Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Large mammal research during this project has focused on the ecology, conservation, and management of large mammals, with most work having been conducted on the black bear in Florida and Kentucky, and elk in Kentucky. Additional work included ecological investigations of bison in Yellowstone and panthers in Florida. We have conducted thousands of hours of field research in conjunction with state and federal wildlife, conservation, and natural resource agency professionals, non-profit organizations, private individuals, students at the University of Kentucky and abroad. These data and associated research findings have been important for applied management of several large mammals and ecological communities. In addition we have spent thousands of hours analyzing data, creating models, and preparing documents for dissemination to the scientific community and general public. Finally, through teaching and extension outlets on and off campus, our research has served as important class-room examples of wildlife science and created field-based learning opportunities for nearly 400 undergraduate students and a dozen graduate students in the natural resource or biological sciences at the University of Kentucky or elsewhere, and nearly 500 students in elementary schools in the state. The research has also served as an informational springboard in creation of 4 new graduate courses (3 seminars, and a field-based series course). Through television, magazine, and other media interviews our large mammal research projects have drawn considerable positive attention and reached audiences at multiple scales, from local outlets to TV viewers across the globe. Our field-based research has road-tested new technologies (e.g. GPS collars, cell-phone based transmission of animal location data, non-invasive genetic studies) and evaluated their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and limitations for use in large mammal studies. Some of these technologies have later been adopted by wildlife professionals. The data generated from these studies in their many forms (animal location data, maps, models) have been used by our collaborators and funders to help make science-based decisions about said species. As such, we have developed important collaborations and productive relationships with a number of natural resource agencies, NGOs, private individuals, and other academic institutions, that have ultimately resulted in the leverage of a number of research grants. In addition, our work has led to the development of conceptual models that have increased our knowledge and understanding of community ecology. PARTICIPANTS: Phil Crowley and David Weisrock, UK Biology, (co-investigator on bear and bison projects); Songlin Fei, Chris Barton, and Mike Lacki, UK Forestry, (co-investigator on some aspects of elk, bear, and panther work); David Chambers, University of VA-Wise (co-investigator on bear parasite study); P.J. White, Glen Plumb, Rick Wallen (and others) from National Park Service (co-investigators on bison project); Steven Dobey, Karen Alexy, Tina Brunjes, Jayson Plaxico, Jon Gassett, Mike Strunk, Dan Crank, Will Bowling, and Charlie Logsdon, KY Dept of Fish and Wildlife Resources (co-investigators on elk and bear projects in KY, coordinators for state grants and administration); Tom Toman, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (grants administration on elk project); Claire Martin, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, (grants administration on FL black bear project); Steve Bakelitz and Jenny Beeler, National Park Service (coordination of projects and chief contacts); Hilary Swain, Archbold Research Station (director of field station; coordination and logistical support of field efforts on FL bear project; Jeffery Larkin, Indiana University of Pennsylavania, (co-investigator on elk and bear projects); Tom Hoctor, University of Florida (co-investigator on some aspects of FL bear work); Joe Duchamp, Indiana University of Pennsylavania, (co-investigator on some aspects of elk work); Walt McCowan, Mike Orlando, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (assistance with field efforts on FL bear project); Smoak family, Hendry family, and Kerry Lightsey, local property owners in Highlands County, Florida, (assistance with property access and logistical support on FL bear project); 14 graduate students worked on various portions of these projects and received professional development and training opportunities, including 12 graduate degrees earned; at least three dozen technicians and 8 undergraduate students have worked on various components of all these studies and received development and training opportunites. TARGET AUDIENCES: Using written and electronic publications, social media outlets, workshops, oral presentations, and opportunities for volunteerism during field research, dissemination efforts were made to reach the following audiences: scientific community in wildlife sciences, ecology, forestry, natural resources, and conservation biology; graduate, undergraduate students; ranchers, citrus growers, and other agricultural stakeholders impacted by study animals; general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Our findings have led to important changes in management, conservation, and land planning in several places in the U.S. Our black bear research has led to the development of strategies to ameliorate further development impacts on the species in southcentral Florida and helped delineate the proposed boundary of a new national wildlife refuge designed to protect the headwaters of the Everglades. Our analyses of these bear data have led to the creation of a road-crossing model designed to inform transportation officials about areas of high road strike risk to bears in this relatively small population. In this area we also successfully partnered with a number of cattle ranchers, NGOs, local government officials, and a biological research station to identify information that has helped lead to science-informed educational and planning strategies to help bears, ranchers, developers, and private citizens better co-exist. In addition, studies on bears within a palm-feeding guild in this area have led to new synthetic findings regarding intraguild mutualism. In Kentucky, where bears have only recently recolonized eastern portions of the state, our bear research has led to improved understanding of human-bear relations, particularly with regard to the conditioned behaviors of nuisance bears. Research in the Commonwealth has also provided important information on bear population size that has informed harvest strategies for the species which given its small population size remains at high-risk of overharvest. In particular here (and in FL) our bear work has road-tested the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of new GPS and cell-phone collar technologies to remotely locate animals and gather data. These data have yielded new insight into resource use and movement patterns of bears (and elk) of interest to wildlife managers and land planning organizations interested in landscape-scale ecological connectivity. In Yellowstone National Park, our work has provided important insight into the effects that selective culling may be having on overall herd immunity to and spread of brucellosis, which in-turn, has increased the call for alternative strategies to deal with this management issue important for conservation and the agricultural economy outside the park. Results from the FL panther research has helped improve our knowledge base about resource use and potential impacts of extractive activities on these endangered cats, and through predictive modeling, how they may be impacted from continued urbanization and climate change-caused sea level rise. Our elk research has yielded important information on the largest herd of megaherbivores in the eastern U.S. Our pioneering use of infrared technologies to study and model elk numbers in Kentucky led to refinement and recalibration of existing population models. In addition, studies of elk have yielded important insight into how this large deer species is impacting the landscape, particularly at sites that are degraded and/or fragmented such as reclaimed mines. Finally, our efforts have led to initiation of a study on the most difficult to monitor age-gender class of elk, adult bulls.
