Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment

for the Use of Wildlife Damage Management Methods

by USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Chapter I

Introduction to Risk Assessments for Methods Used 

in Wildlife Damage Management

MAY 2017
i

Introduction to Risk Assessments for Methods Used in Wildlife Damage Management

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services (WS) Program completed Risk Assessments for methods used in 

wildlife damage management in 1992 (USDA 1997). While those Risk Assessments are still valid, for the 

most part, the WS Program has expanded programs into different areas of wildlife management and wildlife 

damage management (WDM) such as work on airports, with feral swine and management of other invasive 

species, disease surveillance and control. Inherently, these programs have expanded the methods being 

used. Additionally, research has improved the effectiveness and selectiveness of methods being used and 

made new tools available. Thus, new methods and strategies will be analyzed in these risk assessments to 

cover the latest methods being used.

The risk assements are being completed in Chapters and will be made available on a website, which can be

regularly updated. Similar methods are combined into single risk assessments for efficiency; for example 

Chapter IV contains all foothold traps being used including standard foothold traps, pole traps, and foot 

cuffs.

The Introduction to Risk Assessments is Chapter I and was completed to give an overall summary of the 

national WS Program. The methods being used and risks to target and nontarget species, people, pets, and 

the environment, and the issue of humanenss are discussed in this Chapter. From FY11 to FY15, WS had 

work tasks associated with 53 different methods being used. These are being grouped into 30 Chapters. 

With these methods, WS lethally took an annual average of 3,964,208 individuals, captured and freed 

19,776, and hazed 22,907,420 individuals of 611 species, 10 identified subspecies, 2 captive species, and 4 

unidentified groups (bats, turtles, snakes, and suckers). Take included 85% birds, 13% mammals, 1% 

reptiles, 1% fish, and few amphibians. Target take, as it relates to populations, would not be a limiting 

factor for any of the species targeted.

Nontarget take is also a risk of using WDM methods. Between FY11 and FY15, WS unintentionally took 258 

different nontarget species lethally and nonlethally. WS lethally took 2,946 nontarget species with 21 

different methods, freed 8,438 nontarget species taken with 11 methods, and accidentally dispersed 28

nontarget species with 2 methods in carrying out WDM activities. This represents only 0.1% of the lethal 

take, but 43% of the animals freed or relocated; the nontarget species hazed was less than 0.01% of the 

total or inconsequential.

In addition to risks to target and nontarget species, the risks to people, pets, and the environment are 

discussed. Risks to WS personnel from WS methods is detailed with most risks being low to 

inconsequential.

Finally, the issue of humaneness is discussed and the complexity of this issue as it relates to WS WDM 

methods. WS strives to implement methods that are considered humane.
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Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................................1

2 RISKS TO TARGET SPECIES........................................................................................................................................2

2.1 Mammal Damage Management Programs.........................................................................................................3

2.2 Bird Damage Management Programs................................................................................................................8

2.3 Reptile Damage Management Programs..........................................................................................................22

2.4 Amphibian Damage Management Programs....................................................................................................25

2.5 Fish Damage Management Programs..............................................................................................................25

2.6 Disease Damage Management Programs ........................................................................................................26

2.7 Insect and Insect Vector Damage Management Programs...............................................................................27

3 RISKS TO NONTARGET SPECIES ..............................................................................................................................27

3.1 Nontarget Mammals ........................................................................................................................................28

3.2 Nontarget Birds ...............................................................................................................................................31

3.3 Nontarget Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish .......................................................................................................36

4 RISKS TO PEOPLE, PETS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................37

5 RISKS TO HUMANENESS..........................................................................................................................................39

6 RISK ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES...........................................................................................................................42

7 RISK ASSESSMENT PREVIEW ..................................................................................................................................43

8 LITERATURE CITED...................................................................................................................................................44

9 PREPARERS..............................................................................................................................................................47

9.1 APHIS-WS Methods Risk Assessment Committee ..........................................................................................47
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1 INTRODUCTION 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Wildlife 

Services (WS) recognizes the intrinsic value of wildlife resources and the high level of interest by the 

American people in them. Despite this, conflicts arise between the needs of wildlife and people, 

necessitating science-based wildlife damage management (WDM). WS provides federal leadership in the 

management of wildlife damage as referred to in its enabling legislation, the Wildlife Damage Control Act of 

1931, as amended. WS personnel are highly trained professionals with expertise to respond to wildlife 

caused damage, using a wide variety of technical assistance and direct control measures (Table 1).

USDA-APHIS-WS is authorized by Congress to manage a program to reduce human/wildlife conflicts. WS’ 

mission, developed through a strategic planning process (APHIS 2015), is to “...provide Federal leadership 

in managing problems caused by wildlife. WS recognizes that wildlife is an important public resource 

greatly valued by the American people. By its very nature, however, wildlife is a highly dynamic and a 

mobile resource that can damage agricultural and industrial resources, pose risks to human health and 

safety, and affect other natural resources. The WS program carries out the Federal responsibility for helping 

to solve problems that occur when human activity and wildlife are in conflict with one another. The WS 

program strives to develop and use wildlife damage management strategies that are biologically sound, 

environmentally safe, and socially acceptable. WS also strives to reduce damage caused by wildlife to the 

lowest possible levels while at the same time reducing wildlife mortality. This approach represents the 

future towards which WS is moving. In charting this course, WS must continuously improve and modify 

wildlife damage management strategies.” This is accomplished through:

• The development of procedures and technologies for mitigating WDM

• Cooperative WDM programs in collaboration with other government agencies, non-government 

organizations, and the public

• The provision of Technical Assistance, information and education on WDM

• The limited provision or loaning of WDM materials and equipment

WS conducts Risk Assessments (RAs) on its primary WDM methods to assess potential risks to the public, 

WS employees, pets, nontarget wildlife, and the environment. WS methods data is acquired from WS

Management Information System (MIS1

). WS methods, relative annual use patterns, rank by usage, and the 

mode of action (chemical or nonchemical) are provided (Table 1). Data are collected to help assess method 

take, effectiveness, and potential impacts. The methods employed by WS are reported along with pertinent 

information on mode, use characteristics and frequencies in the MIS (Table 1). Where a method was 

recorded, WS averaged a total of 838,855 work tasks2 annually from the beginning of FY11 (Fiscal Year 

2011 = Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011, and so on) through FY15. Nonchemical methods had 766,414 work 

tasks associated with them whereas chemical methods accounted for 72,441 work tasks.

Primary concerns expressed over WS activities include risks to nontarget species, people, pets, the 

environment, and humaneness. However, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered 

Species Act (ESA) compliance practices are in place to address these issues and related concerns.

 1 MIS - Computer-based Management Information System used for tracking APHIS-WS-WDM activities nationwide. Throughout the text, data 

for a year (i.e. FY11 (next footnote)) will be given and is from the MIS. MIS reports will not be referenced in the text or Literature Cited Section 

because MIS reports are not kept on file. A database is kept that allows queries to be made to retrieve the information needed.

2 A Work Task is defined as a visit to a property, or a portion of it, where a WS employee conducts field work. However, duration is not taken 

into account and, thus, a Work Task could be 10 minutes to 10 hours in duration.
2

Table 1. Methods used by WS between FY11 and FY15 throughout the United States (USA) and its territories. 

ANNUAL AVERAGE WORK TASKS FOR MECHANICAL/PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL METHODS IN WDM PROGRAMS

Nonchemical WDM Methods WT/yr Chemical WDM Methods WT/yr

Cage Trap (e.g., decoy, corral, walk-in) 333,469 Sodium Cyanide (M-44) 52,612

Cable Restraint (e.g., snares, noose mats) 108,910 Immobilization (e.g., ketamine, tiletamine, xylazine) 6,537

Foothold Trap (e.g., standard, pole traps, dog-proof) 65,172 Euthanasia (sodium phenol derivatives) 3,289

Firearms (shotgun, rifle, 64,199 Prebaiting (e.g. for DRC-1339, zinc phosphide) 3,015

Body Grip Traps (conibear, snap trap, gopher trap) 59,600 Rabies Abatement (putting out vaccine baits) 2,103

Bait Station (set up/attract e.g. rodents, snakes, coyotes) 28,725 DRC-1339 (e.g., starlicide) 1,289

Pyrotechnics (e.g., whistlers, crackershells, rockets) 24,149 Carbon Monoxide (e.g., gas cartridges, PERC) 927

Vehicle (visual repellent - hazing) 22,465 Acetaminophen 657

Dog (tracking/trailing, decoy dogs, hazing) 17,124 Egg Oiling 515

Aircraft (firearms, immobilization, hazing, survey) 17,120 Aluminum Phosphide (fumigant) 448

Hand Capture (e.g., sick, stuck, roosting) 9,523 Zinc Phosphide 314

Physical Repellent (e.g. rubber bullets, paint balls) 3,803 LPC (Compound 1080) 274

Monitoring (surveying, radio telemetry, camera) 3,619 Chemical Repellent (e.g. MA, Hinder) 109

Sound Repellent (e.g. propane exploders) 3,519 Strychnine 102

Visual Repellent (e.g. effigies, balloons, lasers) 1,733 Alpha Chloralose (A/C) (immobilization) 97

Herd Trap 989 Chlorophacinone 63

Exclusion (e.g. electric and standard fence, sheaths) 708 Insecticide (e.g., Delta Dust) 36

Explosive (beaver dam removal) 693 Diphacinone 21

Fishing (e.g. poles) 363 Avitrol 17

Net (e.g., mist net, fishing net) 222 Odor Abatement 6

Projectile Net (cannon net/rocket net, net gun) 177 Bromethalin 4

Light Trap 78 Immobilization Antidote 2

Water Spray 25 Brodifacoum 1

Heavy Equipment 11 Nicarbizin 1

Sticky Trap (e.g. glue board) 10 Glyphosate 1

Pond Leveler 6 Sodium Laurel Sulfate 1

Supplemental Feeding 2 Sodium Nitrite (currently experimental) *

Bat Trap (e.g., harp trap) * Bromadiolone *

Egg Addling * Warfarin *

Electrical Barrier * Cholecalciferol *

Guard Animal (recommended extensively) * Citric Acid *

Human Behavior Change (e.g., don’t feed) * Methiocarb (Mesurol) *

Lure Crops * Chemical Sterilization (GonaCon/PZP) *

Habitat Management (nonchemical) (e.g. removal, trim) * Surgical Sterilization *

WT = Work Task (annual average work tasks/year: FY11 to FY15) * No activity

2 RISKS TO TARGET SPECIES 

WS manages damage from mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish; and works to reduce zoonotic 

disease threats. WDM programs are to manage varying fish and wildlife and their impacts are discussed in 

the following section. A variety of methods are available to WS (Table 1), and the most selective, effective, 

humane and economical are chosen by WS employees according to WS Directive 2.201 and the WS 

Decision Model (Slate et al. 1992). The WS Decision Model gives preference to nonlethal methods where 

they are effective. However, lethal removal remains necessary at times. WS WDM activities are subject to 

review of potential effects on the human and natural environments through the National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPA) process, which provides for stakeholder input. Significantly, WS biologists and 

technicians are highly-trained and dedicated professionals. 

Assessing population and nontarget impacts is critical to science-based WDM as practiced by WS. Most 

mammal species are managed by state agencies that employ a variety of population assessment efforts, and 

estimates are incorporated into WS planning and post-action assessments whenever possible. Bird 

population assessments are often easier to obtain as many are federally-managed at the Flyway level. The 

Tables below for WS take for birds have estimated populations for them and USA harvest information where 

available. The two give context for the low level of take by WS. Every effort is made to collaborate with 

federal, state, and tribal natural resource agencies to plan and assess WDM activities. Furthermore, 

ecological modeling continues to be refined and employed for assessing potential population, economic, 
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and human health and safety impacts from WDM, and the USDA, APHIS, WS National Wildlife Research 

Center is a recognized world leader in this field. 

2.1 Mammal Damage Management Programs

WS provides federal leadership in wild mammal damage management. A total of 153 species, 5 subspecies, 

and 1 species group (unidentified bats3

) were managed during FY11 to FY15 (Tables 2a-f). WS had an

average annual lethal take of 532,910 mammals, freed or relocated 10,977 mammals, and dispersed 11,434 

mammals. Mammals are rarely dispersed, especially from airports because their response is often 

unpredictable and most are within their territory and not going to leave (e.g. burrowing rodents go below 

ground). Burrowing rodents accounted for the majority of lethal take at 56%; predators (20%), terrestrial 

rodents and lagomorphs (12%), hoofed mammals (7%), aquatic rodents (5%), and other mammals (0.1%) 

accounted for the remaining 44%. It should be noted that most mammals, with the exception of bats, are 

managed by states. 

WS Predator Damage Management (PDM) focuses on reducing threats to human health and safety, 

companion animals, livestock, property, and natural resources from primarily coyotes, wolves, bears, 

mountain lions, foxes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, weasels, opossums, mongoose, and seals or sea lions 

(Table 2a). The most commonly involved predators included coyotes, raccoons, and striped skunks (Table 

2a). A total of 105,1974 predators were lethally taken including estimates for the number of animals in dens

(678 dens were taken), 10,325 were relocated or freed (freed target species were typically sampled for 

disease or radio-collared and released), and 4,306 were dispersed to alleviate damage situations. Of the 

lethal take, coyotes alone accounted for 75,036 of the national WS take. No population or harvest data are 

available for coyotes at the national level and often is difficult to obtain at statewide levels as many agencies 

do not estimate population numbers or no longer collecting harvest data. However, in just the states of 

Colorado (Colorado Parks and Wildlife 2015) and Montana (Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks 2017), hunter 

harvest averaged 87,600 annually combined between FY11 and FY15. WS take in the two States was 8,500. 

WS take is similar in all states nationally and low compared to hunter harvest. NEPA documents, as 

discussed, analyze impacts at the statewide level and none have found that WS take was a significant 

impact on the population.

The methods which will be discussed in individual methods risk assessments used to take predators lethally 

included shooting from aircraft (27,354), traps including cage, foothold, and body grip (27,291), cable 

restraints including neck and foot snares (17,728), toxicants (sodium cyanide and sodium fluoroacetate) 

(13,970), firearms with or without aids such as calling (13,806), gas cartridges (2,607), tracking/trailing, 

decoy, and chase dogs (2,085), hand gathering including with hand tools like catch poles (198), denning 

(129), and immobilization (30). The methods used for relocating, transferring custody, or sampling and 

freeing (used most extensively in the National Rabies Management Program) animals were traps (10,042), 

hand capture (223), cable restraints (36), immobilization including from aircraft (17), dogs (5), and nets 

(2). Predators were hazed a variety of sound repellents including pyrotechnics (2,455), sight repellents such 

as people on the ground or in vehicles (1,293), physical repellents such as paint ball guns and rubber 

ammunition (535), dogs (20), and exclusion (3). 

 3 The MIS only recorded a bats (all) category and individual species did not need to be identified. Most species were kept in comments.

4 Rounding error can occur for data by species versus by method and can add up differently, differing by at most one or two.
4

Table 2a. The annual average number of target predators controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA.

* Introduced Species ^ Translocated from former range within North America to areas where invasive

# Numbers killed were estimated for dens taken (2 for each badger den, 3 for striped skunk, and 4 for coyote, red fox, and opossum) 

T&E –Threatened and endangered species (Federal only)

Feral Swine Damage Management (FSDM) is a relatively new program for WS, based on growing resource 

owner concern and Congressional funding over damage to agriculture, property, and natural resources, and 

threats to human health and safety from a burgeoning national population of this invasive species. FSDM is 

conducted with cage and corral traps, firearms, aerial hunting, dogs, and drop nets. Similar to FSDM is the 

control of other hoofed animals, including several that are invasive (for example, white-tailed deer in 

Hawaii), that also cause damage to crops and property. Many of these species are managed to protect 

human health and safety at airports where they are a serious flight risk (deer have caused catastrophic 

collisions where people have been killed and aircraft lost), and to reduce property damage, or to protect 

natural resources. Table 2b lists 17 species of hoofed mammals, 1 distinct subspecies, and 1 captive herd 

that were controlled within FY11-FY15. The most common hoofed animals involved in WDM include feral 

swine and white-tailed deer (Table 2b) with 38,865 lethally taken, 106 captured and freed (e.g., radiocollared “Judas” pigs and disease monitoring) or relocated, and 5,815 dispersed. Methods used to take 

hoofed animals lethally included shooting from aircraft (14,393), firearms (shooting from ground with or 

without aids such as a spotlight) (10,405), traps including cage and corral traps (9,098), cable restraints 

(4,794), trailing dogs and shooting (155), nets (14), hand capture (5), and immobilization and euthanasia 

PREDATORS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed Dispersed

Virginia Opossum^ Didelphis virginiana 2,208 346 10

Feral/Free-roaming Cat* Felis catus 895 551 282

Lynx Lynx canadensis 0 0 0.4

Bobcat Lynx rufus 920 11 6

Mountain Lion Puma concolor 347 5 8

Small Asian Mongoose* Herpestes javanicus 2,175 1 372

Coyote^# Canis latrans 75,042 16 535

Northwestern Gray Wolf Canis lupus occidentalis 165 23 1

- Mexican Gray WolfT&E Canis lupus baileyi 0.4 1 0

- Great Plains Gray WolfT&E Canis lupus nubilus 213 34 0

- Feral/Free-Roaming Dog* Canis lupus familiaris 287 201 126

Red Fox^# Vulpes vulpes 2,145 14 229

Swift Fox Vulpes velox 0.8 0 0

Kit Fox Vulpes macrotis 0.4 0.4 0

Arctic Fox^ Vulpes lagopus 176 0 15

Common Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus 1,818 24 10

Black Bear Ursus americanus 516 568 93

- Louisiana Black BearT&E Ursus americanus luteolus 0 4 0

Grizzly BearT&E Ursus arctos horribilis 0.4 9 6

Steller Sea LionT&E Eumetopias jubatus 0 0 1,288

California Sea Lion Zalophus californianus 0 0 1,193

River Otter Lontra canadensis 105 2 36

Fisher Martes pennanti 0.8 11 0

American Marten Martes americana 0.4 0 0

European Ferret* Mustela putorius 0 0.8 0

Least Weasel Mustela nivalis 0.2 0.2 0

Long-tailed Weasel Mustela frenata 8 0 0

Short-tailed Weasel (Ermine) Mustela erminea 2 0 0.4

Mink Mustela vison 36 1 7

Badger# Taxidea taxus 316 4 2

Ringtail Bassariscus astutus 0 1 0

Coati Nasua narica 0.2 0.4 0.2

Raccoon Procyon lotor 11,381 8,202 41

Hog-nosed Skunk Conepatus leuconotus 0.8 0 0

Hooded Skunk Mephitis macroura 9 0.6 0

Striped Skunk# Mephitis mephitis 6,416 293 45

Eastern Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius 4 0.2 0

Western Spotted Skunk Spilogale gracilis 9 0.6 0

TOTAL 34 Sp. + 4 Ssp. 105,197 10,325 4,306
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drugs (1). No methods were used extensively to relocate target hoofed animals, but most were trapped 

(68), immobilized and freed (29), hand captured (7), and caught with cable restraints (1). Some swine were 

used as “Judas” pigs and released with radio collars. Hoofed mammals were hazed with a variety of sight 

repellents (2,405), sound repellents including pyrotechnics and shooting (2,386), aircraft (540), physical 

repellents such as paint balls and rubber ammunition (357), and hazing dogs (128). 

Table 2b. The annual average number of target hoofed mammals controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA. 

