History of the Science of Wldlife Fertility Control: Reflections of a 25-Year International Conference Series

Priscilla Cohn¹ and Jay F. Kirkpatrick^2,

¹PNC, Inc., Villanova, PA USA

²The Science and Conservation Center, Billings, MT USA

Cite this paper:
Priscilla Cohn and Jay F. Kirkpatrick. History of the Science of Wldlife Fertility Control: Reflections of a 25-Year International Conference Series. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2015; 3(1):22-29. doi: 10.12691/aees-3-1-5

Abstract

The science of wildlife fertility control originated in the mid-twentieth century, out of a growing need for alternatives to lethal controls for selected wildlife populations, where traditional lethal controls were no longer legal, wise, safe or publicly acceptable. Until late in the century the science was uncoordinated and without significant funding or cooperation among investigators. A 25-year conference series brought scientists engaged in this endeavor together, from around the world and set the stage for more rapid development and research support. In rapid fashion, steroid related efforts gave way to contraceptive vaccines and gonadotropic-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and by the turn of century actual successful management of certain species was well underway. This included wild horses, urban deer, captive zoo populations, and even African elephants. However, an unanticipated backlash from state and federal wildlife agencies, and some animal protection groups slowed progress, particularly in application of the science to free-ranging wildlife populations. Today the science has progressed to the point where actual management could alleviate many problems but the sociopolitical dimensions of this science have slowed progress and thrown up many non-scientific hurdles (state legislation in particular). This short history presents a classic case of a general public and political system that cannot keep pace with new scientific developments.

