SWCC Winter 2015 Newsletter

The Science of Wildlife

How technology is changing wildlife biology

2014 Year in Review And what a year it was

Bobcats of the Sonoran Desert Their lives and importance

Winter-­‐2015

Wild Family Update

The Science of

Wildlife

By Linda Searles

The study of wildlife used to consist of boots on the ground and hunches developed from observations.

In today’s world of rapidly advancing technology, fascinating new ways to learn about and help our wildlife have emerged. Some of the new ways we study wildlife are invasive and some non-­‐invasive.

Both have their positives and negatives, but with the advancement of both, we are learning more about wildlife than ever before.

Invasive Study Methods

In past years, biologists have had tracking collars with VHF (Very High Frequency) technology.

This technology required someone to be on the ground tracking the animals and recording data on a daily or weekly basis. Wildlife can move long distances in short periods of time, so in some cases planes would need to be used to try and locate the animal. Today we have GPS (Global Positioning System), which tracks and download locations multiple times a day right to the scientist’s computer or smart phone. While GPS is a huge advancement for tracking, it does not always allow scientists real time locations when needed.

However, by adding VHF to a GPS collar, scientists can go to the location of the animal noted in the last download and use the VHF feature to observe the animal closely from the ground.

With this new technology, scientists can now track an animal’s every movement, learning how and where they travel. Collars are customized for specific species: aquatic animals, large and small mammals, birds, or reptiles. Even some insects can be fitted with GPS. In addition, there are many features that can be added to a collar that are customized for specific research projects.

The only limitations to the features are how much weight the animal can accept and the cost. GPS collars typically start around three thousand dollars and increase in cost with each additional feature. The average collar costs five to six thousand dollars and has a battery life of one to two years.

Although this is costly, the information collected is invaluable.

Collar features may include:

• GPS • VHF • Mortality alert, alerting the scientist the animal has not moved in a number of hours • A drop-­‐off feature, so the collar can be remotely dropped off and scientists do not have to catch and sedate the animal again to remove the collar. The collar will continue to send a signal, so the scientist can retrieve it.

• Temperature monitor, to record the temperature of the animal • Proximity sensors, to tell when collared animals are in each other’s vicinity, for how long, and how often giving scientists a better understanding of predator-­‐prey relationships, inter-­‐species space, and interactions within packs and between herd members • Download frequency

Non-­‐invasive Study Methods-­‐The Scoop on Scat

DNA is like a fingerprint, as each individual has its own unique DNA. The use of fecal samples has become very popular due to improvements in genetic testing techniques. Skin cells found on the surface of scat provide DNA that allows scientists to do more than just identify the species and sex of an animal. It allows them to identify individual animals. From this, scientists can learn how many animals are living in an area and who is related to whom.

Prey material, such as bones and fur, or plant material can be found from the interior of the scat. From this, a diet profile can be compiled for the species in the area.

Being Developed

The latest innovation in collar features is video cameras, which allow scientists to see what the animal is seeing. These help to determine preferred terrain, foraging, and prey, as well as interactions between other animals, including between herd or pack members. Wildlife may be captured for collar placement or solely to gather information. Whenever wildlife is captured, scientists typically take:

 Temperature  A blood sample for DNA and blood level testing and to check for diseases  Fur for DNA  Measurements  A fecal sample, to determine what they are foraging/preying on and to check for parasites

During a capture, scientists will also note:  Age  Sex  GPS location  Body condition  Injuries, past and present  Vegetation of the area  Elevation of the location

Birth control for wildlife is also being tested. In the future, we will have contraceptives designed for a wide range of species. This will allow us to control rodent populations, for example, without deadly chemicals entering ecosystems.

In areas where keystone predators such as wolves and lions have been removed, this could be used to control the deer population.

The Druids wolf pack (formed in1996) were the first group of relocated wolves that were released into Yellowstone National Park. The VHF and GPS collars placed on some of the pack members have proven to be valuable as they give scientists a ‘ fine-­‐grain’ knowledge of the wolves’ predatory patterns, their movement and behavior.

Continued:

Using Study Information

Much of what we thought we knew about wildlife has recently been disproved using these methods, and we have been able to confirm facts we long suspected to be true.

Wildlife science is answering questions such as:

• How social are specific species? Some animals we thought to be solitary are actually not.

• What is the home range of a particular animal?

• How does an animal use its habitat?

• What is the preferred terrain for foraging or hunting?

