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depleted. Modern wildlife management of the twentieth centuryreversed the decline of wildlifepopulations in the United Statesand resulted, for many species, inthe most abundant populations everknown.Today, wildlife continues to providepeople with numerous benefits.Wild animals contribute to ourenjoyment of outdoor recreationalactivities such as camping, hiking,photography, and hunting. Theknowledge that abundant wildlifeexists is important for many people.Diverse wildlife species are majorcomponents of a healthy environment; beavers, for example, cancreate aquatic habitats beneficial tofish, waterfowl, and many otherplant and animal species.Wildlife is receiving increasedattention as people develop abroadened environmental consciousness. Wildlife is recognizedas having esthetic as well aspractical value and is managed bythe Federal and State Governmentsto ensure future abundance. But insome instances, this abundancehas led to conflicts with humaninterests, as the following examplesillustrate.

cause flood waters to make theroad impassible. NCDOT contacted the Wildlife Services (WS)division of the Animal and PlantHealth Inspection Service (APHIS)to evaluate the problem. WSremoved the dam at considerablecost savings to NCDOT. Thissolution avoided having to closethe Interstate for 2 or more daysand maintained public safety alongI–85.

When populations increase, encounterswith wildlife, like mountain lions in theWest, become more frequent.

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depleted. Modern wildlife management of the twentieth centuryreversed the decline of wildlifepopulations in the United Statesand resulted, for many species, inthe most abundant populations everknown.Today, wildlife continues to providepeople with numerous benefits.Wild animals contribute to ourenjoyment of outdoor recreationalactivities such as camping, hiking,photography, and hunting. Theknowledge that abundant wildlifeexists is important for many people.Diverse wildlife species are majorcomponents of a healthy environment; beavers, for example, cancreate aquatic habitats beneficial tofish, waterfowl, and many otherplant and animal species.Wildlife is receiving increasedattention as people develop abroadened environmental consciousness. Wildlife is recognizedas having esthetic as well aspractical value and is managed bythe Federal and State Governmentsto ensure future abundance. But insome instances, this abundancehas led to conflicts with humaninterests, as the following examplesillustrate.

cause flood waters to make theroad impassible. NCDOT contacted the Wildlife Services (WS)division of the Animal and PlantHealth Inspection Service (APHIS)to evaluate the problem. WSremoved the dam at considerablecost savings to NCDOT. Thissolution avoided having to closethe Interstate for 2 or more daysand maintained public safety alongI–85.

When populations increase, encounterswith wildlife, like mountain lions in theWest, become more frequent.

3
llars’ worth of

cers.

increasing.• Wildlife can adversely affect publicsafety and the economics ofaviation when commercial andmilitary aircraft collide with birdsand mammals (“wildlife strikes”)during takeoff or landing. Accord- ing to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), approximately 6,200

wildlife strikes with civil aircraftwere reported in 2002. FAAofficials estimate that only 20percent of the strikes that actuallyoccurred were reported. The U.S.Air Force reported more than 3,800bird strikes involving military planesthe same year. In all, thesecollisions cost the U.S. aviationindustry well over $500 million ayear in damages and downtime. Inaddition, the potential for humaninjury and death is increasedsignificantly when wildlife is notkept away from airports. Worldwide, more than 155 people havedied as a result of bird strikes since1990.• Wildlife-borne diseases can poseserious threats to public health,domestic animals, and populationsof threatened and endangeredwildlife. Rabies, tularemia, andplague are among zoonotic

diseases where wildlife presents apublic health risk. Rabies andbovine tuberculosis are twodiseases that can be transmittedamong susceptible wildlife anddomestic animals, includinglivestock.The virus that causes rabies—adisease that is always fatal if leftuntreated—mutates as it spreadsthrough specific wildlife reservoirs,such as raccoons, skunk, foxes,and bats. Species-specific variations in rabies make monitoring,surveillance, and control a broadand challenging task, but a job wellworth doing. By eliminatingindividual strains of the disease andpreventing the spread of rabies tonew areas, the American taxpayercan expect to save substantialamounts of money over time. Rightnow, rabies-related costs exceed$300 million a year. And that figuredoes not take into account theanxiety, fear, and psychological

WS works with the FAA and the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy toreduce wildlife strikes. WS provided assistance at more than 500airports and air bases in 2002 to reduce wildlife hazards to aviation.

