Q&A: TEK and the wildlife profession

April 24, 2024 by David Frey

Long before TWS member Ty Werdel became trained in Western approaches to wildlife management, he was immersed in traditional approaches. Born on the Lake Traverse Reservation in northeastern South Dakota, he comes from a long line of Tribal citizens in the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate.

“I grew up riding horseback, hunting, fishing, gathering and learning about the land and wildlife from being an active, consumptive participant of the ecosystem,” he said. “Listening to the stories from my older relatives, participating in traditional ecological practices and growing up in an agriculturally focused area shaped how I view our relationship with the natural world.”

Those experiences guided his interest in exploring wildlife management from both the perspectives of Western science and traditional ecological knowledge, known as TEK.

In a paper in the Journal of Wildlife Management, Werdel, an assistant professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management at Texas A&M University, and coauthors David Matarrita‐Cascante and Jacob Lucero, also of Texas A&M, discuss the state of TEK in the wildlife management profession.

“A conceptual piece like this was well outside of my comfort zone,” Werdel said. “[My coauthors] helped craft a coherent way to express the state of TEK in wildlife management as we see it.”

The paper traces a trajectory from “elitism” to “equity.” We caught up with Werdel to discuss the article and the growing interest of TEK in the wildlife profession.

A headshot of Ty Werdel. Courtesy: Ty Werdel

Do professionals need to do more to embrace TEK?

I think TEK is a hot topic right now, and the motivations behind embracing TEK are not always genuine but are yet to play out. If professionals are serious about holistic management of ecosystems that benefit flora, fauna and people, TEK can provide superior guidance on long-term sustainability and management, and professionals should seek to embrace TEK. Of course, this all depends on the willingness of holders of TEK to participate in relationships with outside professionals, and something to keep in mind—just because someone is a wildlife management professional does not mean they are entitled to TEK. If professionals are going to embrace TEK, they need to embrace authentic relationships with knowledge holders and Tribal communities. This is not a task that can be taken lightly.

What values does TEK bring that Western science misses?

TEK is place based, and regardless of how it is defined in any particular community, there is a relationship between the people and the environment that is necessary for sustaining the enduring coexistence of both. Historically, Western science practitioners have focused on understanding, sampling and managing short-term temporal fragments of an ecosystem, in which management does not necessarily provide benefits that extend through generations. Instead, holistic management that is informed by TEK can address long-term sustainability challenges and promote the wellbeing of ecosystems and communities over time.

How can Western science better incorporate TEK?

The term “incorporate” implies taking in or containing something as part of a whole. However, TEK and local ecosystem stewardship have endured since time immemorial, independent of Western science. Western scientists should aim to create relationships with knowledge holders, benefiting both Tribal communities and our understanding of the environment. This approach recognizes the enduring value of TEK and promotes respectful collaboration, bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and TEK for more holistic environmental management.

Your timeline begins with a period of elitism. Are there still traces of that?

Absolutely! There’s observed elitism, whether you are talking about the number of degrees someone has, or the validity of different knowledge systems. But I think, in general, people within the wildlife management profession are open-minded and will look to the benefits of learning about how TEK can be used in the application of wildlife management.

You warn that Western science’s interest in TEK now brings a risk of exploitation. Can you talk about those concerns?

As a tenure track assistant professor, I am familiar with the pressures of securing funding and publishing articles. A common strategy for some academics to achieve those goals is to “follow the money.” With funding agencies now including favorable reviews of proposals that include TEK-related work (which by itself can be a positive thing), everyone seems to be in a rush to capitalize on this trend. It is unfortunate, but the truth is that oftentimes TEK is used as a facade by Western scientists to generate publications or solicit funding without any service, reciprocity or credit to Tribal communities. This exploitation is often coupled with a lack of effort to truly understand what meaningful collaboration with Tribal communities entails. Instances where Western scientists assume entitlement to knowledge from Indigenous communities without reciprocal benefits are ethically irresponsible and unfortunately common.

Your final stage is equity. What will it take to get there?

