Today's Wildlife Problems
People value wildlife for a wide range of reasons. Protection, enhancement, consumption, preservation and aesthetics all have their proponents. Regardless of one's primary philosophy, there tends to be general agreement that management of damage is necessary when too many of a particular species create negative economic impacts or health and safety concerns. Several years ago, scientists at Cornell University, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Agriculture & Markets initiated a cooperative program aimed at developing a comprehensive understanding of wildlife damage problems and management options in New York State. Past efforts have addressed a variety of problems caused by rodents, birds, squirrels, Canada geese, beaver, and white-tailed deer. Funding and collaboration among the participating agencies allows expanded efforts, principally in deer management, but also targeting other damage problems. The Wildlife Damage Management Program allows management experts to address numerous wildlife damage concerns, and coordinate research projects with an education and information dissemination program that reaches extension specialists, growers, nurserymen, and homeowners throughout New York State and the northeast.