No wild animal is undesirable. Yet almost any wild animal can cause damage to crops, be hazardous to aviation, or become a threat to human safety. Deer and smaller mammals can consume newly planted tree seedlings and other crops. Birds in large, high-density flocks can decimate grain and sunflower fields. Predators attack livestock and other domestic animals.
Wild animals can spread diseases such as lyme disease, rabies, plague, and histoplasmosis.
The Center evaluates damage situations and develops methods and tools to reduce or eliminate damage and resolve land-use conflicts. NWRC scientists study birds, mammalian predators, rodents, and other wildlife that cause serious but localized damage problems. The Center designs studies to ensure that the methods developed to alleviate animal damage are biologically sound, effective, safe, economical, and acceptable to the public. NWRC scientists produce the appropriate methods, technology, and materials for reducing damage caused by animals. The Center employs more than 160 scientists, technicians, and support personnel at its Fort Collins headquarters and at field stations in several other States.