It will take a lot of effort from both established and up-and-coming wildlife professionals. Achieving equity will require policy support, institutional commitments, meaningful community engagement, education and training on Indigenous issues, and accountability measures. Prioritizing the inclusion of TEK in wildlife management curricula is a good first step to promote future collaboration with Indigenous communities, provide equitable participation in research and integrate Indigenous knowledge in a way that is respectful, valued and beneficial for all stakeholders involved.

This article features research that was published in a TWS peer-reviewed journal. Individual online access to all TWS journal articles is a benefit of membership. Join TWS now to read the latest in wildlife research.

History may point to a brighter future for Canada lynx

April 24, 2024 by The Wildlife Society

Canada lynx once roamed a much broader range in the U.S., researchers found, and some places they once existed may help them weather a changing climate.

In a study published in Biological Conservation, researchers found that lynx (Lynx canadensis) may do well in parts of Utah, central Idaho and the Yellowstone National Park region, even considering climate change and the lack of lynx in those areas now.

Lynx currently inhabit limited, northern portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota and Maine. Recovery plans for the species have been based on assumptions that they were never found much beyond these areas in the U.S.

Using a model validated by historical records, researchers found that in 1900, Canada lynx roamed a much larger area throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes region and parts of New England.

“History matters even for wildlife,” said lead author Dan Thornton, a Washington State University wildlife ecologist. “As part of the criteria for species recovery, we have to understand their historic distribution. Otherwise, how can we help recover a species, if we don’t know what we’re recovering to?”

Read more from WSU Insider.

New maps expand picture of big-game migrations in the West

April 23, 2024 by The Wildlife Society

A new set of maps explores the movements of ungulates throughout the American West, furthering scientific understanding of the geography of big-game migrations.

“Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States: Volume 4” is the latest in a collaborative U.S. Geological Survey report series. The volume documents 33 mule deer (Odocolieus hemionus), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) and elk (Cervus canadensis) herd migrations in states ranging from Washington to New Mexico.  With this latest volume, the report series details the movements of 182 unique herds across 10 states.

“We’ve now mapped nearly two hundred migrations of mule deer, pronghorn, elk and other ungulates across diverse landscapes, from the high alpine Rocky Mountains to the temperate rainforest of the Pacific Northwest and the desert ecosystems of the American Southwest,” said TWS member Matt Kauffman, the report’s lead author and a wildlife biologist with the USGS Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Wyoming.

Ungulates migrate throughout the West each spring and fall to access the most nutritious plants and avoid deep snow. But as the human footprint in the West expands, these species increasingly face obstacles such as new subdivisions, energy development, impermeable fences and high-traffic roads on their long journeys. By mapping their migrations, scientists provide critical information—like where migrations overlap with existing and potential obstacles—to managers, policymakers, NGOs and private landowners working to minimize impacts on wildlife.

“To best conserve and protect the habitat used by migrating elk, mule deer, moose and pronghorn, we have to know exactly where these species move across the landscape,” said TWS member Blake Henning, chief conservation officer at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. “That’s why this mapping work is so important—it’s to ensure their future health and well-being.”

Read more from the USGS. To explore migration routes and ranges, visit www.westernmigrations.net or download the map files from www.sciencebase.gov.

Deep snows deter red foxes

April 23, 2024 by Dana Kobilinsky

Big, one-off snowstorms in Maine driven by climate change could result in snow too deep for red foxes.

As smaller carnivores, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are affected by species across the food web, from fellow predators like coyotes (Canis latrans) to prey like snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). “That makes them a good sentinel species,” said Andrew Butler, a PhD candidate at the University of New Hampshire. But, like other animals, they are also affected by conditions on the ground.

Butler led a study published in Ecosphere using camera traps to look at how the presence of coyotes and snowshoe hares related to red fox abundance, and what role snow depth may play.

Red foxes appeared to benefit from sharing the landscape with coyotes. Credit: University of Maine

The team combed through photos of martens (Martes americana), fishers (Pekania pennant) and black bears (Ursus americanus) in addition to their target species. “I think it really highlights how dynamic and complex that community is in northern New England,” he said.

Researchers expected that with more coyotes present, they would find fewer red foxes. Previous studies had found that coyotes prey on red foxes—not for food, but to eliminate competition. Instead, Butler’s team found that red foxes might benefit from sharing the landscape with coyotes by scavenging the leftovers on deer (Odocoileus virginianus) carcasses that coyotes left behind.

