This article was downloaded by: [University of Saskatchewan Library] On: 29 December 2014, At: 15:32 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK
New Zealand Veterinary Journal Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnzv20
The profession and wildlife management Ian Crook Published online: 23 Feb 2011.
To cite this article: Ian Crook (1979) The profession and wildlife management, New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 27:5, 85-85, DOI: 10.1080/00480169.1979.34606 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1979.34606
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
1979
NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL
8S
LEADING ARTICLE
The profession and wildlife management
Downloaded by [University of Saskatchewan Library] at 15:32 29 December 2014
The idea that disease may be a potent factor in the environ ment of indigenous wildlife, ranking with things like habitat destruction and introduced predators and competitors in shaping the distribution and fortunes of our native species, has yet to enjoy wide currency, or even thorough and systematic examination in New Zealand. Its potential importance is recognised, however. Referring particularly to mammals, Gibb and Flux (1973) stated: Diseases and parasites are rarely primary causes of mor talill' in wild animals. even in New Zealand where the mixing of mammals from diverse continents could have upset former(v stable equilibria between pathogens and their hosts. The recent history of myxomatosis in wild rabbits in Australia shows how a pathogen can cause calamitous mortality to a new host before evolving a new equilibrium.
Even so. disease among indigenous wildlife species is generally dismissed in a word or two because oflack of data. Our ignorance may seem surprising considering the terrible effects exotic infections can have on isolated populations of previously unexposed. and therefore, highly susceptible, an imals. There are numerous examples to stand alongside the rabbit and myxomatosis in Australia, but the catastrophic de c1inc of some endemic bird species in Hawaii, following the accidental introduction of avian malaria and its mosquito vec tor. is a lesson which strikes close to home for our wildlife scientists. Events in New Zealand since European settlement, the history of extinctions and declines of indigenous species (like the wattlebirds. Callaeatidae), and the appearance of unexplained gaps in the distribution of some species (like the disappearance of the bellbird (Anthornis me/anura) from Northland) provides a scenario in which disease could have played a part. Continuing ftuctuations in population of the pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio), and possibly the weka (Gallirallus australis), may also eventually prove to be associated with persistent disease problems and, in doing so. help cast more light on the ecological role of disease in wildlife species than the generalisations that have been possible heretofore. For wildlife scientists and veterinarians alike, few in number and beset with problems of considerable magnitude and familiar kind, there has been little time to enjoy the lUXUry of stepping outside the bounds set by disciplines to learn about animal diseases on the one hand and the ecology of wild animal populations on the other. Even so, there has been some progress, and the continued study of pathology of diseases in pukeko and weka populations by Clint Allen, and by Jorgen Lohr before him. promise to provide some eommon ground on which the two professions can meet and formulate initiatives of wider and wider importance. Such a meeting of minds would be desirable because the role the veterinary profession could play in our wildlife management is not restricted to the study of disease. New Zealand is an archipelago of islands, each isolated to a greater or lesser degree from its neighbours. As a consequence, some exotic species have failed to penetrate the fastness of many of our most remote offshore and outlying islands: and islands free of animals such as rats. cats and mustelids continue to provide refuges for species like the saddle back (Philesturnus caruncu/atus), stitchbird (Notiomystis cineta) and tuatara (Sphenodon punetatus) which
would otherwise undoubtedly be now extinct. Not surprisingly. much effort in wildlife management is ex pended in maintaining and reinforcing this isolation, even to the extent of rehabilitating islands on which alien species have become established by eradicating the unwanted animals and re-introducing indigenous ones. Notable successes have been achieved in both these pursuits. Aliens down to the size of rabbits have been exterminated: but perhaps the eradication of eats from Cuvier Island. and the subsequent liberation and suc cessful re-establishment of a population ofsaddle back, stands as the single most successful example of manipulating the faunasof offshore islands that we have achieved. But need we stop there? The three species of rats which occur in the New Zealand region are proved to have undesirable effects on many indigneous species. No one has intentionally succeeded in eradicating rats from any island and, though it may be more difficult than getting rid of goats or sheep, or even cats, it cannot be beyond our capacity to do so. The initiative should clearly come from those responsible for wildlife management, but the problem is likely to be a multi facetted one; the accumulated lifetimes of experience in maintaining healthy animal popula tions is a unique standpoint from which to seek new ways of destroying unwanted ones. a perspective which is not available either to ecologist or wildlife manager. Working with island populations, the veterinarian may also find his perspective broadened in a different way. The same isolation that has limited the spread of undesirable aliens, and which makes their destruction practicable, has resulted in the establishment of a number of island 'races' of domestic species, especially Sheep. Those on Campbell Island are well known (as are the goats of Arapawa). but in the fturry of emotion-charged claims over the lineage of the Arapawa goats, however doubtful those claims may be. the sheep on Arapawa seem to have been overlooked. These populations could represent distinct breeds, worthy of preservation in their own right. In the United King dom. the desirability of such activity has been recognised in the formation of a Rare Breed Survival Trust. A similar initiative, firmly based on the expertise available in the veterinary and allied professions. could be indicated for New Zealand. The idea is certainly worth close scrutiny. In the past. our profession has played a strictly ancillary and supportive role in the field of wildlife research and management: assisting in captive breeding programmes, repairing trap damaged kiwis and caring for oiled and stranded sea-birds. There is no doubting the importance ofthese functions, but there is clearly more room for veterinarians to playa directly initiating role in the field. Ian Crook
Reference Gibb. J. A. and Flux. J. E. C. (1973): Mammals. In The Natural Histor.roj New Zealand, pp 334-371. Williams. G. R. (Ed). A. H. &: A. W. Reed. Wellington.