Keywords:
contraception fertility control wildlife

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Lacy, R. “Zoos and the surplus problem: an alternative solution,” Zoo Biology, 10:293-297. 1991.
[2]	Asa, C. A, and Porton. I. “The need for wildlife contraception: Problems related to unrestricted population growth”. In: Wildlife Contraception; Issues, Methods and Application. C.A. Asa, I. Porton (eds), Baltimore, John Hopkins University. 2005. Pp. xxv--xxxiii
[3]	Rutberg, A. T. “Managing wildlife with contraception: why is it taking so long?” Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44: 538-543, 2013.
[4]	Kirkpatrick, J. F., and Turner, J. “Chemical fertility control and wildlife management”. BioScience 35:485-491, 1985.
[5]	Kirkpatrick, J. F, and Turner, J. W. “Reversible fertility control in non-domestic animals”. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 22:392-408, 1991.
[6]	Turner, J. W., and Rutberg, A. T. “From the pens to the field: real world wildlife contraception”, Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44:102-110, 2013.
[7]	National Research Council. “Wild and free-roaming Horses and Burros: Current Knowledge and Recommended Research”. Phase I. Final Report of the Committee on Wild and free-roaming Horses and Burros. Washington, DC: National Research Council, 382. Pp., 1980.
[8]	Cohn, P. N, Plotka, E., and Seal, U. S. (eds). “Contraception in Wildlife”. Lewiston, NY, Edwin Mellon Press, 358 Pp., 1996.
[9]	Kollias, G. V. “Complications of progesterone contraception”. In: Contraception in Wildlife. Cohn, P. N.,Plotka, E.. D., and Seal, U. S. (eds). Lewiston, NY, Edwin Mellon Press. Pp. 171-184, 1996.
[10]	Vickery, B., McRae, G. I., Goodpasture, J. C., and Sanders, L. M. “Analogue of LHRH: a new (anti)hormonal approach to contraception”. In: Contraception in Wildlife, Cohn, P. N., Plotka, E. D., Seal, U. S. (eds).. Lewiston, NY, Edwin Mellon Press. Pp. 73-100, 1996.
[11]	Hunter, A., Byers, A. P. 1996. “Immunological intervention in reproduction: potential for wildlife contraception”. In: Contraception in Wildlife, Cohn, P. N., Plotka, E. D., Seal, U. S. (eds). Lewiston, NY, Edwin Mellon Press Pp. 101-118. 1996.
[12]	Goodloe, R.,Warren, R. J., Sharp, D.C. “Immunosterilization of feral and captive horses: a preliminary report”. In: Contraception in Wildlife, Cohn, P. N., Plotka, E. D., Seal, U. S. (eds).. Lewiston, NY, Edwin Mellon Press.. Pp. 229-142, 1996.
[13]	Asa, C. A. “Effects of contraceptives on behavior” in, Contraception in Wildlife,. In: Contraception in Wildlife, Cohn, P. N., Plotka, E. D., Seal, U. S. (eds).. Lewiston, NY, Edwin Mellon PressPp. 157-170. 1996.
[14]	Tyndal-Biscoe, C. H. “Fertility control in wildlife.” Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 3:339-343. 1991.
[15]	Turner, J. W., Liu, I. K. M., and Kirkpatrick, J. F. “Remotely-delivered immunocontraception of captive white-tailed deer”. Journal of Wildlife Management 56:154-157. 1992.
[16]	Kirkpatrick, J. F., Liu, I. K. M., and Turner, J. W. “Remotely-delivered immunocontraception in feral horses”. Wildlife Society Bulletin 18:326-330. 1990.
[17]	Bomford, M. “A role for fertility control in wildlife management?” Bureau of Rural Resource Bulletin 7. Canberra, Australian Government Publishing Service. 50 Pp. 1990.
[18]	Kreeger, T. J. (ed.) Contraception in Wildlife Management. USDA/APHIS Technical Bulletin No. 1853. USDA/NWRC, Fort Collins, CO. 272 Pp. 1997.
[19]	Garrott, R. A. “Effective management of free-ranging ungulate populations using contraception”. Wildlife Society Bulletin 23:445-452. 1995.
[20]	Tyndal- Biscoe, C. H. “Immunosterilization for wild rabbits”. in Contraception in Wildlife Management. USDA/APHIS Technical Bulletin No. 1853. USDA/NWRC, Fort Collins, CO. Pp. 223-234 1997.
[21]	Jolly, S. E., Cowan, P. E., Duckworth, J. In: Contraception in Wildlife Management. USDA/APHIS. Technical Bulletin No. 1853. USDA/NWRC, Fort Collins, CO. Pp. 215-222. 1997.
[22]	Bradley, M. P. “Immunocontraceptive vaccines for control of fertility in the European red fox (Vulpes vulpes)”. In: Contraception in Wildlife Management. USDA/APHIS Technical Bulletin No. 1853. USDA/NWRC, Fort Collins, CO. Pp. 195-204. 1997.
[23]	Dunbar, B. S. “Contraception in domestic and wild animal populations using zona pellucida mmunogens”. In: Contraception in Wildlife Management. USDA/APHIS Technical Bulletin No. 1853. USDA/NWRC, Fort Collins, CO. Pp. 1-10. 1997.
[24]	Turner, J. W., Kirkpatrick, J. F., and Liu, I. K. M. “Immunocontraception in white-tailed deer”. In: Contraception in Wildlife Management. USDA/APHIS Technical Bulletin No. 1853. USDA/NWRC, Fort Collins, CO. Pp. 147-159. 1997.
[25]	Kirkpatrick, J. F., Turner, J. and Liu, I. K.M. 1997. “Contraception of wild and feral equids”. In: Contraception in Wildlife Management. USDA/APHIS Technical Bulletin No. 1853. USDA/NWRC, Fort Collins, CO. Pp. 161-169. 1997.
[26]	Gill, B., and Miller, M.. 1997. “Thunder in the distance: the emerging policy debate over wildlife contraception”. In: Contraception in Wildlife Management. USDA/APHIS Technical Bulletin No. 1853. USDA/NWRC, Fort Collins, CO. Pp. 257-268, 1997.
