Posted on 08/21/2007 6:39:09 PM PDT by Coleus
The search for the "magic bullet" contraceptive, a one-shot, long-lasting solution to the state's deer overpopulation woes, has once again eluded scientists, according to the latest study by a wildlife research team. Biologist Anthony DiNicola's study of a captive herd at the Giralda Farms corporate center in Madison found that one of the latest immuno-contraceptives, called GonaCon, falls far short of being a viable vaccine. Had it worked, scientists say it would have been a godsend to towns with too many deer, and where hunting is difficult or impractical.
The two-year study of 51 adult deer at Giralda Farms showed the contraceptive to be just 70 percent effective after one year and 55 percent after two years, far less than the 90-plus percent effective rate needed to make its use feasible in some situations, DiNicola said in a report filed with federal and state environmental officials.
Those findings are similar to results of a companion federal study being conducted in Maryland, where GonaCon had an 88 percent success rate in year one, but only a 47 percent success rate after two years, according to researchers for the National Wildlife Research Center.
"We're looking hard for that single shot contraceptive we need. We've made great strides to reach the next level. The technology is getting us closer," said DiNicola, owner of Connecticut-based White Buffalo Inc., a wildlife management firm. "Unfortunately, right now, it's not a practical concept."
Why the need for one shot success?
Trying to capture, mark and inoculate free-range deer in the woods or suburban neighborhoods in the months before breeding season, and then finding the same deer again the next year to give them booster shots would be very difficult and very expensive.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
"DOE!"
Why don’t we start Planned Deerhood?
Baby Bambi, meet Dr. Coathanger...
/extreme sarcasm off
We have too many deer on our property and have invited bow hunters to cull some. The season is longer and starts in September. In November, they can shoot some, too.
True. A better solution is to round 'em up and house them in a condominium.
I was in a new construction neighborhood a while back that is oriented around a storm water retention pond. The driveways of the houses backing up to the pond were covered in good turds.
Yep, a lead vaccine works every time!
My solution is not a magic bullet but a real one. I love venison.
That'll take care of the over population problem.
ROFLMAO!!!
lol
Why dont we start Planned Deerhood?
We don’t have a pond in our subdivision, but when we run in other neighborhoods, we have to watch out for the geese! (And their droppings, of course.)
One of my church friends is mayor of Lake Park, a small independent “village” a mile from us, and she said they could clear out the ducks, because they’re not “endangered,” but all they can do about the geese is fine people caught feeding them.
MMMM! Venison sausage......
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