Publications
- Published Abstracts Hast, J.T., B.A. Augustine, J.J. Cox, S.M. Murphy, S. Dobey, and J. Plaxico. 2011. Reproductive ecology and of a recolonizing black bear population in Kentucky. The Wildlife Society 18th Annual Conference. Nov. 5-10. Waikoloa, HI.
- Murphy, S.M., J.J. Cox, J.T. Hast, and S. Fei. 2011. Using non-invasive hair sampling to estimate the size and density of a reintroduced black bear population in south-central Kentucky. The Wildlife Society 18th Annual Conference. Nov. 5-10. Waikoloa, HI.
- Guthrie, J.G., J.J. Cox, and W.A. Ulrey. 2011. Modeling road-crossing behavior for the southcentral Florida black bear. The Wildlife Society 18th Annual Conference. Nov. 5-10. Waikoloa, HI. \
- Augustine, B.A., P.H. Crowley, J.J. Cox, and D.S. Maehr. 2010. Understanding controllable sources of fix proportion bias in GPS telemetry. The Wildlife Society,Kentucky Chapter State Conference. February 18-19. 2010 Mammoth Cave, KY.
- Hast, J.T., J.J. Cox, S. Fei, D. Weisrock, S. Dobey, and J. Plaxico. 2010. Genetic structure and source populations of Kentucky black bears. The Wildlife Society 17th Annual Conference. Oct. 2-6. Snowbird, UT.
- Augustine, B., D.S. Maehr, J.J. Cox, and P.H. Crowley. 2010. Implications of the piecewise-linear threshold effect in GPS collar fix proportion data. The Wildlife Society 17th Annual Conference. Oct. 2-6. Snowbird, UT.
- Cox, J.J., L. Dahl, K. Alexy, D. Unger, W. Bowling, D. Maehr, and J. Larkin. 2009. Irruptive growth of reintroduced elk in Kentucky: looming management and conservation challenges. Society for Conservation Biology 23rd Annual Conference. July 10-16. Beijing, China.
- Cox, J.J. 2009. Donuts and dart rifles, coal mines and cabbage palms: challenges and opportunities in studying the black bear in Kentucky and Florida. American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, Louisville, KY. May 16, 2009.
- Dahl, L.M., J.J. Cox, K.J. Alexy, J.E. Duchamp, D.S. Maehr, D.E. Unger, W.E. Bowling, J.L. Larkin. 2008. Using FLIR to assess abundance and distribution of elk in eastern Kentucky. The Wildlife Society 15th Annual Conference. Nov. 8-12. Miami, FL.
- Bowling, W., D.S. Maehr, J.J. Cox, L.M. Dahl, and K. Alexy. 2008. Movements, home range characteristics, and demographics of elk in eastern Kentucky. The Wildlife Society 15th Annual Conference. Nov. 8-12. Miami, FL. Whittle, A., D.S. Maehr, and S. Fei. 2008. Global climate change and its effects on large carnivore habitat in Florida. The Wildlife Society 15th Annual Conference. Nov. 8-12. Miami, FL.
- Guthrie, J.M., W.A. Ulrey, and D.S. Maehr. 2008. Status and ecology of a threatened black bear population in southcentral Florida. The Wildlife Society 15th Annual Conference. Nov. 8-12. Miami, FL.
- Treanor, J., J. Johnson, R. Wallen, S. Cilles, P. Crowley, D. Maehr, and G. Plumb. 2007. Brucellosis in Yellowstone bison: An individual-based simulation model of vaccination strategies. Proceedings of the 110th Annual Meeting of the United States Animal Health Association. 15-18 October 2006. Minneapolis, MN.
- Cox, J.J. 2007. Wildlife reintroductions: a perturbed state of affairs. (Invited) The Wildlife Society 14th Annual Conference. Sept. 22-26. Tucson, AZ.
- Cox, J.J., D.S. Maehr, Z. Danks, N.W. Seward, and K. Alexy. 2007. Coyote-elk relations in southeastern Kentucky (Invited). Southeastern Furbearers Workshop, May 9-12. Cadiz, KY.
- Maehr, D.S., D.E. Unger, H.B. Harris, W.A. Ulrey, R. Jensen, J.M. Guthrie, V. Frary, J.L. Larkin, A.N. Schuhmann, L.M. Dahl, J.J. Cox, and J.H. Harrelson. 2007. University of Kentucky Black Bear Research Summary -2007. Eastern Black Bear Workshop, Shepardstown, WV. April.
