Current as of July 2011
After fully assessing human health and ecological effects, as well as benefits, EPA is announcing measures to reduce risks associated with ten rodenticides:
Great Dane killed by coyote in Newington
A Newington resident said her Great Dane died after being attacked by a large coyote.
Read more: http://wfsb.m0bl.net/r/nz2v3
Sent from WFSB
| Charles Parker | 11:16am Sep 8 |
Testimonial from Reginald Murray - Co Owner Oklahoma Wildlife Control® LLC
When we were first asked to "test" this system, I first figured it was another gimmick product made by yet another company that wished to make an attempt to find consumers in the wildlife control industry … were we ever wrong.
We have tested a single New Frequency "Trap-Alert" system on two traps set up for skunk removal under a Tulsa, OK residential home. The first day, this system reported the doors open, which constitutes our legal trap check for the 24 hour period. I did not know at the time, that by not having to go by the client and visually check the equipment, we saved $80 in daily expenditures and needless "bothering" of the client. The second day on the job, we receive an email stating the door closed status at exactly 7:15PM. Upon investigation, we had a skunk in each trap which was followed later in the evening by another email notification of a closed door status at 8:46 PM. On the third day (today, February 24, 2011) we removed another skunk which was captured under the house. This client was excited to know that we could not only let her know if a door closed, but we could also let her know the time the door closed, and give proper notification of when we would be coming by to remove the problem skunks.
Today, February 24, 2011, we had to go to another client, located 27 miles from us and check our equipment. This second home, does not have the Trap-Alert system on it. We have, in a single day, already learned our lesson. All of our equipment will soon have the Trap-Alert system incorporated on it. Why you ask? Because once we figured mileage and time … this single round trip cost our company $25 in gas, and $150 in time. That's right. A single equipment check, with nothing caught, costs our company $175.
Two non-productive days like this, will cover the costs of a single Trap-Alert system, that can monitor multiple equipment settings.
This is a serious business that we find ourselves in, and it gets more serious and more competitive each day. We will stay on the cutting edge with technology, so that we are not losing money, and we are not inconveniencing our clients by just "showing up".
Thank you New Frequency for "leading the way" with your innovations. We look forward to a mutual long and prosperous business relationship with your company. And we anticipate with eagerness the next GREAT THING your company devises for our industry.
Thank you.
Thanks to all of you for voting in Disney's Friends for Change competition. For the second time in a row, Bat Conservation International has won the first place award of $100,000 to conserve bats! And it's all because of you and your dedication to this often-misunderstood mammal.
This money will fund our "Wings Across the Americas: BATS" project, which promotes the protection of migratory bats through scientific research and public education in the Western Hemisphere.
Specifically, the funds will be used to:
Again, thank you for voting each week, for asking your friends to vote and for tolerating our reminder emails. You've made a huge difference for bat conservation!
Warm regards,
Nina Fascione
Executive Director
Bat Conservation International
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) – The U.S. government said on Friday it had struck a deal with wildlife advocates to remove some 1,200 wolves in Idaho and Montana from the endangered species list.
Federal protections could be lifted from the wolves if a federal judge signs off on a settlement agreement filed on Friday in U.S. District Court in Montana.
The wildlife groups had sued to keep roughly 1,600 wolves in the Northern Rockies on the endangered species list.
Under the proposed agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 10 conservation groups, the estimated 1,200 wolves in Idaho and Montana would be delisted and management of the animals, including target population numbers and hunting quotas, would be handed back to those states.
The government in 2009 approved wolf-management plans by Idaho and Montana and removed federal protections in those states, which established public hunts.
But the Fish and Wildlife Service declined delisting in Wyoming because its plan would have allowed most wolves to be shot on sight.
A U.S. District Court ruling in 2010 relisted wolves in Idaho and Montana. The federal judge in the case sided with 14 conservation groups, which had argued wolves in the Northern Rockies were part of a single population and that protections could not be left intact in Wyoming while they were lifted in the other two states.
Ten of the 14 conservation groups behind that legal action are now seeking to settle with the Fish and Wildlife Service, opening the way for licensed hunting in Idaho and Montana.
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer on Friday hailed the move, calling it "a significant step forward."
"We need the authority to respond to the challenges wolves present every day," he said in a statement.
But it is by no means clear if the proposed agreement - even if the federal judge approves it - will give Montana and Idaho that authority.
Four of the 14 conservation groups have not agreed to settle, which could mean more legal filings to come.
Wolves were hunted, trapped and poisoned to near extinction in the Northern Rockies before being added to the endangered species list.
Federal protection of wolves has been especially controversial since they were reintroduced to the wilds of central Idaho in the mid-1990s over the strong objections of ranchers and hunting outfitters, two powerful constituencies in the West.
Wolf foes say the animals are a constant threat to livestock and to big-game animals like elk.
Mike Clark, head of Greater Yellowstone Coalition, said that conservation group and nine others hope the settlement will provide relief in a region where anti-wolf sentiments have been running high.
"It's a way for people to accept that wolves are here to stay and to find a permanent way to manage them," he said.
The proposed agreement comes as a host of U.S. senators and representatives from Western states have pushed to delist wolves through congressional action, which would be unprecedented in the history of the Endangered Species Act.
