The Botstiber Institute for Wildlife Fertility Control – Advancing an Emerging Field of Wildlife Management

As human populations expand, conflicts between humans and wildlife have increased exponentially, and up until recently, efforts to resolve such conflicts focused primarily on lethal population management methods including, but... [ view full abstract ]

As human populations expand, conflicts between humans and wildlife have increased exponentially, and up until recently, efforts to resolve such conflicts focused primarily on lethal population management methods including, but not limited to, culls with firearms, archery equipment, traps and toxicants. In response to human health and safety, animal welfare and environmental concerns associated with these traditional lethal wildlife management practices, in the late 20^th century, researchers began exploring the possibility of mitigating conflicts by using fertility control to manage wildlife populations. Since then, scientists from around the world have been developing and testing the field applicability of a wide array of contraception and sterilization methods for both free-roaming and captive wildlife. Significant progress has been made in development of both agents and delivery systems, but some challenges related to feasibility, costs and sustainability remain that must be surmounted in order to supply the increasing demand from the public and wildlife managers for effective, nonlethal wildlife management tools. In 2016, the Botstiber Institute for Wildlife Fertility Control was established to accelerate and expand advances in this field and also serve as the world’s premier clearing house and scientific resource center on the subject. Specifically, the Institute will support research projects designed to test and promote innovations and maintain a repository for all literature produced and published on wildlife fertility control. In addition, the Institute will foster information sharing and collaboration through the continuation of the International Conference on Fertility Control in Wildlife series in the summer of 2017 and hosting workshops and symposiums on new technology as well as species or geographic areas of concern. Finally, the Institute will raise public awareness and support for wildlife fertility control where appropriate. This paper will report on the mission and activities of the Institute from 2016-2017.