FERAL SWINE AND OTHER HOOFED MAMMALS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed Dispersed

Feral Swine* Sus scrofa 32,956 42 199

Collared Peccary (Javelina) Pecari tajacu 14 9 52

Moose^ Alces alces 1 0.6 467

Axis Deer* Axis axis 376 0 2,108

American Elk^ Cervus canadensis 2 0 579

Red Deer* Cervus elaphus 1 0.2 0

Fallow Deer* Dama dama 0.2 0 0

Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus 28 40 254

- Black-tailed Deer Odocoileus hemionus columbianus 23 0.4 78

White-tailed Deer^ Odocoileus virginianus 5,308 3 1,345

- White-tailed Deer (captive) * Odocoileus virginianus 81 0 0

Caribou Rangifer tarandus 3 0 681

Philippine (Sambar) Deer * Rusa marianna 50 0 0

Pronghorn (American Antelope) Antilocapra americana 1 0.2 29

Feral Cattle* Bos primigenius 2 0.2 23

Feral Goat* Capra aegagrus hircus 12 10 0

Muskox Ovibos moschatus 0 0 0.2

Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis 6 0 0

Feral Sheep* Ovis aries 0.4 0 0

TOTAL 17 Sp. (1 captive pop.)+ 1 Ssp. 38,865 106 5,815

* Introduced Species ^Introduced populations exist

Aquatic Rodent Damage Management (ARDM) includes management of damage to agriculture, property, 

natural resources, or human health and safety from the activity of beavers, nutria, and muskrats. Beaver 

dams posing the greatest risk for damage are generally newer, and their removal poses less of a risk for the 

alteration of wetlands than might the removal of older, established impoundments. Beavers were the most 

commonly removed of aquatic mammals for ARDM (Table 2c). Additionally, WS removed 10,037 beaver 

dams. Methods used to take aquatic mammals lethally were traps (19,581), firearms (5,133), cable 

restraints (2,569), toxicants (chlorophacinone and zinc phosphide) (1,187), hand-capture (15), and detector 

dogs followed by euthanasia (10). Most beaver dams were removed by hand (8,700) followed by the use of 

binary explosives (1,314), heavy equipment (17), and water spray (16). No method was used extensively to 

relocate aquatic mammals, but cage traps (125), cable restraints (3), and hand capture (1) were used. Very 

few were hazed, but most (44) with firearms and repellents (6) on airports.

Table 2c. The annual average number of target aquatic mammals controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA. 

AQUATIC RODENTS

Species Scientific Name Killed Dams Removed Freed Dispersed

Beaver^ Castor canadensis 24,400 10,047 125 10

Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus 2,127 0 0.6 20

Nutria* Myocastor coypus 1,968 0 3 21

TOTAL 3 Species 28,495 10,047 129 51

* Introduced Species ^Populations introduced in several areas of Nevada

Most TRLDM is conducted to protect property, but also agricultural crops, and human health and safety 

(e.g., plague and Hantavirus). Terrestrial Rodent and Lagomorph (rabbits and hares) Damage Management 

(TRLDM) involves many species of terrestrial rodents and lagomorphs. Because rodent and lagomorph

populations are often cyclic and can be abundant in local areas, chemical management is frequently 
6

employed over relatively small areas. Nonchemical methods used to take small numbers of these species 

include cage traps, quick-kill traps, firearms, snares, and glue boards. The WS Management Information 

System (MIS) is only recently requiring employees to estimate the number of terrestrial rodents and 

lagomorphs killed with chemicals and, thus, the number taken had to be estimated for many projects. Take 

was estimated for those projects that showed none as well as estimated for species with acres or burrows 

treated as the unit of measure. The species most commonly controlled are burrowing rodents which 

includes prairie dogs, ground squirrels, voles, marmots, woodchucks, and kangaroo rats (Table 2d) and 

terrestrial rodents and lagomorphs which includes tree squirrels, old world rats and mice, woodrats, 

deermice, cottontail rabbits, and jackrabbits (Table 2e). None of those taken in these categories were 

federally listed threatened or endanagered (T&E) species, but many have subspecies which are and care is 

taken to avoid these.

Table 2d. The annual average number of burrowing rodents involved in WDM conducted by WS in WDM between FY11 

and FY15 throughout the USA. 

BURROWING RODENTS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed Dispersed

Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia) Aplodontia rufa 109 0 0

Black-tailed Prairie Dog Cynomys ludovicianus 193,144 0.2 127

Gunnison’s Prairie Dog Cynomys gunnisoni 19,160 0 0

White-tailed Prairie Dog Cynomys leucurus 2,181 0 0

Woodchuck Marmota monax 4,864 12 47

Yellow-bellied Marmot Marmota flaviventris 1,802 6 0.6

Hoary Marmot Marmota caligata 0.8 0 0.2

California Ground Squirrel Otospermophilus beecheyi 9,644 1 17

Rock Squirrel Otospermophilus variegatus 430 3 0

Paiute Ground Squirrel Urocitellus mollis 832 0 0

Richardson’s Ground Squirrel Urocitellus richardsonii 1,908 0 81

Wyoming Ground Squirrel Urocitellus elegans 83 0 0

Uinta Ground Squirrel Urocitellus armatus 95 0 0

Belding's Ground Squirrel Urocitellus beldingi 4,730 0 0

Columbian Ground Squirrel Urocitellus columbianus 1,476 0 0

Arctic Ground Squirrel Urocitellus parryii 0 0 0.2

Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel Ictidomys tridecemlineatus 1,062 1 0

Mexican Ground Squirrel Ictidomys mexicanus 1,487 0 0

Spotted Ground Squirrel Xerospermophilus spilosoma 0.2 0 0

Round-tailed Ground Squirrel Xerospermophilus tereticaudus 7,754 0 0

Cascade Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel Callospermophilus saturatus 0.2 0 0

Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel Callospermophilus lateralis 0.4 0 0

Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus 20 0.6 0

Least Chipmunk Neotamias minimus 0.2 0 0

Yellow-Faced Pocket Gopher Cratogeomys castanops 3,189 0 0

Attwater's Pocket Gopher Geomys attwateri 234 0 0

Desert Pocket Gopher Geomys arenarius 1 0 0

Knox Jone's Pocket Gopher Geomys knoxjonesi 9 0 0

Plains Pocket Gopher Geomys bursarius 1,093 0 0

Texas Pocket Gopher Geomys personatus 1 0 0

Botta's Pocket Gopher Thomomys bottae 5,030 0 0

Camas Pocket Gopher Thomomys bulbivorous 463 0 0

Northern Pocket Gopher Thomomys talpoides 2,847 0 0

Western (Mazama) Pocket Gopher Thomomys mazama 5 0 0

Sagebrush Vole Lemmiscus curtatus 576 0 0

California Vole Microtus californicus 0.2 0 0

Gray-tailed Vole Microtus canicaudus 4,000 0 0

Long-tailed Vole Microtus longicaudus 158 0 0

Montane Vole Microtus montanus 999 0 0

Prairie Vole Microtus ochrogaster 7,095 32 0

Tundra Vole Microtus oeconomus 0.4 0 0.2

Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus 13,413 0.8 0

Woodland (Pine) Vole Microtus pinetorum 4,466 0 0

Southern Red-backed Vole Myodes gapperi 0 0.2 0

Northern Red-backed Vole Myodes rutilus 0.4 0 0

Ord’s Kangaroo Rat Dipodomys ordii 1,672 0 0

TOTAL 46 Species 296,035 57 273
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Burrowing rodents can cause extensive damage in parks, right-of-ways, airports, agricultural fields and 

other developed areas. Their burrowing activities usually cause extensive damage in addition to their 

feeding activities. Between FY11 and FY15, the annual average number of burrowing rodent species taken 

was estimated at 296,035 lethally (estimate based on burrows or acres treated), 57 captured and relocated 

or freed, and 273 hazed (Table 2d). Of the lethal take, black-tailed prairie dog take was 193,144 (Table 2d). 

The USFWS (2015) estimated 2.1 million acres exist of black-tailed prairie dogs. To estimate take, we used 

15/acre taken with toxicants, to be conservative, whereas the USFWS typically estimates 10. At 15 per acre, 

the estimated population would be 31,500,000 for black-tailed prairie dogs. WS would take less than 1% of 

the population at a population density of 10 or 15/acre. Additionally, it should be noted that prairie dogs 

have a realistic repopulation rate of 30% per year (Collins et al. 1984), which shows that WS would not 

impact their population by taking less than 1%. Take of the other rodents was minimal compared to 

populations. The methods used to lethally take the burrowing rodent species in TRLDM included toxicants 

(zinc phosphide, strychnine, chlorophacinone, and diphacinone) (204,667), fumigants (62,831), firearms 

(22,616), traps (4,589), by hand or with hand tools (dens) (1,299), and cable restraints (33). In TRLDM, 

most burrowing rodents are not freed (relocated) or dispersed (Table 2d). However, traps (55), hand 

capture (2), and a cable restraint (1) were used in relocation. Few are hazed since they will only return to 

their burrow or possibly escape to other habitat, but sound (228) and sight (45) repellents were used.

Terrestrial rodent and rabbit species are managed, under TRLDM, at airports, to protect agricultural crops, 

and property. These are typically not a damage threat to aircraft per se, but these species are attractive to 

predators that are a strike threat such as coyotes and raptors. In addition, these species can also cause 

foreign object debris (FOD) damage to aircraft and property damage from gnawing and feeding activities.

Table 2e. The annual average number of target terrestrial rodents and rabbits controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 

and FY15 throughout the USA. 

TERRESTRIAL RODENTS AND RABBITS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed Dispersed

Western Gray Squirrel Sciurus griseus 8 6 0

Eastern Gray Squirrel^ Sciurus carolinensis 142 11 0.6

Eastern Fox Squirrel^ Sciurus niger 155 17 5

Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus 3 2 1

Douglas Squirrel Tamiasciurus douglasii 12 10 0

Southern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys volans 0.2 1 0

N. Giant (Gambian) Pouched Rat* Cricetomys gambianus 2 0.4 0

Desert Woodrat Neotoma lepida 0.4 0 0

Dusky-footed Woodrat Neotoma fuscipes 0.2 0 0

Eastern Woodrat Neotoma floridana 2 0 0

Mexican Woodrat Neotoma mexicana 2 0 0

Bushy-tailed Woodrat Neotoma cinerea 8 0.4 0

North American Deermouse Peromyscus maniculatus 211 0.8 0

White-footed Deermouse Peromyscus leucopus 18,719 160 0

House Mouse* Mus musculus 25,532 21 0

Brown (Norway) Rat* Rattus norvegicus 534 1 601

Pacific (Polynesian) Rat* Rattus exulans 2,331 0 0

Black Rat* Rattus rattus 6,562 4 0

North American Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum 117 35 30

Desmarest's Hutia Capromys pilorides 77 0 0

Eastern Cottontail^ Sylvilagus floridanus 1,150 11 199

Mountain Cottontail Sylvilagus nuttallii 77 0 0

New England Cottontail Sylvilagus transitionalis 0 1 0

Desert Cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii 6,229 13 38

Swamp Rabbit Sylvilagus aquaticus 4 0 0.2

Feral (European) Rabbit* Oryctolagus cuniculus 45 1 0.4

Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus 0.2 0.6 1

White-tailed Jackrabbit Lepus townsendii 41 0 3

Black-tailed Jackrabbit^ Lepus californicus 1,488 0.8 86

TOTAL 29 Species 63,452 297 965

* Introduced Species ^ Translocated from former range within North America to areas where invasive
8

Between FY11 and FY15, the annual average number of terrestrial rodents and lagomorphs was 63,452 

lethally taken, 297 relocated and 965 dispersed (Table 2e). This level of take for any of these species, which 

are mostly very abundant, would have no noticeable effect on the population. 

WS conducts WDM less frequently for several other species including insectivores (bats, armadillos, moles, 

and shrews) and exotic invasive species (monkeys). Most related damage management is achieved through 

the provision of technical assistance (i.e., discussing self-management options with those affected). 

Insectivores damage property and crops (during forays for insects), and are a concern in terms of human 

health and safety. Most bats are taken inside structures and freed outdoors or euthanized for rabies testing, 

if necessary. Invasive species cause damage to many resources including damage to natural resources. 

Monkeys were introduced to the islands of Puerto Rico where they damage agricultural crops and native 

wildlife, and are a threat to human health and safety. WS took 24 species and unknown bat species between 

FY11 and FY15 with 866 lethally taken, 63 freed or relocated, and 24 hazed (Table 2f). WS used firearms 

(695), traps (139), fumigants (17), hand capture and nets (15), and cable restraints (2) to lethally take these 

species. Bats were frequently caught by hand or with dip nets in houses (61) where they are a human health 

and safety concern and then freed outdoors if they appear healthy (Table 2f); additionally, armadillos were 

relocated from cage trap (2) and hand capture (1) events. Most armadillos managed were hazed at airports 

with sound-scare devices including firearms (22) and bats with visual repellents (3).

Table 2f. The average number of target mammals other than predators, hoofed animals, rodents, and rabbits controlled by WS in 

WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA. 

OTHER MAMMALS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed Dispersed

Nine-banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus 260 3 21

Patas Monkey* Erythrocebus patas 221 0 0

Rhesus Monkey* Macaca mulatta 281 0 0

Asian House (Musk) Shrew* Suncus murinus 0.2 0 0

Elliot’s Short-tailed Shrew Blarina hylophaga 0.8 0 0

Northern Short-tailed Shrew Blarina brevicauda 0.6 0 0

North American Least Shrew Cryptotis parva 14 0 0

Cinereus (Masked) Shrew Sorex cinereus 4 0 0

American Pygmy Shrew Sorex hoyi 0.2 0 0

Vagrant Shrew Sorex vagrans 14 0 0

Eastern Mole Scalopus aquaticus 17 0 0

Broad-footed Mole Scapanus latimanus 0.2 0 0

Coast Mole Scapanus orarius 19 0 0

Townsend’s Mole Scapanus townsendii 17 0 0

Brazilian (Mexican) Free-tailed Bat Tadarida brasiliensis 3 8 0

Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus 2 42 0.8

Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealis 0 0.8 0

Eastern (Tri-colored) Bat Pipistrellus subflavus 1 0.2 0

Pallid Bat Antrozous pallidus 0 0.2 0

Little Brown Myotis Myotis lucifugus 3 4 2

Cave Myotis Myotis velifer 0.2 0 0

Long-legged Myotis Myotis volans 0 0.6 0

Dark-nosed Small-footed Myotis Myotis melanorhinus 0 0.2 0

Yuma Myotis Myotis yumanensis 0.2 0 0

Unidentified Bat Chiroptera (30 possible species) 8 4 0

TOTAL 24 Spp. + 1 Spp. Group 866 63 24

* Introduced Species

2.2 Bird Damage Management Programs

Species are grouped below in terms of taxonomic similarities and the bird damage management program 

they fall under as the methods are similar. To some degree, most species of birds are targeted at airports 

where they are a strike hazard and the potential for catastrophic incident involving the loss of life. WDM at 

airfields includes the control of birds, mammals, and other wildlife and is labeled wildlife hazard 

management (WHM). WHM at airports often focuses on large or flocking birds since risk from these 
9

species are greater than from single or smaller birds. Most bird WDM at airports is achieved through 

hazing, though some are taken with firearms and traps if they do not respond to hazing such as raptors. 

Some birds are also managed in other WDM efforts to protect property, crops, livestock, natural resources,

human health and safety. NEPA coverage of birds5 tend to be all-encompassing (all Bird Damage 

Management (BDM) in state), but some have focused on BDM at airports, feedlots, or other resource being 

protected or could be by grouping such as blackbird damage management. Much depends on the scope of 

BDM projects in a state and their complexity. However, if all birds in a state are covered, generally EAs 

discuss the species and species groups involved, including: blackbirds, pigeons and doves, larids (gulls and 

terns), waterfowl, corvids (ravens, crows, and jays), raptors, waterbirds, wading birds, shorebirds, 

gallinaceous (grouse-like) birds, aerialists (nightjars, swifts, and swallows), non-passerine forest birds 

(woodpeckers, kingfishers, and invasive parrots), grassland passerine species, woodland passerine species, 

and other invasive passerine species. In addition, programs are sometimes based on the category of 

invasive species which include many species in the different categories, but most are included with their 

subgroup,most passerine invasive species are featured in the last table. In Tables 3a-3n, 

invasive/introduced species or populations are noted. 

WS BDM programs have helped manage damage from 379 species, 4 subspecies, and 1 escaped hybrid 

falcon within FY11 to FY15. Of these, damage from 280 species was managed via lethal removal. The 

average annual lethal take by WS was 3,358,911 and included European starlings (48%), brown-headed 

cowbirds (23%), red-winged blackbirds (14%), common grackles (4%), and rock pigeons (3%), and 275 

other species (8%). Most lethal take for the top 5 species occurred at feedlots where large flocks often 

congregate in winter, consuming and contaminating large amounts of feed, and threaten livestock health. 

The average annual nonlethal take (mostly trapped and relocated) was 8,290 birds. Of this, the most 

frequent species relocated included Canada geese (28%), red-tailed hawks (14%), American kestrels (8%), 

Laysan albatrosses (7%), double-crested cormorants (7%), and mourning doves (5%). this represents 69% 

of the total nonlethal take. In addition to target lethal and nonlethal take, an annual average of 112,212 eggs 

were destroyed and 22,895,922 target birds dispersed during FY11-FY15.

Flocks of native blackbirds, grackles, and cowbirds; and invasive European starlings cause substantial 

losses to livestock operations through feed consumption and contamination, and can cause disease in 

livestock. These species can also be problematic at airports, can cause damage to property and crops, and 

their roosts can pose nuisance problems from noise and droppings, as well as disease threats to humans

such as psittacosis, salmonellosis and histoplasmosis. Table 3a lists 10 species of blackbirds causing 

damage that WS managed between FY11 and FY15. These also frequently occur in mixed flocks. Among

these species, an average annual total of 3,005,712 were taken lethally, 837 eggs6 were removed, 316 were 

captured and freed or relocated, and 11,848,439 were dispersed (Table 3a). The methods used to take 

blackbirds lethally included the toxicants (2,785,521) DRC-1339, Avitrol, and sodium laurel sulfate, cage 

traps (126,911), firearms (91,471), nets (1,538) and hand-gathering (273). Eggs and nests were gathered 

by hand (776 eggs), with hand tools (32), and with water spray (32). Cage traps were used to relocate 

blackbirds (310) cable restraints (3), and nets (1). Methods used for dispersing blackbirds were soundscare devices including firearms7 (11,088,794), vehicles, lasers, lights, and other sight-repellent methods 

 5 More detailed analysis of these programs can be found at the APHIS home website (@ http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/home), then 

selecting Wildlife Damage, NEPA, and finally the list of documents available. These documents, mostly Environmental Assessments (EAs) 

analyze different species categories, programs, and methods used in bird damage management.

6 Eggs were estimated using typical averages for these species from active nests taken where eggs were not recorded.

7 Firearms are often used to disperse birds with standard ammunition. In some cases, birds are shot to reinforce the harassment.
10

(652,633), physical repellents (72,205), and chemical repellents (30,928). Additionally, dogs (571) and 

physical barriers (26) were used to haze blackbirds. For take in all categories, numbers of birds managed 

were estimated by population modeling or expert opinion.

Table 3a. The annual average number of target starlings and blackbirds controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and 

FY15 throughout the USA. 

BLACKBIRDS

Species Scientific Name Est. U.S. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

European Starling* Sturnus vulgaris 45,000,000 1,619,228 496 274 8,104,948

Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus 9,000,000 831 0 20 9,055

Tricolored Blackbird Agelaius tricolor 300,000 0 0 0 2,960

Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus 99,000,000 476,629 5 8 1,590,089

Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater 91,000,000 765,170 0 13 144,213

Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus 700,000 0 0 0 10

Brewer’s Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus 15,000,000 7,560 15 0.2 38,026

Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula 55,000,000 126,189 303 0.8 126,292

Greater Antillean Grackle Quiscalus niger na 65 0 0 0

Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major 2,000,000 524 5 0 65,209

Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus 5,000,000 9,516 13 0 52,794

Mixed Blackbirds All above except Antil. Grackle N/A 0 0 0 1,714,843

TOTAL 11 Spp. RMBO 2013 3,005,712 837 316 11,848,439

* Introduced Species N/A = Not applicable na – not available

Pigeon and dove damage management includes several invasive species such as feral domestic pigeons, 

Eurasian collared-doves, island collared-doves, spotted doves, and zebra doves and several native species 

such as white-crowned pigeons, mourning doves8

, white-winged doves, and common ground-doves. These 

species are often grouped together because they flock and are a hazard at airports. Feral pigeons and 

Eurasian collared-doves also cause damage at CAFOs and to property such as buildings. WS conducted 

WDM focusing on 11 species of pigeons and doves between FY11 and FY15 (Table 3b). Pigeons and doves 

involved in damage included feral domestic pigeons, mourning doves, zebra doves and spotted doves. In 

addition, invasive Eurasian collared-dove numbers are increasing rapidly in the United Satets (Sauer et al. 