- Cox, J.J., D.S. Maehr, Z. Danks, N.W. Seward, and K. Alexy. 2006. Coyote-elk relations in southeastern Kentucky. The Wildlife Society 13th Annual Conference. Sept. 23-27, 2007. Anchorage, Alaska.
- Treanor, J., J. Johnson, R. Wallen, S. Cilles, P. Crowley, and D.S. Maehr. 2006. Brucellosis in Yellowstone bison: Simulating management vaccination strategies. United States Animal Health Association and American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians Conference. Minneapolis, MN. October.
- Cox, J.J., D.S. Maehr, and J.L. Larkin. 2005. A Euclidean distance-based habitat use analysis of the endangered Florida panther. Society for Conservation Biology 19th Annual Conference. July 15-19. University of Brasilia, Brazil.
- Maehr, D.S., J.J. Cox, and J.L. Larkin. 2005. Florida panther habitat use: a new approach to a management dilemma. 12th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society. September 23-27. Madison, Wisconsin.
- Maehr, D.S., J.J. Cox, J.L. Larkin, P.H. Crowley, J. Treanor, T.S. Hoctor, and J.L. Gittleman. 2005. Do life histories and landscape predict colonization success in large mammals Ninth International Mammalogical Congress, Sapporo, Japan. August.
- Ter Beest, J.M., D.S. Maehr, C.D. Barton, J.L. Larkin, and J.J. Cox. 2005. Effects of a restored elk population on soils, vegetation, and water quality in eastern Kentucky. 12th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society. Madison, Wisconsin. September.
- Harris, H.B., and D.S. Maehr. 2005. Watching bears in Kingdom Come: wildlife tourism in eastern Kentucky. 12th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society. Madison, Wisconsin. September.
- Ter Beest, J.M., C.D. Barton, D.S. Maehr, and J.L. Larkin. 2005. Effects of a restored elk population on soils, vegetation, and water quality in eastern Kentucky. Soil and Water Conservation Society. Rochester, NY. August.
- Cox, J.J., D.S. Maehr, and J.L. Larkin. 2005. A Euclidean distance-based habitat use analysis of the endangered Florida panther. Society for Conservation Biology 19th Annual Conference. University of Brasilia, Brazil. July.
- Maehr, D.S., J.N. Layne, T.S. Hoctor, and M.A. Orlando. 2005. Status of the black bear in south-central Florida. Archbold Symposium, Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, FL. January.
- Ulrey, W.A., D.S. Maehr, J.M. Guthrie, and M. Smoak. 2005. Ecology and conservation of a small black bear population in south-central Florida. 18th Eastern Black Bear Workshop, Tallahassee, FL. March.
- Augustine, B., P.H. Crowley, and J.J. Cox. 2011. A mechanistic model of GPS collar fix acquisition. Ecological Modeling. 222:3615-3625.
- Chamber, D.L., W.A. Ulrey, J.M. Guthrie, O.C.H. Kwok, J.J. Cox, D.S. Maehr, and J.P.Dupey. 2011. Seroprevalence of Toxoplamosis gondii in free-ranging black bears in Florida. Journal of Parasitology. In press.
- Crowley, P.H., and J.J. Cox. 2011. Intraguild mutualism. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. In press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2011.07.011
- Treanor, J., C. Germenia, P.H. Crowley, J.J. Cox, P.J.White, R. Wallen, and D. Blanton. 2011. Estimating probabilities of active brucellosis infection in Yellowstone bison through quantitative serology and tissue culture. Journal of Applied Ecology. In press.
- Fei, S., J.J. Cox, and A.Whittle. 2011. A perfect storm threatens recovery of the Florida panther. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 9:317-318.
- Treanor, J.T., R.L. Waller, D.S. Maehr, and P.H. Crowley. 2007. Brucellosis in Yellowstone bison: implications for conservation management. Yellowstone Science 20:20-24.
- Olsson, M.P. O.., J.J. Cox, J.L. Larkin, D.S. Maehr, P. Widen, and M.W. Wichrowski. 2007. Movement and activity patterns of reintroduced elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) on an active coal mine in Kentucky. Wildlife Biology in Practice 3:1-8.
- Cox, J.J., D.S. Maehr, and J.L. Larkin. 2006. Florida panther habitat use: New approach to an old problem. Journal of Wildlife Management. 70:1778-1785.
- Schneider, J., D.S. Maehr, K. Alexy, J.J. Cox, J.L. Larkin, and B.C. Reeder. 2006. Food habits of reintroduced elk in eastern Kentucky. Southeastern Naturalist 5:535-546.
- Maehr, D.S., P. Crowley, J.J. Cox, M.L. Lacki, J.L. Larkin, T.S. Hoctor, L.D. Harris, and P.M. Hall. 2006. Of cats and Haruspices: genetic intervention in the Florida panther. Animal Conservation. 9:127-132.
- Seward, N.W., D.S. Maehr, J.W. Gassett, J.J. Cox, and J.L. Larkin. 2005. Field searches versus vaginal implant transmitters for locating elk calves. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33: 751-755.
- Wichrowski, M.W., D.S. Maehr, J.L. Larkin, J.J. Cox, and M. Olsson. 2005. Activity and movements of reintroduced elk in southeastern Kentucky. Southeastern Naturalist 4:365-374.
- Book Chapters Maehr, D.S. 2007. Views from the bear den. Pages 171-207 in J. Lange, editor. The bear book. Bear Trust International, Missoula, MT.
