Coyotes Make List of Species in Need of Research

Feral swine and coyotes were the most frequently cited species of concern in the Research Needs Assessment (RNA) conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Wildlife Services (WS) program. Conflict areas most often mentioned included aviation safety, disease transmission and livestock predation.

The RNA is conducted about every five years to determine research priorities of internal and external stakeholders for managing conflicts between humans and wildlife. The results of the RNA, along with Congressional Directives, guidance from the WS Deputy Administrator and stakeholder input, assist WS in establishing research priorities and allocating National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) resources.

According to the survey, the most frequently cited areas of concern were aviation-wildlife strike hazards, wildlife diseases, livestock predation and diseases and crop depredations.

The most frequently cited species or species groups in need of research included feral swine, coyotes/canids, blackbirds/starlings and beavers/nutria.

The most frequently cited tools or information-developmental needs were the following:

• development or evaluation of toxicants or methods of controlling populations;
• development of repellents or other non-lethal tools;
• economic analyses;
• development of management techniques;
• assessments of impacts; and
• effectiveness of management efforts, ecological information and information about population monitoring/dynamics.

The read the full report, go to www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/publications/rna2011/index.shtml.