FW 403 (001) Fall 2024 Urban Wildlife Management

Black bears are very intelligent animals. Unfortunately due to urbanization, this can become a problem. It is common for black bears to find their way into trashcans or other sources of anthropogenic food. Walking down a neighborhood and knocking over trashcans is a lot less effort compared to wandering around the woods. This results in a variety of issues. Harm to property, individuals, and the bear itself are the major issues.

This study was conducted in Aspen, Colorad between the years of 2007 and 2010. It is associated with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, USDA National Wildlife Research Center, and other natural resource related departments. This research is essential based on selection within an urban landscape. Would a bear, in an urban area, eat antropogenic food or naturally forage? This paper defines resource selection as disproportionate use of a resource in comparison to its availability. The topic of black bears specific selection patterns in urban environments.

This study utilized GPS radio collars. 40 in total bears were captured with no specific method mentioned. Number of bears varied through year, but remained similar. They were fitted with GPS remote-downloadble radio collars. These collars would send locations every 30 minutes. The researchers then monitored the bears location during May-Septemeber for 4 years. They would also backtrack to bear locations, with a specific set of methodologies. These methods involved using a randomized list of locations, not backtracking recent locations to avoid disturbing the bears, and only backtracking locations within 50m of building structures. The last point was because foraging behavior beyond this distance was not frequent in Aspen. 42,599 locations were gathering that followed that specific last rule. 2,467 of those locations were backtracked from 24 bears. Once at the location, they would search a 20m radius in search of anthropogenic food sources. They would also acknowledge natural foraging evidence. 

The researches acknowledged that foraging specifically regarding anthropogenic food source foraging could be opportunistic. Because of this, they expected a higher level around areas such as travel corridors and bear habitat.

In total, they classified 122 natural foraging events, 397 anthropogenic foraging events, and 12 combined events. Specific amount of bears becomes a bit confusing here. They list that year 2007 had 11 bears, 2008 had 6, 2009 had 10, and 2010 had 4. This totals to 31, which differs from the original 40 number of bears stated previously. It is possible that 9 of the bears that were collared did not forage within the range after collared. Bears involved with less foraging events lost their collars prematurely, were dispersing males, were removed due to human conflict, or occured in a year with good natural food production. 

This graph indicates the foraging events and what food source was associated with them. Garbage shows a high use, even in the good years. Prehyperphagia, the top portion, is associated with the early part of the season (May and July). Hyperphagia is associated with fall (August-September). This graph has a very specific set of attractant types. Car, house, and barbeque indicate that the bear tried to break into those areas for food. Fry oil is not mentioned within the paper, but it can be assumed that it is more associated with restaurant waste.

A sort of sub-experiment was conducted involved garbage storage devices. 384 garbage containers at random locations were selected. 76% were bear-resistant, but only 57% of those were properly used.

This paper’s findings can be utilized in the future. It showed a clear selection of garbage by black bears. This information could be used to persuade governments or companies to require properly used bear-resistant trashcans. Promoting natural forage material would also be beneficial. Avoiding construction near travel corridors or bear habitat would also discourage anthropogenic foraging.

The basis of this paper is well done. A few portions of the paper lack information. More information on specific details of trapping the bears, information by year-by-year information, and specific categories of attractant types would benefit this paper. I think the methods are good. Other possible methods could have included camera trapping buildings over radio collars. Cameras that are active when movement is sensed might have been a bit cheaper. Radio collars for large mammals can cost around $3,000 while trail cameras cost around $50. This would come with the lack of specific identification, so if specific detail was wanted the radio collars would be better. It seems this study was specifically focused on amount of interactions, so cameras might have been better.

Lewis, D., Baruch-Mordo, S., Wilson, K., Breck, S., Maso, J., & Broderick, J. (2015). Foraging ecology of black bears in urban environments: guidance for human-bear conflict mitigation. Ecosphere, 6(8), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1890/ES15-00137.1

Urban environments present unique challenges for wildlife management, particularly concerning extremley adaptable and more ubran species like the raccoon (Procyon lotor). A study by Graser et al. (2012) titled “Variation in Demographic Patterns and Population Structure of Raccoons Across an Urban Landscape” provides valuable insights into how urbanization affects raccoon populations.

Study Overview

Conducted in the Chicago metropolitan area, the research aimed to understand how different land-use types—urbanized areas, urban open spaces, and rural open spaces—influence raccoon density, demographics, and population structure. The study utilized live trapping and radiotelemetry across multiple sites to gather comprehensive data.