New Zealand Veterinary Journal Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnzv20
The profession and wildlife management Ian Crook Published online: 23 Feb 2011.
To cite this article: Ian Crook (1979) The profession and wildlife management, New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 27:5, 85-85, DOI: 10.1080/00480169.1979.34606 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1979.34606
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
1979
NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL
8S
LEADING ARTICLE
The profession and wildlife management
Downloaded by [University of Saskatchewan Library] at 15:32 29 December 2014
The idea that disease may be a potent factor in the environ ment of indigenous wildlife, ranking with things like habitat destruction and introduced predators and competitors in shaping the distribution and fortunes of our native species, has yet to enjoy wide currency, or even thorough and systematic examination in New Zealand. Its potential importance is recognised, however. Referring particularly to mammals, Gibb and Flux (1973) stated: Diseases and parasites are rarely primary causes of mor talill' in wild animals. even in New Zealand where the mixing of mammals from diverse continents could have upset former(v stable equilibria between pathogens and their hosts. The recent history of myxomatosis in wild rabbits in Australia shows how a pathogen can cause calamitous mortality to a new host before evolving a new equilibrium.
Even so. disease among indigenous wildlife species is generally dismissed in a word or two because oflack of data. Our ignorance may seem surprising considering the terrible effects exotic infections can have on isolated populations of previously unexposed. and therefore, highly susceptible, an imals. There are numerous examples to stand alongside the rabbit and myxomatosis in Australia, but the catastrophic de c1inc of some endemic bird species in Hawaii, following the accidental introduction of avian malaria and its mosquito vec tor. is a lesson which strikes close to home for our wildlife scientists. Events in New Zealand since European settlement, the history of extinctions and declines of indigenous species (like the wattlebirds. Callaeatidae), and the appearance of unexplained gaps in the distribution of some species (like the disappearance of the bellbird (Anthornis me/anura) from Northland) provides a scenario in which disease could have played a part. Continuing ftuctuations in population of the pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio), and possibly the weka (Gallirallus australis), may also eventually prove to be associated with persistent disease problems and, in doing so. help cast more light on the ecological role of disease in wildlife species than the generalisations that have been possible heretofore. For wildlife scientists and veterinarians alike, few in number and beset with problems of considerable magnitude and familiar kind, there has been little time to enjoy the lUXUry of stepping outside the bounds set by disciplines to learn about animal diseases on the one hand and the ecology of wild animal populations on the other. Even so, there has been some progress, and the continued study of pathology of diseases in pukeko and weka populations by Clint Allen, and by Jorgen Lohr before him. promise to provide some eommon ground on which the two professions can meet and formulate initiatives of wider and wider importance. Such a meeting of minds would be desirable because the role the veterinary profession could play in our wildlife management is not restricted to the study of disease. New Zealand is an archipelago of islands, each isolated to a greater or lesser degree from its neighbours. As a consequence, some exotic species have failed to penetrate the fastness of many of our most remote offshore and outlying islands: and islands free of animals such as rats. cats and mustelids continue to provide refuges for species like the saddle back (Philesturnus caruncu/atus), stitchbird (Notiomystis cineta) and tuatara (Sphenodon punetatus) which
would otherwise undoubtedly be now extinct. Not surprisingly. much effort in wildlife management is ex pended in maintaining and reinforcing this isolation, even to the extent of rehabilitating islands on which alien species have become established by eradicating the unwanted animals and re-introducing indigenous ones. Notable successes have been achieved in both these pursuits. Aliens down to the size of rabbits have been exterminated: but perhaps the eradication of eats from Cuvier Island. and the subsequent liberation and suc cessful re-establishment of a population ofsaddle back, stands as the single most successful example of manipulating the faunasof offshore islands that we have achieved. But need we stop there? The three species of rats which occur in the New Zealand region are proved to have undesirable effects on many indigneous species. No one has intentionally succeeded in eradicating rats from any island and, though it may be more difficult than getting rid of goats or sheep, or even cats, it cannot be beyond our capacity to do so. The initiative should clearly come from those responsible for wildlife management, but the problem is likely to be a multi facetted one; the accumulated lifetimes of experience in maintaining healthy animal popula tions is a unique standpoint from which to seek new ways of destroying unwanted ones. a perspective which is not available either to ecologist or wildlife manager. Working with island populations, the veterinarian may also find his perspective broadened in a different way. The same isolation that has limited the spread of undesirable aliens, and which makes their destruction practicable, has resulted in the establishment of a number of island 'races' of domestic species, especially Sheep. Those on Campbell Island are well known (as are the goats of Arapawa). but in the fturry of emotion-charged claims over the lineage of the Arapawa goats, however doubtful those claims may be. the sheep on Arapawa seem to have been overlooked. These populations could represent distinct breeds, worthy of preservation in their own right. In the United King dom. the desirability of such activity has been recognised in the formation of a Rare Breed Survival Trust. A similar initiative, firmly based on the expertise available in the veterinary and allied professions. could be indicated for New Zealand. The idea is certainly worth close scrutiny. In the past. our profession has played a strictly ancillary and supportive role in the field of wildlife research and management: assisting in captive breeding programmes, repairing trap damaged kiwis and caring for oiled and stranded sea-birds. There is no doubting the importance ofthese functions, but there is clearly more room for veterinarians to playa directly initiating role in the field. Ian Crook
Reference Gibb. J. A. and Flux. J. E. C. (1973): Mammals. In The Natural Histor.roj New Zealand, pp 334-371. Williams. G. R. (Ed). A. H. &: A. W. Reed. Wellington.
