What is Wildlife Damage Management?

Under many situations, wildlife species (birds and mammals) present special and serious problems to agriculture, natural resources, structures (including levees and dams), and the general public. In addition to direct damage, costs are associated with the impacts of wildlife-vectored diseases on public health, and the loss of native biodiversity due to species overabundance.

Wildlife conflicts and damage are expected to continue as a result of expanding human populations and intensified land-use practices. At the same time, public attitudes and environmental regulations make it especially challenging to manage wildlife damage. Agencies and individuals working in this field are being more carefully scrutinized to ensure that any control actions taken are justified, environmentally safe, and in the public interest. Traditional control strategies that use traps or toxicants are not as socially or politically acceptable as in the past. Federal and state regulations and guidelines, and public pressure demand that alternative, non-lethal strategies be identified and utilized. Other changes in practices of controlling vertebrate pest damage have occurred and will continue to occur because of the presence of sensitive or protected species.

The aim of our wildlife damage management program is to educate those impacted by wildlife damage problems on how the problem might be effectively managed, and to provide leadership in coordinating research to address current and emerging problems and issues. The emphasis is placed on integrated approaches to wildlife damage management based on correct identification of the problem, an understanding of the biology and behavior of the pest species, and recognition of the need to preserve the environment and enhance conditions for more desirable wildlife species.

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