Key Findings

Population Density:

• Raccoon densities varied significantly across land-use types. Urban open sites exhibited the highest densities, averaging 14.84 raccoons/km², while urbanized areas had the lowest, averaging 4.96 raccoons/km². Rural open sites had densities similar to urban open areas, averaging 15.50 raccoons/km².

Age Structure:

• Urbanized areas had a younger age structure, with a notable absence of older individuals. In contrast, urban open and rural open sites had more balanced age distributions, indicating different survival or recruitment rates across these landscapes.

Sex Ratio and Reproductive Condition:

• The study found no significant differences in sex ratios or reproductive conditions across the different land-use types, suggesting that urbanization does not markedly affect these demographic parameters.

Critical Analysis

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of how urbanization impacts raccoon populations. The higher densities in urban open and rural open areas suggest that these environments offer more resources or favorable conditions compared to urbanized areas. The younger age structure in urbanized areas could indicate higher mortality rates or lower survival of older individuals, possibly due to increased human-wildlife conflicts or vehicular accidents.

Strengths

• Methodological Rigor: The use of live trapping and radiotelemetry across multiple sites provides robust data, allowing for reliable density and demographic estimates.
• Comprehensive Analysis: By examining various demographic parameters across different land-use types, the study offers a holistic understanding of urbanization’s impact on raccoon populations.

Limitations

• Geographical Scope: The study is limited to the Chicago metropolitan area, which may affect the generalizability of the findings to other urban landscapes with different environmental and socio-economic conditions.
• Temporal Constraints: The research was conducted over a specific period, potentially overlooking seasonal variations in raccoon behavior and demographics.

Implications for Urban Wildlife Management

Understanding the demographic patterns of raccoons across urban landscapes is crucial for effective management. The higher densities in urban open areas suggest that these spaces could serve as focal points for management interventions. The younger age structure in urbanized areas indicates a need for strategies to mitigate factors leading to higher mortality, such as traffic collisions.

Conclusion

I feel that Graser et al.’s study enhances our understanding of how urbanization affects raccoon populations, highlighting the importance of considering land-use types in urban wildlife management. The findings underscore the need for targeted management strategies that address the specific challenges posed by raccoon populations in different urban environments.

Reference

Graser, W. H., Gehrt, S. D., Hungerford, L. L., & Anchor, C. (2012). Variation in Demographic Patterns and Population Structure of Raccoons Across an Urban Landscape. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 76(5), 976–986.

Urban environments present unique challenges for wildlife management, particularly concerning the interactions between humans and adaptable species like the coyote (Canis latrans). These interactions often lead to conflicts, primarily involving risks to human safety and pets. A study by Farrar (2007) provides critical insights into the effectiveness of urban coyote management strategies, including public education and targeted removal.

Highlights of the Study

The research was conducted in Austin, Texas, where urban coyote reports were logged through a 311 non-emergency system. Observations were categorized by behavioral severity using a Coyote Behavioral Score (CBS) ranging from 0 (human-avoidant behavior) to 7 (aggressive behavior towards humans). The study tracked behavioral trends from December 2004 to March 2007.

Key Findings

1. Behavioral Trends and Management Impact:
   • Over the study period, indices reflecting coyote boldness and aggressive behavior (ICBH) decreased by approximately 3.5% monthly.
   • The average CBS declined from 2.8 in early 2005 to 0.7 by early 2007.

1. Complaint Categorization:
   • Out of 1,236 logged complaints, 22% (271) were classified as involving “aggressive” coyotes. However, detailed CBS analysis revealed that most incidents involved non-aggressive behaviors, such as nocturnal sightings.

1. Public Engagement:
   • Public education and communication were emphasized to mitigate human-coyote interactions, reducing unnecessary lethal control measures. This approach reflected a shift towards coexistence and sustainable urban wildlife management.

Strengths and Weaknesses

One of the study’s strengths is its data-driven approach to categorize and monitor coyote behavior, allowing for targeted management responses. The CBS system provides a quantifiable way to evaluate urban wildlife threats over time. Additionally, the decline in aggressive behaviors demonstrates the efficacy of combining public education with selective removal.

