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Patterns and Spatial Prediction of Livestock Predation by Grizzly Bears on the Blackfeet Reservation
Get PDFHuman caused mortality is a primary limiting factor in carnivore conservation globally. A large proportion of predator persecution is the result of retaliation due to lost livestock. If carnivore conservation is to succeed then the economic burden on livestock producers needs to be ameliorated. Proactively preventing livestock depredation is perhaps the most effective method to solve conflicts compared to reactively relocating problem animals or reimbursing people for losses. Large carnivores, however, range across wide areas while management dollars are limited and thus where to implement conflict prevention measures is a matter of triage. To prioritize conflict prevention efforts we examined 23 years of data on livestock depredation by grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) across the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Since 1993 livestock loss by grizzlies has increased an average of 6% per year and depredations were positively associated with warmer weather. Additionally, we forecasted spatial risk by estimating the relative probability of livestock loss across the reservation. Using logistic regression models we tested remotely sensed landscape variables to understand how habitat features influence the risk of depredation by bears. We found that locations closer to trees had the highest chance of livestock loss. Furthermore, places closer to perennial and seasonal water also had increased risk. Topography also influenced depredation probability with lower elevations and gentler slopes having increased risk. In all, our results will provide 1) managers a clear path in prioritizing areas to receive conflict prevention resources, and 2) livestock growers a knowledge of how to distribute animals to reduce risk
Protecting Spirit of Place: Reconstructing Highways, Maintaining Habitat Connectivity, and Respecting Tribal Culture
Get PDFThe US Highway 93 North reconstruction project on the Flathead Reservation in represents one of the most extensive wildlife-sensitive highway design efforts to date in North America. The reconstruction of the 56 mile long road section included the installation of wildlife crossing structures and wildlife exclusion fences. The mitigation measures were aimed at improving safety for the traveling public through reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, while simultaneously allowing wildlife to continue to move across the road. These measures were an integral part of the reconstruction of this highway because the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes required the reconstructed highway to be respectful of the land, the people and their culture, and wildlife. This project provided an opportunity to evaluate the extent these mitigation measures helped improve human safety through a reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions; and maintain habitat connectivity for wildlife. Wildlife-vehicle collision data were obtained from Montana Department of Transportation. Completed wildlife crossing structures were monitored for wildlife movements between 2010 and 2015 using wildlife cameras (Reconyx, PM35 and PC900 HyperFire). The reconstruction of US 93 North improved human safety in general along the entire transportation corridor between Evaro and Polson. The total number of reported crashes decreased by approximately 33%. However, the number of reported wildlife-vehicle collisions did not decrease over the entire length of the highway between Evaro and Polson. Total wildlife use of the 29 crossing structures that were monitored can be described as substantial with 95,274 successful crossings in total, and 22,648 successful crossings per year
Bighorn Sheep Male Versus Female Use of Mineral Licks Within Glacier National Park (Poster)
Get PDFLittle is known about the behavior of bighorn sheep when it comes to their use of mineral licks, including which groups frequent and utilize these licks the most. In the research, we used for this poster, we deployed a remote camera at a mineral lick within Glacier National Park near the Blackfeet Reservation. We analyzed 6124 photos using the Timelapse2 software. We then classified visits by ten minute intervals. We counted the maximum number of sheep by age class and sex within the ten-minute period, for sampling in 2014 and 2015. The results show a clear indication that this lick is used far more heavily by ewes and lambs than rams. This implies that this mineral lick is a particularly important resource for ewes and juvenile sheep. Further studies could provide more information on population dynamics and provide invaluable information that could possibly aid in management strategies
In-Hand Measurements of Adult Bats in the Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountains
Get PDFResearchers rely on keys and other published records of pelage and morphological characteristics to identify bat species in the field. However, these records may not reflect the variability of measurements taken in a field setting, particularly if they are based upon museum specimens or a small number of live individuals. To assist in the identification of similar bat species, we created a supplement to the “Key to Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota Bats.” We compiled 3,222 records of 11 species of adult bats captured between 1994-2016 in Montana, northern Idaho, and northwestern South Dakota. Using this dataset, we have provided distributions of body measurements as well as insight into the timing of reproduction, parturition, and seasonal body condition for 14 of the 15 species occurring within Montana. Following data analyses, we concluded that: (1) lengths of smaller appendages such as the thumb and tragus show substantial variation, demonstrating that more precise measurements are required; (2) parturition dates appear similar across all species present in the study area, including migratory bats; (3) trends of low body mass in late summer captures may represent older juveniles that are difficult to distinguish from adults by current methods; and (4) we require more data to analyze the traits of species that are infrequently captured. This document will be available on the Montana Natural Heritage Program website (mtnhp.org) to assist researchers in the field
