Surveys for boreal toads (Bufo boreas boreas) in and near the northern portion of the Powderhorn Wilderness, Gunnison and Hinsdale counties, Colorado, summer 2002: final report submitted to the United States Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Land Management

March 30, 2003.Includes bibliographical references

Survey of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site for breedings birds and anurans, May 2002

Survey report submitted to the National Park Service by the Colorado Natural Heritage Progam.May 2003.Includes bibliographical references

Characterization of Grit Use by Cornfield Birds

Volume: 103Start Page: 68End Page: 8

Efficacy of GnRH Immunocontraception of Wild White-Tailed Deer in New Jersey

Safe and effective contraceptive agents are needed to manage overabundant populations of cervids in settings where traditional management methods such as hunting are prohibited or impractical. We used GonaCon™ Immunocontraceptive Vaccine to reduce reproduction in individual white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on a fully fenced corporate-office campus in suburban New Jersey, USA. In July– August 2005, we captured, marked, injected, and released 47 adult females and then monitored their reproductive performance for 2 years. Thirty-two of these females each received a 1.0-mL injection of GonaCon vaccine, and 15 control females were given sham injections. Field observations of udder condition during summers of 2006 and 2007 were used to determine which adult female deer were lactating; lactation was used as an indicator of imminent or recent parturition. During summer 2006, 8 of 24 GonaCon-treated deer were pregnant, in contrast to 12 of 13 control deer. During summer 2007, 2 years after injections were given, 13 of 23 GonaCon-treated and 10 of 12 control animals were pregnant. We also captured, vaccinated, and released fawns (both sexes) and yearling and adult males and then monitored their reproductive status. Immunocontraception of fawns was unsuccessful. In some GonaCon-treated males (all age classes), serum testosterone concentrations and development of testes and antlers were reduced. Higher anti-gonadotropin releasing- hormone antibody titers were associated with greater infertility in females and with lower values for reproductive parameters in males. GonaCon reduced reproduction in wild adult female white-tailed deer, but greater contraceptive efficacy may be required for it to gain widespread acceptance and use by natural resource managers

Grit-Use Patterns in North American Birds: The Influence of Diet, Body Size, and Gender

Volume: 108Start Page: 685End Page: 69

Efficacy and Health Effects of a Wildlife Immunocontraceptive Vaccine on Fox Squirrels

Continued range expansion of introduced eastern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in the western United States could lead to widespread damage to agricultural crops, facility infrastructures, and displacement of the native western gray squirrel (S. griseus). Because traditional managment alternatives may not be feasible in many areas, public interest in the use of immunocontraceptive to control local populations has increased. We evaluated the efficacy of GonaCon TM immunocontraceptive vaccine for controlling eastern fox squirrel reproduction in Davis, California. We administered GonaCon to 33 male and 26 female fox squirrels, and a control substance to 33 males and 24 females. We subsequently compared the reproductive status, health, and serum concentrations of testosterone and progesterone of our treated and control populations. In our treated population, we also measured serum concentrations of antibodies to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). To determine potential side effects of the vaccine, we recorded body weight and body condition of all animals, examined injection sites during each recapture, and observed the treated squirrels in the field for signs of discomfort and impaired mobility. Over 17 months, none of the recaptured GonaCon-treated females ( n¼20) reproduced, compared to 12 of 15 control females. Treated males and females developed sufficient antibodies to GnRH to suppress reproduction, suggesting that GonaCon has the potential to be 100% effective in inhibiting reproduction in both sexes. We also observed a reduction in physical signs of reproductive activity for males (P\u3c0.001) and in hormone levels of both females (P\u3c0.001) and males (P\u3c0.001). Control and GonaCon-treated animals did not differ in body weight but vaccinated squirrels had poorer body condition scores and exhibited severe injection site abscesses. The abscesses may have been caused by the GnRH conjugate used in GonaCon. In our study, GonaCon was effective in reducing eastern fox squirrel reproduction. Changes in the conjugate or its preparation may reduce the severity of associated injection site reactions

Effects of Surface Texture and Shape on Grit Selection by House Sparrows and Northern Bobwhite

Volume: 106Start Page: 689End Page: 69

The Single-Shot GnRH Immunocontraceptive Vaccine (GonaCon\u3csup\u3eTM\u3c/sup\u3e ) in White-Tailed Deer: Comparison of Several GnRH Preparations

Problem: An effective, single-injection, multi-year, GnRH contraceptive agent is needed to control reproduction in overabundant white-tailed deer populations. Method of study: Two GnRH conjugates, GonaConTM (GnRH–KLH) and GonaCon-BTM (GnRH–blue protein), were prepared in emulsion form as one-injection and two-injection immunocontraceptive vaccine formulations. In addition, the GnRH–KLH protein conjugate was lyophilized and suspended in AdjuVacTM adjuvant to produce a fifth vaccine formulation. Each formulation was administered to a group of five captive adult female white-tailed deer. Reproductive performance of treated female deer was monitored for 5 years to determine the comparative efficacy of the various treatments. Results: The longevity of the contraceptive response (2–5 years) was strongly influenced by the design of the conjugate antigen, the adjuvant used, and the delivery form of the vaccine. Conclusion: One-injection and two-injection formulations of GonaConTM and Gona- Con-BTM produced multi-year contraception in adult female white-tailed deer. GonaCon-BTM provided a longer lasting contraceptive effect

Biological survey of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, Otero County, Colorado

Report submitted of the National Park Service by the Colorado Nautral Heritage Program.March, 2002.Includes bibliographical references