Prairie dogs

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

Kathy Fagerstone discusses her career with the National Wildlife Research Center. She began as a research technician in 1971. Over the years, she worked on many studies involving small mammals and rodenticides. In the late 1980s the focus of her work switched from research to chemical registrations. She discusses the work culture at the Research Center the changes she saw there during her career.

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.

Scope and Contents

Series IV contains one box of material relating to research on small mammals, including black-footed ferrets, nutria, ground squirrels, pocket gophers and prairie dogs. Types of documents include reports, studies, and project summaries.