Pocket gophers

Abstract The predecessor of the Bureau of Biological Survey (BBS) was established under the Department of Agriculture in 1885 to study the economic relation of birds to agriculture. The mission of the division evolved over the years to include the study of mammals, as well as to include predator and rodent control activities. In 1905, the division became known as the Bureau of Biological Survey. In 1940, the Bureau of Fisheries merged with the BBS to form the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under...

Scope and Contents The Bureau of Biological Survey Bird and Rodent Lantern Slide Collection consists of two series of dated and undated lantern slides that are organized into five boxes. The dates fall between 1907 and 1919. The slides were created by the Bureau of Biological Survey (BBS) and contain photographs documenting BBS operations in the Southwestern U.S. in bird and rodent control. Included are images of BBS campsites and crew, farmers, methods of animal damage control, as well as images of...

Abstract

George Matschke worked as researcher at the Wildlife Research Center from 1968 until his retirement in 1999. This collection contains records (dated 1955-1999) that were collected by Matschke. Included are administrative records, Bird Unit work reports, research records mostly pertaining to rodent control, as well as numerous images of research projects conducted by Matschke and other scientists at the Center.

Abstract Kathy Fagerstone began her career with the Center in 1971, becoming the first female physical science technician at the Research Center. During her 40 year career with the Center, Kathy advanced from a technician, to a wildlife biologist, to a research wildlife biologist, to project leader, and finally to a program manager. Her research interests included risk assessment and small mammal ecology of prairie dogs, ground squirrels and black-footed ferrets. However, the focus of her work...

Abstract

Over the years, the Mammal Damage Unit of the DWRC/NWRC conducted research on coyote predation on livestock; rodent damage to crops, rangeland, and buried cables; and damage to timber production and reforestation efforts caused by deer, bear, and rodents, particularly pocket gophers. The Unit also studied the use of pesticides as well as methods to identify and develop non-lethal or non-chemical alternative management methods for specific wildlife problems.

Abstract The Olympia Field Station was established in the late 1950s in cooperation with public agencies and private companies concerned with reforestation losses caused by wildlife. The Olympia, WA, Field Station and its satellite, the Bend, OR, Field Station (established in 1970), formed the Forest-Animal Research Project of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and after 1985, of the USDA’s APHIS Animal Damage Control program. Initial studies focused on seed coatings and repellents to reduce losses...

Abstract

Paul L. Hegdal worked as a wildlife biologist at the Denver Wildlife Research Center from the 1959 to 1991. This group of records contains materials related to studies on hazards to nontarget wildlife associated with the use of rodenticides, rodent resistant cable materials, and rodent problems in Latin America.