Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. 1 Ag84M The National Wildlife Research Center USD United States Animal and SS Department of Plant Health et ee Agriculture Inspection Service USDA RE: United States . . - eeu The National Wildlife i Research Center Plant Health eats Providing Innovative Solutions to Human—Wildlife Conflicts Miscellaneous Publication No. 1595 Welcome Welcome to the National Wildlife Re- search Center (NWRC), the primary research facility within the Wildlife Services (WS) program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). NWRC provides scientific information on wildlife, its habitat, and its relationship to ag- riculture and public safety. Here at the Center and at our nine field sta- tions, specialists conduct scientific inquiries into the problems of wildlife damage and look for solutions to these problems. NWRC seeks to protect wildlife from the adverse effects of human activi- ties while also reducing the damage and hazards that wildlife causes to agriculture, forests, industry, and other areas of human involvement. The reconciliation of these two con- flicting priorities is the challenge that NWRC scientists face today. At the Center, we welcome the public, including students, legisla- tors, scientists, agricultural producers, and other interested individuals. We encourage you to ask our employees questions. ® Predators @ Mammals ® Birds NWAC field stations are strategically located throughout the United States to be near wildlife and habitats of primary interest. @ Wildlife Diseases Mission and Objectives NWRC is the Federal institution NWRC develops effective wildlife ¢ Evaluating the impact of wildlife devoted to resolving problems damage management methods by: management practices on wild- caused by the interaction of wild life and the environment: animals and society. The Center e Assessing damage and other applies scientific expertise to the problems caused by wildlife to ag- ¢ Developing and improving development of practical methods riculture, the environment, human technology to reduce wildlife to resolve these problems and to health and safety, and endan- problems; maintain the quality of the gered and threatened species; environments shared with wildlife. ¢ Supporting registration of e Investigating the biology, be- chemicals, vaccines, and drugs havior, and ecology of problem used to manage wildlife; and animals; e Transferring scientific and technical information. a = yaaa ¥ auni® .! = NWEC scientists use many modern methods in their attempts to resolve conflicts between people and wildlife. (APHIS photo by Diana Dwyer.) The Problem and the Solution No wild animal is undesirable. Yet almost any wild animal can cause damage to crops, be a hazard to aviation, or become a threat to hu- man safety. Deer and smaller mam- mals can consume newly planted tree seedlings and other crops. Birds in large flocks can decimate grain and sunflower fields. Preda- tors attack livestock and domestic animals. Wild animals can spread diseases such as rabies, West Nile virus, chronic wasting disease, and bovine tuberculosis. Invasive wildlife species can decimate endangered or threatened native species. NWRC evaluates damage situations and develops methods and tools to reduce or eliminate damage and resolve conflicts. NWRC scientists study birds, mammals, rodents, invasive species, and other wildlife that cause serious but localized damage problems. The Center designs studies to ensure that the methods developed to alleviate wild- life damage are biologically sound, effective, safe, economical, and acceptable to the public. NWRC scientists produce scientific informa- tion, appropriate methods, technol- Research on reproductive control of overabundant animal populations, particularly those inhabiting urban or suburban settings such as Canada geese and deer, is a high priority within the WS program. (APHIS photo by John Cummings.) ogy, and materials for reducing dam- age caused by animals. Through the publication of results and the exchange of technical information, the Center provides valuable data and expertise to the public and the scientific community, as well as to APHIS’ WS program. History and Organization of the NWRC Established in 1940 under the U.S. Bureau of Biological Survey—the forerunner of the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—the Center was trans- ferred in 1986 to APHIS as part of the Department of Agriculture's WS program. The Center employs more than 160 scientists, technicians, and support personnel at its head- quarters in Fort Collins, CO, and at field stations in several other States. Scientific and support staff, all focused on particular wildlife damage issues, specialize in the following disciplines: Animal behavior/psychology Animal care Archives management Biology Chemistry Computer science DNA forensics Ecology Electronics Economics Immunology Information transfer Pharmacology Physiology Quality assurance Statistics Toxicology Veterinary medicine Wildlife biology Zoology The Center relies on the services of people with additional special- ties through extensive cooperative ties with universities, not-for-profit research facilities, and other pub- lic and private research entities. NWRC has achieved an integrated, multidisciplinary research agenda that is uniquely suited to provide scientific information and solutions to wildlife damage problems. Blackbirds annually damage $5 million to $8 million worth of ripen- ing sunflower in the northern Great Plains. (APHIS photo by George Linz.) Research