2017) and WS expects increasing needs for related WDM, as evidenced in the MIS and take (Table 3b). 

Table 3b. The annual average number of target pigeons and doves controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA. 

PIGEONS AND DOVES

Species Scientific Name Est. USA Pop. Est. USA Harvest Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Rock Pigeon* Columba livia 9,100,000 na 94,598 284 87 186,158

White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala 600,000# na 0 0 0 228

Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata 800,000 14,520 0.2 0 0 0

Island Collared-Dove* Streptopelia bitorquata na na 156 6 14 613

Eurasian Collared-Dove* Streptopelia decaocto 8,000,000# na 3,659 0.4 4 4,864

Spotted Dove* Streptopelia chinensis na na 6,617 0 9 35,018

Zebra (Barred Ground-) Dove* Geopelia striata na na 17,096 0 2 68,246

Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina 2,000,000 na 0.2 0 0 8

Mourning Dove^ Zenaida macroura 96,000,000 15,328,300 18,141 88 400 210,135

Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita na na 0 0 0 1

White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica 4,000,000 1,746,720 101 0 2 44,011

TOTAL 11 Spp. RMBO 2013 USFWS 2012/14/16 140,368 378 518 549,282

* Introduced Species na – not available # Global population

^ 132 of the 18,126 taken lethally were in HI where invasive species

Between FY11 and FY15, BDM included 140,368 pigeons and doves taken lethally, with 378 eggs collected. 

Nonlethal management included 518 pigeons and doves freed or relocated following capture, and 549,282

dispersed. Methods used to take pigeons and doves lethally included firearms (94,033), traps (30,894), 

 

8 Mourning Doves are invasive in Hawaii.
11

toxicants (13,136), nets (2,038), and hand capture (266). Methods used to disperse pigeons and doves 

were sound-scare devices including firearms (410,753), sight repellents (135,495), hazing dogs (1,362), 

physical repellents (719), chemical repellents (340), and barriers (1). Nest and eggs were removed by hand 

(315) and firearms (in hard to reach places; 12). Additionally, nicarbazin, a reproductive inhibitor reducing 

hatchability of the eggs, was used and prevented an estimated 50 eggs from hatching (included in egg 

removal column of Table 3b). Birds were captured and relocated or released primarily from cage trapping

(491), netting projects (21), and hand capture (6).

WS WDM for larid damage includes activities focusing on jaegers, gulls, noddies, terns, and skimmers. 

These species are often grouped together because many are large flocking birds and are a hazard at airports 

and a risk to property, and human health and safety. Table 3c lists 31 species of larids that were managed 

by WS between FY11 and FY15. Total average annual take for larid species was 23,440 taken lethally, 

63,267 eggs and their nests destroyed, 21 captured and relocated or freed, and an estimated 5,592,266 

dispersed (Table 3c). 

Table 3c. The annual average number of target larids controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout 

the USA. 

LARIDS

Species Scientific Name Est. N. Amer. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

White Tern Gygis alba na 0 0 0 39

Black Skimmer Rynchops niger 100,000 0 0 0 148

Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 3,100,000 0 0 0 439

Red-legged Kittiwake Rissa brevirostris 290,000 2 0 0 67,662

Bonaparte's Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia 250,000 63 0 0 8,167

Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla 830,000 5,264 8,045 0 727,693

Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan 2,500,000 311 0 0 23,212

Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni 520,000 2 0 0 634

Mew Gull Larus canus 240,000 182 684 4 5,846

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis 2,500,000 6,053 42,157 3 2,479,140

California Gull Larus californicus 620,000 1,762 401 0.2 214,567

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 350,000 438 243 0 94,857

Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens 570,000 3,761 2,235 0.2 379,290

Western Gull Larus occidentalis 120,000 258 65 0.2 3,459

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus 270,000 12 0 0 209

Thayer's Gull Larus thayeri 15,000 0 0 0 9

American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus 370,000 5,250 9,433 13 1,558,684

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus na 0 0 0 9

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 15,000 16 0 0 317

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 110,000 10 1 0 13,548

Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus 150,000 3 0 0 1,735

Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 100,000 3 0 0 473

Least Tern Sternula antillarum 57,000 0.4 3 0.2 9,798

- California Least TernT&E Sternula antillarum browni 20,000 0 0 0 65

Common Tern Sterna hirundo 750,000 4 0 0 712

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 1,000,000 0.2 0.2 0 33

Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri 140,000 2 0 0 762

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida na 0 0 0 115

Black Tern Chlidonias niger 300,000 41 0 0 598

Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus na 0 0 0 6

Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus na 0.8 0 0 15

Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus na 2 0 0 25

TOTAL 31 Spp. + 1 Ssp. Wetlands Intl. 2012 23,440 63,267 21 5,592,266

na – not available T&E –Threatened and endangered species (Federal only)

The most common larids involved in management were laughing gulls, ring-billed gulls, herring gulls, and 

glaucous-winged gulls. Methods to take larids lethally included the use of firearms (22,255), hand gathering 

of primarily young (716), nets (188), cage traps (177), and DRC-1339 (102). Methods used to destroy 
12

eggs/nests were hand gathering and hand tools (30,927) and egg oiling (32,340)9

. Methods and estimated 

larids dispersed were sound-scare repellents (5,476,503), sight repellents (106,013), physical repellents 

(8,172), hazing dogs (1,437), and methyl anthranilate (140). The few that were relocated were moved after 

capture with nets (13), by hand (7), and with cage traps (1).

Table 3d. The annual average number of target waterfowl controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA. 

WATERFOWL

Species Scientific Name Est. N. Amer. Pop. Est. USA Harvest Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Black-bellied Whistling Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis 100,000 N/A 22 0 0.2 356

Taiga Bean-Goose Anser fabalis & serrirostris (split) na N/A 0.2 0 0 0

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 840,000 261,999 41 0 0 35,664

Feral Domestic Graylag Goose* Anser anser and others N/A N/A 82 42 29 3

Snow Goose Chen caerulescens 4,300,000 375,147 28 0 0 130,598

Ross's Goose Chen rossii 1,000,000 59,377 0.8 0 0 1

Brant Branta bernicla 340,000 18,342 256 0 0.2 4,791

Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsii 1,000,000 2,474,408 10 2 0 85,329

Canada Goose Branta canadensis 4,700,000 22,722 17,265 2,307 635,732

Hawaiian GooseT&E Branta sandvicensis na N/A 0 0 0 1,405

Mute Swan* Cygnus olor N/A N/A 1,793 314 6 89

Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator 46,000 N/A 1 0 0 234

Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus 200,000 N/A 1 0 0.4 575

Feral Domestic Muscovy Duck* Cairina moschata N/A N/A 34 0 18 0.6

Wood Duck Aix sponsa 3,500,000 1,289,672 33 0 11 1,762

Gadwall Anas strepera 3,200,000 1,865,257 44 0 28 4,859

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope na 699,828 0 0 0 7

American Wigeon Anas americana 2,100,000 38 2 9 12,723

American Black Duck Anas rubripes 550,000 95022 39 0 4 3,145

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 9,200,000 4,010,456 2,504 132 334 96,098

- Feral Domestic Mallard* Anas platyrhynchos N/A 9,233 209 63 49 683

Hawaiian DuckT&E Anas wyvilliana na N/A 0 0 0 1,028

Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula 700,000 59,974 23 0 0 452

Blue-winged Teal Anas discors 8,900,000 1,274,414 117 0 8 7,028

Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera 260,000 12 0 2 405

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata 4,600,000 866,316 74 0 1 39,644

Northern Pintail Anas acuta 4,400,000 641,604 35 1 7 20,589

Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 10,000 1,890829 0 0 0 2

Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis 2,900,000 121 3 13 11,325

Canvasback Aythya valisineria 690,000 134,354 1 0 0 2,134

Redhead Aythya americana 1,400,000 289,638 13 0 0 7,312

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris 1,500,000 536,706 25 0 0 2,616

Greater Scaup Aythya marila 4,300,000 74,291 61 71 0.6 14,991

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis 3,000,000 343,565 29 2 0 33,675

Spectacled EiderT&E Somateria fischeri 360,000 N/A 0 0 0 38

King Eider Somateria spectabilis 500,000 12,066 0 0 0 12

Common Eider Somateria mollissima 1,300,000 3 0 2 6

Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus 160,000 N/A 2 0 0.2 246

Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata 350,000

50,240

3 0 0 1,572

White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca 140,000 0 0 0 517

Black Scoter Melanitta americana 410,000 0.2 0 0 530

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis 1,000,000 22,699 6 0 0 2,043

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola 1,000,000 218,250 35 0 0 17,895

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 1,200,000 86,032 8 0 0.4 4,981

Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica 200,000 14 0 0 2,887

Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus 1,100,000 100,579 35 0 0 3,048

Common Merganser Mergus merganser 1,300,000 33,699 47 0 0.2 2,731

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 240,000 4 0 0 84,303

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis 480,000 52,017 38 0 0 624

TOTAL 48 Spp. + 1 Domestic Ssp. Wetlands Intl 2012 USFWS 28,564 17,897 2,830 1,276,689

* Introduced Species N/A = Not applicable na – not available T&E –Threatened and endangered species (Federal only)

 9 As a result of permitting, many WS state offices count both eggs and nests so much of it is double counted. However, where it was found, they 

were removed and the number of eggs was estimated for active nests taken
13

Methods to take waterfowl lethally included live traps which include drive/herd traps (15,991), firearms 

(10,933), hand capture (777), alpha-chloralose (A-C; 629), and nets (233). Hand gathering (9,239 eggs), 

egg oiling (8,654), and firearms (2) were used to remove nests and eggs. Methods to take waterfowl which 

were released or relocated included drive/herd and cage traps (2,544), nets (58), hand capture (159), and 

A-C (72). Methods used for dispersing waterfowl included sound-scare devices (1,031,564), visual 

repellents including vehicles and lasers (183,566), paint balls and other physical repellents (32,240), dogs 

(19,359), and chemical repellents (9,958).

Duck, goose, and swan (i.e., waterfowl) damage management is focused largely on reducing hazards to 

aviation. Extensive damage to property, crops, and human health and safety is also addressed by WS. In 

addition, waterfowl are the focus of considerable disease surveillance activity by the USDA, APHIS, WS 

Wildlife Disease Program and its partners due to their migratory behavior and the related risk for their 

spreading avian and zoonotic diseases from flyways adjacent to those in North America (Gilbert et al. 2006, 

Xiao et al. 2007). Table 3d lists 48 species of waterfowl causing damage or threats that were managed 

between FY11 and FY15. Common waterfowl involved in BDM included Canada geese, mallard, and invasive 

mute swans with the average annual total for all species being 28,564 taken lethally, 17,897 eggs and their 

nests destroyed, 2,830 captured and relocated or freed, and an estimated 1,276,689 hazed (Table 3d). 

Comparatively, Table 3d gives estimated breeding population and hunter harvest for waterfowl that occurs 

annually. With stable populations, it gives the sense of harvest that can occur since annual recruitment 

allows for high harvests and populations are often conservatively determined.

Corvids (ravens, crows, magpies, and jays) often cause significant losses at confined animal feeding 

operations (CAFOs) by taking feed, and killing newborn and incapacitated (e.g., a cow calving) livestock. 

They can also cause damage to property, crops, and human health. Table 3e lists 10 species of corvids 

causing damage that was managed by WS between FY11 and FY15. The most common species taken 

included American crows, common ravens, and black-billed magpies. The average annual number of 

corvids taken included 21,198 taken lethally, 204 eggs removed, 79 captured and freed or relocated, and 

1,291,028 dispersed (Table 3e). Methods to take corvids lethally included DRC-1339 (12,499), firearms 

(8,494), traps (167), and by hand and net (37). Methods used for dispersing corvids were sound repellents 

(1,084,153), visual repellents (199,350), physical repellents (7,501), and hazing dogs (24). Eggs and nest 

were taken by hand (201) and with firearms (3) and birds were captured and released with nets (71), cage 

traps (5), and from hand capture (3).

Table 3e. The annual average number of target corvids controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout 

the USA. 

CORVIDS

Species Scientific Name Est. U.S. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Gray Jay Perisoreus canadensis 4,300,000 0 0 0 7

Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri 1,900,000 47 0 0 1

Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata 12,000,000 0.6 0 0.4 15

California Scrub-Jay> Aphelocoma californica 1,500,000* 1 0 2 0.4

Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia 2,700,000 371 17 1 653

Yellow-billed Magpie Pica nuttalli 90,000 0.2 0 0 36

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos 17,000,000 11,031 87 72 1,205,925

Northwestern Crow Corvus caurinus 300,000 36 0 0 22,316

Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus 450,000 75 0 0.2 6,224

Common Raven Corvus corax 1,700,000 9,636 100 3 55,851

TOTAL 10 Spp. RMBO 2013 21,198 204 79 1,291,028 > Western scrub-jay was split into California and Woodhouse’s scrub-jays in 2016, but all take were in the range of the California scrub-jay.

Raptor damage management usually does not involve large numbers of birds because they are not as 

numerous and the related damage is less common and intense. Raptors include hawks, eagles, falcons, 

ospreys, caracaras, and owls. These species are often grouped together because they are large, are a hazard 
14

at airports, and cause damage to livestock and property. They sometimes pose a human health and safety 

concern where nest defense frightens or injures people. Table 3f lists 39 species of raptors causing damage 

that was managed by WS between FY11 and FY15. In addition, a hybrid falcon that eluded its owner at an 

airport where it was used to haze wildlife had to be hazed away from aircraft until it could be caught. The 

most common raptors involved in BDM included black and turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, and American 

kestrels with an average annual total for all raptors of 8,668 taken lethally, 82 eggs taken (many of these are 

taken to rehabilitators), 2,762 captured and freed or relocated, and an estimated 195,654 dispersed (Table 

3f). Methods used for taking raptors lethally included firearms (5,591) cage traps (3,056), cable restraints 

(12), and by hand and with nets (8). Raptors were relocated after being caught in raptor traps (2,266), in 

cable restraints such as bal chatri traps (425), by hand, especially nestlings (55), with nets (187) shot by air 

cannons, firearms (net guns), and by hand (dip nets). Methods used for dispersing raptors included soundscare devices (171,693), sight repellents including people and vehicles (20,955), paint balls (physical 

harassment; 3,905), hazing dogs (40), and barriers (1). Eggs and nests for the most part were hand 

gathered (78) or oiled (3).

Table 3f. The annual average number of target raptors controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout 

the USA. 

RAPTORS

Species Scientific Name Estimated U.S. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 5,000,000 1,536 0.2 2 75,239

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus 5,100,000+ 4,769 1 3 49,361

Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 110,000 66 50 5 1,497

White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus 2,000,000# 1 0 0.6 66

Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus 150,000# 0 0 0 17

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 180,000 6 0 11 28

Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii 600,000 41 0.8 171 118

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 90,000 0 0 0 8

Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus 500,000 142 2 30 2,880

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus 300,000# 0 0 12 43,663

Mississippi Kite Ictinia mississippiensis 300,000 91 2 1 735

Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus 2,000,000# 0 0 0 0.2

Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus 50,000 0.8 0.6 0 3

Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus 1,100,000 25 0 20 181

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus 900,000 0.6 0 1 29

Hawaiian HawkT&E Buteo solitarius N/A 0 0 0 12

Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni 420,000 78 0 114 2,665

Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus 2,000,000# 0 0 0 0.4

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 1,500,000 1,116 18 1,180 11,796

Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus 500,000# 42 0 29 774

Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis 70,000 23 0 18 715

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 80,000 0 0 0.8 68

Barn Owl^ Tyto alba 160,000 186 3 171 269

Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus 100,000 + 3 0 86 155

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus 3,000,000 18 4 182 66

Barred Owl Strix varia 2,000,000 3 0 7 15

Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa 13,000 0.2 0 0.2 6

Northern Hawk Owl Surnia ulula 30,000 0 0 0.2 12

Northern Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma 40,000 0 0 0.2 0

Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia 700,000 1 0 12 20

Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus 1,700,000# 0 0 0 0.2

Long-eared Owl Asio otus 6,000 0 0 0.2 0

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 200,000 12 0 16 727

Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway 2,000,000# 9 0 0 46

American Kestrel Falco sparverius 1,700,000 489 0.8 665 5,194

Merlin Falco columbarius 140,000 9 0 7 108

Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus 4,000 0 0 0 1

Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus 70,000 0.4 0 9 46

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 140,000# 0.2 0 8 132

Hybrid Falcon* (escape) Falco spp. N/A 0 0 0 1

TOTAL 39 Spp. + 1 Hybrid RMBO 2013 8,668 82 2,762 195,654

* Introduced # Global population + North America population N/A = Not applicable na – not available

^ Introduced species in Hawaii - 162 of the 186 taken lethally were in HI where invasive species.
15

Waterbirds causing damage or threats that are managed by WS include loons, grebes, seabirds, pelicans, 

boobies, cormorants, cranes, coots, rails, and kingfishers. These species are often grouped together 

because of their affinity for water, especially where it can be found near airports. In addition, many are large 

and some exhibit flocking behavior making them a significant hazard to aviation. Some also cause 

significant damage to aquaculture, crops, and property. Table 3g lists at least 26 species of waterbirds 

causing damage or threats that were managed by WS between FY11 and FY15. The most common 

waterbirds involved in BDM were double-crested cormorants, and to a much lesser extent, Laysan 

albatrosses. The total average annual take for all species was 19,774 taken lethally, 21,342 eggs removed, 

1,232 captured and relocated or freed, and an estimated 235,225 dispersed (Table 3g). Methods for taking 

waterbirds lethally included firearms (19,741) and hand-capture (32). Methods for taking eggs included 

oiling (18,998) and by hand (2,345). Methods to capture and relocate or free waterbirds were hand capture 

(1,118) and traps (114). Methods used for dispersing waterbirds were sound repellents (mainly 

pyrotechnics and firearms; 208,116), sight repellents (26,573), dogs (442) and paint balls (92).

Table 3g. The annual average number of target waterbirds controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA. 

WATERBIRDS

Species Scientific Name Est. N. Amer. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata 40,000 0.4 0 0.2 23

Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica 900,000 1 0 0.2 279

Common Loon Gavia immer 610,000 0 0 0.8 116

Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis na 0 86 603 920

Fork-tailed Storm Petrel Oceanodroma furcata na 0 0 0 4

Hawaiian PetrelT&E Pterodroma sandwichensis na 0 0 0 0.4

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus na 0 0 24 4

Newell's ShearwaterT&E Puffinus newelli na 0 0 0.6 0

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps 100,000 22 0 0.2 93

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena 45,000 0.6 1 0 188

Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus 200,000 0.8 2 0.4 307

Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 3,700,000 2 0 0.4 10

Western & Clark’s Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis & clarkii 130,000 0.2 0 0.4 7,708

American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos 157,000 50 224 0 8,146

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis 320,000 3 0 1 1,992

Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens na 0 0 0 95

Great Frigatebird Fregata minor na 0 0 0 593

Brandt's Cormorant Phalacrocorax penicillatus 100,000 0.8 0 0 44

Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus 10,000 1 67 0 1,877

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus 163,000 0 0 0 85

Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus 1,100,000 19,674 20,962 601 212,591

Anhinga Anhinga anhinga 25,000 17 0 0 92

Common Murre Uria aalge na 0 0 0 38

Pigeon Guillemot Cepphus columba na 0 0 0 1

Marbled MurreletT&E Brachyramphus marmoratus na 0 0 0 19

Parakeet Auklet Aethia psittacula na 1 0 0 0

TOTAL 27 Spp.* RMBO 2013 19,774 21,342 1,232 235,225

* Both Clark’s and western grebes were likely in BDM activities but were not differentiated in the MIS na – not available

T&E –Threatened and endangered species (Federal only)

Wading bird damage management includes herons, egrets, storks, bitterns, ibises, spoonbills, and 

flamingos. These species are often grouped together because they are very large flocking birds and are a 

hazard at airports, and several also cause extensive damage to property, crops, and human health and 

safety. A typical concern to people arises from noise and potential disease when a nesting area, a rookery, 

is built in a residential area since many are colonial nesters. Table 3h lists 24 species of wading birds that 

were controlled between FY11 and FY15. The most common wading birds involved in BDM included the 

western cattle egrets, American coots, and sandhill cranes with the average annual total for all species being 

9,944 taken lethally, 2,399 eggs taken, 28 captured and relocated or freed, and 341,983 hazed (Table 3h). 

