July and August 2003
#229
IN THIS ISSUE:
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS IN ETHIOPIA
BOOK REVIEW
MONKEYPOX
NADCA MEET AT TWS CONFERENCE
EVER WONDER?
SEAL ATTACK
GIANT LIZARDS
NADCA 2004 ELECTION
Enclosed with this issue of The Probe are a ballot and a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope to return the ballot to NADCA President, Mike Conover. The officers and directors to be elected will serve through 2004. Please mail your ballot in time to reach Mike Conover by September 15, 2003.
Support our Association by exercising your vote. The newly elected officers and directors will face the challenges of determining new directions that will carry us forward as wildlife damage management professionals, clearly define our role and revitalize our Association.
The current NADCA officers and regional directors extend their appreciation to all those who agreed to be candidates for this election and to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of their respective offices.
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS IN ETHIOPIA
By Jeff Petersen, Berryman Institute, Utah State University
Editor's note: This article is the second in a series of articles dealing with human-wildlife conflicts in various countries around the world. These papers were written by students at the Berryman Institute and sent to The Probe by NADCA President and Berryman Institute Director, Dr. Mike Conover.
Ethiopia is located in eastern Africa, just south of the Red Sea. It covers an area of about 1.1 million square kilometers and has a human population of about 67 million. Ethiopia is closely linked to the earliest records of human life, and has a long history of human and wildlife interactions.
Ethiopia is a land of geological and biological diversity. The unique ecosystems that are created have led to over 1,500 wildlife species and more than 7,000 species of plants that make it their home. The long history of human activity in Ethiopia has had a lasting impact on the land, as well as the wildlife. It is also a land of crushing poverty and famine, where natural resources are over-exploited and its increasing human populations have led to a variety of human/wildlife conflicts.
Bird damage is a major problem, especially to grain growers. Around some wildlife refuges, elephants, baboons, warthogs, and a variety of antelope cause major crop damage when these animals venture out of the park looking for food. Hybridization of domestic animals and wildlife and disease transmission (e.g., rabies and anthrax) are other problems faced in this area where livestock and wildlife share the land. The methods used to deal with wildlife damage include regular monitoring and controlling the populations of problem species. Historically, there was compensation for crop and livestock losses, but the problem of estimating the damage and lack of funds for compensation programs has led the government to rely heavily on culling problem species. Many farmers solve the problem on their own and simply shoot depredating animals.
Overuse of intense agriculture, as well as land being overrun by sheep, goats, and cattle, have led to the over-exploitation of range lands and pastures in of many regions. The abundance of people has also led to the over-hunting of many wildlife species. Animals are often shot for food, cultural ceremonies, or to reduce livestock losses or competition with livestock. During a month long trip to Ethiopia, Fred Duckwarth continually refers to tribal groups in which the majority of the men carry AK47's. These may be used to protect their property or life, but they are also used to take wildlife. In some areas, any and all wildlife is shot on sight, either for food or to reduce the competition with domesticated livestock.
One problem has been the encroachment of human populations into many of Ethiopia's parks and wildlife refuges. In such areas, most wildlife conservation wardens find it nearly impossible to remove the people and/or the livestock. This has resulted in a reduction in wild populations of grazing animals. In response, many carnivores have become dependent for survival upon domesticated sheep, goats, and cattle. A more crucial threat from carnivores comes from the potential of predation on people. The main depredating carnivores include lions, leopards, hyena, jackals, and African wild dogs. In some areas, all predators are routinely shot on sight to reduce the threat of predation of both livestock and humans.
Although Africa is recognized for its hunting safaris, Ethiopia's commercial hunting market has suffered from bouts of war, drought, famine, and low wildlife numbers. Many Ethiopians feel that the activities of the professional hunter are one of "blatant disregard" for wildlife laws and hunting ethics. This view sees professional hunters as having led the way in the decimation of wildlife and setting a poor example for local villagers to follow. Although wildlife tourism is increasing popular throughout Africa, Ethiopia has benefited little from it. There remains a rural belief that conservation efforts are misguided because the needs of wildlife are put above the needs of the people. Many rural Ethiopians are more worried about crop and livestock losses, prohibited land access, and personal safety.