• What is the preferred elevation for foraging or hunting?

• Where are migration paths?

• How/when/where do animal reproduce?

• What are the mortality rates of young?

• What are causes of adult mortality?

• On what species does animal prey?

• On what does animal forage?

• What are the relationships between predator and prey?

• How do animals adapt to their environment?

• What types of foods are included in an animal’s diet?

• What are causes of human wildlife conflicts and how can we help prevent them?

The answers to these questions will help us to save species, maintain biodiversity, and keep our ecosystems in a healthy balance. SWCC has contributed to this field by directly participating in some studies and by hosting interns who will use the knowledge and experience they gain at SWCC to go into the field and collect additional information.

This emerging technology is giving us greater insight of our natural world giving us hope that we can and will make a difference saving species and keeping a balance.

SWCC Wild Family-­‐Running Wild

Make a difference in the lives of some special animals!

Give monthly to join our Wild Family. We began our Wild Family monthly giving program last summer. Since that time, we’re proud to say that the response from you, our donors, as been terrific.

Monthly giving means we can be sure funds are available to care for the next needy animal brought to our sanctuary.

With the monthly support from our Wild Family participants, Freebird the raccoon has been able to leave his past behind, forget the filth and death, which surrounded him at a hoarder’s home, and learn to trust people.

Simon the gray fox has the daily care he needs so that the quality of his life is the best it can be, in spite of his medical challenges. Heavenly bear has found a home for life, where he has a soft bed on cold nights and won’t ever be hungry again. Visit the Wild Family pages of our website at http://www.southwestwildlife.org/wildfamily/ to read more of their stories. Please consider a monthly gift to the animals!

Southwest Wildlife 2014-­‐Year in Review

And what a year it was

In looking back at all that transpired in 2014, we realize how much was accomplished and how many animals were given a second chance with the help of our wonderful community of supporters.

2014 turned out to be quite a busy and interesting year. Here are just a few of the highlights:

• SWCC provided temporary housing for two tiger cubs confiscated by AZ Game & Fish. In the short time we cared for these two big cats, they ate quite a few pounds of meat!

• Many, many orphaned javelina made their way to our center, with the first one arriving as early as January.

• SWCC was featured on a PBS special “The Return of the Wolves, the Next Chapter.”

• SWCC provided sanctuary to animals confiscated from a terrible hoarding situation in Iowa. We welcomed two skunks, two foxes and one raccoon to our family. Although from Iowa, they are native species to Arizona.

• Earth Day, April 22nd brought us our first orphaned coyote puppy of the year. Our first, but not our last...

• My Sister’s Closet put on a spectacular fundraising event “Dinner with Wolves.”

• Wildlife sculptor, Ken Rowe, held a beautiful fundraiser at his gallery in Sedona.

• By June, we were inundated with orphaned babies of all shapes and sizes; coyotes, bobcats, skunks, foxes, raccoons.

• We held our first ever Discovery Summer Camp for kids.

What fun!

• SWCC offered a home for life to a young, non-­‐releasable bear from California. Welcome Heavenly Bear!

• An orphaned baby beaver arrived in mid-­‐summer. We all fought for the chance to bottle feed this adorable little rodent.

• A baby gray fox was found behind a chicken coop, wearing a tiny blue kitten collar. “Frank” has become one of our wild animal ambassadors.

• A good Samaritan brought us a bear cub that had been struck by a car. With her broken leg and internal injuries now healed, she continues her rehab process at our center.

• As a result of the monsoon flooding, a tiny skunk and deer fawn were orphaned and in need of help.

• A young coyote made a wrong turn and ended up inside a house in the fireplace! One of our seasoned volunteers was able to safely capture him. After a short stay at our center, the coyote was released back into the desert.

• By fall, the orphans that arrived earlier in the year completed their journey and were returned back where they belong…in the wild.

Thank you to everyone that has made Southwest Wildlife a place where wildlife can heal and grow and a safe haven for those that need a forever home!!

Beautiful, Essential, Resilient

The Bobcat

By Kelly Marcum

The North American bobcat is one of the most durable and adaptable wildcats in our country. They play an important role in the delicate balance of many different ecosystems and are one of the most beautiful animals in the Sonoran desert.

Where do they call home?

The bobcat, Lynx rufus is a small feline that survives quite well in desert dwellings as well as mountain woodlands, coniferous forests, and swamplands.