However, the study faces limitations. The reliance on public reporting introduces potential biases, as not all sightings may be logged, and perceptions of threat could vary. Moreover, the long-term ecological impact of coyote removal in protected areas remains insufficiently addressed.

Farrar’s findings underscore the need for integrated management strategies that balance human safety with ecological considerations. The use of CBS-based monitoring could be adapted to other urban wildlife challenges, such as managing raccoons or feral cats.

I feel as if the study provides a valuable framework for addressing urban wildlife conflicts, combining public education, selective intervention, and rigorous monitoring. As urban areas continue to expand, such approaches are essential for fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife.

---

References
Farrar, R. O. (2007). Assessing the Impact of Urban Coyote on People and Pets in Austin, Travis County, Texas. Proceedings of the 12th Wildlife Damage Management Conference, 334-342.

Urbanization poses significant challenges to wildlife, particularly scavengers that adapt to human-dominated landscapes. A study by Biswas et al. (2022) titled “Scavengers in the Human-Dominated Landscape: An Experimental Study” examines the composition and dynamics of scavenging communities in urban areas of West Bengal, India. This research provides valuable insights into the species involved in urban scavenging and their interactions within these environments.

Study Overview

The researchers conducted 498 observation sessions across various urban sites, presenting food resources to identify and analyze the scavenging guild. They documented 17 vertebrate species participating in scavenging activities, with free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and common mynahs (Acridotheres tristis) emerging as key species within these networks.

Key Findings

1. Species Diversity: The study identified a diverse assemblage of scavengers, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, indicating that urban environments support a complex scavenging community.
2. Network Dynamics: Network analysis revealed that free-ranging dogs and common mynahs play central roles in the scavenging networks, often acting as primary consumers of available resources.
3. Human Influence: The availability of anthropogenic food sources significantly influences the behavior and composition of urban scavenger communities, leading to increased interactions among species and with humans.

Figures and Visual Data

While the original study provides detailed figures illustrating the scavenging networks and species interactions, specific figures are not available in this summary. However, the study includes visual representations of:

• Species Interaction Networks: Diagrams showing the relationships between different scavenger species and their reliance on various food sources.
• Activity Patterns: Graphs depicting the temporal activity patterns of key scavenger species in urban settings.

Critical Analysis

This study offers a comprehensive overview of urban scavenger dynamics, highlighting the adaptability of certain species to human-altered environments. The identification of free-ranging dogs and common mynahs as central figures in scavenging networks underscores their ecological significance in urban ecosystems.

Strengths

• Methodological Rigor: The extensive observation sessions and systematic data collection provide a robust dataset for analysis.
• Network Analysis Application: Utilizing network analysis offers a nuanced understanding of species interactions and community structure.

Limitations

• Geographical Scope: The study focuses on specific urban areas in West Bengal, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions with different urban dynamics.
• Temporal Constraints: The observations were conducted over a limited timeframe, potentially overlooking seasonal variations in scavenging behavior.

Implications for Urban Wildlife Management

Understanding the composition and behavior of urban scavenger communities is crucial for developing effective management strategies. The prominence of free-ranging dogs in these networks raises concerns about public health and safety, necessitating targeted management interventions. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for waste management practices that minimize anthropogenic food availability to control urban scavenger populations.

In my opinion Biswas et al.’s research provides valuable insights into the dynamics of urban scavenger communities, highlighting the complex interactions facilitated by human activities. The findings underscore the importance of integrated urban wildlife management approaches that consider ecological relationships and human influences to promote coexistence in urban landscapes.

Reference

Biswas, S., Bhowmik, T., Ghosh, K., Roy, A., Lahiri, A., Sarkar, S., & Bhadra, A. (2022). Scavengers in the human-dominated landscape: An experimental study.

As humanity’s population grows exponentially, so does our environmental impact, and there is a need to accommodate such a large global population. Human-wildlife conflicts are expected to increase dramatically, as will human encroachment on wildlife habitats. The negative impacts of human-wildlife conflicts with tigers can vary, from lethal encounters, threats, and killing of livestock; these can obviously foster negative attitudes towards an endangered species. Negative attitudes towards tigers can lead to retaliatory killings of tigers, habitat destruction, and non-compliance with wildlife regulations. As a result, this can contribute to the tiger population’s decline and hinder conservation efforts. This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of locals in the direct proximity of Chitwan National Park in Nepal to prioritize targeted conservation strategies. This research is important not only within the regional context of Nepal but also in providing insight/strategies for human-tiger coexistence in other areas of the world.