- Maehr, D.S., J.J. Cox, and J.L. Larkin. 2006. Elk (Cervus elaphus). Pages 526-532 in M. Trani-Griep, editor. The land manager's guide to mammals of the South. USDA Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. Atlanta, GA.
- Maehr, D.S. 2005. Can the Florida panther provide insight into restoring the eastern cougar Pages 169-177 in C. Bolgiano and J. Roberts, editors. The eastern cougar: historic accounts, scientific investigations, new evidence. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA.
- Maehr, D.S., M.A. Orlando, and J.J. Cox. 2005. Large carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores in South Florida: An evolutionary approach to conserving landscapes and biodiversity. Pages 293-314 in J. Ray, J. Berger, and K. Redford, editors. Large carnivores and the conservation of biodiversity. Island Press, Washington, D.C.
- Technical Reports Davis, S.E. III, K. Hines, W. Conner, J.J. Cox, D. Gawlik, J. Jackson, J. Jones, F.M.Wilhelm, and J. Richards. 2009. Oil and gas impacts in the Big Cypress ecosystem: An analysis of impacts associated with proposed activities in the Nobles Grade area. Draft manuscript. Everglades Foundation.
- Theses and Dissertations Murphy, S. 2011. Status of a reintroduced black bear population in the Big South Fork area of Kentucky. M.S. Thesis, University of Kentucky, Lexington.
- Harris, H. 2011. The return of the black bear to eastern Kentucky: conflict and tolerance between people and wildlife. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Hast, J.T. 2010. Genetic diversity, structure, and recolonization patterns of Kentucky black bears M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Kougher, J.D. 2009. Multiple scale resource selection by elk (Cervus Elaphus) in northcentral Pennsylvania. M.S. Thesis. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA.
- Jensen, R.A. 2009. The effects of roads on space use and movements of black bears in eastern Kentucky. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Augustine, B. 2009. GPS bias in resource selection studies: a case study using black bears in southeastern Kentucky. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Bowling, W. 2009. Maternal antibody transfer and meningeal worm infection rates in Kentucky elk. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Whittle, A. 2009. Florida panther and black bear: a road and urban avoidance/utilization analysis and impacts of land use and climate change on large carnivore habitat in Florida. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Dahl, L.M. 2008. Using forward-looking infrared radiography to estimate elk density and distribution in eastern Kentucky. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Ulrey, W. 2008. Home range, habitat use, and food habits of the black bear in southcentral Florida. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Unger, D.E. 2007. Population dynamics, resource selection, and landscape conservation of a recolonizing black bear population. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Jenkins, M. 2011. The Headwaters. Nature Conservancy. Issue 2:44-53.
- Terbeest, J. 2005. Effects of a restored elk population on soils, vegetation, and water quality in eastern Kentucky. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Non-refereed Literature and popular media Maehr, D.S. 2007. Central Florida ranches are Key to the black bear's future. Florida Cattleman 71(12):90-96.
- Maehr, D.S. 2007. Black bear ecology and colonization in eastern Kentucky. Kentucky Woodlands. 2(3):4-5.
- Spence, C. 2011. The bear facts. The Magazine: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture 12:10-13.
- White, M. 2011. Bear essentials. Audubon 113:28-32.
- KY Afield TV Series: March 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watchv=dzz9LZ554NM
- CNN: September 2009 http://articles.cnn.com/2009-09-07/tech/florida.tracking.bears_1_bear s-researchers-doughnuts_s=PM:TECH
- The Cincinnati Post: "The return of the elk." Sept. 7 2006
- The Kentucky Post: "The biggest comeback." Aug. 26 2006.
- National Wildlife: "Cat on the spot." April/May 2006.
- Washington Post: "Plan to protect Florida panther reopens issue of its identity." Feb. 21 2006.
- Odyssey: "From here to Kingdom Come." Spring, 2005.