Bobcats are distinguishable by their short black ear tufts, a mottled or spotted coat, a ruff of longer fur around their face, and a shortened or “bobbed” tail.

The exact appearance of the Bobcat depends on what kind of habitat it is found in as the differing coat colors allow the individual to remain as camouflaged as possible in its surroundings. This wildcat has the greatest range of all North American felines, adapting reasonably well to urban sprawl. Because of this, more people are noticing these intelligent animals in neighborhoods, parks, and hiking trails. The historical range of the Bobcat once extended right across North America but the capture of them for their fur and loss of their natural habitat has led to the disappearance of them in some areas. In places where Bobcats are now forced to share their natural ranges with growing numbers of people, they have been hunted, trapped, and sold in the exotic pet industry. Despite the fact that they are very adaptable animals, Bobcats are also being threatened by habitat loss with populations being pushed into smaller and more isolated regions of their once vast natural range.

Bobcat Biology-­‐the facts

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Bobcats are generally seen alone, but groups can exist of mating pairs, siblings, or mothers with kittens.

Individual bobcats will defend a territory of one to 12 square miles. An average size of a bobcat will be 15-­‐35 pounds (males are larger than females).

Bobcats are skillful hunters, generally feeding on small mammals and birds. Their ability to jump as high as 12 feet aids in their hunting proficiency.

Bobcats are most active around sunset and sunrise, taking periodic naps throughout the day.

Bobcats will mate from February to March producing an average litter size of two to three kittens, born from April to early June. Kittens will stay with their mother for seven to twelve months.

In the wild, bobcats will live from ten to fifteen years of age.

Many people mistake lone kittens for orphans, when in reality the mother must hunt 6 to 8 hours a day to sustain herself and her young. Picking up a bobcat kitten The bobcat is known to people all over the continent, could mean that the having roots in Native American folklore and in tales kitten is now from the first European settlers in the USA. However, imprinted, and the beauty and softness of the bobcat's fur lead to an unable to be increased value in their pelts. This demand led to the released. Besides bobcat being hunted from the early to mid 1900s. This ruining an animal’s completely decimated populations particularly in the chance at life in the mid-­‐western and eastern United States. Although they wild, handling wild are now protected, the hunting of bobcats still animals can be continues in some areas, particularly those with the dangerous. Diseases densest populations. Since the international protection such as feline of the bobcat in the 1970s put an end to the extensive distemper and rabies trading of their fur, populations have been able to can affect bobcat populations and can be potentially recover and are stable throughout much of their transmitted to domestic animals and some diseases, to natural range. However, in areas where there is humans. If you do see an injured or sick bobcat, please increased level of human activity, numbers are still call Southwest Wildlife’s emergency hotline. Be sure that declining due to both hunting and habitat loss. There before you assume a kitten is orphaned, observe the are estimated to be between 800,000 and 1,200,000 kitten for up to 24 hours to see if the mother returns. bobcats left in the wild of North America.

The majority of the time, the mother is not far away.

Bobcat Conservation Status and Life Today

Living with bobcats

If you see a bobcat near your home, there is no need to panic. Bobcats rarely attack people.

Bobcats may be attracted to a yard that has abundant wildlife, domestic birds, water, shade or other shelter. Keep small pets indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure. Domestic birds should be kept in an enclosed area with a sturdy roof.

Bobcats are excellent climbers; a fence will not keep them from intruding. Do not feed bobcats, as this can encourage them to become habituated or too comfortable around humans.

Bobcat mothers commonly will find refuge in backyards, to keep their kittens safe. If you see a kitten alone, do not pick it up.

What Attracts Them?

Bobcats may visit an area to find food, water, shelter, or the space they need to live.

• Water in pools, birdbaths, fountains, and pets' water dishes can attract bobcats. They will sometimes defecate in shallow water (such as pools and fountains).

• Shelter for bobcats can include rooftops, attics, and the space underneath decks. Other small spaces can make attractive dens also, and bobcats will sometimes rest during the day or bask in the sun. This makes them attracted to thick brush, shade, and unoccupied yards.

Remember, removal is usually a last resort Bobcats tend to be abundant where food is plentiful, and different bobcats will keep visiting the same area if attractants aren't removed. For a fee, wildlife control businesses will remove animals from the property, but caution should be taken to ensure families are kept intact. By using safe practices, living with this wonderful wild cat is beneficial. Who doesn’t love to see these beautiful animals in the wild?

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