Snowshoe hares showed up in areas where there were no red foxes. Credit: University of Maine

Butler and his team also expected to see more foxes when there were more snowshoe hares, which past research found to be the foxes’ main food source in the winter. But his team actually found hares showing up in areas without red foxes. They think that has something to do with red foxes not being able to hunt in of the dense stands of young spruce that the hares occupy.

More than either predators or prey, however, it was snow depth that had the strongest relationship with red fox abundance. In the second and third years of the study, when snow depths topped one meter, there was less than a 20% probability the red foxes would colonize the site. That suggests climate change could be a mixed bag for red foxes in the state. “Overall, predictions are for less snowfall, which may allow foxes to expand,” Butler said. “But there’s also more predictions for more frequent, larger snow events.”

Can biodiversity boost mental health?

April 22, 2024 by The Wildlife Society

Biodiversity isn’t just good for the ecosystem. It may also be good for our mental health. In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers found that spending time in places with a diverse range of natural features and species is associated with stronger improvements in our mental wellbeing compared to places with less diversity.

The citizen-science study used a smartphone application called Urban Mind to collect real-time reports on mental wellbeing and natural diversity from nearly 2000 participants. Researchers found that environments with a larger number of natural features, such as trees, birds, plants and waterways, were associated with greater mental wellbeing than environments with fewer features, and that these benefits can last for up to eight hours.

The results suggest a new way to think about urban parks, said lead author Ryan Hammoud, research assistant at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. “In practice, this means moving away from heavily curated monocultural pockets and parks of mown grass, which are typically associated with low biodiversity, towards spaces which mirror the biodiversity of natural ecosystems,” he said. “By showing how natural diversity boosts our mental wellbeing, we provide a compelling basis for how to create greener and healthier urban spaces.”

Read more from Science Daily.

When brown treesnakes don’t take the bait

April 22, 2024 by By Gail Keirn and Shane Siers, USDA Wildlife Services

In October 2020, a new population of invasive brown treesnakes was discovered on Cocos Island, a 33-hectare island located about 2.5 kilometers off the south coast of Guam. Cocos Island is a refuge for many lizards and birds, including endangered species, which were extirpated from mainland Guam by invasive predators including brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis). Several tools and techniques, including baiting and trapping, have been developed and continue to be improved for managing invasive brown treesnakes on mainland Guam.

Researchers with the USDA Wildlife Services’ National Wildlife Research Center worked with WS operations employees in Guam and other partners to evaluate the usefulness of toxic baiting with acetaminophen-treated carrion baits and cage trapping on Cocos Island.

On this aerial view of Cocos Island, orange lines indicate the location of trails used for baiting and trapping. Credit: Maxar Intelligence

Multiple bait types and bait presentations—including bait put on the ground, suspended in the tree canopy and in four plastic-tube bait station configurations) were evaluated over more than 2,400 bait nights and 10,000 trap nights. All baits were monitored with time-lapse cameras. None of the baits were taken by brown treesnakes. During that time, only one brown treesnake was captured using a trap with a live mouse lure.

“For all practical purposes, baiting and trapping on Cocos Island are ineffective,” said NWRC researcher Dr. Shane Siers. “We know this low level of effectiveness is not a result of low snake density because of our visual searching and hand capturing efforts. We know the snakes are out there.”

A ground baiting set-up includes an infrared camera mounted directly over mouse bait. Credit: Shane Siers/USDA-Wildlife Services

Researchers hypothesize that the low success rates are due to an extremely high abundance of preferred live prey, primarily large geckos and birds. Future work on Cocos Island will include the continuation of visual searching and manual removal of snakes, the only method that has thus far been effective. Researchers also plan to evaluate whether the use of live bird lures may more effective than carrion or live rodents.

“These findings do not bode well for managing future island invasions by brown treesnakes. If snakes were to become established in other prey-rich environments, our current baiting and trapping methods may be similarly ineffective,” Siers said. “Preventing the accidental translocation of snakes from Guam remains a critical management strategy.” 

For more information, contact NWRC@usda.gov.