- Science: `Genetic rescue' helps panthers but puts researchers on the spot. 2005. 309:1162.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Large mammal research in my lab continues on the ecology, conservation, and management of large mammals, with most work focused on the black bear in Florida and Kentucky, and the elk in Kentucky. We continue to focus on the ecological role of both species, their interaction with human societies, and each species unique management and conservation needs. With renewed state funding, we have expanded our research on bears in Kentucky to include population ecology studies in an additional area. Additionally, we continue to monitor a number of female bears in southeast Kentucky to examine differences between nuisance and non-nuisance individuals, and the impact of that behavior on survival, resource use patterns, and fecundity. Bear research in both areas were the subject of 2 poster and 2 oral presentations at the state and national chapter annual meeting of The Wildlife Society. In addition, our bear research was the subject of a television segment on WLEX news in Lexington, KY, and a longer segment on Kentucky Afield, a popular program on Kentucky Education Television. At least two newspaper articles in McCreary County also focused on our bear research. In Florida, we received state funding to conduct a 3-year population study of bears in Highlands and Glades Counties subsequently initiated in summer 2010. In addition, we received additional GPS data from 3 radio-collared bears from a highly urbanized area of central Florida that identified potential pathways that land managers and other stakeholders can use to help maintain ecological connectivity for bears and others species in this highly biodiverse region. The bear research in this area was the subject of a book on Florida's cattle ranches and an upcoming article in Audubon magazine. The bear research is a popular and important topic of classroom discussion in several natural resource courses here at the University of Kentucky, as well as a field-based opportunity whereby undergraduate and graduate students can get hands on experience in researching large mammals and better understanding the issues surrounding bear management and conservation. In eastern Kentucky we received a 2-year grant to initiate a demographic study of bull elk, one of the more difficult population segments to study that is also the most economically valuable for local hunting-based tourism in an historically economically impoverished region. This and past work on elk were the subject of an oral presentation and published paper for a regional forestry meeting that examined the issues surrounding this growing elk population and its potential ecological and sociological implications. An article appeared in Highlights kids magazine that showcased what it was like to work on our elk project. Finally, work being conducted by a doctoral student (shared with another principal investigator here at UK) has resulted in a better understanding of brucellosis infection in bison in Yellowstone National Park, and one peer-reviewed published paper so far. This work continues as a collaborative project between the University of Kentucky and the National Park Service. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Principle investigator of all projects: John J. Cox; co-PI investigator bison project: Phillip Crowley; co-PI investigator bear GPS subproject: Songlin Fei;; advisor of graduate students and assistance with data analysis and publication of research findings: Songlin Fei, Phillip Crowley, David Weisrock; Graduate Students: John Hast, Joe Guthrie, Ben Augustine, John Treanor, Sean Murphy; Field Technicians: Wade Ulrey, Sara Kennedy, Andrea Schumann Partner Organizations: University of Kentucky, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Archbold Biological Station, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Collaborators and Contacts: Hillary Swain, Steven Dobey, Karen Waldrop, Kristina Brunjes, Walt McCown; P.J. White, Clair Michaels TARGET AUDIENCES: Scientific community at-large; federal, state, and local wildlife managers and land stewards; local and regional land planners in Kentucky and Florida; local cattle ranchers and Dept of Transportation in Florida; general public; university and K-12 students; conservation-oriented groups; non-profit organizations such as Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Our research findings have impacted a variety of stakeholders within Kentucky and beyond. Detailed GPS-based movement data have provided a foundation for new analytical approaches that is changing the way black bear and other large mammal telemetry data are collected, interpreted, and analyzed. These intensive data sets have allowed us to begin to analyze telemetry data using more modern analytical approaches that should yield a more accurate representation and further our understanding of certain aspects of animal ecology, such as movement and resource use patterns. We continue to refine our understanding of the limitations and potential applications of these GPS data. The use of the text message-based data transmitting technologies in these new collars clearly indicate their advantage over more manually intensive location and data recovery procedures. Our research findings continue to inform both professional and public audiences about these ecologically and economically important large mammal species, as manifested in articles and program segments that appeared in a variety of media outlets this year. Research on black bear in both Florida and Kentucky have provided important demographic, resource and habitat use, and movement data valuable to and used by wildlife and other natural resource managers and land stewards. Our black bear and elk research in Kentucky continues to help guide state wildlife managers with important decisions on these species that is often informationally transferred to the general public though a variety of mechanisms. In south-central Florida, our black bear data has been used by local land planners to inform short and long-term land planning, as well as by the state wildlife agency for management of the species. We continue identifying important core and dispersal habitat for the imperiled bear population in south central Florida, including locations bears use to cross highways and thereby maintain demographic connectivity. The bear and elk research are popular and important case studies of large mammal management and conservation used for classroom discussion and field trips in several natural resource courses here at the University of Kentucky. Students of a variety of ages and the general public are eager to learn more about the charismatic elk and bear through our dissemination of research findings, particularly when educational outlets allow direct observations of these species. Such opportunities can and have motivated students and the members of the public to pursue studies in natural resource management, stimulated additional inquiry into the natural world and sustainability, and encouraged thinking about our role in the natural world. It's likely that the Highlights Magazine article on our elk research probably reached millions of grade school children. The management of Yellowstone bison is one of the most controversial topics in the conservation and wildlife communities. Findings from our research are informing future decisions that will likely have a major impact on bison management, including vaccination and culling of individuals outside Yellowstone National Park.
Publications
- Cox, J.J. 2010. Tales of a repatriated megaherbivore: challenges and opportunities for management of reintroduced elk in Appalachia. Proceedings of the 17th Central Hardwood Forest Conference. In press.
- Treanor, J., J. Johnson, R. Wallen, S. Cilles, P.H. Crowley, J.J. Cox, D.S. Maehr, P.J. White, and G. Plumb. 2010. Vaccination strategies for managing brucellosis in Yellowstone bison. Vaccine 28F:F64-72.
- Hast, J. 2010. Genetic diversity, structure, and recolonization patterns of Kentucky black bears. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky.