5
llars’ worth of

cers.

increasing.• Wildlife can adversely affect publicsafety and the economics ofaviation when commercial andmilitary aircraft collide with birdsand mammals (“wildlife strikes”)during takeoff or landing. Accord- ing to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), approximately 6,200

wildlife strikes with civil aircraftwere reported in 2002. FAAofficials estimate that only 20percent of the strikes that actuallyoccurred were reported. The U.S.Air Force reported more than 3,800bird strikes involving military planesthe same year. In all, thesecollisions cost the U.S. aviationindustry well over $500 million ayear in damages and downtime. Inaddition, the potential for humaninjury and death is increasedsignificantly when wildlife is notkept away from airports. Worldwide, more than 155 people havedied as a result of bird strikes since1990.• Wildlife-borne diseases can poseserious threats to public health,domestic animals, and populationsof threatened and endangeredwildlife. Rabies, tularemia, andplague are among zoonotic

diseases where wildlife presents apublic health risk. Rabies andbovine tuberculosis are twodiseases that can be transmittedamong susceptible wildlife anddomestic animals, includinglivestock.The virus that causes rabies—adisease that is always fatal if leftuntreated—mutates as it spreadsthrough specific wildlife reservoirs,such as raccoons, skunk, foxes,and bats. Species-specific variations in rabies make monitoring,surveillance, and control a broadand challenging task, but a job wellworth doing. By eliminatingindividual strains of the disease andpreventing the spread of rabies tonew areas, the American taxpayercan expect to save substantialamounts of money over time. Rightnow, rabies-related costs exceed$300 million a year. And that figuredoes not take into account theanxiety, fear, and psychological

WS works with the FAA and the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy toreduce wildlife strikes. WS provided assistance at more than 500airports and air bases in 2002 to reduce wildlife hazards to aviation.

5
grapes, corn, and sunflowers, andmore than $14 million worth ofcatfish and trout. NASS estimatesthat wildlife-caused damage to U.S.agriculture (excluding forestry) isworth between $600 million and$1.6 billion a year.

Fish-eating birds represent a major threat to theprofitability of aquaculture operations.

Governments are responsible formaintaining healthy, stable wildlifepopulations. Accordingly, whenwildlife causes damage, government has an obligation to managethat damage. Wildlife damagemanagement responsibilities andauthorities fall to different agenciesdepending on the species, type ofproblem, and location. The U.S.

State Governments, privateindividuals, and other Federalagencies to control and preventdamage and disease caused orcarried by wildlife. Cooperativeagreements provide for themanagement of various species,including management for thepurpose of reducing and preventingdamage caused by wildlife.

7
grapes, corn, and sunflowers, andmore than $14 million worth ofcatfish and trout. NASS estimatesthat wildlife-caused damage to U.S.agriculture (excluding forestry) isworth between $600 million and$1.6 billion a year.

Fish-eating birds represent a major threat to theprofitability of aquaculture operations.

Governments are responsible formaintaining healthy, stable wildlifepopulations. Accordingly, whenwildlife causes damage, government has an obligation to managethat damage. Wildlife damagemanagement responsibilities andauthorities fall to different agenciesdepending on the species, type ofproblem, and location. The U.S.

State Governments, privateindividuals, and other Federalagencies to control and preventdamage and disease caused orcarried by wildlife. Cooperativeagreements provide for themanagement of various species,including management for thepurpose of reducing and preventingdamage caused by wildlife.

7
e

n

Canada goose populations haveincreased dramatically in recent years,causing damage to real estate—fromgolf courses to swimming pools.

9

accordance with all Federal andState guidelines and in cooperationwith wildlife management professionals from Federal and/or Stateagencies. In all instances, WSprograms are conducted to ensureno negative impact on wildlifepopulations.WS helps reduce wildlife damageto• Agricultural crops—grain, sunflowers, vegetables, fruit, and nuts;• Livestock—cattle, sheep, goats,swine, horses, and poultry;• Commercial forests and forestproducts;• Aquaculture—cultivated trout,catfish, bait fish, and marineshellfish and lobsters;
e

n

Canada goose populations haveincreased dramatically in recent years,causing damage to real estate—fromgolf courses to swimming pools.

9

accordance with all Federal andState guidelines and in cooperationwith wildlife management professionals from Federal and/or Stateagencies. In all instances, WSprograms are conducted to ensureno negative impact on wildlifepopulations.WS helps reduce wildlife damageto• Agricultural crops—grain, sunflowers, vegetables, fruit, and nuts;• Livestock—cattle, sheep, goats,swine, horses, and poultry;• Commercial forests and forestproducts;• Aquaculture—cultivated trout,catfish, bait fish, and marineshellfish and lobsters;
g

11

Beavers cause damagethrough the flooding ofproperty, roads, crops,and forests.

roosting in an urban neighborhoodis beyond the capabilities of mostindividuals. Likewise, capturingcoyotes, bears, mountain lions, orother large animals that are preyingon livestock usually requiresspecialized equipment and skills.Surveillance and control of wildlifeborne diseases in animal populations usually involves both Stateand Federal agencies workingtogether. In these instances, WSprovides expert wildlife specialiststo help whoever is experiencing theproblem. Direct assistance isusually provided when the resourceowner's efforts, such as habitatmodification or husbandry practices, have proven ineffective andtechnical assistance alone isinadequate. WS staff considerpractical methods for resolvingwildlife damage problems and takeaction by implementing the moststrategically appropriate measures.