Sparrow Dispersal as an Agent of Disease Transmission
Get PDFThis project tracks the movement of the Eurasian House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) as a potential vector for disease, specifically between backyard chicken coops. Controlled studies show that sparrows and chickens easily transmit a host of diseases between species, including the avian flu, E.coli (Escherichia coli), and Salmonella, many of which are also transmittable to humans. There hasn’t been a lot of research that tracks the movement of sparrows, especially between chicken coops as feeding stations. Our hypothesis is that sparrows use multiple chicken coops as feeding sites, thereby serving as a vector for disease. This research will help improve the scientific understanding for the potential impact sparrows could have, by being a vector for transmission to chickens, as well as other species, by the use of the different coops as feeding sites. Using traps designed specifically for sparrows, we captured the birds at 15 sites in the urban area of Butte-Silver Bow County. We then used colored leg bands to identify the birds based on location and age, and developed a number system to account for individuals. As the research progressed, increased movement between locations was observed. In conclusion, by tracking the movement of sparrows we can explain the extent to which backyard chicken coops are connected, and thereby investigate the vulnerability of the chickens to disease transmissio
Planning a Juried Art Exhibit in an Academic Library and Providing Digital Ac-cess in an Institutional Repository
Get PDFThis article details one academic library’s experience organizing a juried art exhibit, open to the cam-pus and local community, and making digital images of the artwork available in the university’s insti-tutional repository. The article also outlines considerations when creating a digital representation of the art exhibit in the institutional repository
Synthesis of [CU(PDTC)] Coordination Series
Get PDFCarbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a potential environmental contaminant in water, and soil. We are interested in studying potential CCl4 environmental remediation technologies. Specifically we are interested in 2,6-pyridinedithiocarboxylic (PDTC) and the dechlorination properties of its copper based coordination compounds, [Cu(PDTC)L]X . In the interest of creating better performing more soluble coordination compounds we seek to understand the link between coordination compound electronic structure and reactivity. With this ultimate goal in mind we present IR, UV-Vis and NMR evidence for the successful synthesis of a series of [Cu(PDTC)yL]x coordination compounds. Here L=Cl, Br, I, CN, PPh3 as well as the dimer species [Cu(PDTC)2]
Rediscovery of the Northern Myotis in Montana
Get PDFThe Northern Myotis aka: Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis, NLEB) may be among the rarest mammal species within Montana. Prior to 2016 its presence in the state was known from a single male collected from an abandoned coal mine south of Culbertson, MT in the winter of 1978. In 2015 this species was listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act because of significant declines in eastern populations due to White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). To provide information about the presence and distribution of this species within the state, we conducted mist netting surveys in 2015 and 2016 across 9 counties designated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the NLEB’s range. In 2015, forested uplands and deciduous forest were targeted over 11 nights. In 2016, we targeted deciduous forest along major river drainages for 23 nights. We captured 3 NLEBs at 2 sites in 2016 and 0 in 2015. All Myotis species were genetically confirmed. Individuals were captured at 2 sites along the Missouri river in proximity to the previous detection in Montana and historic records in North Dakota. Both females and the male were reproductive, indicating that this species may breed within the state. However, given the close proximity to the border of the female captures, we cannot definitively say whether these animals roost in North Dakota or Montana. In addition to captures of NLEBs we also established records for several WNS susceptible species, providing valuable pre-WNS baseline information on bats in this region
Recovering America's Wildlife Act of 2016: What Passage of the Act May Mean to You
Get PDFThe Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies organized a panel of 26 national business and conservation leaders in 2015 to examine the current system of conservation funding and recommend a new mechanism to conserve all fish and wildlife. Known as the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources, the group recommended Congress dedicate up to 22 million dollars annually to Montana but $7 million dollars in non-federal match will be needed each year. Proactive and partner based projects will be critical to ensure the best use of these funds but prior to that a broad based effort to pass the act is needed. Wildlife enthusiasts, business owners, developers, researchers and others will be needed to argue it is in everyone’s best interest to keep species from becoming federally listed and to keep wildlife and habitat health