In the News

Authors

Joe N. Caudell, Purdue UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

Spring 2012

Document Type

Article

Citation

Human–Wildlife Interactions (Spring 2012) 6(1): article 1

doi: 10.26077/rpsz-nf30

Special topic: Wildlife diseases

Comments

United States government work. Public domain

Abstract

1,500 grebes crash in Utah

Approximately 1,500 eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis; Figure 1) died when they mistook the Wal-Mart parking lot in Cedar City, Utah, for a body of water. From above, a wet, asphalt parking lot can look like a lake to grebes. If the birds land too fast, they can be killed from the trauma that results from their hitting the pavement.

Governor halts wildlife relocation, cites spread of disease

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has issued an order to prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) from relocating wildlife within Montana or across state lines. Gov. Schweitzer and federal wildlife officials also have disagreed over wildlife management activities, including those involving elk (Cervus elephus) feeding in the National Elk Refuge (Figure 2) in Wyoming.

Colorado highway plan designed to reduce deer collisions

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), along with other state and federal agencies, nongovernment organizations, and private industry, has taken a proactive approach to controlling deer– (Odocoileus spp.) vehicle collisions on I-70. Researchers have determined the best locations for new crossing structures for wildlife and for modification of existing structures to allow wildlife to pass freely.

Agencies identify cause of white-nose syndrome in bats

Recent scientific experiments have confirmed that the fungus Geomyces destructans is the causative agent for white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC). The experiments to identify the fungus were conducted by the NWHC, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Tennessee– Knoxville, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Bucknell University. White-nose syndrome continues to be a problem for wildlife managers throughout the eastern United States.

Border fences threaten migrating bears

Fences along the border between the United States and Mexico that were erected to keep out illegal immigrants may threaten black bear (Ursus americanus) migration, the New York Times (2011) reported. A study in Arizona monitored bear migration across the border. The findings could help border security agencies take wildlife into consideration in their border control planning, according to Jon Beckmann, coauthor of the study.

Ranchers cry wolf; not so fast, say wildlife officials

Oregon ranchers often are at odds with state wildlife officials and environmentalists about how often livestock are killed by wolves (Canis lupus), The East Oregonian (2011) reported. When livestock is killed, ranchers are quick to blame wolves. State and federal wildlife managers are left to sort out what really happened. Conclusive proof about the cause of the kill, however, is not easy. One expert may state that it is unclear if a wolf has killed a calf, while another may state that the animal was definitely killed by a wolf.