Can Public Meetings Accurately Reflect Public Attitudes Toward Wildlife Management?

Abstract: State wildlife agencies often use input obtained through public meetings to develop management policies. Because public meetings can be dominated by single stakeholder groups, these policies may not reflect the attitudes of new wildlife stakeholders. In 2000 the Utah Wildlife Board, after a series of public meetings, adopted a statewide policy for winter-feeding mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). The policy was implemented by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources from 2001 to 2007 in Cache County of northern Utah, USA. In 2007, we surveyed Utah households representing metropolitan, nonmetropolitan, and Cache County residents (n = 1,800) to evaluate whether the winter-feeding policy reflected the attitudes of all wildlife stakeholders. Survey respondents, regardless of residence strata, believed winterfeeding programs were essential for managing mule deer in Utah (χ²₆ = 7.02, P = 0.32). However, most respondents were reluctant to support feeding programs at the expense of habitat restoration projects (χ²₆ = 11.64, P = 0.07). Our results suggest that the winter-feeding policy represented the attitudes of the Utah residents surveyed, though few had participated in its development. Respondents' strong utilitarian attitudes toward wildlife (e.g., strong support for hunting and feeding) influenced those respondents' perceptions of the policy. Given the effects of increased urbanization on utilitarian attitudes toward wildlife in many parts of the United States, coupled with decreasing numbers of traditional wildlife stakeholders, state wildlife agencies should continually reevaluate their public involvement processes to ensure new wildlife stakeholders' attitudes and concerns are represented.     

Costs and benefits of cervical screening IV: valuation by women of the cervical screening programme

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of the cervical smear test to women, taking account of the positive and negative aspects of the cervical screening service. DESIGN: A postal survey. SETTING: Tayside Health Board region of Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 2000 women aged 20-59. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximum willingness to pay (WTP) for a cervical smear test. RESULTS: Women were prepared to pay 50.20 British pounds per smear on a 3-yearly basis. Willingness to pay was positively related to income, but unrelated to age and whether or not the respondent had previously had a smear. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies have estimated the cost per screen or cost per life year saved by cervical screening. This study used the economic instrument of WTP to take account of other potential (dis)benefits to women. The value women place on having a smear was more than the cost to the National Health Service (NHS) of providing the service. The output of a WTP study is potentially useful at the policy level. Future work should explore both the value of alternative approaches to cervical screening, and the value of competing health care interventions.     

Leucocytozoon in the Avian Order Columbiformes, with a Description of L. marchouxi Mathis and Leǵer 1910 from the Mourning Dove

Leucocytozoon marchouxi is described from the mourning dove, Zenaidura macroura carolinensis in Illinois. The macrogametocytes are rounded or elliptical, measuring 7 to 11 by 8 to 15 microns (mean, 9 by 12 microns), and stain dark blue with Giemsa stain. The microgametocytes are often distorted or ruptured by the smearing process, but if not badly injured measure 5 to 11 by 8 to 15 microns, (mean, 8 by 11 microns). They stain pale blue with Giemsa stain. Host cell cytoplasm is rarely seen surrounding the microgametocytes, but was found in 26% of cells parasitized by the macrogametocytes. When present it forms a narrow border around part or all of the parasite's periphery, and is not drawn out to form elongate "horns."
The parasite was found in ten birds, of which five were adults, one was a juvenile, and four were nestlings. The infections were relatively light in the adults. The youngest bird in which the protozoon was found was 14 days old.
The literature on Leucocytozoon in the avian order Columbiformes is reviewed. All forms with rounded gametocytes so far reported are considered to be L. marchouxi Mathis and Leger, 1910, of which L. turtur Covaleda Ortega and Gallego Berenguer, 1946, is considered a synonym.     

The ontogeny and homology of the Weberian apparatus in the zebrafish Danio rerio (Ostariophysi: Cypriniformes)

The ontogeny of the Weberian apparatus was examined in the zebrafish, Danio rerio , using both cleared and stained specimens and histology. Over 300 individuals from four independent zebrafish lineages, ranging in size from 3 to 28 mm TL, were examined for this study. Results provide a basic understanding of the development of the Weberian apparatus in the wild-type zebrafish. Our results, in conjunction with those already published, point to substantial variation in the development of the Weberian apparatus among otophysans and new interpretations of the homology of certain ossicles (e.g. tripus and claustrum). Hypotheses of homology among various Weberian ossicles are considered and represent an important step in understanding the evolution of sound transmission in ostariophysan fishes.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 241–254.     

Nalline: an aid in detecting narcotic users

By using-with the permission of the subject-a simple test entailing injection of Nalline(R) (N-allylnormorphine) and noting the reaction in the pupils of the eyes of the subject, it is possible to determine whether a patient is addicted to a narcotic, is an occasional user or is a nonuser.     

Field Sedation of Coyotes,Red Foxes,and Raccoons With Medetomidine and Atipamezole

Abstract: We chemically restrained free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) using medetomidine antagonized by atipamezole. All coyotes and 80% of red foxes were sedated with mean ± standard deviation doses of 0.12 ± 0.02 mg/kg and 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/kg medetomidine, respectively. Seventy-seven percent of raccoons were sedated with 0.21 ± 0.05 mg/kg medetomidine. In all species we observed occasional movement, muscle rigidity, and partial-arousal during sedation. Animals were alert within 4.3–8.6 ± 3.5–8.4 min following atipamezole at 0.4 mg/kg. Medetomidine and atipamezole provided safe handling in most animals and rapid recovery without use of a controlled substance. At these doses, biologists in the field should be prepared to administer a supplementary dose of medetomidine to some animals depending on ambient conditions and the objectives of the restraint event.