- Risch, D. 2010. Andrea the elk spotter. Highlights Magazine. November 2010. (note that much of the information in the article was written by a former graduate student that helped with the elk research)
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We continue our research on reintroduced elk and recolonizing black bear in Kentucky, and a dwindling population of black bear in southcentral Florida. In addition to the initial project objectives, research was conducted on the effects of sea level rise on black bear and panther in Florida, and consulting work was provided that examined the potential impacts of oil and gas development on the Big Cypress ecosystem in Florida. As elk in Kentucky have grown to nearly 11,000 they have come into conflict with humans throughout the restoration zone and remain difficult to survey, a topic of presentations given at an international conference in China (Annual Conference of the Society for Conservation Biology) and 2 invited talks (Indiana University, Alice Lloyd College). Although funding from the state wildlife agency was not renewed for the elk project in 2009 (due to internal competition for these funds within the agency), we continued to monitor 5 GPS collared elk and stockpiled an additional 12 collars in anticipation of funding in 2010 that will allow examination of adult bull elk demographics and resource use patterns. The relatively new GPS technology we use allows researchers to either download stored GPS data from a close distance, or to have it transmitted via cell phone signal to a centralized computer. Our findings continue to indicate that this new technology provides superior reliability to traditional vhf telemetry and older store-on-board GPS units. Analytical consulting was provided to a graduate student researching PA elk at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1 completed Masters thesis). Finally, a 3-year study of elk-parasite relations in Kentucky revealed the transplacental transmission of antibodies to a potentially life-threatening parasite, the meningeal worm (1 completed Masters thesis). We are also continuing our research on the ecology of black bears in southeastern Kentucky and southcentral Florida. In 2009 we captured and radio-collared an additional 34 bears in Kentucky and 3 in Florida. Most bears were equipped with GPS collars, including some with said cell-phone transmittable data. In both bear studies, we are currently analyzing resource selection and movement patterns, including bear-road relationships in Kentucky (1 completed Masters thesis), identification of critical road crossing corridors in Florida, the efficacy of select GPS collar models (1 completed Masters thesis), and the effects of bear nuisance behavior on fitness. We initiated a funded study of black bear genetics in Kentucky that has yielded nearly 200 hair samples that will inform us of population structuring and relative influence of bears from neighboring states in contributing to Kentucky's recolonizing bear population. Finally, work was concluded on a model that examined the potential impact of sea level rise on Florida panther and black bear (1 completed Masters thesis). Our target audiences for dissemination of research findings included natural resource professionals, UK students, land stewards and planners, local government officials, private land owners, and non-governmental organizations. PARTICIPANTS: Personnel: Dr. John J. Cox, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Dr. Songlin Fei, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Dr. Michael Lacki, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Dr. James J. Krupa, University of Kentucky, Biology; Dr. Phillip H. Crowley, University of Kentucky, Biology; Dr. Thomas Hoctor, University of Florida; Dr. Hilary Swain, Archbold Research Station; Ms. Hannah Harris, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Ben Augustine, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Andrew Whittle, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. John Hast, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Joe Guthrie, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Shane Tedder, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Will Bowling, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Partner Organizations: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, Smoak Ranch, Hendrie Ranch, Archbold Biological Station, XL Ranch; Training: Instruction of: Graduate students (9), Florida cattle ranchers (3), Staff of state wildlife agencies. TARGET AUDIENCES: Wildlife agencies, other natural resource professionals and academicians, land stewards, private land owners, citizens, university students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Our research findings have impacted a variety of stakeholders within Kentucky and beyond. Detailed GPS-based movement data have provided a foundation for new analytical approaches that is changing the way black bear and other large mammal telemetry data are collected and interpreted. These findings continue to inform both professional and public audiences about these ecologically and economically important species. Research on black bear in both Florida and Kentucky have provided important demographic, resource and habitat use, and movement data valuable to wildlife and other natural resource managers and land stewards. For example, wildlife managers in KY suspect that elk are nearing regional social and ecological carrying capacity but data on species abundance and distribution were lacking until our forward looking infrared survey (1 draft manuscript) and analytical model was used by the state wildlife agency to adjust elk harvest limits and population models and to delineate hunt boundaries for 2009. Our black bear research informed state wildlife managers in their decision to cautiously proceed in 2009 with Kentucky's 1st bear hunt. Our continued black bear den work is providing insights into the impacts of nuisance behavior on fitness of this recolonizing population. The black bear in southcentral Florida is an important flagship and umbrella species for the many lower profile, less charismatic threatened and endangered species that inhabit the unique sand scrub of the Lakes Wales Region. We continue identifying important core and dispersal habitat for the imperiled bear population in south central Florida, including locations bears use to cross highways and thereby maintain demographic connectivity. Local government officials in Highlands County, FL and regional land stewards are currently using our bear data to inform development plans in ways that reduce impacts on bears and other species that use similar habitats - the subject of a workshop we hosted at Archbold Research Station in December. In addition to these applications, we work with a number of local cattle ranchers to help them understand the impact of their land management practices on black bears and other species. Findings from the Florida panther-black bear sea level rise model is likely to influence a number of stakeholders in that area and lead to actions that seek to mitigate the effects of inundation on these 2 species and others sympatric within their range. A science-based understanding and appreciation for the black bear and elk will strongly influence educational efforts and concomitant public perceptions about the species in ways that reduce human-wildlife conflict and that promotes species viability. For example, our black bear and elk projects and related GPS-cell phone and tracking technological applications was the subject of a presentation to nearly 300 Rowan County, KY middle school science students in November. In addition, the Florida black bear project reached perhaps millions of people via a television segment that aired on CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/07/florida.tracking.bears/index.html ).
Publications
- Davis, S.E. III, K. Hines, W. Conner, J.J. Cox, D. Gawlik, J. Jackson, J. Jones, F. M.Wilhelm, and J. Richards. 2009. Oil and gas impacts in the Big Cypress ecosystem: An analysis of impacts associated with proposed activities in the Nobles Grade area. Draft manuscript. Everglades Foundation.