Methods used to take them lethally included firearms (7,567), A-C (1,787) for American coots, by hand 

(566) and nets (27). Eggs were taken by hand/hand tools (2,399). The primary method to capture and 
16

relocate or free waterbirds was capture by hand (28). Methods used for dispersing wading birds were 

sound scare devices (313,758), sight repellents (26,143), dogs (1,996), paint balls (75), and chemical 

repellents (10).

Table 3h. The annual average number of target wading birds controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA. 

WADING BIRDS

Species Scientific Name Est. N. Amer. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

American Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber 40,000 0 0 0 2

Wood StorkT&E Mycteria americana 17,000 0 0 0 109

American White Ibis Eudocimus albus 210,000 140 0 0 30,081

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 20,000 10 0 0 1,230

White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi 150,000 10 0 0 4,608

Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja 100,000 0.8 0 0 153

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus 3,000,000 0.4 0 0 6

Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis 130,000 0 0 0 0.4

Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis na 18 417 0 1,839

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 75,000 31 0 0.2 867

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea 75,000 33 0 0 118

Green Heron Butorides virescens na 24 0 0 111

Western Cattle Egret^ Bubulcus ibis 1,000,000 5,607 1,928 26 101,505

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 140,000 588 31 0.6 13,028

Great Egret Ardea alba 270,000 327 0 0.2 13,076

Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens 5,000 0 0 0 2

Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor 293,000 3 0 0 92

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea 225,000 16 23 0 1,531

Snowy Egret Egretta thula 100,000 150 0 0 4,920

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata 1,000,000 2 0 0 10

Hawaiian CootT&E Fulica alai na 0 0 0 0.6

American Coot Fulica americana 6,000,000 2,965 0 0.4 24,606

Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis 670,000 20 0 0.2 144,087

Whooping CraneT&E Grus americana 400 0 0 0.2 0.6

TOTAL 24 Spp. Wetlands Intl 2012 9,944 2,399 28 341,983

^ Introduced species in Hawaii na – not available T&E –Threatened and endangered species (Federal only)

Shorebird damage management includes avocets, curlews, godwits, plovers, sandpipers, stints, yellowlegs, 

and other species. These species are a taxonomic group. They are typically flocking, associated with water 

often found near airports, and are a hazard at airports. They also have several species monitored for 

disease, the species that migrate long distances, especially through areas where an outbreak of a disease of 

concern has occurred. Table 3i lists 49 species of shorebirds that were controlled between FY11 and FY15.

The most common shorebirds involved in BDM included killdeer, upland sandpipers, pacific golden-plovers, 

and ruddy turnstones, all associated with airports. The total average annual take for all shorebird species by 

WS was 2,894 taken lethally, 108 eggs10 taken, 7 captured and relocated or freed, and 345,786 dispersed 

(Table 3i). Both the killdeer and upland sandpiper nest in habitat (grasslands and rocky areas) typically 

found on most airports and are the species taken most. The primary methods to take shorebirds lethally 

were firearms (2,878) and by hand (13). Eggs were removed by hand (106) and egg oiling (1). The method 

for capturing and releasing or relocating shorebirds was hand capture (6), primarily used to free trapped 

young from deep pits. Methods used to disperse shorebirds included pyrotechnics and other sound 

repellents (174,837), vehicles and other sight repellents (165,199), dogs (5,283), and paint balls (465).

 10 Rounding error can occur for data by species versus by method and can add up differently, differing by at most one or two.
17

Table 3i. The annual average number of target shorebirds controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA.

SHOREBIRDS

Species Scientific Name Est. N. Amer. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Black Oystercatcher Haematopus bachmani 10,000 0 0 0 11

American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliates 11,000 0.4 2 0 19

Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus 100,000 36 0 0 1,604

- Hawaiian Black-necked StiltT&E Himantopus mexicanus knudseni na 0 0 0 765

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana 100,000 4 6 0 8,190

American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica 395,000 22 0 0 718

Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva 35,000 2 0 0.4 222,923

Gray (Black-bellied) Plover Pluvialis squatarola 250,000 13 0 0 5,088

Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus 150,000 26 12 2 7,255

Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsonia 15,500 0 0 0 2,565

Lesser Sand-Plover Charadrius mongolus na 0 0 0 0.4

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus 1,000,000 2,101 87 2 21,936

Snowy Plover Charadrius nivosus 22,100 0 0 0 1

Mountain Plover Charadrius montanus 20,000 0 0 0 55

American Woodcock Scolopax minor 3,000,000 1 0 0 8

Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata 2,000,000 30 0 0 394

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus 240,000 3 0 0 1,159

Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus 500,000 2 0 0 813

Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica 77,000 5 0 0 83

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 130,000 0 0 0 1

Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa 170,000 1 0 0 1,936

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 270,000 16 0 0 3,771

Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis 10,000 0 0 0 87

Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus 110,000 22 0 0 13,558

Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda 500,000 381 0 2 2,973

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca 100,000 22 0 0 1,299

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 400,000 21 0 0 850

Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria 150,000 0.8 0 0 44

Wandering Tattler Tringa incana 10,000 0 0 0 5

Willet Tringa semipalmata 250,000 10 0 0 1,298

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos na 0 0 0 1

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius 150,000 0.6 0 0 74

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 310,000 0 0 0.2 14,958

Black Turnstone Arenaria melanocephala 95,000 0 0 0 248

Surfbird Calidris virgata 70,000 0 0 0 44

Sanderling Calidris alba 300,000 12 0 0 8,142

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla 2,200,000 16 0 0 3,173

Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri 3,500,000 7 0 0 9,580

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla 700,000 77 0 0 4,283

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis 1,100,000 3 0 0 30

Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii 300,000 0 0 0 5

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos 1,200,000 5 0 0 226

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata 160,000 0 0 0 0.2

Rock Sandpiper Calidris ptilocnemis 140,000 1 0 0 29

Dunlin Calidris alpina 1,300,000 53 0 0 5,342

Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus 820,000 0 0 0 2

Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis 35,000 0.2 0 0 120

Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor 1,500,000 0 0 0 31

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus 2,500,000 0 0.8 0 88

Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius 1,200,000 0 0 0 0.6

TOTAL 49 Spp. + 1 Ssp. Wetlands Intl 2012 2,894 108 7 345,786

na – not available T&E –Threatened and endangered species (Federal only)

Gallinaceous (chicken-like) bird damage management includes feral domestic poultry, quail, francolins, 

grouse, and turkeys. These species are a taxonomic group. Most are controlled at airports because they can 

be flocking and most are large. Some also can cause damage to crops and property. Table 3j lists 19 

species of gallinaceous birds that were controlled between FY11 and FY15. The most common gallinaceous 

birds involved in BDM during this time included feral chickens, francolins, red junglefowl (wild chicken that 

gave rise to the domestic chicken), and ring-necked pheasants. The average annual total number of 

gallinaceous birds lethally taken was 8,507, 13 eggs taken, 177 captured and relocated or freed, and 16,311 

hazed (Table 3j). Methods used to take gallinaceous birds lethally included the use of firearms (6,409), cage 

traps (1,569), hand gathering (518), nets (10), and cable restraints (2). The only method to take eggs was 
18

by hand (13). Methods used to capture and release gallinaceous birds were nets (131), cage traps (43), and 

hand capture (5). Methods used for dispersing gallinaceous birds were sight repellents (11,381), sound 

repellents (4,888), hazing dogs (22), and physical repellents (20). Most lethal take, including red junglefowl, 

feral chickens, francolins, and most ring-necked pheasants occurred in Hawaii where they are all invasive 

species (90%). Additionally, WS trapped 106 greater sage-grouse for a telemetry study in Wyoming.

Table 3j. The annual average number of target gallinaceous birds controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA.

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS

Species Scientific Name Est. U.S. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Helmeted Guineafowl* Numida meleagris N/A 0.8 0 0 0

Scaled Quail Callipepla squamata 3,000,000 0 0 0 26

California Quail^ Callipepla californica 2,700,000 0.2 0 0 6

Gambel's Quail Callipepla gambelii 3,900,000 3 0 0 62

Northern Bobwhite^ Colinus virginianus 5,800,000 0.2 0 0 57

Wild Turkey^ Meleagris gallopavo 7,800,000# 317 2 45 2,798

Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus 18,000,000# 0 0 0 2

Spruce Grouse Falcipennis canadensis 11,000,000 0 0 0 4

Greater Sage-Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus 150,000 0 0 106 0

Sharp-tailed Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus 300,000 2 0 0 92

Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus 8,000,000 0.2 0 0 3

Chukar Partridge* Alectoris chukar 500,000 4 0 0 14

Black Francolin* Francolinus francolinus N/A 1,868 0 0 2,547

Gray Francolin* Francolinus pondicerianus N/A 2,007 0 0 4,401

Erckel's Francolin* Francolinus erckelii N/A 311 0 0 361

Gray Partridge* Perdix perdix 600,000 4 0 0 42

Red Junglefowl* Gallus gallus N/A 477 7 0 425

- Feral Domestic Chicken* Gallus gallus domesticus N/A 2,547 4 7 3,909

Ring-necked Pheasant* Phasianus colchicus 14,000,000 953 0 19 1,557

Common (Indian) Peafowl* Pavo cristatus N/A 13 0 0.2 5

TOTAL 19 Spp. + 1 Domestic Ssp. RMBO 2013 8,507 13 177 16,311

* Introduced Species ^ Translocated from former range within North America to areas where invasive # Global population

+ N. Amer. population N/A – Not applicable

Aerialists include nighthawks, nightjars, swifts, martins, and swallows. These species are grouped together 

because they feed on insects by flying through the air and opening their mouths to catch them. As a result, 

many feed over runways where they are a strike threat. In addition, many of the swallows build nests on 

buildings and other structures where they cause damage. Table 3k lists 10 species and 1 group that were 

controlled between FY11 and FY15. A few more are found in the USA, but were not recorded as being taken.

The most common aerialists involved in BDM include cliff swallows, barn swallows, and purple martins.

Table 3k. The annual average number of target aerialist (nighthawks, swifts, and swallows) controlled by WS in WDM 

between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA.

AERIALISTS

Species Scientific Name Est. U.S. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis 3,000,000 0.4 0 0 0

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor 14,000,000 68 0.6 2 279

Common Poorwill Phalaenoptilus nuttallii 1,800,000 0 0 1 0

Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica 7,700,000 0.6 3 0.4 711

White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis 800,000 0 0 0 14

Rivoli’s (Magnificent) Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens 2,000,000# 0 0 0.2 0

Bank Swallow Riparia riparia 4,000,000 102 51 0 19,945

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor 7,000,000 81 0 0 25,225

Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina 4,700,000 0.2 1 0.2 1,079

Purple Martin Progne subis 6,000,000 56 0 0 14,875

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis 13,000,000 4 4 0 114

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 28,000,000 857 1,467 2 138,240

American Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota 30,000,000 2,370 3,531 1 160,058

Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva 1,000,000 84 0.8 0 768

TOTAL 14 Spp. RMBO 2013 3,623 5,058 7 361,308

# Global population 
19

The average annual total number of aerialists taken included 3,623 taken lethally, 5,058 eggs and their nests 

destroyed, 7 captured and relocated or freed, and 361,308 hazed (Table 3k). Methods used to take aerialists 

lethally included firearms (3,336), hand capture (274), nets (9), and cage traps (3). Eggs were taken by 

hand (3,437), using high-pressure water spray (1,574), with firearms11 (47), and oiling the eggs (1).

Methods used for dispersing aerialists were sound repellents including pyrotechnics and firearms 

(342,882), sight repellents (15,585), physical repellents including paint balls and water spray (2,798), 

Rejex-It® (methyl anthranilate) repellent (30), and dogs (12). Aerialists were captured and freed or relocated 

using hand capture with or without dip nets (7).

Cuckoos, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and invasive parrots, all other non-passerine (song) birds, for the 

purposes of this document are grouped together and referred to as forest birds. They can cause damage, 

but typically not as extensive as other species. These species are grouped together because they are the 

remaining non-passerine birds that can cause damage to property and agriculture such as crops. These 

species are typically not as hazardous as other wildlife at airports, but can be where habitat is adjacent to an 

air operating area. Additionally, the parrots are invasive species and the rose-ringed parakeet, especially in 

Hawaii, can be problematic. The most extensive damage is caused by woodpeckers, drilling holes into 

structures, and monk parakeets with their nesting structures on electrical poles which can cause fires and 

outages. Table 3l lists 13 species that were controlled by WS between FY11 and FY15. A few more are 

found in the USA, but were not recorded as taken.

Table 3l. The annual average number of target other non-passerine birds (cuckoos, kingfishers, woodpeckers and 

parrots) controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA.

OTHER NONPASSERINE FOREST BIRDS

Species Scientific Name Est. U.S. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus 650,000 0.2 0 0 0

Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon 860,000 1 0 0 347

Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus 1,500,000 3 0 0 0

Gila Woodpecker Melanerpes uropygialis 400,000 68 0 0 0.4

Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons 580,000 2 0 0 0

Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus 10,000,000 0.2 0 0 0

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens 11,000,000 2 0 0 0.2

Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus 3,900,000 0.6 0 0 0

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus 4,100,000 77 3 0 65

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus 1,300,000 1 0 0 0

Monk Parakeet* Myiopsitta monachus 20,000,000# 3 0 0 51

Yellow-headed Amazon* Amazona oratrix N/A 0.2 0 0 0

Rose-ringed Parakeet* Psittacula krameri N/A 697 0 0.6 5,291

TOTAL 13 Spp. RMBO 2013 855 3 0.6 5,755

* Introduced Species # Global population N/A – Not applicable

The most common forest birds involved in BDM include rose-ringed parakeets, northern flickers, Gila

woodpeckers, and belted kingfishers with the average annual total for all species being 855 taken lethally, 3 

eggs taken, 1 captured and relocated or freed, and 5,755 hazed (Table 3l). Methods employed to take forest 

birds lethally included firearms (835), traps (18), and by hand (3). Methods used for dispersing 

woodpeckers were sound repellents (3,989), sight repellents (1,760), physical repellents (4), and chemical 

repellents (2). Eggs were taken by hand (3). As can be seen, few other non-passerine forest birds are taken.

The next group is passerine species (songbirds) that are mostly associated with grasslands as most are 

found in sparsely wooded or open areas, habitat usually found on airports is where most work with these 

species is conducted. These species are the tyrant flycatchers, shrikes, larks, pipits, longspurs, embezerids 

(new world sparrows), and icterids (not including blackbirds here (above); meadowlarks, bobolinks, 

 11 Firearms and paint balls are often used to destroy nests/eggs where they are not able to be reached.
20

dickcissels, and orioles). Management of these species usually does not involve large numbers of birds 

taken lethally, but rather dispersed particularly from airports. Species which nest on airports are the 

exception because they are hard to disperse, especially once nesting has begun. These species are grouped 

together because they can cause significant losses at airports with only minor damage potential to other 

resources. Table 3m lists 35 species of birds that were controlled between FY11 and FY15.

Table 3m. The annual average number of target grassland passerine groups (tyrant flycatchers, shrikes, larks, pipits, 

longspurs, emberizids, and icterids excluding the blackbirds above) controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA.

GRASSLAND PASSERINE GROUPS

Species Scientific Name Est. U.S. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 1,000,000 0 0 0 43

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe 24,000,000 0.4 0.2 0.6 0

Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya 3,700,000 1 2 0 3

Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus 20,000,000 0 0 0.2 0

Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis 20,000,000 346 22 21 4,604

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus 8,700,000 151 1 0.8 972

Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus 23,000,000 38 0.8 0 157

Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis 2,000,000 0 0 0 2

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus 4,800,000 15 0 1 176

Great Gray (Northern) Shrike Lanius excubitor 2,000,000+ 0 0 4 18

Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris 55,000,000 2,109 0 0 76,729

American Pipit Anthus rubescens 300,000 19 0 0 5,852

Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus 5,000,000 5 0 0 1,608

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 14,000,000+ 13 0 0 2,259

California Towhee Melozone crissalis 5,200,000 16 0 7 1

Abert's Towhee Melozone aberti 800,000 0 0 0.8 0

Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina 86,000,000 0.2 0 4 30

Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla 7,400,000 3 0 0 34

Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus 18,000,000 0 0 0 12

Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus 6,800,000 0.4 0 0 14

Lark Bunting Calamospiza melanocorys 8,900,000 355 0 0 7,550

Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis 70,000,000 65 0 41 4,558

Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum 30,000,000 4 0 0.6 125

American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea 6,000,000 0 0 0 4

Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca 9,000,000 0.6 0 0 121

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia 75,000,000 0 1 6 141

Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii 10,000,000 4 0 0 508

White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys 24,000,000 179 0 1 86

Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla 4,000,000 0.4 0 0.2 2

Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis 71,000,000 3 0 1 236

Dickcissel Spiza americana 19,000,000 1 0 0 6

Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus 5,800,000 5 0 0 701

Eastern Meadowlark^ Sturnella magna 21,000,000 1,196 0 0.2 18,751

Western Meadowlark^ Sturnella neglecta 71,000,000 1,012 1 0 45,774

Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii 6,000,000 0 0 0 0.6

TOTAL 35 Spp. RMBO 2013 5,542 28 89 171,078

^ Introduced species in Hawaii + North America population

The grassland passerine species mostly involved in BDM included horned larks, eastern and western 

meadowlarks, lark buntings, and western kingbirds with an average annual total for grassland passerines of 

5,542 taken lethally, 28 eggs along with their nests removed, 89 captured and freed or relocated, and 

171,078 dispersed (Table 3m). Methods used to take passerines associated with grasslands lethally 

included firearms (5,316), cage traps (221), by hand (4) and drop nets (1). Eggs were removed by hand 

(28). Birds were relocated or freed by cage traps (86) or after they were caught by hand (3). Methods used 

to disperse grassland passerine species were sound-scare devices (136,733), sight repellents (30,191), 

hazing dogs (3,853), and physical repellents (300).

Another group of passerine species is birds that are mostly associated with forests and includes waxwings, 

wrens, nuthatches, mockingbirds, thrashers, thrushes, finches, wood-warblers, and cardinals. The forest 

passerine species are mostly birds that associate with habitat associated with woodland areas, but can be 
21

found in and around airports where most work with these species is conducted. Their management usually 

does not involve large numbers of birds taken lethally, but rather dispersed particularly from airports and 

some from crops, especially waxwings, robins, and finches. These species are grouped together because 

they can cause losses at airports and crops with only minor damage potential to other resources. Several of 

these species have invasive populations on Hawaii where they are controlled for airports and to protect 

native species. Table 3n lists 32 species of birds and the unidentifiable bird category that were controlled 

between FY11 and FY15. The most forest passerine species involved in BDM included House Finches (most 

taken lethally, 89%, were invasive on Hawaii), American robin, and northern cardinals (all lethally taken 

were invasive on Hawaii) with an average annual total of 3,752 taken lethally, 261 eggs removed, 125 

captured and freed or relocated, and 96,037 dispersed (Table 3n). Methods used to take forest passerines 

lethally included firearms (3,260), cage traps (438), and hand capture (27). Eggs were removed by hand 

(175) and with firearms (12). Birds were relocated or freed mostly by cage traps (104), nets (15) or caught 

by hand (6). The most common methods used for dispersing passerine species were sound-scare devices 

(32,650), sight repellents (47,313), hazing dogs (137), and physical repellents (130).