causing damage. Moving sheepout of a pasture to reduce thelikelihood of predation by coyotesand moving beehives to an areaaway from marauding black bearsare examples of this approach.A second possibility is to excludean animal from the resource. Usingscare tactics to keep birds awayfrom crops and electric fencing tokeep predators away from livestockare examples of this technique.The third possibility is to relocate orremove the animal causing theproblem. Snaring and removing abear from a sheep allotment andtrapping a coyote that has beenkilling calves are examples of thisapproach.

husbandry techniques like shedlambing, modifying habitat (e.g.,removing bird roosting coveradjacent to crops), or using capturedevices or removal methods.WS personnel use and recommendthe best methods available, butsome of the methods currentlyused in wildlife damage management are not new. For example,cages, leghold traps, and snareshave been used for hundreds ofyears. They continue to beimportant in wildlife managementfor situations where no otheralternative is available. Legholdtraps can be modified with paddedor offset closures to make them
g

11

Beavers cause damagethrough the flooding ofproperty, roads, crops,and forests.

roosting in an urban neighborhoodis beyond the capabilities of mostindividuals. Likewise, capturingcoyotes, bears, mountain lions, orother large animals that are preyingon livestock usually requiresspecialized equipment and skills.Surveillance and control of wildlifeborne diseases in animal populations usually involves both Stateand Federal agencies workingtogether. In these instances, WSprovides expert wildlife specialiststo help whoever is experiencing theproblem. Direct assistance isusually provided when the resourceowner's efforts, such as habitatmodification or husbandry practices, have proven ineffective andtechnical assistance alone isinadequate. WS staff considerpractical methods for resolvingwildlife damage problems and takeaction by implementing the moststrategically appropriate measures.

causing damage. Moving sheepout of a pasture to reduce thelikelihood of predation by coyotesand moving beehives to an areaaway from marauding black bearsare examples of this approach.A second possibility is to excludean animal from the resource. Usingscare tactics to keep birds awayfrom crops and electric fencing tokeep predators away from livestockare examples of this technique.The third possibility is to relocate orremove the animal causing theproblem. Snaring and removing abear from a sheep allotment andtrapping a coyote that has beenkilling calves are examples of thisapproach.

husbandry techniques like shedlambing, modifying habitat (e.g.,removing bird roosting coveradjacent to crops), or using capturedevices or removal methods.WS personnel use and recommendthe best methods available, butsome of the methods currentlyused in wildlife damage management are not new. For example,cages, leghold traps, and snareshave been used for hundreds ofyears. They continue to beimportant in wildlife managementfor situations where no otheralternative is available. Legholdtraps can be modified with paddedor offset closures to make them
13

Research activitiesinclude tracking birdmovements by meansof radiotelemetry.

and materials used to managewildlife damage and conflictsituations; developing nonlethalwildlife-management techniques;developing new vaccines anddelivery systems to preventdisease; evaluating the effectiveness and safety of new and existingmanagement methods; studyingthe biology and behavior of wildlifespecies that cause damage andrisks to human health and safety;assessing wildlife damage; andproviding scientific information onwildlife damage management to theWS program, other governmentalagencies, and the public.

Wisconsin Department of NaturalResources to provide damageabatement and appraisalassistance. WS investigated andverified more than $2 million inwildlife damage that occurred onabout 687 Wisconsin farms in2004. These activities have helpedaffected farmers to receive inexcess of $1.5 million incompensation from the State’scrop damage fund.• Predation is the single largestcause of sheep mortality in Idaho,typically accounting for about onethird of the total annual lossessuffered by Idaho sheepproducers. In 2003, predatorskilled a reported 14,000 sheep andlambs in Idaho. Coyotes wereresponsible for more than 70percent of the damage, whiledomestic dogs, black bears,mountain lions, wolves, red fox,and eagles accounted for most ofthe other predator losses. Datacollected by USDA–NASS suggestthat predation losses in Idahoduring the 5-year period from 1999to 2003 averaged about 3.9percent for lambs and 1.1 percentfor adult sheep—with a controlprogram in place. Researchindicates that, in the absence of acontrol program, predator losses

program makes it possible to usefewer acres to produce sufficientfood resources for the Nation. Thisalso allows for reduced use of fossilfuels, fertilizers, and pesticides.An environmental impact statement(EIS), written in accordance withthe procedures established by theNational Environmental Policy Act,indicated that the WS program hasno nationally significant adverseimpact on wildlife species diversityor abundance. Furthermore, theEIS indicated that the programprovides substantial benefits tocertain threatened and endangeredspecies, has a positive impact onprotecting selected natural resources, and promotes the maintenance of human health and safety.