from May to June 2016 in 2 communities located in southern Mexico adjacent to the Natural Protected Area of Agua Blanca. We identified 128 farmers who had reported previous damage and used an administered structured questionnaire to assess their perceptions of the magnitude of the damage. Over 70% of the farmers surveyed considered that wildlife incursions in crops are a problem and 18% of them had implemented hunting and poisoning as a control measure. Farmers attributed their losses mainly to white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) and northern raccoon (Procyon lotor). However, our field data indicated that birds were causing more damage. On average, each corn crop lost $30.80; this value may be considered low, but the farmers’ dependence on the harvest they obtain from their crops causes these losses, added to those they already have due to other causes (i.e., long droughts, insect pests, and fungus), which impact their bottom line. Wildlife crop depredation is not the main cause of economic loss, but its impact negatively influences the perception of some farmers on wildlife. A poor perception in farmers could lead to an increase in the use of lethal methods, which may also affect nontargets.

Depredation of domestic livestock by wildlife is a leading source of human-wildlife conflict, often requiring intervention at the local level. Historically, these interventions have resulted in the use of lethal methods to remove the offending animal. In response to increased public opposition to lethal control methods, wildlife managers have sought to identify effective nonlethal biological options to mitigate wildlife depredations. In 2018, we tested the concept of a biological deterrent using red wolf (Canis rufus) scat that had historically been spread along fence lines to prevent depredation of lambs (Ovis aries) and kid goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine 32-ha Teaching Animal Unit (TAU), North Carolina, USA. To conduct the study, we deployed paired camera traps at 3 locations where we had previously observed coyotes (C. latrans) accessing the TAU. The study was conducted over a 94-day period alternating between no scat and freshly collected scat that was placed every 3 days from adult male red wolves. The study period overlapped lambing and kidding season. In addition to coyotes, the camera traps routinely detected red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoons (Procyon lotor). The red wolf scat we placed at the access point did not deter any of the mesocarnivores from entering the pasture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-wildlife conflicts occur when wildlife has an adverse effect on human activities (e.g., predation of livestock, crop raiding). These conflicts are increasing, particularly in areas surrounding natural protected areas, where villagers engage in subsistence agriculture. Crop damage may cause farmers to retaliate and harm wildlife species considered responsible for the damage. Among the factors that determine the intensity of the conflict are the frequency of the damage and the amount of biomass consumed relative to the perceptions, values, and cultural history of the farmers affected. To better understand the conflicts between farmers and wildlife, we compared farmer perceptions of wildlife damage to corn (Zea mays) to damage estimates recorded from May to June 2016 in 2 communities located in southern Mexico adjacent to the Natural Protected Area of Agua Blanca. We identified 128 farmers who had reported previous damage and used an administered structured questionnaire to assess their perceptions of the magnitude of the damage. Over 70% of the farmers surveyed considered that wildlife incursions in crops are a problem and 18% of them had implemented hunting and poisoning as a control measure. Farmers attributed their losses mainly to whitenosed coati (Nasua narica) and northern raccoon (Procyon lotor). However, our field data indicated that birds were causing more damage. On average, each corn crop lost $30.80; this value may be considered low, but the farmers' dependence on the harvest they obtain from their crops causes these losses, added to those they already have due to other causes (i.e., long droughts, insect pests, and fungus), which impact their bottom line. Wildlife crop depredation is not the main cause of economic loss, but its impact negatively influences the perception of some farmers on wildlife. A poor perception in farmers could lead to an increase in the use of lethal methods, which may also affect nontargets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management programs aimed at reducing wildlife damage to row crops rely on information concerning the spatial nature of wildlife damage at local and landscape scales. In this study we explored spatial patterns of wildlife damage within individual corn and soybean fields by describing relationships between specific locations where wildlife damage was recorded and distances from such locations to various habitat types that presumably influenced animal abundance and movements in our study area. Using stratified random sampling, we conducted depredation surveys of 100 corn fields and 60 soybean fields from May through October both in 2003 and 2004 and recorded the specific global positioning satellite (GPS) coordinates of wildlife damage to individual corn and soybean plants. We then generated random point locations in the same fields using a geographic information system (GIS) and evaluated whether damage point locations and random point locations differed with respect to distances to the nearest patches of forest, developed area, or grassland and shrubland habitats. For both crop types, damage point locations were significantly closer to forest patches than were random point locations, but farther from developed areas than random point locations. Logistic regression analyses further indicated that distance to forest influenced the probability of wildlife damage within fields, although pseudo r2 values of the best models were low (0.15). Our results clearly indicated that fi eld portions that were nearest to forested habitats were more likely to suffer wildlife damage than fi eld portions farther from forested habitats. We suggest that targeted removals of depredating species, concentrated along crop-forest interfaces, may be an effective, cost-effective means of reducing corn and soybean damage in areas where wildlife damage is especially problematic.