Table 3n. The annual average number of forest or riparian associated passerine groups (bushtits, nuthatches, wrens, 

dippers, thrushes, mockingbirds, thrashers, waxwings, fringillids (finches), wood-warblers, and cardinalids) controlled 

by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA.

FOREST-RIPARIAN PASSERINES

Species Scientific Name Est. U.S. Pop. Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus 700,000 0.4 0 0 1,711

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum 23,000,000 7 0 0 1,648

Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus 13,000,000 0 0 0.2 0

House Wren Troglodytes aedon 29,000,000 0 0 2 0

White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis 7,900,000 0.2 0 0 0

Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 24,000,000 0.4 0 5 0.8

Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos 27,000,000 72 6 21 1,341

Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum 4,500,000 0.4 0 0 0.8

Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre 1,100,000 0.2 0 0 0

Varied Thrush Ixoreus naevius 15,000,000 0 0 0 2

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 19,000,000 8 0 0 119

Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana 4,500,000 0.2 0 0 32

Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides 3,700,000 0 0 0 10

Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 28,000,000 0 0 0 7

American Robin Turdus migratorius 160,000,000 272 158 18 19,272

American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus 160,000 0 2 0 0

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Leucosticte tephrocotis 200,000 1 0 0 0

Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus 2,200,000 0.6 0 0 1

House Finch^ Haemorhous mexicanus 34,000,000 3,194 20 1 51,686

Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea 30,000,000 0 0 0 301

Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra 5,600,000 0 0 0 4

White-winged Crossbill Loxia leucoptera 4,000,000 0 0 0 3

American Goldfinch Spinus tristis 28,000,000 5 0 0.6 1,861

Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria 3,900,000 0.8 0 0 816

Pine Siskin Spinus pinus 14,000,000 0 0 0 183

Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 47,000,000 0 0 0.2 0

American Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia 34,000,000 0 0 0 12

Pine Warbler Setophaga pinus 12,000,000 0 0 0 56

Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata 38,000,000 0 0 0 19

Northern Cardinal^ Cardinalis cardinalis 90,000,000 163 0 77 1,141

Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea 18,000,000 0.2 0 0 0

Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea 77,000,000 0 0 0 2

Unidentifiable Bird Unknown Bird N/A 0 75 0 15,808

TOTAL 32 Spp. + Unknown Birds RMBO 2013 3,725 261 125 96,037

N/A – Not applicable ^ Invasive species in Hawaii –163 Northern Cardinals and 2,920 House Finches

In addition to the above species, Table 3n also includes birds that were not identified during control 

operations. Sometimes birds cannot be identified quickly, especially in hazing operations. This is typical 

when birds are far away at an airport and hazed and are just seen as a big flock of birds. Nests between 

some species gets difficult and so some WS Specialists just mark it as unidentified (e.g., House Finch vs 
22

House Sparrow in the rafters of a ceiling especially when nests are vacant). In all, a total of 75 eggs taken 

and 15,808 birds hazed were unidentified. All of these were at airports and included in the passerine table as 

it is likely that many of these would have been in this table or the next. Some of these birds, though, were 

larger birds such as waterfowl.

Invasive or introduced species were denoted in the above categories and included several species. This 

category of birds is Other Invasive Passerine Species and includes all invasive species that are small 

passerines and not already discussed above. Most of these species were taken on Hawaii. However, most 

house sparrows were taken on the USA mainland and a common myna was taken in Florida (this is 

expected to increase as their population does there), and black drongos, Eurasian tree sparrows, some 

chestnut-breasted mannikins on Guam where they are invasive species. These species are grouped together 

because they are invasive and threaten native fauna by competing for resources or spreading disease to the 

reduced populations of native species (usually spread via mosquitos). These species are also found at 

airports where they are a strike threat, especially because they are flocking. Some also damage crops and 

property. Table 3o lists 16 species that were controlled between FY11 and FY15. The most common of 

these invasive species involved in BDM included chestnut-breasted mannikins (also known as black-head 

munias), nutmeg mannikins (also known as scaly-breasted mannikins), Java sparrows, house sparrows, 

common mynas, and red-crested cardinals with an average annual total of 76,094 taken lethally, 335 eggs 

destroyed, 98 captured and freed or relocated, and 569,081 dispersed (Table 3o). Methods used to take 

these other invasive species lethally included firearms (63,747), cage traps (10,228), Avitrol® (1,880), nets 

(202), and hand capture (37). Eggs were taken by hand (332) and with firearms (3). The few that were freed 

were caught in nets (81), cage traps (16), and caught by hand (1). Methods used for dispersing these 

invasive passerine species were sight repellents (296,059), sound-scare devices (267,499), hazing dogs 

(5,389), and chemical repellents (133).

Table 3o. The annual average number of other target invasive species (parrots and passerines) controlled by WS in 

WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA, but primarily Hawaii. Population estimates are not given as these 

are introduced species.

OTHER INVASIVE PASSERINE SPECIES

Species Scientific Name Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis or japonica 597 0 0 27,655

Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus 0 0 0 9

Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer 1,033 0 0 5,906

Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 0.2 0 0 0

Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus 0 0 0 11

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 7,023 1 0 93,319

Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild 749 0 0 13,189

Red Avadavat Amandava amandava 1,179 0 0 8,601

Chestnut Mannikin Lonchura atricapilla 26,781 0 0 237,475

Nutmeg Mannikin Lonchura punctulata 19,969 0 0 138,183

Warbling Silverbill Lonchura malabarica 353 0 0 3,400

Java Sparrow Lonchura oryzivora 7,335 0 0 8,235

Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola 8 0 0 559

Red-crested Cardinal Paroaria coronata 4,006 0 0 15,523

House Sparrow Passer domesticus 6,758 334 88 17,016

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 303 0 10 0

TOTAL 16 Spp. 76,094 335 98 569,081

2.3 Reptile Damage Management Programs

Reptile damage management programs have always been a minor part of WS WDM until the Brown Tree 

Snake Program began on Guam in 1993. Brown tree snakes reached densities of 15,000/mi2

, but have 

declined with the decimation of many food sources. Since that program started, efforts have been made in 

Puerto Rico and Florida to remove invasive reptiles from local areas. Most reptiles lethally taken are invasive 

species and are removed to protect native ecosystems and their fauna, public health and safety, and 

property. Native reptiles are also taken where they could be a danger (e.g., rattlesnake bites), or to protect 
23

aquaculture or other resources. However, most native species are not taken lethally, but relocated. For 

example, many snakes are just indoors or next to a house where they pose a threat or a perceived threat to 

people (many people have a snake phobia).

The primary categories of reptiles include crocodilians, turtles, lizards, and snakes. The first table includes 

crocodilians, turtles and lizards. Many of these species are considered invasive with most of them being 

found in Florida and Puerto Rico. Invasive reptiles can cause declines of native fauna. The invasive species 

are denoted in Table 4a with an asterisk. Table 4a lists 30 species and 1 group (turtles from Florida and 

Missouri12) that were controlled between FY11 and FY15. Many more reptiles are found in the USA and 

technical assistance was given for many of these, but no take for these species was recorded. The most 

common species involved in WDM included green iguanas, black spiny-tailed iguanas, brown basalisks, 

pond sliders, and common snapping turtles. WS mostly took exotic lizards with an average annual total of 

1,761 taken lethally, 518 eggs removed, 241 captured and freed or relocated, and 4 dispersed (Table 4a).

Methods used to take these other invasive species lethally included firearms (1,564), traps (194), and by 

hand (3). Eggs were taken by hand (518). The few that were freed were caught traps (173) and by hand 

(69). The few exotic reptiles dispersed were with pyrotechnics (3) and sight repellents (1) showing the lack 

of dispersing them.

Table 4a. The annual average number of target reptiles, other than snakes, controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 

and FY15 throughout the USA.

CROCADILIAN, TURTLE AND LIZARD SPECIES

Species Scientific Name Killed Eggs Freed Dispersed

American Alligator^ Alligator mississippiensis 0.8 0 6 2

Spectacled Caiman* Caiman crocodilus 0.6 0 1 0.4

Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus 0 0 0.6 0

Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata 0 0 0.4 0

Blanding’s Turtle Emydoidea blandingii 0 0 0.2 0

Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina 0 0 9 0

Florida Box Turtle Terrapene bauri 0 0 0.4 0

Ornate Box Turtle Terrapene ornata 0 0 0.2 0

Pond (Yellow-bellied) Slider^ Trachemys scripta 11 0 69 0

Northern Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta 0 0 67 0

Chicken Turtle Deirochelys reticularia 0 0 0.4 0

Northern (Common) Map Turtle Graptemys geographica 0 0 0.2 0

Florida Red-bellied Cooter Pseudemys nelsoni 0 0 0.4 0

Common Snapping Turtle^ Chelydra serpentina 5 0 52 0

Eastern Mud Turtle Kinosternon subrubrum 0 0 2 0

Striped Mud Turtle Kinosternon baurii 0 0 8 0

Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Sternotherus odoratus 0 0 10 0

Florida Softshell Apalone ferox 0 0 1 0

Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera 0 0 2 0

Unidentified Turtles Order Testudines (24 possible spp.) 0 0 9 0

African Rainbow Lizard* Agama agama 0 0 0 0.2

Black (Gray’s) Spinytail Iguana* Ctenosaura similis 673 0 0 0

Mexican Spiny-tailed Iguana* Ctenosaura pectinata 0.2 0 0 0

Green Iguana* Iguana iguana 1,057 518 0.4 1

Mountain (Yarrow’s) Spiny Lizard Sceloporus jarrovii 0 0 0.2 0

Brown Basalisk* Basiliscus vittatus 11 0 0 0

Common Five-lined Skink Plestiodon fasciatus 0 0 0.6 0

Eastern Glass Lizard Ophisaurus ventralis 0 0 0.2 0

Gila Monster Heloderma suspectum 0 0 0.8 0

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu* Salvator merianae 0.6 0 0.2 0

Nile Monitor.* Varanus niloticus 2 0 0 0

TOTAL 30 Species + 1 Group 1,761 518 241 4

* Introduced Species ^Some introduced populations

 12 The MIS allowed the use other turtles and snakes and were not identified in the system and employees were no longer working for WS that 

knew what the species were. 
24

The other category of reptiles includes venomous and nonvenomous snakes. Some species are invasive 

including the brown tree snake, boas and pythons. Invasive snakes can cause declines in native fauna which 

occurred on Guam where the brown tree snake caused the extirpation/extinction of 9 of 11 native forest 

birds and serious decline in many other native species (Hall 1996). Brown tree snakes are also a threat to 

human health and safety, cause power outages, and caused a loss of cultural lore (Hall 1996). The majority 

of other snakes are captured in and around residences where people are concerned including two northern 

Mexican gartersnakes, a recently listed threatened species, captured on roadways and moved to safe areas.

Table 4b lists 37 species, 1 subspecies (a threatened species), and 1 group (snakes from Florida and 

Missouri14) that were controlled between FY11 and FY15. The most common species involved in WDM 

included primarily the brown tree snake, and to a much lesser extent western diamond-backed rattlesnake 

with an average annual total for all snakes of 21,536 taken lethally, 268 captured and freed or relocated, and 

1 dispersed (Table 4b).

Table 4b. The annual average number of target snakes controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15.

SNAKE SPECIES

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed Dispersed

Red-tailed Boa* Boa constrictor 0 0.2 0

Brown Tree Snake* Boiga irregularis 21,491 144 0

Sonoran Whipsnake Coluber bilineatus 0 0.2 0

North American Racer Coluber constrictor 0 0.4 0

Coachwhip Coluber flagellum 0 1 0.2

Eastern Ratsnake Pantherophis alleghaniensis 0 0.4 0

Red Cornsnake Pantherophis guttatus 0 0.6 0

Western (Black, Texas) Ratsnake Pantherophis obsoletus 0.4 8 0

Gray Ratsnake Pantherophis spiloides 0 0.4 0

Eastern Foxsnake Pantherophis vulpinus 0 0.8 0

Yellow-bellied (Prairie) Kingsnake Lampropeltis calligaster 0 0.2 0

Eastern (Common) Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula 2 0.6 0

Speckled Kingsnake Lampropeltis holbrooki 0 0.2 0

Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer 16 21 0.2

Plain-bellied Watersnake Nerodia erythrogaster 0 0.4 0

Southern (Banded) Watersnake Nerodia fasciata 0 1 0

Diamond-backed Watersnake Nerodia rhombifer 0 0.4 0

Northern Watersnake Nerodia sipedon 0.6 0.6 0

Dekay’s Brownsnake Storeria dekayi 0 0.2 0

Black-necked Gartersnake Thamnophis cyrtopsis 0 1 0

Terrestrial Gartersnake Thamnophis elegans 0.2 0.2 0

- North Mexican GartersnakeT&E - Thamnophis eques megalops 0 0.4 0

Two-striped Gartersnake Thamnophis hammondii 0.2 0 0

Plains Gartersanke Thamnophis radix 6 0 0

Eastern Ribbonsnake Thamnophis sauritus 0 0.4 0

Common Gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis 0.2 3 0

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Heterodon platirhinos 0 0.2 0

Unidentified Nonvenomous Snake Order Squamata (48 poss.-17 max.). 0 3 0.6

Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix 0.8 0.2 0

Cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus 2 1 0

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus adamanteus 0 0.4 0

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox 8 65 0

Black-tailed Rattlesnake Crotalus molossus 0 4 0

Western Rattlesnake Crotalus oreganus 0.4 0.2 0

Red Diamond Rattlesnake Crotalus ruber 0 0.2 0

Mojave Rattlesnake Crotalus scutulatus 0 7 0

Prairie Rattlesnake Crotalus viridis 8 0.2 0.2

Indian (Burmese) Python* Python bivittatus 0.4 0.2 0

Ball Python* Python regius 0 0.4 0

TOTAL 37 Spp.+ 1 Subsp. (+3.6 Spp. Unid.) 21,536 268 1

* Introduced Species T&E –Threatened and endangered species (Federal only)

Methods used to take snakes lethally were acetaminophen baits (12,624), cage traps (7,592), hand capture 

(1,306), and firearms (10). It must be noted that detector dogs are used on Guam to find high risk snakes 

(e.g., in cargo) and this continues to decrease as areas are made snake-free, at least temporarily; between 

FY11 and FY15, an annual average of only 3 snakes were caught with detector dogs but these were in 
25

material at ports where they would likely have been shipped to new areas. The few snakes that were freed 

were caught in cage traps (145) and by hand (123). Few snakes are dispersed, but sight repellents were 

used (1) showing the lack of dispersing them.

2.4 Amphibian Damage Management Programs

Amphibian damage management programs have always been a minor part of WS WDM until a Coqui Frog 

Program began on Hawaii where they are a human health and safety concern from noise (90-100 decibels).

The coqui frog, an invasive species from Puerto Rico, can reach densities that exceed 8,000 frogs/acre in 

Hawaii (Beard et al. 2008). At high densities, the frogs can consume 280,000 prey items (arthropods) per 

acre per night and, thus, could compete with native species for food items (Beard 2007). It is possible for 

WS to become involved in additional projects involving introduced species such as the bullfrog which is 

responsible for the decline of many native species where it has been introduced; native of eastern U.S., but 

introduced nationwide. Most amphibians taken lethally are invasive species and are taken to protect the 

native ecosystems and its fauna, public and pet health and safety, and property. Most native species are not 

taken lethally.

The only category of amphibian involved in WDM projects were frogs and toads (Order Salientia). Invasive 

amphibians can cause the decline of native fauna, pose a threat to pets and children from toxins in their skin 

(marine toad), and cause noise problems for people in areas with dense populations. Table 5 lists 5 species 

that were controlled between FY11 and FY15. Many more amphibians are found in the USA and technical 

assistance was given for many of these, but WS did not take any additional species. The most common 

species involved in WDM included only the marine toad, with the total average annual take for all species of 

62 taken lethally and 3 captured and relocated or freed (Table 5). Methods used to take frogs and toads 

lethally included hand capture (60) and firearms (2). Eggs were not taken. The few that were freed were 

caught by hand (4); some are caught indoors and relocated outside or native species are relocated from 

drying ponds. All marine toads taken were in dog kennels on Guam used for the detector dogs. 

Table 5. The annual average number of target amphibians controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15

throughout the USA. No eggs or burrows were taken for amphibians. 

AMPHIBIAN SPECIES

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

American Toad Anaxyrus americanus 0 0.2

Great Plains Toad Anaxyrus cognatus 0 3

Southern Toad Anaxyrus terrestris 0 0.2

Marine (Giant, Cane) Toad* Rhinella marina 60 0

AmericanBullfrog** Lithobates catesbeianus 2 0

TOTAL 5 Species 62 3

* Introduced Species ** All bullfrogs were taken in West where introduced. Native in eastern USA.

2.5 Fish Damage Management Programs

Fish damage management programs have always been a minor part of WS WDM until the Northern 

Pikeminnow Program began on the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington at dams to protect 

endangered salmonids in the early 1990s. It would be possible for WS to conduct additional projects to 

protect native species as introduced fish have been noted in the decline of many fish, amphibians, and other 

species. The majority of fish taken by WS is overabundant species that increased as a result of human 

disturbance, invasive species to protect native species, or are in ponds on airports where they attract 

wading birds and other piscivorous species. The majority of native, nonabundant fish are relocated (e.g., in 

pools drying out after floods). Table 6 lists 7 species and 1 group (3 possible species of sucker in 

Wyoming) that were controlled between FY11 and FY15. The most common fish species involved in WDM 

included the northern pikeminnow, bluegill, and goldfish and the annual average total (Table 6) taken 
26

lethally was 49,028 and freed (56). Methods to take fish lethally included fishing poles (48,501), nets (502), 

cage traps (21) and firearms (3). The few that were freed were captured with nets (40), fishing poles (12), 

and hand capture (4).

Table 6. The annual average number of target fish controlled by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the 

USA.

FISH

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Goldfish* Carassius auratus 112 0

Grass Carp* Ctenopharyngodon idella 1 0

Common Carp* Cyprinus carpio 24 0

Northern Pikeminnow** Ptychocheilus oregonensis 48,501 12

Unidentified Suckers Catostomus spp. (3 possible) 40 0

Brown Trout* Salmo trutta 0 40

Striped (Flathead) Mullet Mugil cephalus 0 4

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus 350 0

TOTAL 7 Species + 1 Species Group 49,028 56

* Introduced Species ** Overabundant native species from habitat changes

2.6 Disease Management Programs

Wildlife may serve as reservoirs for disease and parasites. Diseased animals living near areas of human 

activity may transmit those diseases to livestock, people, or pets. These diseases may transfer to people 

directly through physical contact or may be transmitted to people via environmental contamination by feces 

and even tainted food products such as fresh produce or meat products. Between FY11 and FY15, WS 

collected an annual average of 13,408 mammal, 4,515 bird, and 6 other (reptile, fish, and invertebrate)

disease samples in 7,473 work tasks to determine the presence of a wide variety of diseases.

Mammals are a source of many diseases associated with people and livestock. Feral swine are potential 

reservoirs for approximately 30 viral and bacterial diseases (Davidson and Nettles 1997, Samuel et al. 2001, 

Williams and Barker 2001) and 37 parasites (Forrester 1991) that are transmissible to people. Brucellosis, 

salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, trichinosis, tuberculosis, and tularemia are some of the “zoonotic diseases” 

(i.e., diseases that could be transmitted to people from animals) that can be carried by feral swine (Hubalek 

et al. 2002, Seward et al. 2004, Stevens 2010), but actual transmission of diseases to people is thought to 

be rare (Amass 1998). However, over 200 people in the USA became ill with three deaths were reported 

after people ate spinach leaves that were contaminated with E. coli that was identified as originating from 

feral swine feces deposited in California spinach fields (U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2007, Rouhe 

and Sytsma 2007).

