This study sought to develop a baiting strategy to deliver an oral rabies vaccine to free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) in southern Texas. To determine bait longevity, dog foodlard baits were placed (n = 50) on- and off-roads during July 1994 and January 1995. Coyote visitation and uptake rates did not differ between on-road and off-road placement of baits. To evaluate bait stations as possible visual cues, baits were placed out both with (n = 50) and without (n = 50) bait stations. A visual cue of a bait station did not affect coyote response to baits. Bait longevity was shorter during July (< or = 4 days) than January because of consumption of baits by imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). The effect of two different bait densities on coyote acceptance rates was determined on six 93.5 km2 study areas in southern Texas. Three study areas received a bait density of 19 baits/km2 (50 baits/mi2) and the remaining three study areas received 58 baits/km2 (150 baits/mi2). Coyote bait uptake rates, based upon the proportion of coyotes marked with either tetracycline hydrochloride or rhodamine B or both, were 83% (n = 99 coyotes) and 87% (n = 101 coyotes) for the 19 and 58 baits/km2 densities, respectively. Bait uptake rates did not differ (P > 0.54) between the two bait densities. Rodents and rabbits, which were fed baits containing tetracycline hydrochloride and a simulated oral rabies vaccine sachet containing rhodamine B, did consume the bait but not the rhodamine B sachet. These animals then were killed and fed to captive coyotes (n = 9). Canine teeth were extracted from coyotes and processed for tetracycline determination. Each coyote tested negative for tetracycline. Therefore, it was unlikely that coyote bait consumption rates were overestimated because of coyotes secondarily marking themselves by ingesting prey items that consumed baits.

The objective of this study was to develop a bait for delivering an oral rabies vaccine to free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) in southern Texas. Captive trials were conducted from January to April, 1994, to determine bait preferences and behavioral responses of coyotes (n = 42) to selected baits and attractants. Baits were hollow rectangular cubes made of polymer dog food or fish meal. Attractants had sweet (watermelon), fruity (raspberry), sulfurous (synthetic WU), and lard (beef lard) fragrances. Captive coyotes did not exhibit a preference for either bait bases or attractants; however, coyotes chewed dog food baits 1.6 times more than fish meal baits. Average proximity of coyotes eliciting a response to baits was 2.2 +/- 1.3 m (mean +/- SE). Captive coyotes readily accepted dog food baits containing 2 ml of liquid rhodamine B, a biological marker. Rhodamine B staining of the oropharyngeal region was evident in each captive coyote. Results from the field evaluation of baits and attractants were consistent with that of the captive trials. Of 2,070 bait station-nights conducted from February to April, 1994, coyotes comprised the greatest single species visitation and uptake rates with 31% and 28%, respectively. Bait uptake rates of free-ranging coyotes did not differ among bait-attractant combinations. Coyotes took baits 93% of the time they encountered a bait, regardless of bait type.

To assess the efficacy of conservation translocations, survival of released individuals is typically compared to that of control groups. Such comparisons assume that treatment groups consist of otherwise equivalent individuals. When that assumption is unmet, incorporating physiological parameters may improve assessment of translocation programs. During 2012-2014, 19 weaned female Hawaiian monk seal pups were translocated to sites where survival prospects were expected to be more favorable than at their natal locations. We compared survival from weaning to age two years of translocated pups to two control groups; pups remaining at source sites and pups native to destination sites. To account for the known relationship between weaning girth and survival, we generated probability distributions of the number of survivors at source and destination sites given the weaning girths of translocated seals. Data were available to calculate girth-adjusted survival probabilities for 13 of the translocated pups. Of these, we estimated that only one pup would have been expected to have survived had the translocated pups remained at their natal site. Seven of the 13 translocated seals survived, a value just below the median (eight) expected to have survived at the destination site. Thus, translocation substantially improved survival. Had we not accounted for weaning girth effects on survival, we would have erroneously concluded that the translocation program had yielded no survival benefit. Identifying and integrating correlates of survival into quantitative analyses associated with conservation translocations can reduce bias and lead to greater success.

More than a decade of shark predation on nursing and newly weaned pups of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) has significantly contributed to a steep decline of the French Frigate Shoals (FFS) subpopulation. In an effort to develop non‐lethal methods of mitigating predation, the feasibility of deploying potential shark deterrents at FFS was examined, and then tests were done to see if any of the successfully deployed devices or a continuous human presence deters shark predation of monk seal pups. During the feasibility trial, an underwater acoustic playback and a moored boat performed without issue. A float array proved hazardous to non‐target wildlife and electronic diver devices functioned poorly; both were omitted from further experimentation. The number of shark sightings and predation incidents at two pupping islets was compared across two experimental treatments: (1) acoustic playback and a moored boat, and (2) continuous human presence, versus a control. Sharks were sighted with a remote camera system; predation incidents were evident from bite wounds or the disappearance of pups. Observed shark activity was rare (12 sightings on video and six predation incidents) but similar to recent years. The number of shark sightings and predation incidents did not differ significantly between the two treatments and the control. The relative scarcity of shark activity in the shallows around the pupping islets made detecting a treatment effect challenging. Sharks' wariness to humans is probably variable, unpredictable, possibly individualistic and unreliable at FFS. The acoustic playback as a deterrent could benefit from further testing and development. Other non‐lethal or lethal approaches for mitigating predation should be investigated to protect monk seal pups at FFS. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.