[27]	Proceedings of the Fertility Control in wildlife Conference, November 21-24. University of Melbourne. Conference Secretariat, Atkinson Conference Services, East Melbourne, Vic. 3002. 1990. Unpublished
[28]	Kirkpatrick, J. F., Turner, J., Liu, I. K. M., Fayrer-Hosken, R., and Rutberg, A. T. “Case studies in wildlife immunocontrception: wild and feral equids and white-tailed deer”. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 9:105-110. 1997.
[29]	Robinson, A. J., Jackson, R., Kerr, P., Merchant, J., Parer, I., and Pech, R. “Progress towards using the recombinant myxoma virus as a vector for fertility control in rabbits”. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 9: 77-84. 1997.
[30]	Smith, G., Walmsley, A. J., and Polkinghorne, I. G. “Plant-derived immunocontraceptive vaccines”. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 9:85-90. 1997.
[31]	Nettles, V. F., “Potential consequences and problems with wildlife contraceptives”. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 9:137-144. 1997.
[32]	Kirkpatrick JF, Lasley BL, Allen R, and Doberska C (eds). “Fertility Control in Wildlife”. Reproduction (Suppl. 60): 209 Pp. 2002.
[33]	Naugle, R. E., Rutberg, A. T.,Underwood, H. B., Turner, J., and Liu, I. K. M. “Field testing if immunocontraception on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Fire Island National Seashore, New York, USA”. Reproduction (Supplement 60): 143-153. 2002.
[34]	Kirkpatrick, J. F., and Turner, A. “Effects of immunocontraception on population, longevity and body condition in wild mares (Equus caballus)”. Reproduction (Supplement 60): 187-195. 2002.
[35]	Delsink, A. K, Van Altena, J. J., Kirtkpatrick, J. F., Grobler, D., and Fayrer-Hosken, R. “Field applications of immunocontraception in African elephants (Loxodonta africana)”. Reproduction (Supplement 60): 117-124. 2002.
[36]	Williams, C. K. “Risk assessment for release of genetically modified organisms: a virus to reduce the fertility in introduced wild mice (Mus domesticus)”. Reproduction (Supplement 60): 81-88. 2002.
[37]	Turner, J. W., Liu, I. K. M., Flanagan, D. R., Bynum, K. S., and Rutberg, A. T. “Porcine zona pellucida (PZP) immunocontraception of wild horses (Equus caballus) in Nevada: a 10 year study”. Reproduction (Supplement 60): 177-186. 2002.
[38]	Cowan D. P, and Hinds L. A. (eds). “Fertility Control for Wildlife. Wildlife Research”. 35: Pp. 487-592. 2008.
[39]	Cowan, P. E, Grant, W., and Ralston, M. “Assessing the suitability of the parasitic nematode Parastrongyloides trichosuri as a vector for transmissible fertility control of brushtail possums in New Zealand – ecological and regulatory considerations”. Wildlife Research 35: 573-577. 2008.
[40]	Killian, G., Thain, D., Diehl, N. K., Rhyan, J., and Miller, L.” Four-year contraceptive rates of mares treated with single-injection porcine zona pellucida and GnRH vaccines and intrauterine devices”. Wildlife Research 35:531-539. 2008.
[41]	Massei, G., Cowan, D. P., Coats, J., Gladwell, F., Lane, J. E., Miller, L. A.. “Effect of the GnRH vaccine GonaCon on the fertility, physiology and behaviour of wild boar”. Wildlife Research 35: 540-547. 2008.
[42]	Botha, A. E, Schulman, M. L., Bertschinger, H. J., Guthrie, A. J., Annendale C. H., and Hughes, S. B. “The use of a GnRH vaccine to suppress mare ovarian activity in a large group of mares under field conditions”, Wildlife Research, 35:548-554. 2008.
[43]	“Seventh International Conference on Fertility Control in Wildlife”. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 44: 154 Pp. 2013.
[44]	Cowan, D. P, Massei, G., Ward, A., and Miller, L. A. “From evaluation to practical application of the immunocontraceptive vaccine GonaCon in the UK”. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 44:145 (abstract), 2013.
[45]	Edwards, B., Smith, A., and Skinner, D. C. “Dose and durational effects of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, Deslorelin: The male rat (Rattus norvegicus) as a model”. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 44:97-101. 2013.
[46]	Duncan, C. A., King, J., and Kirkpatrick, J. F. “Romance without Responsibilities: The use of the immunocontraceptive porcine zona pellucida to manage free-ranging bison (Bison bison) on Catalina Island, California, USA”. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44:123-131. 2013.
[47]	Dyer, C., Schmuki, S., Whish, S., Fisher, T., Pyzyna, B., Bennett, A., Mayer, L. “Accelerated follicle depletion in vitro and in vivo using the combination of VCD and triptolide”. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44: 9-17. 2013.
[48]	MacDonald, A., and Wolf, E. G. “Contraceptive technology for wildlife – bringing new products to market – the political and social barriers for contraception in pest birds: a case study of OvoControl”, Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44: 132-134. 2013.
[49]	Eisemann, J. D, O’Hare, J., Fagerstone, K. “State level approaches to managing the use of contraceptives in wildlife”. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44:47-51. 2013.
[50]	Rayner, S. “Uncomfortable knowledge: the social construction of ignorance in science and environmental policy discourses”. Economy and Society 41: 107-125. 2012.