Other species of mammals, such as predators and bats can transmit diseases to people and livestock.

Transmittable diseases include the rabies virus (bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes); leptospirosis 

(canines, raccoons, opossums); Neospora caninum (feral dogs, coyotes, and fox); and Toxoplasma gondii 

(domestic cats) (Adler et al. 2010, Centers for Disease Control 2011, McAllister 2014). Where outbreaks 

occur, WS could establish a disease management program. These are mostly conducted with other federal 

and state agencies.

Feral pigeons and starlings have been suspected in the transmission of 29 different diseases to humans, 

(Davis et al. 1971, Weber 1979). These include viral diseases such as meningitis and seven different forms 

of encephalitis; bacterial diseases such as erysipeloid, salmonellosis, paratyphoid, Pasteurellosis, and 

Listeriosis; mycotic (fungal) diseases such as aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis, 

histoplasmosis, and sarcosporidiosis; protozoal diseases such as American trypansomiasis and 

toxoplasmosis; and rickettsial/chlamydial diseases such as chlamydiosis and Q fever (Figure 2). As many as 

65 different diseases transmittable to humans or domestic animals have been associated with feral pigeons, 
27

starlings, and House Sparrows (Weber 1979). In most cases in which human health concerns are a major 

reason for requesting BDM, no actual cases of bird transmission of disease to humans have been proven to 

occur. The risk of disease transmission from birds is often the underlying reason people request assistance 

from WS.

Many times, individuals or property owners that request assistance with feral domestic pigeons or nuisance 

blackbird or starling problems are concerned about potential disease risks but are unaware of the types of 

diseases that can be associated with these birds. In some situations, BDM is requested because the 

droppings left by concentrations of birds is aesthetically displeasing and can result in continual clean-up 

costs.

Further problems arise as resident Canada Geese and other waterfowl have become accustomed to and are 

successful in suitable urban habitats. These resident geese are becoming more and more of a nuisance 

around public parks, lakes, housing developments, and golf courses as they sometimes attack humans. The 

threat to human health from high fecal coliform (e.g., Escherichia coli) levels and other pathogens including 

Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lambia, and Salmonella spp. is also associated with large amounts of 

droppings (Clark 2003). 

2.7 Insect and Insect Vector Management Programs

Insect management programs are a minor part of WS WDM. The first is prey-base management at airfields.

Insects can attract wildlife hazardous at airfields. By controlling insects around an airfield, wildlife strikes 

have been reduced at some facilities. Another program has been to reduce the transmission of plague in 

prairie dog towns by controlling fleas. Plague is a disease that affects humans and other mammals caused 

by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Burrowing rodents are a reservoir for the disease and the primary host 

species. Humans usually get plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium 

or by handling an animal infected with plague. WS is conducting plague management for the protection of 

the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).

Between FY11 and FY15, WS conducted a light trap monitoring and caught an average of 8 insects during 

the program giving an indication of the relative need for a spraying program. Plague management was 

much more active for the protection of black-footed ferrets. WS treated an annual average of 3,686 acres to 

minimize the chance of an outbreak.

3 RISKS TO NONTARGET SPECIES

A risk of using WDM methods is the take of nontarget species which is a concern among professional 

wildlife biologists and the public. Most nontarget species taken by WDM methods typically have something 

in common with the target species such as weight, diet, or habitat use. The higher the similarities between 

target and nontarget species, the higher the potential of being affected by the use of WDM methods used.

Most methods used by WS have the potential for taking nontarget species. WS tracks the number of 

nontarget species with each method. However, it is not always possible to tell whether a method such as 

fencing or propane cannons caused inadvertent problems to nontarget species. Some methods have higher 

risks than others, despite being among the more effective tools to resolve a problem. Finally it should be 

noted that several species are targeted on a property and taken with an unanticipated method (e.g., a crow 

in a raptor trap at an airport), not targeted at the time of the take, or the targeted individual animal was not 

taken but the right species was (e.g., smaller mountain lion than being targeted); these are unintentional 

targets. However, these are included in the nontarget category since it is relatively a small number. Take of 
28

nontarget species, as with target species, is considered carefully in determining the risk of the specific 

method and risk to the species population. If it is a target species as well, the combined take is considered. 

Between FY11 and FY15, WS unintentionally took 258 different species lethally and nonlethally. During this 

time, WS lethally took 2,946 nontarget species with 21 different methods, freed 8,438 nontarget species 

taken with 11 methods, and accidentally dispersed 28 nontarget species with 2 methods in carrying out 

WDM activities. This represents only 0.1% of the lethal take, but 43% of the animals freed or relocated; the 

nontarget species hazed was less than 0.01% of the total or inconsequential. The most common methods 

for nontarget species lethal take, those with more than 100 animals taken, included body grip traps (925), 

neck snares (786), foothold traps (524), M-44s (sodium cyanide) (362), and DRC-1339 (245). Those taken, 

but freed where more than 100 were taken included fishing devices (4,636), cage traps (2,866), body grip 

traps (534), foothold traps (258), and neck snares (113).

3.1 Nontarget Mammals

Nontarget mammals could be taken by a variety of methods and in several WDM programs. Between FY11 

and FY15, WS took 82 known mammalian species, 3 subspecies, and an unknown species (it was either a 

domestic cow or dog). An annual average of 2,283 nontarget mammals were taken lethally and 2,669 taken 

nonlethally. These numbers represent 0.4% of the combined target and nontarget lethal mammal take and 

20% of the combined target and nontarget nonlethal take. This is a minimal percentage of nontarget take.

Most nontarget predators, hoofed mammals, and other mammals, between FY11 and FY15 were taken 

during PDM activities (Table 7a). For example, raccoons, feral/free-roaming dogs, and striped skunks are 

often typical nontarget predators taken when trapping coyotes due to similar weights which can trigger 

capture devices). Coyotes, bears, and lions are common nontargets when trapping wolves (Table 7a). A few 

species are taken, primarily those that are aquatic such as otters, raccoons, and mink, while conducting 

ARDM, primarily beaver damage management. Finally, a few can be taken when trying to control a specific 

predator, especially with the smaller foothold traps or cage traps. Three T&E species were taken between 

FY11 and FY15 as nontarget species, the Mexican wolf (1 lethal take in 5 years), the Great Plains wolf (1 

nonlethal in 5 years), and grizzly bears (2 freed in 5 years-often these are transferred to USFWS personnel 

to sample, mark with an ear tag or tattoo, and free).

Between FY11 and FY15, WS lethally took an annual average of 1,933 individuals from predator, hoofed 

mammal, and other mammal categories and freed an average of 2,285 of 41 species and 3 subspecies. 

Common capture methods that resulted in lethal take of predators included body grip traps (479), foothold 

traps (433), M-44s (354), neck snares (306), cage traps (28), and foot snares (1). Methods used where 

predators were ultimately released included cage traps (1,933), foothold traps (209), neck snares (45), 

body grip traps (12), and foot snares (6).

Most nontarget hoofed mammals are taken during PDM and FSDM activities, and numbers are typically 

minimal. The most common nontarget hoofed animals taken are peccaries, white-tailed deer, feral swine, 

and mule deer; just a few of the remaining species are taken and typically sporadically (Table 7a). Most 

hoofed mammals are not held by foothold traps in PDM, but neck snares can be a problem, especially when 

they do not have a break-away device attached. No T&E species were taken. In all, 13 species and an 

unknown domestic animal13 were taken as nontarget species between FY11 and FY15. WS lethally took an 

annual average of 317 nontarget hoofed animals and freed an average of 71 between FY11 and FY15 (Table 

 13 WS personnel could put domestic animal in the MIS and since employee was no longer employed by WS, was unable to document what 

domestic animal was taken, but was most likely a cow in WV.
29

7a). Most nontarget hoofed animals were taken with neck snares (298), foothold traps (9), M-44 (5), and 

cage traps (3). Nonlethal take involved neck snares (28), cage traps (22), foothold traps (18), and foot 

snares (2). Thus, nontarget take was minimal for these species.

Table 7a. The annual average number of nontarget predators, hoofed mammals, and the “other mammal” category 

from Section 2.1 above taken by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA.

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

NONTARGET PREDATORS

Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginianus 79 1,524

Feral/Free-roaming Cat* Felis catus 11 218

Bobcat Lynx rufus 24 36

Mountain Lion Puma concolor 4 2

Coyote Canis latrans 40 14

NorthwesternGray Wolf Canis lupus occidentalis 1 0.6

- Mexican Gray WolfT&E Canis lupus baileyi 0.2 0.8

- Great Plains WolfT&E Canis lupus nubilis 0 0.2

- Feral/Free-Roaming Dog* Canis lupus familiaris 51 59

Red Fox Vulpes vulpes 77 17

Swift Fox Vulpes velox 22 0.2

Kit Fox Vulpes macrotis 13 1

Common Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus 110 96

Black Bear Ursus americanus 8 23

Grizzly BearT&E Ursus arctos horiiibilis 0 0.4

River Otter Lontra canadensis 407 16

Fisher Martes pennanti 0.6 6

Pine Marten Martes americana 0 1

Least Weasel Mustela nivalis 0 0.2

Long-tailed Weasel Mustela frenata 0.2 0.6

Short-tailed Weasel Mustela erminea 0.2 0.4

Mink Mustela vison 3 6

Badger Taxidea taxus 107 25

Ringtail Bassariscus astutus 2 0.2

Raccoon Procyon lotor 506 142

Hog-nosed Skunk Conepatus mesoleucus 5 0

Hooded Skunk Mephitis macroura 0.2 0.2

Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis 126 14

Western Spotted Skunk Spilogale gracilis 1 0

TOTAL 26 Species + 3 Subspecies 1,598 2,204

NONTARGET HOOFED MAMMALS

Feral Swine* Sus scrofa 19 1

Collared Peccary (Javelina) Pecari tajacu 183 21

White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus 86# 27

Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus 18 10

Moose Alces alces 0.2 0

American Elk (captive)* Cervus canadensis 0 0.2

Sika Deer* Cervus nippon 3 2

Axis Deer* Axis axis 0.4 0.2

Pronghorn (American Antelope) Antilocapra americans 3 5

Blackbuck* Antilope cervicapra 0.2 0

Domestic Goat* Capra aegagrus 0.8 0.2

Domestic/Feral Sheep* Ovis aries 2 2

Domestic Cattle* Bos primigenius 1 2

Unidentified Pet/Livestock** Domestic Animals 0 0.2

TOTAL 13 Spp. + 1 Unknown Dom. Animal 317 71

NONTARGET OTHER MAMMALS

Nine-banded Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus 17 10

Northern Short-tailed Shrew Blarina brevicauda 1 0

TOTAL 2 Species 18 10

* Introduced Species ** MIS allowed code # 0.8 captive deer T&E –Threatened and endangered species (Federal only)

Nine-banded armadillos and northern short-tailed shrews were the only species taken from the “other 

mammals” category (Table 7a). These were lethally taken with neck snares (13), body grip traps (3), and 

cage traps (1), and nonlethally taken with neck snares (6) and cage traps (4).
30

Most of the three nontarget aquatic rodents taken in WDM by WS are while conducting ARDM. The only 

species commonly taken as a nontarget is the muskrat. Between FY11 and FY15, WS took 148 nontarget

aquatic rodents lethally and 34 that were freed with muskrats representing 92% of this take (Table 7b).

Lethal take of nontarget aquatic rodents were from body-grip traps (132), foothold traps (13), neck snares

(2), and cage traps (1). Nonlethal take included cage traps (33) and foothold traps (1). More are taken 

lethally than nonlethally because the sets are often lethal when activated, especially body-grip traps.

Table 7b. The annual average number of nontarget aquatic rodents, and terrestrial rodents and rabbits taken by WS in 

WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA.

NONTARGET AQUATIC RODENTS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Beaver Castor canadensis 0.8 1

Nutria* Myocastor coypus 13 0

Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus 134 33

TOTAL 3 Species 148 34

NONTARGET TERRESTRIAL RODENTS AND RABBITS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Abert’s Squirrel Sciurus aberti 0 1

Western Gray Squirrel Sciurus griseus 0 2

Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis 4 44

Eastern Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger 0.8 19

Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus 0.2 12

Woodchuck Marmota monax 4 84

Yellow-bellied Marmot Marmota flaviventris 0.6 0

California Ground Squirrel Otospermophilus beecheyi 1 21

Rock Squirrel Otospermophilus variegatus 0 5

Arctic Ground Squirrel Urocitellus parryii 0.2 0

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel Ictidomys tridecemlineatus 0 0.2

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Callospermophilus lateralis 0 0.2

Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus 1 4

Least Chipmunk Neotamias minimus 0 0.2

Ord’s Kangaroo Rat Dipodomys ordii 0.2 0

Nearctic Brown Lemming Lemmus trimucronatus 0.2 0

Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus 1 0

Woodland (Pine) Vole Microtus pinetorum 0 0.8

Eastern Woodrat Neotoma floridana 0 1

White-toothed Woodrat Neotoma leucodon 0.2 0

Bushy-tailed Woodrat Neotoma cinerea 0.2 0.2

Cotton Deermouse Peromyscus gossypinus 0.8 0

White-footed Deermouse Peromyscus leucopus 0.8 0

Marsh Rice Rat Oryzomys palustris 0.2 0

Brown (Norway) Rat* Rattus norvegicus 2 3

Black (Roof) Rat* Rattus rattus 0 0.2

North American Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum 126 26

Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus 19 81

Mountain Cottontail Sylvilagus nuttallii 1 0.6

New England Cottontail Sylvilagus transitionalis 0 0.4

Appalachian Cottontail Sylvilagus obscurus 0 5

Desert Cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii 3 33

Swamp Rabbit Sylvilagus transitionalis 0.4 0

Feral Domestic European Rabbit* Oryctolagus cuniculus 1 0

Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus 0.2 5

White-tailed Jackrabbit Lepus townsendii 3 0

Black-tailed Jackrabbit Lepus californicus 31 2

European Hare* Lepus europaeus 0 0.2

TOTAL 38 Species 202 351

* Introduced Species

Terrestrial rodents and rabbits can be taken during many of the WS WDM activities, but mostly while 

conducting PDM including cage trapping urban nuisance animals such as opossums, skunks, and raccoons 

in houses and while trapping and testing animals in cage traps for disease and during brown tree snake 

damage management. The most common species taken are porcupines, cottontails, and jackrabbits in 

PDM, gray, fox, and red squirrels in urban nuisance animal programs, woodchucks in trapping predators

for disease sampling (rabies management), and Norway rats in brown tree snake damage management 
31

(Table 7b). Numbers of terrestrial rodents and rabbits taken are usually minimal because most are not large 

enough to activate traps. No T&E species were taken among these, even though several listed T&E 

subspecies are among the groups listed (e.g., the Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus 

allapaticola) is listed endangered and is a subspecies of cotton mouse, but the ones taken were not of this 

subspecies). In all, 38 were taken as nontarget species between FY11 and FY15 (Table 7c). WS lethally took 

an annual average of 202 nontarget terrestrial rodents and rabbits and freed an average of 351 between 

FY11 and FY15 (Table 7b). Methods that lethally took nontarget terrestrial rodents and rabbits were neck 

snares (148), foothold traps (39), body grip traps (8), cage traps (7), and chlorophacinone (1). Nonlethal 

nontarget take included cage traps (324), neck snares (20), and foothold traps (7). Thus, nontarget take 

was minimal and most were taken in traps that enabled their release.

3.2 Nontarget Birds

Nontarget birds are taken by several WDM methods in several WDM programs. These species and their 

populations are considered Between FY11 and FY15, WS took a total of 142 known species with an annual 

average of 365 nontarget birds lethally taken and 529 nonlethally. These numbers represent 0.01% of the 

combined target and nontarget avian lethal take and 6.0% of the nonlethal take. Nontarget birds in this 

group were taken lethally with DRC-1339 (245), cage traps (21), alpha chloralose (6), foothold traps (4), 

body grip traps (3), and M-44s (2) (Table 8a). Of the nonlethal take for these species, methods included 

cage traps (181), foothold traps (3), and cannon nets (2). This is a minor percentage of nontarget take. It 

should be noted that at least 50% of the nontarget lethal take was actually target species taken with a 

method that was not targeting them specifically.

Most nontarget blackbirds, corvids, pigeons and doves, and woodpeckers are taken when conducting BDM 

for birds to protect livestock and feed, and in cage and other live traps set for other species (Table 8a). The 

greatest nontarget take, is the unintentional target take of corvids, feral pigeons, and cowbirds at feedlots 

with DRC-1339 treatments. Though these species taken are listed on some DRC-1339 labels and may be 

targeted at a particular site, they may not be on the label used at a site, and therefore they are not targeted 

and are unintentional take. Some species, especially the corvids, may also be taken in other traps, such as 

pole traps at airports, where they are unintentionally taken with that method, but are targeted. No T&E were 

taken in this group of nontarget birds between FY11 and FY15.

The most common nontarget species taken between FY11 and FY15 were Rock Pigeons, American Crows,

Mourning Doves, White-winged Doves, and Brown-headed Cowbirds (Table 8a). In all, WS lethally took an 

annual average of 282 of 14 species of blackbirds, corvids, pigeons and doves, and woodpeckers and freed 

an average of 186 of 20 species from these 4 groups (Table 8a). The methods that took them lethally were 

treatments with DRC-1339 (245), traps (28), alpha-chloralose (6), sodium cyanide (2), and paint balls (1), 

and nonlethally with traps (184) and nets (2).

Most nontarget raptors, gallinaceous birds, and aerialists are taken during BDM activities at airports and a 

few raptors and gallinaceous birds in PDM activities. The most common nontarget birds in these groups 

were Wild Turkeys, Turkey Vultures, and Tree Swallows; just a few of the remaining species are taken and 

typically only sporadically (Table 8b). Nontarget species were lethally taken in a variety of cage traps (18), 

and neck snares (11), and with sodium cyanide (1) between FY11 and FY15 while traps (52) and neck 

snares (1) captured them nonlethally. No T&E species were taken, but Bald (1) and Golden Eagles (2), and 

Peregrine Falcons (2) were taken. In all, 24 species from these 3 groups were taken as nontargets between 

FY11 and FY15. WS lethally took an annual average of 30 involving 14 species, freed an average of 52 of 22 
32

species, and dispersed an average of 0.2 Cooper’s Hawks between FY11 and FY15 (Table 8b). Thus, 

nontarget take was minimal.

Table 8a. The annual average number of nontarget blackbirds, corvids, pigeons and doves, and woodpeckers taken by 

WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA.

NONTARGET BLACKBIRDS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

European Starling* Sturnus vulgaris 7 1

Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus 3 3

Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus 0 2

Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula 2 10

Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus 6 0

Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater 12 0.4

TOTAL 6 Species 30 16

NONTARGET CORVIDS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri 0 0.8

Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata 0.4 26

California Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica 0 6

Black-billed Magpie Pica hudsonia 0.4 4

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos 84 2

Northwestern Crow Corvus caurinus 0.2 0

Common Raven Corvus corax 4 1

TOTAL 7 Species 89 40

NONTARGET PIGEONS AND DOVES

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Rock Pigeon* Columba livia 154 0.2

Eurasian Collared-Dove* Streptopelia decaocto 0.6 13

Inca Dove Columbina inca 0 0.8

Common Ground Dove Columbina passerina 0 2

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 5 84

White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica 3 28

TOTAL 6 Species 163 128

NONTARGET WOODPECKERS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus 0 0.2

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens 0 0.2

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus 0 0.2

TOTAL 3 Species 0 0.6

* Introduced Species

Most nontarget larids, wading birds, and shorebirds are taken in cage and other live traps set for other 

species or in ARDM (wading birds) in foothold traps or in BDM at airports. However, few of these species 

are taken lethally or nonlethally with only the Great Blue Heron averaging more than two annually between 

FY11 and FY15 (Table 8c). In all between FY11 and FY15, WS took an annual average of 18 nontarget larid, 

wading bird, and shorebird species with lethal take involving traps (7), firearms (1), and overhead wiregrids (1) and nonlethal take in traps (3) (Table 8c). No T&E species was taken between FY11 and FY15, but 

sometimes some are accidentally dispersed at airports while hazing other birds (this is typically considered 

a beneficial effect since the birds would not be struck by aircraft). However, nontarget take was minimal for 

these species.
33

Table 8b. The annual average number of nontarget raptors, gallinaceous birds, and aerialists taken by WS in WDM 

between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA.