Chitwan National Park is a large forest (~1000km^2) that provides critical habitat for the endangered tiger (Panthera tigris). The national park’s buffer zone is a part of Nepal’s community forestry, allowing locals to harvest resources sustainably, such as; firewood, medicinal plants, and grazing area. It is also important for the livelihood of the locals, supporting an ecotourism industry and subsistence grazing/agriculture. The study site of the article is the westernmost part of the Chitwan district in Nepal, which borders the national park; it was broken down into “wards” (small administrative units used by Nepal), and the wards that were in the immediate vicinity of the national park where surveyed.

A stratified sample was made through the wards, where 500 individuals were randomly selected to participate in the attitudes survey. The attitudes survey included demographic information (age, gender, and ethnicity/caste) and socioeconomic information (education level, occupation, and how many livestock their household owned). It also included their tiger-related risks, such as how long they had lived in Chitwan, how often they went into the forest, and negative experiences with tigers.

The study results showed that one’s position in society shaped their attitudes more than having direct negative experiences with tigers. The researchers hypothesized that this is due to the fact that those of higher castes are more likely to be involved in the ecotourism industry, seeing the direct monetary value of tigers, instead of lower castes who are more likely to be subsidence farmers/rely on the forest products of the Chitwan national forest. Those with greater education also show more positive attitudes towards tigers, possibly because it broadens their perspective of tiger conservation and their ecological value. Those in lower castes/marginalized ethnic groups showed greater negative attitudes due to the reliance on forest products, where the presence of tigers is threatening, and how the conservation of the national forest restricts access to forest products that their livelihoods depend upon. Women also tended to have greater negative attitudes towards tigers, as they were primarily responsible for agricultural tasks/resource gathering, constraining their perception of tigers to tangible negative consequences.

There is an obvious spatial relationship between previously discussed trends, education, gender, ethnicity, and tiger exposure. Digging into this research article has expanded my perspective on the complex relationships between social structure and economics and how an individual’s experience affects wildlife conservation. Attitudes are not solely dependent on one’s experience with tigers but are deeply embedded within the context of the social/economic system one lives in. This study highlights the importance of targeting conservation strategies to various social groups within their own needs and experiences.

Carter, Neil H., et al. “Spatial Assessment of Attitudes Toward Tigers in Nepal.” AMBIO, vol. 43, no. 2, Mar. 2014, pp. 125–37. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-013-0421-7.

There are many species considered to be pests, many typically being insects species. This study mainly focuses on corvids being a pest species due to its damage on crops. Due to the damage they cause to crops, culling is implemented to regulate their population numbers. But it many studies, culling has seem to have little to no effect to reduce numbers. Other methods have also shown to be inefficient to regulate their numbers.

There has been a increase of corvids in urban populations, which can be attributed to the increase of food and nesting site availability. The establishment of urban parks have seem to be starting point of population increasing. Another reasoning can be pinpointed towards corvids having easy access to food from waste bins or digging up for invertebrates. Whenever corvids dig up invertebrates, it causes the grass to be uprooted, leading to damage to lawn beds.

This study goes over the possibility of restricting mowing to reduced uprooting by urban corvids. The study was conducted in Jardin des Plantes, Paris, France, which contains a large urban park. The park contains a botanical garden, which includes an alpine garden and a ecological garden. The garden covers .4 ha and hosts nocturnal crow roost that an receive up to 200 individuals. The garden, Carre Lamarck portion, contains 16 lawn beds/4 bushes/12 full grass lawns.

The study focused on 12 lawn beds, which were divided up into 2 groups. One being mowed regularly, and the other being unmoved from September until February. The experiment was repeated but treatment was reversed between the two groups the following year. In each lawn, researchers created a 50 by 50 cm cells. In each lawn 4 cells measured grass height and invertebrate larva was identified. In all cells number of uprooted patches and the total damaged area was recorded.

From the results, it showed that all lawns had damage but lawns that were mown had a much higher proportion of area damaged. The probability of a lawn being damaged was higher in mown lawns. The damaged area per cell was also much higher in mown lawns. The study also showed that the unmown beds had significantly lower area uprooted. The results of the study showed that taller grass causes corvids to have a harder time to located larvae and taller grass is difficult for corvids to uproot.