- Cox, J.J., L. Dahl, K. Alexy, D. Unger, W. Bowling, D. Maehr, and J. Larkin. 2009. Irruptive growth of reintroduced elk in Kentucky: looming management and conservation challenges. Society for Conservation Biology 23rd Annual Conference. July 10-16. Beijing, China.
- Kougher, J.D. 2009. Multiple scale resource selection by elk (Cervus Elaphus) in northcentral Pennsylvania. M.S. Thesis. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA.
- Jensen, R.A. 2009. The effects of roads on space use and movements of black bears in eastern Kentucky. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Augustine, B. 2009. GPS bias in resource selection studies: a case study using black bears in southeastern Kentucky. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Bowling, W. 2009. Maternal antibody transfer and meningeal worm infection rates in Kentucky elk. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Whittle, A. 2009. Florida panther and black bear: a road and urban avoidance/utilization analysis and impacts of land use and climate change on large carnivore habitat in Florida. M.S. Thesis. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Given their high visibility and real or perceived risk to humans and associate resources, the restoration, management, and conservation of large mammals pose daunting challenges. Research during the 20th century has increasingly shown that large mammals can have profound impacts on ecosystem processes and components that influence human society in various direct and indirect ways. These effects are increasingly evident as we continue our research on reintroduced elk and recolonizing black bear in Kentucky, and a dwindling population of black bear in southcentral Florida. Nearly a decade after reintroduction, elk numbers are now approaching those of Yellowstone National Park. As such, elk have increasingly come into conflict with humans throughout the restoration zone. Managers suspect that elk are nearing local social and ecological carrying capacity in the area but data on the species abundance and distribution have been lacking. Elk are notoriously difficult and expensive to accurately survey, and grossly inaccurate population estimates can lead to prolonged under or overharvest that threaten local ecosystems or population viability, respectively. This year we concluded a grant funded study that used forward looking infrared technologies to survey and model elk abundance and distribution in the restoration zone, findings currently being used by the state wildlife agency to adjust elk harvest limits and population models, as well as to delineate hunt boundaries. In 2009, our research will shift towards examining the efficacy of various treatments in deterring nuisance elk behavior, and evaluation of changing public attitudes towards elk nearly a decade post-reintroduction. We also concluded pilot studies that evaluated a new global positioning system (GPS) collar for both elk and black bear. This new technology allows researchers to either download stored GPS data from a close distance, or to have it transmitted via cell phone signal to a centralized computer. Our findings indicated that this new technology provides results superior to traditional vhf telemetry and may be more cost efficient despite higher initial costs. We are also continuing our research on the ecology of black bears in southeastern Kentucky and southcentral Florida. In 2008 we captured and radio-collared an additional 19 bears in Kentucky and 6 in Florida. Most bears were equipped with GPS collars, including some with said cell-phone transmittable data. In both bear studies, we are currently analyzing resource selection and movement patterns, including identification of critical road crossing corridors in Florida. Finally, in late 2008 we initiated a funded study of black bear genetics in Kentucky that should inform us of population structuring and relative influence of bears from neighboring states in contributing to Kentucky's bear population. Finally, as the elk research has already done, ecological and sociological studies of the black bear in eastern Kentucky and Florida will not only promote regional conservation, but will inform our general knowledge of this important species and large mammal conservation and management in general. PARTICIPANTS: Personnel: Dr. John J. Cox, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Dr. Songlin Fei, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Dr. Michael Lacki, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Dr. James J. Krupa, University of Kentucky, Biology; Dr. Phillip H. Crowley, University of Kentucky, Biology; Dr. Thomas Hoctor, University of Florida; Dr. Hilary Swain, Archbold Research Station; Ms. Hannah Harris, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Ben Augustine, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Andrew Whittle, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Ms. Rebekah Jensen, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Joe Guthrie, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Ms. Lauren Dahl, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Shane Tedder, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Mr. Will Bowling, University of Kentucky, Forestry; Partner Organizations: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Turner Foundation, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, Smoak Ranch, Hendrie Ranch, Archbold Biological Station, XL Ranch; Training: Instruction of: Graduate students (9), Florida cattle ranchers (3), Staff of state wildlife agencies. TARGET AUDIENCES: Wildlife, conservation, and other natural resource professionals and students; land stewards and planners; local government officials; private land owners; non-governmental organizations; university students PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research on black bear in both Florida and Kentucky have provided important demographic, resource and habitat use, and movement data valuable to wildlife and other natural resource managers and land stewards. Detailed GPS-based movement data are providing a foundation for new analytical approaches that is changing the way black bear and other large mammal telemetry data are collected and interpreted. These findings continue to inform both professional and public findings and perceptions of these ecologically and economically important species. Both the black bear and elk have the potential to drive a productive recreation-based economy in economically challenged southeastern Kentucky. A science-based understanding and appreciation for the black bear and elk will strongly influence educational efforts and concomitant public perceptions about the species in ways that reduce human-wildlife conflict and that promotes species viability. In addition, population data on these 2 species are critical to state wildlife managers tasked with establishing sustainable harvest limits and satisfying a variety of affected stakeholders. The black bear in southcentral Florida is an important flagship and umbrella species for the many lower profile, less charismatic threatened and endangered species that inhabit the unique sand scrub of the Lakes Wales Region. We continue identifying important core and dispersal habitat for the imperiled bear population in south central Florida, including locations bears use to cross highways and thereby maintain demographic connectivity. Local government officials and regional land stewards are currently using our bear data to inform development plans in ways that reduce impacts on bears and other species that use similar habitats.