NONTARGET RAPTORS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed (Dispersed)

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus 4 1

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 5 8

Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 0 0.2

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus 0 2

Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii 1 5 (0.2)

Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius 0 0.2

Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus 1 0.8

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 0.4 1

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 2 0

Barn Owl^ Tyto alba 0 0.2

Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio 0 0.2

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus 0.4 0.8

Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia 0.2 0.8

Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway 0.4 0.2

American Kestrel Falco sparverius 0.8 6

Merlin Falco columbarius 0 0.2

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 0.2 2

TOTAL 17 Species 15 29 (0.2)

NONTARGET GALLINACEOUS BIRDS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus 0 1

Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus 0 2

Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo 12 6

Ring-necked Pheasant* Phasianus colchicus 0.4 0

Feral Domestic Chicken* Gallus gallus domesticus 0 0.6

TOTAL 5 Species 12 10

NONTARGET AERIALISTS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Purple Martin Progne subis 0 1

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor 3 12

TOTAL 2 Species 3 13

* Introduced Species

Table 8c. The annual average number of nontarget larids (gulls/terns), wading birds, and shorebirds taken by WS in 

WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA.

NONTARGET LARIDS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus 0 0.2

Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla 0 0.2

Mew Gull Larus canus 0.2 0

Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens 0.4 0

Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1 0.8

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 0.2 0

Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus 0.2 0

TOTAL 7 Species 2 1

NONTARGET WADING BIRDS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus 0.4 0.2

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 0 0.6

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias 4 0.8

Great Egret Ardea alba 0.2 0

Snowy Egret Egretta thula 0.2 0

Virginia Rail Rallus limicola 0.2 0

Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata 0.4 0.2

American Coot Fulica americana 0.8 0

Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis 0.6 0

TOTAL 9 Species 7 2

NONTARGET SHOREBIRDS

Species Species Killed Freed

Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva 0 0.2

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 0.2 0

TOTAL 2 Species 0.2 0.2
34

Most nontarget larids, wading birds, and shorebirds are taken in cage and other live traps set for other 

species or in ARDM (wading birds) in foothold traps or in BDM at airports. However, few of these species 

are taken lethally or nonlethally with only the Great Blue Heron averaging more than two annually between 

FY11 and FY15 (Table 8c). In all between FY11 and FY15, WS took an annual average of 18 nontarget larid, 

wading bird, and shorebird species with lethal take involving traps (7), firearms (1), and overhead wiregrids (1) and nonlethal take in traps (3) (Table 8c). No T&E species was taken between FY11 and FY15, but 

sometimes some are accidentally dispersed at airports while hazing other birds (this is typically considered 

a beneficial effect since the birds would not be struck by aircraft). However, nontarget take was minimal for 

these species.

Most nontarget waterfowl and waterbirds are taken during ARDM and BDM activities, primarily for other 

waterfowl. The most common nontarget birds in these groups taken lethally or nonlethally in an average 

year were Mallards, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, and Canada Geese; just a few of the remaining species 

are taken and typically only sporadically. WS lethally took an annual average of 33 species from these 

groups, and freed an average of 40 between FY11 and FY15 (Table 8d). Most nontargets between FY11 and 

FY15 (Table 8d) were taken lethally in traps (26), with A-C (5) and firearms (2 – very similar species), and 

neck snares (1). Nonlethal take was limited mostly to A-C (24), traps (16), and neck snares (1). No T&E 

species was captured or freed between FY11 and FY15. In all, 26 species from these 2 groups were taken as 

nontargets between FY11 and FY15 (Table 8d). Thus, nontarget take was minimal.

Table 8d. The annual average number of nontarget waterfowl and waterbirds taken by WS in WDM between FY11 and 

FY15 throughout the USA.

NONTARGET WATERFOWL

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis 2 8

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 1 0.2

Ross's Goose Chen rossii 0 0.2

Canada Goose Branta canadensis 6 2

Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator 0.2 0

Wood Duck Aix sponsa 2 2

Gadwall Anas strepera 0.4 0

American Wigeon Anas americana 0 5

American Black Duck Anas rubripes 3 0.4

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 12 18

- Feral Duck* Anas platyrhynchos 0.2 2

Blue-winged Teal Anas discors 0 0.2

Northern Pintail Anas acuta 0.2 0

Green-winged Teal Anas crecca 0.4 0

Redhead Aythya americana 0 1

Common Eider Somateria mollissima 0.2 0

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis 0.2 0

Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus 2 0

Common Merganser Mergus merganser 0.4 0

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 0.2 0

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis 0 0.4

TOTAL 20 Species + 1 Domestic Subsp. 30 39

NONTARGET WATERBIRDS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma furcata 0.4 0

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps 1 0

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis 0.2 0

Brandt's Cormorant Phalacrocorax penicillatus 1 0

Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus 0.6 0

Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus 0 0.6

TOTAL 6 Species 3 0.6

* Introduced species

The last group are nontarget other passerines and invasive passerines with most all taken in BDM for other 

species at airports. The take of these species is minimal with an annual average of 11 taken lethally, 250 
35

taken nonlethally, and 28 dispersed; 17 species were taken lethally, 34 species and unidentified birds taken 

nonlethally, and 2 birds accidentally dispersed between FY11 and FY15 (Table 8e). The most common 

species included Dark-eyed Juncos, Savannah Sparrows, and Northern Mockingbirds. Between FY11 and 

FY15 (Table 8e), WS lethally took an annual average of 11 with traps and 1 from mist nets, freed an average 

of 250 from traps, and dispersed 28 with pyrotechnics. No T&E species were taken.

Table 8e. The annual average number of nontarget grassland, forest, and invasive passerines and unidentified birds 

taken by WS in WDM between FY11 and FY15 throughout the USA.

NONTARGET GRASSLAND PASSERINE GROUPS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed (Dispersed)

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe 0.2 0

Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya 0.4 0

Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis 0.2 21

Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus 0 0.2

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus 0.2 0.4

Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris 0 0 (8)

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis 0 0 (20)

Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus 0.2 0.2

California Towhee Melozone crissalis 0.4 0.4

Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina 0 0.4

Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla 0 0.2

Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis 1 41

Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum 0 2

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia 0 9

White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys 0 0.6

White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis 0 0.4

Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis 0 91

Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna 1 0.8

Western Meadowlark^ Sturnella neglecta 0.4 0

Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula 0.4 0

Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus 0 0.2

TOTAL 21 Species 4 168 (28)

NONTARGET FOREST AND RIPARIAN PASSERINE GROUPS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor 0 0.2

Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis 0.4 0

Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus 0 0.4

House Wren Troglodytes aedon 0 0.2

White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis 0 0.2

Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis 0.4 3

Northern Mockingbird^ Mimus polyglottos 2 27

Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum 0 0.8

Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre 0 0.2

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis 1 20

Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina 0 0.2

American Robin Turdus migratorius 0.6 6

American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus 0.2 0

Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus 0 7

House Finch^ Haemorhous mexicanus 0 10

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla 0 0.2

Palm Warbler Setophaga palmarum 0 0.2

Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus 0 2

Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus 0 0.8

Northern Cardinal^ Cardinalis cardinalis 0.2 2

TOTAL 20 Species 5 80

NONTARGET INVASIVE PASSERINES AND UNIDENTIFIED BIRDS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

House Sparrow Passer domesticus 2 0.8

Unidentifiable Birds N/A 0 1

TOTAL 1 Species + 1 Unidentified Birds 2 2

^ Introduced on HI.
36

3.3 Nontarget Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish

Nontarget reptiles, amphibians, and fish were taken with a few WDM methods in few WDM programs.

Nontarget reptiles were primarily from ARDM (alligators and aquatic turtles), rabies management (terrestrial 

turtles and snakes), and brown tree snake damage management (mangrove monitors).

Table 9. The annual average number of nontarget reptiles, amphibians, and fish taken by WS in WDM between FY11 

and FY15 throughout the USA.

NONTARGET REPTILES

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis 7 10

Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus 0 0.4

Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina 0 21

Florida Box Turtle Terrapene bauri 0 1

Pond (Yellow-bellied) Slider^ Trachemys scripta 23 30

Northern Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta 8 19

Southern Painted Turtle Chrysemys dorsalis 0.8 2

False Map Turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica 0.2 0.6

River Cooter Pseudemys concinna 0.6 0.2

Texas Cooter Pseudemys texana 1 0

Common Snapping Turtle^ Chelydra serpentina 236 481

Alligator Snapping Turtle Macrochelys temminckii 0 0.8

Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Sternotherus odoratus 0.2 2

Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica 0.2 0

Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera 3 0

Unidentified Turtle (4 spp. possible SC) N/A 2 5

Mangrove Monitor Varanus indicus 0 15

Southern (Banded) Watersnake Nerodia fasciata 0 0.2

Common Gartersnake Thamnophis sirtalis 0.2 0

Cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus 1 0

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox 0 0.2

TOTAL 20 Species (1 Group, but no new sp.) 283 588

NONTARGET AMPHIBIANS

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus 0.2 0.6

TOTAL 1 Species 0.2 0.6

NONTARGET FISHES

Species Scientific Name Killed Freed

Bowfin Amia calva 0 1

Chiselmouth** Acrocheilus alutaceus 0 927

Common Carp* **# Cyprinus carpio 3 111

Peamouth** Mylocheilus caurinus 0 927

Redside Shiner** Richardsonius balteatus 0 232

White Sucker Catostomus commersonii 0.2 0

Largescale Sucker** Catostomus macrocheilus 0 185

Mountain Sucker** Catostomus platyrhynchus 0 5

Black Bullhead Ameiurus melas 0.2 0

Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis 0.2 0

Brown Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus 0.2 0

Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus 0.4 11

Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)^** Oncorhynchus mykiss 0 325

- SteelheadT&E Oncorhynchus mykiss 0 325

Sockeye (Red) Salmon ** Oncorhynchus nerka 0 148

Chinook (King) Salmon** Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 0 417

Mountain Whitefish** Prosopium williamsoni 0 232

Prickly Sculpin** Cottus asper 0 111

Northern Pike Esox lucius 0 0.2

Bluegill^ **## Lepomis macrochirus 0 186

Smallmouth Bass** Micropterus dolomieu 0 42

Largemouth Bass^ Micropterus salmoides 1 1

Yellow Perch** Perca flavescens 0 232

Walleye** Sander vitreus 0 232

Unident. Fish (13 possible spp. SC)^ Class Chondrichthyes & Osteicthyes 0.4 0

TOTAL 23 Species+ 1 Group (2 spp. max) 6 4,650

* Introduced Species ^ Some are introduced species (numbers not tracked) T&E –Threatened and endangered species (Federal only)

** # estimated from those caught - All released in Columbia River Program

# 3 killed and 0.2 released and ## 0.6 released not caught in Columbia River program
37

Between FY11 and FY15, WS took a total of 20 nontarget reptile species with an annual average of 283 

lethal and 588 nonlethal takes (Table 9). The lethal take was primarily from traps (276) and neck snares (7) 

and the nonlethal take was from traps (576) and neck snares (12). The few nontarget amphibians taken 

(0.8) were in ARDM and the rabies damage manage programs in traps (Table 9). Most nontarget fish were 

taken with fishing poles (4,636), but released in the Northern Pikeminnow Program on the Columbia River 

(Table 9); these were estimated for the last five years because only the numbers of nontarget fish caught 

were recorded in the MIS as Fish (Other) and not the species. The remaining fish, primarily common carp 

and channel catfish, were taken in ARDM, turtle damage management in aquaculture ponds, and other 

projects with traps. A total of 6 fish were taken lethally and 4,650 nonlethally. No T&E were taken. This is a 

minimal take of nontargets, especially considering that most were freed.

4 RISKS TO PEOPLE, PETS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT FROM WILDLIFE DAMAGE MANAGEMENT

A standard concern among the public as well as WS personnel is hazards to the public, pets, and the 

environment from the use of WDM methods. WS Specialists use a set of standard operating procedures to 

reduce potential safety impacts from WDM to the public, pets, and the environment. WS relies on its 

specialists to use their professional judgment to determine the most effective methods to use in a given 

wildlife damage situation, while having minimal, if any, impact to people and the environment. WS 

Specialists are professionally trained to use WDM techniques, especially those that are hazardous to WS 

personnel, the public, pets, and the environment. Several WDM methods have the potential to be hazardous 

including firearms, pyrotechnics, traps, and toxicants. This is the focus of the risk assessment and will be 

discussed for the different methods used in WDM. Between FY11 and FY15, no known injuries were 

recorded to the public. From FY1314 to FY15, WS personnel annually averaged 79 Office of Workman’s 

Compensation (OWCP) claims (Table 10). Considering the number personnel (~1,900), this would be a 

minimal number overall and less for those conducting field activities (59/year). Thus, it is believed that risks 

are fairly minimal. 

On the other hand, a peripheral factor pertinent to assessing the risk of adverse effects of WS WDM 

activities is not having professional assistance from programs like WS available to private entities that 

express needs for such services. WS operates to assist individuals with damage from wildlife where a need 

exists. In the absence of a program, or where restrictions prohibit the delivery of an effective program, it is 

most likely that WDM would be conducted by other entities such as private individuals. Private WDM 

activities are less likely to be as selective for target species, and less likely to be accountable. Additionally, 

private activities may not involve professional trained WDM personnel or may include the use of unwise or 

illegal methods to control wildlife. For example, aluminum phosphide applied under a mobile home 

improperly accidentally killed four children and hospitalized five others in Texas (Newsome and Nottingham 

2017); in Utah, two children were killed after the private pesticide applicator improperly applied too much 

aluminum phosphide for voles (Blum 2014).

There are similar risks to animals. For example, a raccoon was stuck on a fence after it had wandered off 

with the illegal trap that was used to capture it (Rogers 2016). In Kentucky a corporation was fined for 

illegally using carbofuran to destroy unwanted predators including coyotes and raptors at a private hunting 

club (Porter 2004). The use of a pesticide not according to its label, the illegal importation or sale of 

counterfeit pesticide products, and pesticide uses off-label are commonplace and the USEPA (2017) along 

with most state agencies have websites to try to minimize such problems. Therefore, WS and others 

 14 FY13 was the first year that OWCP claims and their causes was available at the national level. Prior to that, OWCP claims were tracked at the 

state level and tracked differently in each state. Thus, FY13 was the first year used for analysis.
38

(Treves and Naughton–Treves 2005) believe that it is in the best interest of the public, pets, and the 

environment that a professional WDM program be available because private resource owners could elect to 

conduct their own control rather than use government services and simply out of frustration resort to 

inadvisable techniques.

Table 10. The annual average number of injuries incurred by APHIS WS personnel from FY13 to FY15 throughout the 

USA.

APHIS – WS INJURIES IN THE FIELD AND OFFICE FROM FY13 TO FY15

INJURIES WHILE AFIELD OR DOING RESEARCH

Injury No. Types

Strained Muscles/Ligaments 17.0 Knee/leg/ankle (8.3), spine/chest (4.7), arm/shoulder/wrist (4.0)

- Moving Animal Carcass 1.0 Bear/deer/swine/beaver

- Removing Beaver Dam 0.7 Beaver dam removal by hand/hand tools

- Torn Ligament/Tendon 0.7 Knee – ACL/medial meniscus

- Repetitive Injuries/Strains 0.7 Trigger finger

- From Trap 0.3 Finger sprain setting cage trap

Compression/Contusion Injuries 5.3 Arm/shoulder (2.3), knee/leg/foot (1.7), head/spine/chest (1.3)

- From Trap 2.3 Hand/arm: 1.3 foothold*, 0.7 quick-kill

- From Firearm 0.7 Shoulder/spine from repeated shooting from aircraft

- Using Landing Net 0.3 Fell while trying to capture bird

- On Heavy Equipment 0.3 Possibly associated with beaver dam removal

Mammal - Bite/Attack 4.0 Bite 1.3 dog, 0.7 cat, 0.3 bear, bat, skunk, rat, coyote; Fracture 0.3 swine 

- Potential Rabies Exposure 3.7 Contact with animals via lacerations, needle punctures, solution in eye

- Rabies Vaccine 0.7 Adverse reaction

Laceration/Puncture 6.3 Hand/arm (5.3), head (0.7), leg (0.3)

- From Trap 1.3 Hand: 0.7 foothold, 0.3 cage, and 0.3 unknown

- From Cable Restraint 0.3 Neck snare cut finger

Fracture 4.0 Hand (1.3), foot (1.3), leg (0.7) tooth (0.7)

Insect Bite 3.0 Tick (carry Lyme’s disease/other maladies)

Foreign Body 2.0 Gravel or pokes to eye (1.3), firearm powder (0.3), metal shaving (o.3)

Illness 1.7 Poison ivy/oak rash (1.0), beaver work: giardia (0.3), heat stroke (0.3)

Firearm 1.0 Foot shot w/ air rifle; burned eye from shot blast; hearing trauma

Concussion 1.0 Head injury

Inhalation 0.7 Sodium cyanide exposure (M-44)

Unknown 0.3 No data on incident

TOTAL FIELD 59.0

INJUIRIES IN OFFICE, WAREHOUSE OR HOME

Injury No. Types

Compression/Contusion Injuries 2.7 Arm/shoulder/hand (1.3), leg/foot (0.7), spine/chest (0.7)

Strained Muscles/Ligaments 2.3 Arm/shoulder (1.3), spine/chest (1.0)

Laceration/Puncture 2.0 Hand/arm (1.7), head (0.3)

Illness 1.3 Stress (0.7), stroke (0.3), muscle spasm (0.3)

Inhalation 1.0 Chlorine gas, cleaning supplies, mold

Foreign Body 0.7 Weed whacker (0.3), metal shaving (0.3)

Burn 0.7 Arm, buttocks

Fracture 0.3 Foot

TOTAL OFFICE 11.0

VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

Injury No. Types

Automobile 6.7 Head, neck, back injuries

All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) 1.3 Head, neck, shoulder and arm trauma

Aircraft 1.0 One accident was fatal for pilot and crewman

TOTAL VEHICLE 9.0

GRAND TOTAL 79

*Scrape from foothold trap closing on hand resulted in contusion which later turned into a staph infection

Another benefit from having professional assistance to resolve wildlife damage is the fact that WS, often in 

assistance with other federal and state agencies, can monitor and control, if necessary, particular wildlife 

diseases that can have an impact on humans, pets, and livestock such as rabies and Salmonella enterica

bacterium. Disease surveillance and control inherently can benefit people, pets, and livestock and WS 

conducts programs for them.
39

5 RISKS TO HUMANENESS

The issue of humaneness, as it relates to the killing, capturing, or hazing of wildlife, is a complex concept 

which usually involves pain or stress. Humaneness is an individual's perception of the pain or stress 

(suffering typically entails one or both and a time period) inflicted on an animal from an action, but what 

constitutes humaneness can vary widely from one person to the next. The humaneness of WDM methods 

will be considered in risk assessments as these risks can be considered by some to be an integral part of a 

risk assessment. Thus, this will be discussed in WS Methods Risk Assessments where applicable with 

some background information discussed here.

Pain occurs in animals, but assessing the pain experienced by animals can be challenging (California 

Department of Fish and Game 1991, AVMA 2007). The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) 

defines pain as being, “that sensation (perception) that results from nerve impulses reaching the cerebral 

cortex via ascending neural pathways” (AVMA 2007). The key component of this definition is the perception 

of pain. The AVMA (2007) notes that “pain” should not be used for stimuli, receptors, reflexes or pathways 

because these factors may be active without pain perception. For pain to be experienced, the cerebral cortex 

and subcortical structures must be functional. If the cerebral cortex is nonfunctional because of hypoxia,

depression by drugs, electric shock or concussion, pain is not experienced.

