On Friday April 26th, The Millersville Ornithology Class took a birding trip to a local property just outside the town of Millersville. We had some good looks at some nice birds. Below are a few great pictures of a green heron, tree swallow and carolina wren taken by Ornithology student John Nguyen.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a dangerous transmissible disease. There are no known treatments for CWD and the spread of this disease can negatively impact wild populations of white-tailed deer. In the summer of 2012, a pen-raised white-tailed deer infected with CWD was found in Pennsylvania. In response the Pennsylvania Game Commission established a Disease Management Area (DMA) around the area where the infected deer was located and an executive order was given that established several restrictions within the DMA. One restriction was the prohibition of deer urine-based lures within the DMA. Deer urine-based lures are used by white-tailed deer hunters to attract deer for harvest. However, deer urine-based lures have been known to be collected from domestic white-tailed deer herds, with the potential of an animal infected with CWD residing within these domestic herds. Thus, urine-based lures can cause the spread of CWD into wild deer populations. The objective of this study is to determine if there are reliable field based tests to enforce the current prohibition of deer urine-based lures as part of a CWD prevention strategy. Millersville University student Ken Strauser (below) will use the following forensics test kits to test for the presence of deer urine-based lures: Nite-site luminol kit, Hemascein blood kit, Uritrace and Urine Stain Ultraviolet Light. Results of all 4 forensics test on the deer urine-based lures will be compared to a control lure (i.e., water) to determine if any of the forensic tests can detect the lure on either clothing, boots or on the forest floor.
On April 14th, Millersville Ornithology student, Rebecca McCabe organized a workshop discussing Barn Owl Conservation at Lancaster County Park’s Environmental Center. Included in the workshop was a presentation on barn owl conservation given by Dan Mummert from The Pennsylvania Game Commission. Laura and Tim from ZooAmerica then brought out a male barn owl and discussed their ecology and biology. Following the presentations was an outdoor activity where barn owl nest boxes were assembled. About 60 people attended the event including Millersville Ornithology students and community members. All 16 nest boxes were built during that time!
Due to the potential negative impacts of baiting on white–tailed deer, and the philosophy of fair chase, many of the United States have outlawed or restricted the use of hunting over bait. In addition, the issue of illegal take of wildlife (i.e., poaching) has been increasing in the United States as well as internationally. The objective of a study being condcuted by Millersville Undergraduate researcher Teah Nauman is to determine whether baiting activity on white-tailed deer can be determined by analyzing the chemical composition of deer feces and determine if unique chemical signatures are left by commercial baits (i.e., baits purchased at a local retailer). This information can then be used to identify areas where illegal baiting for white-tailed deer has occurred. In addition, Teah will use a diversity of different chemical tests and identify one that can easily be used in the field. The results of Teah’s research may allow conservation officers to determine if illegal baiting activity is occurring in an area by simply testing deer feces. This could help in the prosecution, and hopefully the reduction, of individuals who illegally use baits to poach white–tailed deer.