Idaho officials said they were still reviewing the legal filings and would not be prepared to comment until next week.
Representatives of the four conservation groups that have not signed onto the settlement could not immediately be reached for comment.
Subject: Government Taking Private Sector Jobs in one of Worst Economies since Great Depression
Government Taking Private Sector Jobs in one of Worst Economies since Great Depression
By Mark E. Dotson
March 5th 2011 – Dunbar, WV - In one of the worst economies since the Great Depression, the USDA – Wildlife Services has been actively taking jobs away from private Nuisance Wildlife Control companies across America - jobs that these companies depend on to take care of their families and run their small business, the lifeblood of the US economy.
In fact, the USDA - Wildlife Services has been providing government subsidized wildlife control for private individuals and commercial companies since 1972. The American Taxpayer has been footing the bill for this agency to do what many private companies are licensed, insured and completely able to do.
In very difficult economic times and unemployment at near all time highs, how could it be possible that you would have to compete with the government as a private company? The challenges of high fuel prices, foreclosures and layoffs have already made business more difficult for any service company, but then the government can come in, under bid you on a project and take it!
This recently happened to our company in my state of West Virginia which has a 10.3% unemployment rate. We were asked to provide a bat remediation proposal to the Fayette County Courthouse. We provided a proposal of $21,000 to reclaim the attic and seal the building. After following up on the bid, we were shocked to find out that the USDA – Wildlife Services was awarded the project for $4000! And the unbelievable part is that the USDA – Wildlife Services is not allowed to compete with or bid against private companies.
The government agency doesn't have to concern itself with whether they made or lost money on this project as they already are paid a salary.
So, how did they get awarded this project? They simply skirted around the bid proposal process. The county posted the project for two days in two very small newspapers with a circulation of approximately 3500. When no "bids" came in (even though they already had two, one from our company and as well as another company), they hired USDA – Wildlife Services.
In a very bad economy, how does hiring a government agency grow jobs? It doesn't. It only grows the government. The money from the $4000 project goes back into the government's accounts and not to the local economy when local companies are not hired. The local company will buy their vehicles, supplies, rent equipment, have meals at local restaurants and require lodging if the project requires travel. This all benefits other local businesses. The private Wildlife Control Company will pay taxes on their equipment, supplies and labor back to the state they live in. The USDA – Wildlife services pays no taxes back to the state they do their work in. They only consume tax dollars.
West Virginia is not the only state plagued by this competition. Every state in the nation has a Wildlife Services division and they all compete for and take work away from each states citizens. States often match funds with Wildlife Services and now the state and federal government are spending money on problems main street business owners could readily solve. This means the U.S. taxpayer is paying for a service that is not necessary and could reduce our government debt if private companies were handling this type of work.
In fact, the budget of the USDA – Wildlife Services has skyrocketed 186% from 1996 – 2009.
This egregious act by the USDA – Wildlife Services is another form of unfair government competition with the private sector. It should be against the law for federal or local governments to compete with any private sector business. If there is a local provider, then they should be sought out. If there is not, then the government could provide technical or advisory assistance. In the end, defunding this agency and allowing licensed, trained and insured local Wildlife Control professionals is in the best interest of the American public.
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Alan A. Huot
Wildlife Control Supplies
860-573-2201
Dear Members,
I'm sad to report that White-nose Syndrome has been confirmed in two additional states: Indiana and North Carolina.
Last week, I wrote to tell you the Geomyces destructans fungus that's linked to WNS was found in Indiana. Since then, lab tests have confirmed the WNS disease, not just the fungus, has reached Indiana.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission announced yesterday that the disease has spread to their state as well. Bats found in an abandoned mine in Avery County and a cave in Grandfather Mountain State Park, both in western North Carolina, tested positive for White-nose Syndrome disease.
WNS or its associated fungus is now documented in 16 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces. You can view a map showing all confirmed WNS locations here. Mortality rates approaching 100 percent are reported at some of these sites.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we suspect Indiana and North Carolina are only the beginning of this year's emails reporting new states that face White-nose Syndrome. Over the next few months I'll be sending updates to BCI supporters as they come in — and hopefully a little good news, as well. Bat Conservation International and its partners, with help from friends like you, are searching tirelessly for solutions to this devastating disease.
Regards,
Nina Fascione
Executive Director
Alan A. Huot
Wildlife Control Supplies
860-573-2201
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources reports that a bat from Washington County tested positive for the fungus associated with White-nose Syndrome. Additional bats with signs of WNS were discovered during bat counts at other Indiana caves, as well. Indiana is now the 15th state to face this devastating disease or the fungus that's tied to it. This represents a significant spread into the upper Midwest.
Many states are conducting surveys at bat-hibernation sites this winter and the results are just beginning to appear. In addition to the discovery of the fungus, Geomyces destructions, in Indiana, Virginia has reported White-nose Syndrome in two additional counties, and Pennsylvania confirmed the disease in Lawrence County.
Regards,
Nina Fascione
Executive Director
P.S. Researchers are working desperately to find a way to stop this devastating disease before it is too late. Bats need our help more than ever. Please support WNS research and other critical bat conservation programs now.