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Large mammals in the southeastern U.S. evolved as communities within complex networks of competitive and trophic interactions. However, these interactions, especially those of predators and their prey, are seldom well-understood, and they can exhibit great regional and temporal variability. In many cases, competition has been obscured by millennia of successful niche separation, or the "ghost of competition past". One of the challenges in restoration ecology is the maintenance and re-creation of interspecific relations that existed before European settlement of North America - relations that have been obscured by two centuries of anthropogenic transformation. In the southeastern U.S., dramatic ecological changes have resulted in new relations among wild animals and their landscapes. A thorough understanding of existing patterns in large mammal distribution and ecology will be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness and consequences of future restorative efforts, and in
facilitating successful biodiversity conservation. The results of this study will also be important to the growing eco-tourism industry in eastern Kentucky. As interest in the eastern Kentucky bear populations grows, the results of this study will become increasingly important to local and regional education efforts. A fact-based understanding and appreciation for the black bear will promote responsible human behavior in occupied black bear range including the urban-wilderness interface where otherwise wary and wild individuals may be encouraged to utilize food sources of human origin. Given the success of elk restoration over the last 10 years, a comparable increase in the black bear will result in the desire of some members of the public to utilize this species as legal game. A thorough understanding of black bear habitat relations, spatial patterns, behavior, and demographics will be critical in the development of sustainable harvest strategies. The inclusion of the public through
mail surveys and other contacts will promote partnerships between government entities and the public that will foster successful wildlife conservation programs. Finally, as the elk research has already done, ecological and sociological studies of the black bear in eastern Kentucky will not only promote regional conservation, but will serve as national and international models. Expanding or restored populations of large mammals create unique challenges for local residents and government stewards of natural resources. The insights derived from this work will enhance the likelihood of compatibility among large carnivores, large mammals, and humans. Intensive data collection continues on about 40 black bears in Kentucky and Florida. Elk were recently instrumented with GPS collars to record movements related to dispersal and colonization.
PARTICIPANTS: Personnel: Dr. David S. Maehr, University of Kentucky, Forestry Dr. John J. Cox, University of Kentucky, Forestry Dr. Songlin Fei, University of Kentucky, Forestry Dr. David Unger, University of Kentucky, Forestry Ms. Hannah Harris, University of Kentucky, Forestry Mr. Ben Augustine, University of Kentucky, Forestry Ms. Rebekah Jensen, University of Kentucky, Forestry Mr. Wade Ulrey, University of Kentucky, Forestry Mr. Joe Guthrie, University of Kentucky, Forestry Mr. John Harrelson, University of Kentucky, Forestry Ms. Lauren Dahl, University of Kentucky, Forestry Mr. Will Bowling, University of Kentucky, Forestry Partner Organizations: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Smoak Ranch Hendrie Ranch Archbold Biological Station XL Ranch Training: Instruction of: Graduate students (8), Florida cattle ranchers (3), Staff of state wildlife agencies.
Impacts
The ecological study of the black bear has provided important information to managers regarding future colonization and population growth potential. The black bear has the potential to drive a productive recreation-based economy in this economically challenged region. Our sociological work has the potential to improve the public perception of this large carnivore and help restore biodiversity and ecological sustainability. The implications of our elk research will help fine-tune management for this recently established herd that is already an important economic benefit to the region. Understanding the balance between elk abundance and impacts to soils and the landscape will help maintain the ability of the region to support this economically important resource, and will help educate the public and natural resource agencies. The bear work in Florida is identifying important core and dispersal habitat for the imperiled population in south central Florida. Detailed
movement data are providing a foundation for new analytical approaches that will change the way black bear telemetry data are collected and interpreted.
Publications
- Maehr, D.S. 2007. Views from the bear den. Pages 171-207 in J. Lange, editor. The bear book. Bear Trust International, Missoula, MT.
- Maehr, D.S. 2007. Central Florida ranches are Key to the black bear's future. Florida Cattleman 71(12):90-96.
- Treanor, J., J. Johnson, R. Wallen, S. Cilles, P. Crowley, D. Maehr, and G. Plumb. 2007. Brucellosis in Yellowstone bison: An individual-based simulation model of vaccination strategies. Proceedings of the 110th Annual Meeting of the United States Animal Health Association. 15-18 October 2006. Minneapolis, MN.
- Maehr, D.S. 2007. Black bear ecology and colonization in eastern Kentucky. Kentucky Woodlands. 2(3):4-5.
- Maehr, D.S., J.J. Cox, and J.L. Larkin. 2007. Elk (Cervus elaphus). Pages 526-532 in M. Trani-Griep, editor. The land manager's guide to mammals of the South. USDA Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. Atlanta, GA.
- Treanor, J.T., R.L. Waller, D.S. Maehr, and P.H. Crowley. 2007. Brucellosis in Yellowstone bison: implications for conservation management. Yellowstone Science 20(2):20-24.
- Olsson, M.P. O.., J.J. Cox, J.L. Larkin, D.S. Maehr, P. Widen, and M.W. Wichrowski. 2007. Movement and activity patterns of reintroduced elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) on an active coal mine in Kentucky. Wildlife Biology in Practice 3:1-8.
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