I find that results of the study to be evidence that restricted mowing has a major effect on corvids in urban areas. The methods seems to be a much better one compared to others, such as culling. But in my opinion I believe that corvids shouldn’t be considered a pest due to them uprooting grass on lawns. I feel as this “aesthetic” can either be easily ignored or fixed. I fully support not managing lawns, as it increases biodiversity in ones yard. If restricted mowing prevents the culling of corvids and increases biodiversity, then I am all for it.

I wonder how this study can be implemented in places such as the United States. Would it greatly impact the mowing/lawn industry or would it be ignored? Many individuals really only like the aesthetic of how lawns look and don’t really care about the impact of how having one. I feel as this study would need more to help support the restricted mowing of lawns to convince areas as the United States.

Citation: Lequitte-Charransol, P., Jiguet, F. Restricted mowing reduces grass uprooting by urban crows. Eur J Wildl Res 67, 59 (2021). https://doi-org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1007/s10344-021-01504-3

Lövy, M., & Riegert, J. (2013). Home Range and Land Use of Urban Long-Eared Owls. The Condor, 115(3), 551–557. https://doi.org/10.1525/cond.2013.120017 

Certain bird species have become iconic symbols of urban areas. Rock doves are heavily associated with cities, along with some other species such as house sparrows. Most people often think of smaller and more herbivorous species. But what about larger birds of prey? This study looked at long-eared owls in České Budějovice, which is a city in the Czech Republic. The researchers specifically looked at the home ranges of the urban population, and compared them with suburban populations. The long-eared owl can be found year-round in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are nocturnal and notably have good camouflage. In the area of study, Europe, they are known to select open farmland. They commonly feed on rodents. Within the last couple of decades (in reference to 2013) there has been an increase in urban populations of the long-eared owl. The study correlates this to the number of common magpies, as long-eared owls can breed in their old nests.

The city of České Budějovice was studied from 2004-2006, which equates to three breeding seasons for the long-eared owl. The study area was 154 km^2 (95.6912 mi^2). It was 51% developed area, 17% field, 12% meadow, 7% wooded, 4% orchards, 4% lawns (defined as mowed regularly), 2% abandoned areas, and 4% water. They counted nesting opportunities by counting active magpie nests in certain areas. To determine the level of urbanization around each of those magpie nests, they defined a radius of 0.5 km^2 (0.310686 mi^2). Then, if the area was more than 50% developed it was classified as urban while less than 50% was suburban. To locate owls in the area, they would play a territorial male call. They would then only visit sites with regular responses and then use sites that only had successful breeding.

This study utilized radio telemetry. To attach transmitters to the owls, they used mist nets. The researchers used a stuffed eagle owl to attract the long-eared owls to the net. Backpack transmitters were then put on nine owls, specifically four pairs and one lone male. Two pairs (referred to as pair P and B) and the lone male (male V) were classified as urban. Two pairs (referred to as pair K and M) were classified as suburban. Antenna and receivers were used to locate the owls. The telemetry surveying took place while adults were providing for offspring. Visual tracking was also possible due to the city’s street lights. Each owl was observed for 8-12 nights which totaled 93 sessions of radio telemetry.

During the three years this study was conducted long-eared owl nests increased. Suburban nests were steady while urban nests increased from 8 to 16. They found that the home range of urban owls was significantly larger than their suburban counterparts. There was also more range overlap with the urban owls. The owls did not show a significant selection of vegetation types for establishment, but they would select specific types within their home ranges. In their home range, they selected, in order of favorability, wooded areas, meadows, abandoned areas, fields, lawns, buildings, then orchards.

This study can be used in a variety of ways. If the goal is to coexist and promote long-eared owls, this study provides many things that can be done. Firstly, magpies (or other primary nest sources) should be promoted. Common magpies, also known as Eurasian magpies, nest in crowns of tall trees or even on top of electrical pylons. Due to the risk associated with electrical pylons, the tree crown option should be promoted. More focused on owls, hunting habitat would also need to be promoted. This can overlap with lots of other wildlife, as generally forested or more “nature” areas are ideal. This research could be used in many areas. Even if the European population of long-eared owls shows slight differences, general behavior should be similar in other continents.

This study was conducted in the early 2000s, and lots of advancements have been made since then. Specifically regarding radio telemetry. I’m sure if this study took place now, they would be able to get much more precise data. The more frequent and precise data could help pinpoint the home ranges, activity times, and other aspects.