Center, Internet, Wildlife Damage Management
Human–Wildlife Interactions
In the News
Date of this Version
Fall 2012
Document Type
Article
Citation
Human–Wildlife Interactions (Fall 2012) 6(2): article 1
doi: 10.26077/wsgt-k658
Special topic: Brown tree snake
Abstract
Department of Interior approves funding for brown treesnake control
The U. S. Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) approved a $2.65 million grant to assist with controlling the proliferation of brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Marianas Islands, the Pacific News Center reported in July. Continued funding is critical to reverse the negative impact to Guam’s ecosystem, infrastructure, economy, and human health and safety caused by this invasive species of snake.
Bird strikes maintain public attention
Several bird strikes have made the national media recently. No one was injured in any of these bird strikes.
Gang of raccoons terrorizes North Seattle residents
A pack of aggressive raccoons (Procyon lotor) has been terrorizing residents in an area around the North Seattle Community College campus, the Seattle Times reported in July. According to state law, however, the animals that are caught must be euthanized unless a relocation permit is issued, something that is rarely done for urban wildlife. Greenquist said he believes the traps are better than doing nothing in an area frequented by people with pets and children (Figure 1).
Mute swans a challenge for wildlife managers in the Midwest
States around the Great Lakes have been a refuge for mute swans (Cygnus olor) for years, but this has been slowly changing over the past several years, and wildlife managers are working to control the increasing numbers of the swans (Figure 2). Russ Mason of the Michigan DNR stated that nonlethal techniques of control are not very effective at lowering population numbers of swans because of the birds’ long life span. Once the population is reduced, however, nonlethal techniques could be used to maintain the population size, he said.
Really big snake makes national news
Florida not only has a lot of invasive snakes, but it has some of the largest specimens. There are no known natural predators of the snake in Florida. Pythons are known to prey on large birds, deer, bobcats, and alligators.
Scouts rescue leader from beaver
In August, a Boy Scout leader was attacked by a rabid, 45-pound beaver (Castor canadensis) in upstate New York while leading scouts on a float-trip down the Delaware River, the New York Daily News reported. The boys killed the beaver by hurling a large stone on it. The beaver was submitted to local health officials, and it tested positive for rabies. The scoutmaster suffered 6 puncture wounds over his body and was treated for rabies.
Comments
United States government work. Public domain