In recent years, wildlife agencies in California have concluded that predators are limiting factors to the recovery of several endangered species, namely the San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) , California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni), and desert tortoise (Xerobates agassizii). As a result, separate control programs for the protection of these species have been undertaken by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control (ADC) in cooperation with State and Federal agencies. Aspects of control activities of avian and/or mammalian predators of each project are discussed.

In recent years, predation has been determined to be a seriously limiting factor in the reproduction of the endangered California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni) at many of its nesting colonies. Among them is a major colony at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base near Oceanside, CA. Early efforts to control predation were limited in effectiveness. In 1988, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Damage Control Program was contracted to provide control of mammalian and avian predators. The development of the successful strategy that has evolved over four years is discussed, with emphasis on the development and application of techniques, and the timing and areas of control.

In 1975 and again in 1994, bovine tuberculosis (TB) was diagnosed in a free-ranging white-tailed deer taken by a hunter in the Michigan’s Northeast Lower Peninsula. In subsequent testing of deer, it was clear that deer were not spillover hosts but, in fact, the infection was being sustained in the deer population. While bovine TB had been detected elsewhere in wildlife, this was the first time in North America that bovine tuberculosis was shown to be sustained in wildlife. While TB had no discernible effect on deer populations, it apparently provided a reservoir of infection to cattle. In 1998, TB was detected in cattle herds, which eventually prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) to reduce Michigan’s TB status. The reduced status places significant burdens on producers selling cattle interstate. While VS has considerable experience and success in eradicating TB from cattle, eradicating TB from wildlife presents a very new scientific and social challenge. This paper outlines the progress of eradication efforts undertaken by Michigan Department of Natural Resources and USDA-APHIS–Wildlife Services (WS). Methods used include reducing deer numbers through hunting, regulating the feeding and baiting of deer, special permit shooting, barriers, and a 2004 pilot project that identifies and removes suspected TB-positive deer.