Stress has been defined as the effect of physical, physiologic or emotional factors (stressors) that induce an 

alteration in an animal’s base or adaptive state. Responses to stimuli vary among animals based on an 

animal’s experience, age, species and current condition. Not all forms of stress result in adverse 

consequences for the animal and some forms of stress serve a positive, adaptive function for the animal.

Stress describes the response of animals to harmless stimuli, which initiate responses that are beneficial to 

the animal. Neutral stress is the term for response to stimuli which have neither harmful nor beneficial 

effects to the animal. Distress results when an animal’s response to stimuli interferes with its well-being 

and comfort (AVMA 2007). The AVMA (2007) noted that distress “... can occur without pain ...” and “... 

pain can occur without suffering [distress] ...” Because suffering carries with it the implication of a time 

frame, a case could be made for "... little or no suffering where death comes immediately ...” (California 

Department of Fish and Game 2004), as in the case of shooting or drug-induced euthanasia. It is the goal of 

professional WDM programs to minimize distress in animals to the maximum extent practicable.

Pain, anxiety, and stress caused by restraint and physical exertion due to struggling to escape can manifest 

physiologically through the sympathetic nervous system and interplay among hormones produced by the 

hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands. Pain and stress can be measured through short-term increases 

in cortisol from the adrenal glands, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and breathing rate, and a 

long-term loss of body weight. Although humans cannot be 100% certain that animals can experience painlike or distress-like states, operating on the precautionary principle provides for assuming that animals 

suffer pain and stress ensures that we take appropriate steps to minimize that risk and treat the animal with 

respect (Kreeger et al. 1990, Iossa et al. 2007, Sneddon et al. 2014).

The AVMA (2013) states if a life is to be taken it should be done with respect and emphasis on making the 

death as painless and distress free as possible given the circumstances. Euthanasia methods induce a 

humane death and attempts to minimize stress and anxiety prior to unconsciousness. Although the use of 

AVMA-approved euthanasia methods are considered the methods of choice, the AVMA (2013) recognizes 

that for wildlife in the field, this may not always be possible and the most appropriate euthanasia method 

may be a gunshot to the brain or similar method that is not always considered an ideal euthanasia method.

Additionally, at times it may be much more appropriate not to transport an animal for euthanasia when pain, 
40

distress, and suffering would be increased, and use a less than ideal method to euthanize the animal 

(Yeates 2010, AVMA 2013).

AVMA (2013) recognizes that there is “...an inherent lack of control over free-ranging wildlife, accepting 

that firearms may be the most appropriate approach to their euthanasia, and acknowledging that the 

quickest and most humane means of terminating the life of free-ranging wildlife in a given situation may not 

always meet all criteria established for euthanasia (i.e., distinguishes between euthanasia and methods that 

are more accurately characterized as humane killing).... Because of the variety of situations that may be 

encountered, it is difficult to strictly classify methods for termination of free- ranging wildlife as acceptable, 

acceptable with conditions, or unacceptable. Furthermore, classification of a given method as a means of 

euthanasia or humane killing may vary by circumstances. These acknowledgments are not intended to 

condone a lower standard for the humane termination of wildlife. The best methods possible under the 

circumstances must be applied, and new technology and methods demonstrated to be superior to

previously used methods must be embraced. ... Multiple federal, State, and local regulations apply to the 

euthanasia of wildlife. In the USA, management of wildlife is primarily under State jurisdiction. However,

some species (e.g., migratory birds, endangered species, marine mammals) are protected and managed by 

federal agencies or through collaboration between State and federal agencies. Within the context of wildlife 

management, personnel associated with State and federal agencies and Native American tribes may handle 

or capture individual animals or groups of animals for various purposes, including research. During the 

course of these management actions, individual animals may become injured or debilitated and may require 

euthanasia; in other cases, research or collection protocols dictate that some of them be killed. Sometimes 

population management requires the lethal control of wildlife species, and, the public may identify and/or 

present individual animals to state or federal personnel because they are orphaned, sick, injured, diseased 

(e.g., rabid), or becoming a nuisance.”

In recent years, the number of individuals and organizations concerned about animal welfare and animal 

rights has increased substantially (George et al. 2016). While the goal of some animal welfare and rights 

groups is to ban trapping, the use of toxicants, and other lethal methods altogether, many groups are 

concerned with reducing the pain and suffering of animals that are captured or killed by WDM methods, as 

well as potential risks to nontarget animals and pets. Animal welfare organizations and private individuals 

are concerned that some methods used to capture wildlife may cause unnecessary pain and suffering in 

animals.

Several researchers and organizations have attempted to develop objective, comparable, and statistically 

relevant methods for evaluating traumatic damage and stress in captured animals (Olsen et al. 1986, 

Onderka et al. 1990, Phillips 1996, Engeman et al. 1997, International Organization for Standardizations 

(ISO) 1999). These systems provide points for various types of physical trauma, with those points summed 

for total scores. Scoring of each sample is typically conducted by one or more experienced veterinarians,

and the summed scores compared among the veterinarians and the trap type. The concern with scoring 

methods is that results may be subjective and dependent on the evaluators, and may not be directly 

comparable among studies (Onderka et al. 1990, Engeman et al. 1997), nor do they include behavioral and 

physiological responses (Powell and Proulx 2003). Total scores also do not reflect the incremental 

contribution of individual scores. However, these systems can provide a systematic method for evaluating 

animal welfare that can be readily compared within a particular study.

In 1991, with the encouragement of animal rights and welfare groups, the European Union (EU), the 

European Economic Community at that time, promulgated a trade regulation banning fur imports from 

countries deemed to be using inhumane traps. This ban was subsequently modified to permit imports from 
41

countries using traps that have been evaluated according to international standards for humaneness. In 

1996 the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), working cooperatively with federal and 

private partners, embarked on a goal to develop voluntary Best Management Practices (BMPs) for 

trapping furbearers in the USA (Batcheller et al. 2000). The stated purpose and intent of AFWA in 

developing the BMPs was to: “Scientifically evaluate traps and trapping systems used for capturing

furbearers in the United States.” AFWA determined the best methods by species15, but was primarily 

targeting harvest by private fur trappers and not take in WDM activities. Evaluations of trap 

performance were based on animal welfare, efficiency, capture rate, selectivity, practicality, safety, 

mechanical function, cost, quality, durability, weight, and maintenance requirements (Fall 2002).

Science-based literature and research on the variety of traps and snares were used by AFWA to 

develop the BMPs. The evaluation of BMPs continues and BMPs are updated as research results 

warrant (AFWA 2016). The BMPs (AFWA 2016) have been provided to state and federal wildlife

agencies as well as trappers and the public in the form of a general overview for traps and trapping, 

and specifically the most efficient and humane methods for trapping 24 furbearer species in the USA.

The goals were to promote regulated trapping as a modern wildlife management tool, identify

practical traps and trapping techniques while continuing to improve efficiency, selectivity, and the

welfare of trapped animals through research, to provide specifications for traps that meet BMP

criteria for individual species in various regions of the US, to provide wildlife management and trap 

industry professionals with information to evaluate trapping systems in the US; and to instill public

confidence in and maintain public support for wildlife management and trapping through

distribution of science-based information. These standards were developed by the major fur-exporting 

countries (Canada, Russia, and the USA), and the 2008 Agreement on International Humane Trapping 

Standards (AIHTS) was subsequently signed by Canada, Russia, and the EU. The US did not sign the 

agreement because the primary authority for managing furbearing animals rests with the states and tribes, 

not the federal government. However, federal agencies continue to cooperate with AFWA to meet the intent 

of the agreement to improve animal welfare in US trapping and to avoid the EU trade ban. Evaluations are 

updated periodically as new information and devices become available and are based on animal welfare, 

efficacy, selectivity, practicality and safety (AFWA 2016). WS recognizes the value of BMPs and uses these 

guidelines as a basis for policy formulation, recognizing that some devices used in WDM are not 

commercially available and that not all devices recommended in the BMP guidelines for general public use 

meet the more stringent performance requirements for durability and efficacy under a range of 

environmental conditions required for use in WS WDM (WS Directive 2.450).

Selectivity of wildlife damage methods is related to the issue of humaneness in that greater selectivity 

results in less potential suffering of nontarget animals. Methods vary in their selectivity for nontarget 

animals. The selectivity of each method is augmented by the skill and discretion of the WS employee 

applying the technique and on specific measures and modifications designed to reduce or minimize 

nontarget captures. All WS employees are trained in techniques to minimize the risk of capturing nontarget 

wildlife. Section 4.2.1.2 discussed the proposed program’s potential for affecting nontarget species.

Research, which has been used to develop the BMPs, suggests that with methods such as restraint in 

foothold traps, changes in the blood chemistry of trapped animals indicate "stress." Blood measurements of 

fox indicate that this is the case for fox that have been held in traps, snares, and chased by dogs (Kreeger et 

 15 Furbearers with AFWA (2016) trapping BMPs include Virginia opossum, beaver, muskrat, nutria, Canada lynx, bobcat, coyote in Eastern 

U.S., coyote in Western U.S. (both eastern and western United States populations have own BMPs since eastern coyotes are larger as a result of 

hybridizing with wolves), gray wolves, red fox, swift/kit fox, arctic fox, gray fox, river otter, fisher, American marten, weasel (least, long-tailed, 

and short-tailed), mink, American badger, ringtail, raccoon, and striped skunk. These are individual documents for each species and can be found 

at the AFWA website (2016). 
42

al. 1990). Marks (2010) used blood chemistry indicators to compare stress to red foxes associated with use 

of padded-jaw traps, treadle snares, shooting, cage traps and use of dogs to chase foxes into nets.

Physiological data indicated restraint by treadle snare was more stressful for fox than capture in traps, and 

both methods resulted in higher stress indicators than cage traps, being chased by dogs into netting, and 

shooting. Marks (2010) noted that use of TTDs may help to reduce stress in animals captured in traps and 

snares. The situation is likely to be similar for other animals caught in traps, snares, cable restraints or 

chased by dogs. Use of traps that are demonstrated to minimize suffering and pain such as those 

recommended in trapping BMPs as well as frequent trap checks, can increase public acceptance of trapping 

and perceptions of the humaneness of this method (Proulx and Barrett 1989, Andelt et al. 1999). Using 

experienced and skilled trappers to educate new trappers in the effective use of more humane and selective 

traps can also improve the overall practice and humaneness of trapping.

The challenge in coping with this issue is how to achieve the least amount of animal suffering with the 

constraints imposed by current technology. WS personnel are concerned about animal welfare and select 

methods that consider not only the welfare of the animals captured, but also the welfare of humans, pets, 

and livestock as well as other protected resources such as T&E species. WS is aware that techniques like 

snares, traps and toxicants are controversial, but also believes that these activities are being conducted as

humanely and responsibly as practical. WS and the WS-National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) are 

striving to bring additional nonlethal damage management alternatives into practical use and to improve the 

selectivity and humaneness of management devices. Until new findings and products are found practical, a 

certain amount of animal suffering could occur when some methods are used in situations when nonlethal 

damage management methods are not practical or effective. WS supports the most humane, selective and 

effective damage management techniques and would continue to incorporate advances into program 

activities. WS field employees conducting WDM are highly experienced professionals, skilled in the use of

management methods and committed to minimizing pain and suffering. WS Program Directives, standard 

operating procedures and training work to ensure that WS WDM methods are used in a manner that is as 

humane and selective as possible. Other practices which help to improve the efficacy, selectivity and 

humaneness of WS use of WDM methods include implementing the BMPs where appropriate for WDM 

actions and compliance with regulations determining trap check intervals. Whenever possible and practical, 

WS employs euthanasia methods recommended by the AVMA (2007, 2013), even though the AVMA 

euthanasia methods were developed principally for companion animals and slaughter of food animals, and 

not for free-ranging wildlife and what is considered acceptable for professional wildlife damage managers 

(Julien et al. 2010). Finally, the killing of wildlife during the breeding season has the potential to result in 

young becoming orphaned. When WS conducts WDM activities during the spring and early summer 

months, this is considered and young are removed as possible.

6 RISK ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

WDM nonchemical and chemical methods fall into 3 categories: resource management, physical exclusion, 

and wildlife management methods. Resource management methods include habitat and prey base 

management (which can use chemical and nonchemical methods) and monitoring the resource. Physical 

exclusion involves nonchemical methods to exclude wildlife from resources. Wildlife management methods 

include a large number of methods and are subdivided into frightening devices (mechanical), chemical 

repellents, capture/take methods (mechanical), immobilization, euthanasia, and sterilization drugs 

(chemical), and chemical toxicants. For each WDM method identified in Table 1, the potential risks to 

people (WS personnel and the public), pets, nontarget wildlife, and the environment are characterized in 

quantitative or qualitative terms. Qualitative terms include high, medium, low, or no risks. Quantitative risks 

actually involve the use of numbers from WDM activities in the USA and are based on data between FY11 
43

and FY15 or other time frame. Where known, injuries to the personnel, public, pets, nontarget wildlife, and 

the environment are included. In this risk assessment, nonchemical methods will be discussed first, 

including a basic discussion of use, target and nontarget animals taken with the method, and a human 

health and ecological risk assessment of each. Chemical methods will be discussed in their own stand-alone 

documents. For chemical methods, the guidance used in the human health risk assessment (HHRA) to 

assess potential human health effects from chemicals follow standard regulatory guidance and 

methodologies (National Research Council, 1983; USEPA 2013a). The methods used in the environmental 

risk assessment (ERA) to assess potential ecological risk to the environment and nontarget wildlife follow 

similar guidance. The risk assessment procedures for nonchemical methods will be similar.

The risk assessment starts with looking at the WS use pattern for the method followed by the problem 

formulation (identifying a hazard) and performing exposure assessments (identifying potentially exposed 

populations and determining potential exposure pathways for these populations), and, specifically for 

chemicals, a toxicity assessment (the dose-response assessment). Lastly, the information from the 

exposure assessment, and toxicity assessment for chemicals, will be used to characterize risk (determining 

whether there is adverse health and eco-risk). 

7 RISK ASSESSMENT PREVIEW

The following are the Risk Assessment Chapters that comprise the overall WS Methods Risk Assessment:

Chapter I. Introduction to Methods Used in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter II. The Use of Cage Traps in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter III. The Use of Cable Devices in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter IV. The Use of Foothold Traps in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter V. The Use of Aircraft in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter VI. The Use of Firearms in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter VII. The Use of Sodium Cyanide in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter VIII. The Use of Carbon Monoxide in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter IX. The Use of Aluminum Phosphide in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter X. The Use of Zinc Phosphide in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XI. The Use of GonaCon in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XII. The Use of Lead in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XIII. The Use of Nets in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XIV. The Use of Quick-Kill Traps in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XV. The Use of Dogs in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XVI. The Use of DRC-1339 in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XVII. The Use of Egg Addling in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XVIII. The Use of Hand Capture and Disease Sampling in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XIX. The Use of Sodium Nitrite in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XX. The Use of Strychnine in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXI. The Use of Immobilization and Euthanasia Drugs in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXII. The Use of Vaccinia in Wildlife Damage Management 

Chapter XXIII. The Use of Sodium Fluoroacetate in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXIV. The Use of Explosives/Pyrotechnics in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXV. The Use of Non-Chemical (Physical/Visual/Sound) Repellents in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXVI. The Use of Chemical Repellents in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXVII. The Use of Anticoagulants in Wildlife Damage Management
44

Chapter XXVIII. The Use of Bromethalin in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXIX. The Use of Exclusion in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXX. The Use of Acetaminophen in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXXI. The Use of Avitrol in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXXII. Carcass Disposal in Wildlife Damage Management

Chapter XXXIII. The Use of Miscellaneous Wildlife Damage Methods (Exclusion, Fishing, Insecticide, 

Nicarbazin, Sodium Laurel Sulfate)

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9 PREPARERS 

9.1 APHIS-WS Methods Risk Assessment Committee

Writers for “Risk Assessments for Methods Used in Wildlife Damage Management”:

Primary Writer: Thomas Hall 

Position: USDA-APHIS-WS, Operational Support Staff, Staff Wildlife Biologist, Fort Collins, CO

Education: BS Biology (Natural History) and BA Psychology – Fort Lewis College; MS Wildlife Ecology – Oklahoma 

State University

Experience: Special expertise in wildlife biology, identification, ecology, and damage management. Thirtyone years of 

service in APHIS Wildlife Services including research and operations in CO and WY for research and OR, GU, CA, OK, 
48

and NV for operations conducting a wide variety of programs including bird damage research and management, 

livestock protection (predators and birds), invasive species management, wildlife hazard management at airports, 

property and natural resource protection including waterfowl, brown tree snake, feral swine, rodent, and beaver 

damage management. Expert in preparing environmental documents for WS programs to comply with the National 

Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. 

Editors/Contributors for “Risk Assessments for Methods Used in Wildlife Damage Management”:

Reviewer: Timothy Algeo

Position: USDA-APHIS-WS, Operational Support Staff, Staff Wildlife Biologist, Concord, NH

Education: BS Biology – Johnson State College; MS Wildlife Conservation – University of Massachusetts; Ph.D. 

Natural Resources and Environmental Studies – University of New Hampshire

Experience: Special expertise in wildlife biology, ecology, wildlife disease, and wildlife damage management. Nineteen 

years of service with APHIS Wildlife Services 

Reviewer: Michael Green 

Position: USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services (WS), Environmental Coordinator, Fredrick, MD

Education: BS Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, University of Tennessee

Experience: Special expertise in wildlife biology, ecology, and damage management. Eleven years of work experience 

with WS in MD and VA. Experienced in a wide range of program activities including nutria eradication, airport wildlife 

management, and wildlife damage management to protect livestock, aquaculture, public safety, and natural resources. 

Served as staff biologist in WS Headquarters for 2 years.

Editor: Andrea Lemay 

Position: USDA-APHIS-Policy and Program Development (PPD), Environmental and Risk Analysis Services (ERAS), 

Biological Scientist, Raleigh, NC

Education: BS Plant and Soil Science (Biotechnology) - University of Massachusetts; MS Plant Pathology -North 

Carolina State University 

Experience: Twelve years of service in APHIS conducting risk analysis. Four years of experience in preparing 

environmental analyses in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

Editor:Fan Wang-Cahill 

Position: USDA-APHIS-Policy and Program Development (PPD), Environmental and Risk Analysis Services (ERAS), 

Environmental Health Specialist

Riverdale, MD

Education: B.S. Biology and M.S. Hydrobiology - Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Ph.D. Botany 

(Ultrastructure/Cell Biology) – Miami University

Experience: Joined APHIS in 2012, preparing human health risk assessments and providing assistance on 

environmental compliance. Prior experience before joining APHIS includes 18 years environmental consulting 

experience specializing in human health risk assessments for environmental contaminants at Superfund, Resource 

Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and state-regulated contaminated facilities.

Editor: Jim Warren 

Position: USDA-APHIS-Policy and Program Development (PPD), Environmental and Risk Analysis Services (ERAS), 

Environmental Toxicologist, Little Rock, AR 

Education: B.S. Forest Ecology and M.S. Entomology – University of Missouri; Ph.D. Environmental Toxicology –

Clemson University

Experience: Seven years of experience working for APHIS preparing ecological risk assessments and providing 

assistance on environmental compliance. Prior experience before joining APHIS includes other government and private 

sector work regarding ecological risk assessments related to various environmental regulations.

Editor: Ryan Wimberly 

Position: USDA-APHIS-WS, Operational Support Staff, Staff Wildlife Biologist, Madison, TN
49

Education: BS Wildlife Management and Ecology – Northwest Missouri State University

Experience: Special expertise in wildlife biology, ecology, and damage management. Sixteen years of service with 

APHIS Wildlife Services, including operations and research, conducting a wide variety of programs, including bird 

damage research and management, livestock protection, invasive species management, wildlife hazard management at 

airports, property, and natural resource protection. Expert in preparing environmental documents for WS programs to 

comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.