Deer ManagementDeer Population Control
(Non-Lethal)
Characteristics of the Ideal Wildlife Contraceptive
This article is a reprint from the
Science and Conservation Center
The failure to achieve practical results
with steroid hormones led to a re-examination of the problem. It became
apparent by the early 1990s that research was proceeding without a �gold
standard� by which to evaluate each new approach. Without such a
standard, evaluation of wildlife contraceptives could be liked to a
discussion of law without a Constitution. Thus, a theoretical �standard�
was created and included:
Contraceptive effectiveness of at least
90%
The ability to deliver the agent
remotely, without capture
Reversibility of contraceptive effects
(more important for some species than others)
Safety for use in pregnant animals
Absence of significant health
side-effects, short- or long-term
No passage of the contraceptive agent
through the food chain
Minimal effect upon individual and
social behaviors
Low cost
This list was originally created for wild
horses contraceptives and not all items may be applicable to all
species. For example, reversibility of contraceptive action is essential
for wild horse population but may not be considered desirable for urban
deer. Despite these species-specific differences, these characteristics
above provide a reasonable guideline and any discussions of new wildlife
contraceptive agents or discussions of current agents should attend to
these characteristics (see Kirkpatrick and Turner 1985, 1991a).
For more information, see
http://www.zoomontana.org/conservation_center/
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