Activities With the diverse scientific expertise of its staff and collaborators, NWRC assembles teams that are devoted to finding innovative, cutting-edge solutions to wildlife damage issues. Examples of the diversity of re- search currently under way at the Center include the following: ¢ Development and implementation of strategies to manage blackbird damage to agricultural crops in the United States; ¢ Development of new solutions to control overabundant wildlife populations through biotechnol- ogy and immunocontraceptive vaccines; ¢ Development and evaluation of new techniques to resolve predator depredation on endangered and threatened wildlife, as well as domestic animals; ¢ Studies of the ecology of coyote depredation; ¢ Identification of techniques to reduce mammal damage to forest resources; Development of integrated pest management strategies to reduce rodent damage to crops and rangeland; ¢ Development of management strategies to reduce bird predation at aquaculture facilities; e Registration of chemicals and drugs for use as wildlife damage management agents; e Analysis of taste and olfaction in selected wildlife species and development of nonlethal chemical repellants for birds and mammals; ¢ Development of techniques to manage wildlife that pose hazards to aviation; ¢ Development of chemical control methods to manage the invasive brown treesnake on Guam; and e |dentification of the role of wildlife in disease transmission and development of a variety of techniques to combat the spread of wildlife diseases to livestock, wildlife, and humans. Cooperative Activities To extend its capabilities for re- search and training, the Center establishes a number of formal or informal cooperative programs with universities. Our university coopera- tors include the following: Colorado State University Cornell University Mississippi State University North Dakota State University The Ohio State University The Pennsylvania State University Queensland [Australia] University of Technology Texas A&M University—Kingsville University of Colorado University of Florida University of Nebraska Wildlife rabies poses significant risks to humans, their livestock and pets, and to wildlife. (APHIS photo by Richard Engeman.) University of Nevada University of Pennsylvania University of Wisconsin University of Wyoming Utah State University The Center also partners with nu- merous State, Federal, and private organizations. Examples of these include the following: Airline Pilots Association American Sheep Industry Catfish Farmers of America International Association of Fish and Game Agencies Louisiana Rice Growers Association Michigan Department of Health National Sunflower Association New York Bureau of Wildlife Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association USDA Forest Service U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Federal Aviation Administration U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey Washington Forest Protection Association Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources NWEC scientists are studying alternative methods for reducing wildlife preda- tion on endangered and threatened species, such as the California least tern. (APHIS photo by Ken Tope.) International Cooperation To facilitate international exchange of information, the Center cooper- ates with international organizations. In these cooperative efforts, NWRC scientists develop and test new wildlife damage-management techniques and transfer the wildlife damage-control technology to scientists and technicians in host countries. Center scientists develop methods for reducing severe The Center's international activities develop working relationships with people around the world. (APHIS file photo.) agricultural damage caused by a variety of rodents, birds, and other vertebrate pests in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. NWRC is committed to: ¢ Being responsive to the concerns and values of the public; ¢ Providing valid, objective scientific information of the highest quality; e Promoting the welfare of animals and the quality of the environment; ¢ Encouraging employees’ high morale and growth and development; e Maintaining a quality work environment; and ¢ Providing equal opportunity for employment and advancement. Studies conducted at the Center will continue to provide new informa- tion to help resolve complex issues related to wildlife damage, human health and safety problems, threat- ened and endangered species, and invasive species. These studies will help America manage its wildlife resources wisely and effectively into the future. For additional information on the National Wildlife Research Center, contact Director, National Wildlife Research Center USDA-APHIS—-WS 4101 LaPorte Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521 Phone: (970) 266-6000 Fax: (970) 266-6010 Our address on the World Wide Web is . Cheynne WY i Christman Field LaPorte Ave. Hwy Ainceerere Mulberry St. © Science CSU Solar Village CIRA Prospect St. Overland Trail College Ave. Harmony Rd. Taft Hill Rd. National Wildlife Research Center 4101 LaPorte Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154 (970) 266-6000 http://www. aphis.usda.gov/ws/nwre The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Cover photos: All images on the front cover of this brochure come from the APHIS photo library. This publication supersedes “The National Wildlife Research Center” (Misc. Publ. 1544), which was published in March 1998. Issued July 2003 Revised August 2005 1022882925