Wildlife Services is a Strategic Partner of TWS.

Wildlife Vocalizations: Kylie Perez

April 19, 2024 by The Wildlife Society

As an underrepresented woman born in the late 1990s, I believe the most pressing challenges in wildlife conservation are the gaps between gender, generations and diversity. Historically, women have been underrepresented in environmental sciences as they face barriers to entry and advancement, even more so for underrepresented groups of people. Tackling these challenges is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and effective approach to wildlife conservation.

The first challenge involves addressing gender disparities within the field. Women may encounter issues such as unequal access to resources, safety concerns in remote field locations, and limited opportunities. Personally, I have seen women turned down for jobs solely due to the lack of adequate gender-based housing arrangements. Even when preparing for a field season, sourcing high-quality field pants that are made to fit a woman’s body not only correctly but comfortably with the same durability as men’s, proves to be a challenging task. Yet, I have encountered some of the most resilient and determined women right here in this field of work. Our strength has been forged through overcoming challenges, asserting our presence, and affirming our place. Addressing this significant impact that women can have is crucial to holistic conservation efforts.

Perez takes blood samples from deer to look for SARS-CoV-2 virus in Central Texas in August 2023. Credit: Dylan Stewart

The second challenge is bridging the generational gap. Education and mentorship are designed to encourage other generations to achieve success and learn valuable lessons. Modern technology plays a huge role in generational disparities, with younger generations raised in an extremely interconnected world. The younger generation exhibits a natural fluency with modern technology, whereas the older generation faces a considerable learning curve. We should embrace tools like artificial intelligence for multiple aspects of research as the next step. Recognizing the strengths and experiences of each generation to work together will influence a stronger connection.

Perez holds a bat that was caught using a mist net to take a variety of measurements. This was part of Perez’s master’s thesis work at Texas A&M University in the Rangeland Wildlife and Fisheries Management Department, looking at frequency of occurrence and vegetation selection of bats in South Texas. August 2022. Credit: Camryn Kiel

The final challenge is narrowing the diversity divide. The diversity gap encompasses issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic background and other factors. Underrepresented groups, including people of color and Indigenous communities, are often insufficiently represented in leadership roles. Leadership position access has been dominated by white males (Cech 2022), limiting diverse voices for solving the world’s pressing issues. This lack of diverse perspectives and cultural insights hinders the development of inclusive and culturally sensitive conservation strategies. By promoting diversity in leadership and integrating different perspectives, we can contribute to a more inclusive and effective approach to conservation and management.

There is great momentum in bridging these divides, yet the call for continuous effort to break down these barriers and advocate for equal opportunities is needed for comprehensive and, most importantly, sustainable solutions. Those in this field have a drive that propels us to seek information using all available resources. We are hungry for knowledge, fueled by a desire to inspire those around us as we embark on a journey to make the planet a better place for all.

A headshot of Perez, taken at the East Foundation 3 Minute Thesis Competition at the Texas Wildlife Association Private Lands Summit, July 2023. Credit: East Foundation

Wildlife Vocalizations is a collection of short personal perspectives from people in the field of wildlife sciences. Learn more about Wildlife Vocalizations, and read other contributions.

Submit your story for Wildlife Vocalizations or nominate your peers and colleagues to encourage them to share their story.

For questions, please contact tws@wildlife.org.

Header Image: Perez holds a tortoise during a study looking at the effects of prescribed fire on the state-threatened Texas tortoise on the East Foundation Ranch in South Texas in June. 2022. Credit: Camryn Kiel

Warning drivers about wandering wildlife

April 19, 2024 by The Wildlife Society

Cell phones can already warn drivers about upcoming traffic congestion or hazards on the highway. Could warnings about wildlife crossing the road be next?

In Brazil, researchers found that computer vision models that detect wildlife in other countries don’t work well for Brazilian species, and they’re often not fast enough to detect animals as they’re crossing a road. The team set out to address those issues by training computers to detect species that Brazilian drivers are likely to come across.