More information on this subject can be found at http://www.geocities.com/akababi/wildlife.htm or at http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/et.html
Many thanks to Layne Coppock and Almaz Tadesse Kebede for their time and willingness to share their knowledge. Almez is from Ethiopia, and is currently a Ph.D student in Range Science at Utah State University. She has worked for the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organization for about 8 years, contributing to research activities in many parts of Ethiopia.
BOOK REVIEW: By Stephen Vantassel CWCP, Wildlife Damage Control, Springfield, MA
"When Raccoons Fall through Your Ceiling: The Handbook for Coexisting with Wildlife" by Andrea Dawn Lopez. University of North Texas Press, 2002.
Andrea Dawn Lopez is a free-lance writer who spent some time as a wildlife rehabilitator for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc. in San Antonio, Texas. She eventually achieved the position of manager which she held for 2 years. In light of her background, it should be of little surprise that the book contains many stories of human/animal encounters. Lopez, rather than concentrating on a couple of species, broadens her discussion to many different species. The animals she writes about include, raccoons, baby birds, deer, birds, deer fawns, major predators, ducklings, rabbits, opossums, bats and snakes. The saying, "Jack of All trades but master of none", applies to this book. It isn't designed for in depth discussion of any individual species.
The book's title speaks of co-existing with wildlife but readers will be very disappointed if they are looking for a comprehensive guide to controlling animal damage. Information on damage control essentially consists of repellents, habitat modification, exclusion, harassment and toleration which are discussed in the first chapter. Apparently Ms. Lopez doesn't believe that trapping can be an important and responsible part of co-existing with wildlife, as she refers to the practice of trapping and relocating as a "Band-aid solution".
The lion's share of the book tells readers how to prevent and handle animal injuries. Frequent refrains include reminders about the problem of assuming the baby animal has been abandoned and the need to help animals cross the road. By in large, the information is generic and appropriately vague. I think this book will frequently leave the reader wishing that more information was provided. Occasionally, Ms. Lopez provides some insight that makes the work of reading the book worthwhile. For example, I didn't know that opossums eat rattlesnakes. Readers will find other often unknown tidbits like that throughout the book. I thought her chapters on baby birds and deer fawns were particularly good and would make for excellent background reading even for a NWCO who gets calls concerning them. Finally, Lopez ends with a chapter on building a basic first responder rehabilitator kit. The tips on capturing an animal would be valuable for NWCOs who have to capture that occasional exotic species or at least want to know how just in case.
Unfortunately, I can give only tepid praise of this text. I think the minimal treatment of topics could lead readers to make some serious mistakes. For example, when dealing with chimney dwelling animals she neglects to mention the dangers of soot, parasites etc. Her suggestion that ammonia can be used to drive out a chimney dwelling animal overlooks the issue as to whether any infant young are present. On page 22, she talks about the possibility of babies who are too small to climb out. But then at the top of the next page, she mentions using ammonia to drive out chimney nesting animals. While I am sure she wouldn't recommend ammonia (she said not to use smoke) when young are present, she forgets that the unenlightened public may not connect the dots. She also seems to be unaware of the rabies protocols some states have established regarding bats found where people have been sleeping. She is quite right that the risks of bat rabies are rare and that the fear of bat rabies maybe out of proportion to the risk. But then again, don't we owe the reader the full story?
Finally, the book is well written and an easy read. Ms. Lopez avoids technical jargon. She also ends each chapter with a brief listing of important facts and ideas discussed in the chapter. There are very few illustrations, only a few half-tones and line drawings. None provide anything more than decoration. A diagram of a chimney etc. would have been helpful for a book claiming to be a "handbook". Nevertheless, if you want to learn more about rehabilitating wildlife, this text would be a good introduction.
Perhaps it is a worthwhile book for public agency dispatchers that will receive a number of these "concerned citizen" calls. I would think the information on baby animals would save city's and towns a great deal of money and time. You can find the book at Amazon.com or contact your local bookstore.
A recent article by Bobby Corrigan, RMC Consulting, in PCT magazine, warns that although there is no evidence that common, structural rodent pests can harbor Monkeypox, pest managers should be aware of the variety of bacteria, mold, fungi, and viruses that can be harbored by rodent pests.
WCO's and PCO's who perform rodent management, especially in structures, and especially in the Midwest, need to be alerted to the potential for the transmission of a variety of diseases from commensal and other rodents.
