Wildlife Services Program: Information on Activities to Manage Wildlife Damage

摘要

Wildlife are greatly valued by the American public. Activities such asbirdwatching, hunting, and wildlife photography provide important recreational, aesthetic, and income-generating benefits. In addition, wildlife have important roles in maintaining ecosystems, and the mere knowledge that wildlife exist is viewed as beneficial by many people. Some wildlife, however, destroy crops, kill livestock, damage property, and pose risks to public health and safety. For example, collisions between aircraft and birds put peoples lives at risk and cause considerable damage to aircraft. Predators such as coyotes cause damage to ranches and farms. Collisions of deer with motor vehicles presents another major problem. Wildlife Services (formerly known as Animal Damage Control), a program within the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is tasked with controlling damage by wildlife, primarily mammals and birds. The Conference Committee on USDAs fiscal year 2001 appropriations directed us to conduct this study of the Wildlife Services program.