Confinement cattle-feeding operations have been associated with large populations of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during the winter months. Starlings can eat nearly 1 kg each of feed per month (Besser et al. 1968). In the first of our 2 studies, we evaluated feed selection and feed depredation by starlings using 5 concentrate-based cattle finishing diets. Four diets evaluated were in traditional meal-type form, and 1 diet was an extruded pellet. We placed rations into a section of the feed trough that we made accessible to starlings but not to cattle. Of the original 13.6 kg of steam-flaked corn and alfalfa hay ration placed into the feed trough at 0750 hours, only 1.9 kg (P < 0.05) of residual feed was recovered after starlings returned to their evening roost. Starlings preferentially selected steam-flaked corn (i.e., starch), thereby concentrating the crude protein and crude fiber fractions (P < 0.04) in residual feed. We observed similar trends for feed disappearance for the other meal-type rations. However, crude protein content was similar (P ≥ 0.10) between fresh and residual feed for dry-rolled corn and alfalfa hay diet and for steam-flaked corn and corn silage diet. Quantity and chemical composition between the fresh and residual extruded pellets were similar (P ≥ 0.57). In Experiment 2, the amount of feed delivered increased 36% for cattle (n = 13) that were fed traditional meal-type ration compared to cattle (n = 13) that were fed extruded pellets during a period of severe starling infestation. Following seasonal dispersal of starlings in early March, feed deliveries of traditional meal-type ration decreased to prestarling levels, while feed deliveries of extruded pellets remained unchanged. Starlings consumed 2,327 kg of feed from troughs with a total value of $563 throughout a period of 47 days, increasing daily cost of production by approximately $0.92 per feedlot animal.

Damage to field corn (Zea mays) by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be substantial, resulting in millions of dollars lost annually. Numerous methods exist to minimize deer depredation, but all have met with varying degrees of success. Currently, little information is available on preference of white-tailed deer for corn hybrids during the growing season and how that preference might affect depredation patterns. We used adult female white-tailed deer in captivity to study the effect of herbicide treatments on deer-use (treatment versus no treatment) of corn in 2005 and to document preference among specific corn hybrids in 2006 and 2007 using manipulated corn food plots. In 2005, 67% of deer-feeding activity occurred in herbicidetreated areas; deer preferred to feed on the edges of food plots (78%). In 2006 and 2007, deer exhibited preferential patterns of feeding (P < 0.05) among corn hybrids throughout the study period and during most phenological growth phases of corn plants. Deer preference was not related to physical characteristics of hybrids but was related to days to maturity and nutritional content. Deer preferred earlier maturing hybrids that contained higher levels of digestible dry matter. Wildlife managers and crop producers could use corn hybrids and husbandry practices desirable to deer (i.e., earlier maturing hybrids with higher digestibility and fertilizer and herbicide application) to reduce damage to field corn by altering type and placement of corn.

To be effective, livestock protection dogs (LPDs) must be carefully integrated with the livestock they will be protecting. Others have developed guidelines to assist producers in this training and assimilation process. In many areas fencing is necessary; however, guidelines for containing LPDs and their livestock behind electric fencing are lacking. We present results from larger projects involving LPDs where we encountered issues with fencing and preventing LPDs from roaming from their owner’s property. We found that ranging and escaping from pastures was exhibited by LPDs that were not properly introduced and trained to electric fencing at an early age. LPDs that were trained strategically to respect electric fencing were effective guardians and did not leave livestock pastures.

We built on the existing capacity of a non-governmental organization called the Blackfoot Challenge to proactively address gray wolf (Canis lupus; wolves) livestock conflicts in the Blackfoot Valley of Montana. Beginning in 2007, wolves started rapidly recolonizing the valley, raising concerns among livestock producers. We built on an existing program to mitigate conflicts associated with an expanding grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) population and worked within the community to build a similar program to reduce wolf conflicts using an integrative, multi-method approach. Efforts to engage the community included one-on-one meetings, workshops, field tours and regular group meetings as well as opportunities to participate in data collection and projects. Initial projects included permanent electric fencing of calving areas and livestock carcass removal to address the threat of grizzly bears and, later, wolves. Subsequently, we used intensive livestock and wolf monitoring provided by range riders in an attempt to reduce the frequency of encounter rates among wolves and livestock. Although we cannot claim causation from our effort, the results were encouraging. Confirmed livestock losses to wolves from 2006 to 2015 averaged 2.2 depredations per year across nearly 50 ranches on about 3,240 km2 that were annually grazed by 16,000-18,000 head of livestock. Fewer than 3 wolves per year have been removed (2.4 wolves per year) due to these depredations for the same period as the population increased from 1 confirmed pack to approximately 12 packs. Our collaborative approach and prior experience with grizzly bears were key in building a proactive program to mitigate conflicts with wolves in a community that was confronted with adjusting to an increasing large carnivore presence over a short period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the implementation of electric fencing designed to establish effective livestock-protection dogs (LPD). It mentions the need to carefully incorporate LPDs with the livestock which the former is going to protect in order to ensure the effectiveness of LPDs. It shows that LPDs which were trained to respect electric fencing have been observed to efficiently guard and protect the livestock.

The article presents a study on feed selection and depredation by European starlings during the winter season in Kansas. It highlights the use of five concentrate-based cattle finishing diets to evaluate feed depredation and selection by the said oscine birds. It cites the preference of starlings for steam-flaked corn food with their consumption of 2,327 kilograms of feed from troughs increasing daily production cost by 0.92 dollars per feedlot animal.

The article presents a study on the preference of white-tailed deer for agricultural husbandry practices and corn hybrids during the growing season. It mentions the need of wildlife managers and crop growers to use hybrid corns and agriculture practices which are enviable to deer in order to minimize corn field damage caused by the said animal. It also cites the significance of understanding the ways to help mitigate crop depredation to manage deer in agricultural areas.