Corrigan provides the following precautions that should be taken when controlling structural rodent pests:
Source -- http://www.pctonline.com, June 13, 2003
NADCA members who will be attending TWS Conference in Burlington should check the message board for an announcement of an informal NADCA get-together. NADCA President, Mike Conover, is in the process of arranging a time and place for a meeting but no details were available at the time this issue of The PROBE was completed.
If the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) originated in Asia, why is this rat commonly called a Norway rat?
The Norway rat originated in Asia in the region surrounding the Caspian Sea. A few were carried to Norway by Russian ships early in the 1700's. In 1714 the royal dynasty in Norway and Holland, the House of Hanover, gained control of the German states. In 1728, England became overrun by these rats. Since the House of Hanover was extremely unpopular with the English, they claimed that the rats were the scourge of Norway. So they were unjustly but permanently named the "Hanoverian" or "Norway" rat.
Source -- Excerpted from "The World of House Rats and Mice, Supplemental Information. Author unknown.
WILDLIFE DAMAGE IN THE NEWS
ANTARCTIC SCIENTIST DIES IN SEAL ATTACK
Research scientist, Kirsty Brown was snorkeling in waters close to the Rothera Research Station as part of her studies when a Leopard seal pulled her under.
Colleagues who witnessed the attack immediately launched a rescue boat to try to save her. Although they managed to retrieve her body and begin resuscitation, the 28-year-old marine biologist could not be revived.
Leopard seals are often inquisitive when they encounter humans. However, they are not generally known to attack humans unless provoked.
The Canbridge-based British Antarctic Survey (BAS), which runs Rothera, said everyone connected with the organization was shocked by what had happened. BAS, which has launched an investigation into the incident, has been carrying out research involving snorkeling and diving for the last 30 years.
Source -- BBC News
GIANT LIZARDS SPREADING THROUGH THE GULF COAST
Cape Coral, Florida has become a haven for Nile monitor lizards, and their population, which continues to grow, has possibly reached the thousands in the Gulf Coast city. The first official report of a monitor lizard in Cape Coral was in 1990. Since then, Cape Coral has received 145 reports.
This carnivorous lizard, native to Africa, can easily grow to 5 feet in length. The lizards are considered a potential threat to native species. These animals can hunt prey in the water, in trees and even underground.
"They likely eat anything they can fit in their mouths," said Gregg Klowden, a University of Florida biologist working on a project to monitor the monitors. 'In my opinion, burrowing owls are like popcorn snacks for them." Options being studied include relocating or killing the lizards.
It has be speculated that these lizards may have been established by the release of pet lizards into the wild.
Source -- Excerpted from an Associated Press release July 18, 2003.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I have recently retired from my position as Extension Wildlife Damage Management Specialist at the University of Arizona. I plan to continue my involvement in wildlife damage management in the private sector. I retired with emeritus status and will continue to teach one wildlife damage management course and will have shared office space on campus. However, since I will not be on campus regularly, mail should be sent to my home address which is now included in The PROBE masthead. For now, my e-mail address (sullivan@ag.arizona.edu) will remain the same.
The online version of the Probe may be slightly different than the newsletter.
Return completed ballot, by September 15, 2003, to:
Dr. Michael Conover
Jack Berryman Institute
5210 Old Main Hill, NR 206
Utah State University
Logan, Utah 84322-5210
PRESIDENT
___ Mike Dwyer, President, Critter Control Inc., Traverse City, MI
___ Art Smith, Wildlife Damage Management Program Administrator, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre, SD
VICE-PRESIDENT -- EAST
___ James Parkhurst, Associate Professor, Wildlife Science and Extension Wildlife Specialist, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
___ Robert Swihart, Professor, Wildlife Ecology, Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
VICE-PRESIDENT -- WEST
___ Scott Hygnstrom, Extension Specialist, Wildlife Damage Management, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
___ Roger Woodruff, State Director Washington & Alaska, USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services, Olympia, WA
SECRETARY
___ Larry Sullivan, Extension Specialist Emeritus, Wildlife Damage Management, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
___ Other ______________________________________________________
TREASURER
___ Niki Frey, Ph.D. Graduate Student, Jack Berryman Institute, Utah State University, Logan, UT
___ Other ______________________________________________________