“The species were selected in accordance with the metrics recommended by the Brazilian Center for Road Ecology Studies,” said Gabriel Souto Ferrante, first author of the article published Scientific Reports, who conducted the study as part of his master’s research at the University of São Paulo’s Institute of Mathematics and Computer Sciences. The center estimates some 475 million animals are killed on Brazilian roads every year.

The researchers used videos from the São Carlos Ecological Park to test the system. By partnering with toll road operators and city governments, they plan to conduct further tests in real-world scenarios.

Read the study in Scientific Reports.

2024 TWS Elections: Canadian Representative

April 18, 2024 by The Wildlife Society

The ballot for The Wildlife Society’s 2024 elections includes nominees for the position of Canadian Representative to TWS Council.

Electronic ballots will be sent May 29 to all members with an email address. Members without an email address will receive a paper ballot in the mail. Voting will close June 30. Mailed paper ballots must be postmarked on or before June 30. In accordance with TWS’ Bylaws, newly elected council members are scheduled to be installed at the next regular meeting of Council during the 31st Annual Conference, Oct. 19-23, in Baltimore, MD.

The candidates’ statements expressing their vision for The Wildlife Society and their interest in running for this council position are below.

NOMINEES FOR CANADIAN REPRESENTATIVE TO TWS COUNCIL

Al Arsenault

Throughout my career as a wildlife biologist, I’ve remained committed to life-long learning and service to wildlife conservation and to TWS in whatever capacity I could as a member, at the working group, chapter, section, and parent society levels.  Professionalism and promotion of our organization is a means of demonstrating credibility of our trademarked professional designations (AWB® and CWB®) so that members with these designations are recognized by industry, academia, ENGOs, and governments at all levels as the preeminent authority on wildlife science, management, and conservation.  In service to TWS, I’ve strived to elevate recognition of TWS professional designations in Canada.  I envision TWS professional designations to be highly valued and sought after by wildlife professionals in our organization as a career goal to achieve, one that nurtures commitment to high ethical and professional standards in wildlife science, conservation, and management.  To this end, my goals are: 1) continued development of the Canadian Section and TWS Parent Society as an organization that serves an important and positive influential role in management and conservation forums in North America, 2) to foster significant and substantive contributions by our members that ensure sustainable wildlife populations in healthy ecosystems through professional collaboration, discovery, science-based management, and conservation; (3) to foster a TWS culture of lifetime continued learning and professionalism; 4) to encourage students and early career wildlife professionals to become active members and leaders of the wildlife profession; and 5) to recognize and celebrate the contributions and professionalism of our mid and late career members.

Read Al Arsenault’s complete biographical sketch here.

Dennis Brannen      

Over the past twenty-one years, I have had extensive experience working in various government settings that has included various fieldwork settings with the last fifteen years focused on Species at Risk management. I am a professional certified wildlife biologist. What first drew me to this profession was the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for wildlife, to work outdoors, travel, and work with others as part of a productive team. My passion for wildlife has greatly influenced my work ethic. The Wildlife Society has provided me with a great opportunity to network with other wildlife professionals that has led to lifelong friendships. Having the opportunity to help in a small way guide the Canadian Section to becoming a larger voice for Canadian wildlife has been an honor and privilege. I look forward to furthering the voice of wildlife professionals as stewards of Canadian wildlife.

Read Dennis Brannen’s complete biographical sketch here.

Gentrification brings more wildlife to urban areas

April 18, 2024 by The Wildlife Society

When urban areas gentrify, it doesn’t just change the characteristics of the people who live in those neighborhoods. It also changes the wildlife.

In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found gentrified areas have notably more urban wildlife than ungentrified parts of the same city.

“This leaves marginalized communities without meaningful access to nature, which is a problem,” said Mason Fidino, quantitative ecologist at Lincoln Park Zoo and lead author on the study.

The study, led by Lincoln Park Zoo’s Urban Wildlife Institute, analyzed data from 23 cities across the continental U.S., collected by partners of the Urban Wildlife Information Network , a collective of scientists, ecologists and educators dedicated to understanding biodiversity and mitigating human-wildlife conflict in cities.

The study found that, on average, the number of different species living in a gentrified part of a city is 13% higher than in a compositionally comparable ungentrified part of the same city. This means that gentrified neighborhoods can support one to two more species on average.

Read the study here.