Wildlife Management IOverviewHumans and wildlife in perspectiveWildlife conflicts with peopleHerbivores and conflictChallenge of managing wildlifeCarnivores and conflictPanthera tigrisSlide 9Extinct Tiger SubspeciesTiger Subspecies (Panthera tigris)Slide 12Managing human-wildlife conflictManaging human-wildlife conflict (cont.)Slide 151832-1870sGeorge CaitlinGrowth of a conservation ethicProgressive Era & ConservationPreservation vs wise useGrowth of a land ethic and modern wildlife managementSlide 22Wolves as “evil”Wolf eradicationReturn of the wolvesWildlife compensationWolves as symbolWolf RecoverySuccess?Wildlife Management IWildlife Management IES118 Spring 2008OverviewOverviewTodayManaging people and animals–Case study: tigersChanging attitudes–Managing our wildlandsRestoring wildlife–Case study: wolvesWednesdayEcosystem managementAdaptive managementComplexity and wildlife management–Tools for predicting risk–Scenario planning REMINDERExam Thursday does not cover Today and Wednesday (on next exam)Humans and wildlife in Humans and wildlife in perspectiveperspectiveHumans and wildlife interacted throughout history–exploited wild animals for food–exploited animals for sport and culture–we have modified landscapes–we have moved species around the worldTypes of interactions–Positive: Agriculture and food production, aesthetics–Negative: Wild animals eat our livestock, damage our crops, compete for prey, maybe even kill or injure usWildlife conflicts with peopleWildlife conflicts with peopleEstimated $22 billion damage from wildlife in US each yearRecord 237,766 cases of wildlife-human conflict in U.S. in 2002 –Approximately 40% occurred in urban and suburban settingsSource: US Department of Agriculture / SCOTT WALLACE -CSMHerbivores and conflictHerbivores and conflictCrop-raiding–Agricultural losses often significantMore people killed each year by herbivores than large predators!–Estimated 100-200 people killed each year by Asian elephants in India–In Kenya, between 1990-97 elephants killed 221 people compared to 250 by predators over same period! Image removed for uploadGreat and terrible flesh-eating beasts have always shared the landscape with humans…The teeth of big predators, their claws, their ferocity and their hunger, were grim realities that could be eluded but not forgotten…Among the earliest forms of human self awareness was the awareness of being meat. -- David Quammen, Monster of God Challenge of managing Challenge of managing wildlifewildlifeImage: www.nationalgeographic.comPhotograph by Michael T. Sedam/CORBISCarnivores and conflictCarnivores and conflictLarge carnivores among the most persecuted–Many have experienced massive declines in US and globally–Ultimately, retaliation is major cause of species endangerment/extinction–Many factors that resulted in this decline still operating todayPanthera tigrisPanthera tigrisLargest cat in the worldLives only in Asia<4,000 tigers in the wildImage removed for uploadToday tigers occupied only 7% of their historical range. This represents a 93% range collapse over the last 150 years“Setting Priorities for Tiger Conservation: 2005 – 2015”Sanderson, E.W., J. Forrest, C. Loucks, J. Ginsberg, E. Dinerstein, J. Seidensticker, P. Leimgruber, M. Songer, A. Heydlauff, T. O’Brien, G. Bryja, S. Klenzendorf, and E. WikramanayakeIn Tigers of the World R. Tilson and P. Nyhus, eds.Image removed for uploadExtinct Tiger SubspeciesExtinct Tiger SubspeciesEstimated date of extinctionJavan(sondaica)1970sBali(balica)1940sCaspian(virgata)1950sImages removed for uploadTiger Subspecies (Tiger Subspecies (Panthera Panthera tigris)tigris)Bengal(tigris)Remaining tiger subspeciesSiberian(Amur) (altaica)Indochinese(corbetti)South China(amoyensis)Sumatran(sumatrae)Image removed for uploadHabitat loss, poaching, and inbreeding primary threats to tigersBut retaliation for attacks a significant reason for tiger decline–Killing people–Killing livestockImage removed for uploadManaging human-wildlife Managing human-wildlife conflictconflictCarnivore management is as much a political challenge as a scientific one!Preservation–Results in recovery of species–But high costs, including political/social costsModifying animal behavior–E.g., sterilize, relocate, non-lethal deterrence (aversive stimuli), diversion (e.g., elk feeding areas)Modifying human behavior–e.g., improve livestock husbandryAvoiding intersection of human and carnivore activities–Barriers and exclusion (fences, trenches, walls)–Zoning schemesManaging human-wildlife conflict Managing human-wildlife conflict (cont.)(cont.)Lethal control –Eradication–Bounties–Regulated harvest (typically with monitoring and permits)In US from 1996-2001 est. 13.7 million animals killed by federal agents to control agricultural damagesSouth African government has said it will allow elephants to be culled for first time in 13 yearsEuropean colonists viewed New England as hostile wilderness full of evil and hardship to be conquered and tamed–“…a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men.” –William Bradford, leader of Plymouth Bay colony1832-1870s1832-1870sRapid destruction of forests and wildlife in eastern N. America sparked early concernSome argued part of the wilderness should be owned by the people, managed by the government, and protected as a legacy for future generationsGeorge George CaitlinCaitlinGeorge George CaitlinCaitlinGrowth of a conservation Growth of a conservation ethicethic“I wish to speak a word for Nature, for absolute freedom and wildness, as contrasted with a freedom and culture merely civil,--to regard man as an inhabitant, or a part and parcel of Nature, rather than a member of society…in Wilderness is the preservation of the world.”- “Walking”, H. D. Thoreau Henry DavidThoreauJohn MuirProgressive Era & Progressive Era & ConservationConservationTheodore Roosevelt &Gifford PinchotPreservation vs wise usePreservation vs wise useJohn Muir (Founded Sierra Club) –Preservationist philosophy of protecting wilderness areas like Yosemite Valley from economic developmentGifford Pinchot (Chief of Division of Forestry, USFS, 1898): –Wise Management of natural resources for economic development–Led to development of “wise use” and “sustained yield” doctrinesGrowth of a land ethic and