Nuisance and Exotic Animal Removal

Transcription

1 Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks Resource Management Standard Nuisance and Exotic Animal Removal November 2011 Table of Contents 1. PURPOSE DEFINITIONS SAFETY... 2 A. USE OF FIREARMS... 2 B. DISEASES GENERAL PROCEDURES... 4 A. NUISANCE ANIMALS ) Preferred Course of Action in Non-Emergencies ) Alligators ) Venomous Snakes ) Bears ) Bats in Structures B. EXOTIC ANIMALS ) Preferred Course of Action in Non-Emergencies ) Feral Hogs ) Pet Species ) Coyotes ) Lionfish ATTACHMENT A BLANK MEMORANDUM FOR REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO USE FIREARMS ATTACHMENT B ALLIGATOR THREAT ASSESSMENT ATTACHMENT C RECEIPT FOR DONATED HOGS ATTACHMENT D DISPOSITION OF FERAL HOGS ATTACHMENT E REVISION HISTORY Purpose To provide guidance to park staff on the management and removal of animals whose actions or presence threaten the protection of natural and cultural resources, human safety, or property on Division lands. 2. Definitions AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia A document prepared by the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia to guide members of the veterinary profession who carry out or oversee the euthanasia of animals. A copy of the guidelines is in the FPS Information Library at Euthanasia Inducing death of an animal with minimal pain or distress.

2 Exotic Species A species that is not native to Florida that was introduced by deliberate or accidental means, or occurs here by human-aided range expansion. Included are nonnative wildlife species, free-ranging domesticated pets or livestock, and feral animals. Feral Animal An individual animal from a domesticated species which has returned to an untamed state. Nuisance Animal An individual native animal whose actions or presence create special management issues. Examples of animal species from which nuisance cases may arise include raccoons, gray squirrels, venomous snakes, and alligators. Arthropods are covered in the Arthropod Control Standard and are not considered nuisance or exotic animals for the purposes of this standard. The following issues with nuisance animals in general may occur: A potential threat to humans by physical injury (bites or scratches) or disease (rabies) occurs due to abnormal or conditioned animal behavior patterns, including persistence in high public use areas. Unacceptable damage occurs to park facilities or other public or private property. Unacceptable damage occurs to valuable park natural resources (e.g., raccoons destroying marine turtle nests). 3. Safety Safety of the public and park staff shall be the paramount concern during all facets of decision-making and actions taken concerning management or removal of nuisance and exotic animals. A. Use of Firearms Extreme caution must be exercised when using firearms on Division lands. All weapons will be maintained according to the manufacturer-approved standard of care (manufacturer standards are often available from online manuals). For stateowned weapons, managers will assign an employee specifically to manage state weapons, i.e., cleaning, accountability, inventory, etc., in accordance with the manufacturer-approved standard. For personally-owned weapons, the weapon owner will keep a written log at the park documenting that the weapon has been maintained to the manufacturer-approved standard (cleaning, etc.). To qualify for possessing and using a firearm for humane destruction of nuisance and exotic animals on Division lands, park staff and volunteers must have written authorization from the District Bureau Chief or designee which will be valid for five years (see Attachment A for a Template Letter of Approval to Use Firearms to Remove Nuisance and Exotic Animals) and 1) have read and understand the policies outlined in this standard; 2) have read and understand the latest AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia; 3) have read and understand the Job Safety Analysis for exotic/nuisance animal removal, found at 2

3 ) have not been convicted or a crime per , F.S. which hinders their right to possess a firearm; 5) have completed the required training outlined below and provided their supervisor with a copy of the certificate of completion: a. Rifle or Shotgun - Completion of either the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) Florida Hunter Safety Course or the National Rifle Association (NRA) Basic Firearm Training Program: Rifle or a pre-approved Division-sponsored firearms training class, or have previous firearms experience in either military or law enforcement capacities. b. Pistol - Completion of the NRA Basic First Steps: Pistol or a pre-approved Division-sponsored pistol training class or have previous firearms experience in either military or law enforcement capacities. 6) understand that the firearm shall be used only for the ethical killing of nuisance and exotic animals, and that a. use of pistols is restricted to the ethical killing of animals located within a trap; b. a trigger lock will be in place on all firearms when not in use; c. the firearm shall be secured at the park in a location other than simply a locked vehicle (i.e. gun safe, locking file cabinet, locking desk drawer, lock box inside of a locked vehicle where the lock box is secured to the vehicle); d. the firearm shall only be removed from the secure location for the above stated purpose and shall be secured as soon after as is practical; e. the firearm shall only be loaded prior to use and promptly unloaded after use. B. Diseases 1) Of special concern to park staff and volunteers is the possibility that abnormal mammal behavior could be due to rabies, which can be fatal to humans. Rabies is only transmitted through contact with the saliva or brain tissue of an infected mammal. More information than provided below can be found in the FPS Information Library under the heading IFAS 2007 WE239. 2) Although cases of humans contracting rabies in the U.S. are extremely rare, park staff involved in nuisance mammal removal must be aware of the behaviors exhibited by animals infected with this disease. Animals with rabies often behave abnormally. They may be either remarkably aggressive or unexpectedly passive. Aggressive animals may attack and bite other animals or humans for no apparent reason. Passive animals may seem unusually tame, and may be active at odd times of the day. For example, raccoons or bats active at midday that are easy to approach may be rabid. Infected animals are often unable to swallow, which makes eating and drinking impossible, and causes excessive drooling. Animals with rabies 3

4 often move slowly and have difficulty walking or flying. Park staff can call their County Animal Control if they notice a wild mammal behaving unusually, and should be prepared to describe the location and behavior of the animal. 3) Staff that come into direct contact with mammals should follow these procedures: a) do not pet or touch wild or feral mammals (dead or alive) including their blood or tissue with bare hands; b) keep your distance from wild or feral mammals that are acting strangely (especially aggressive; particularly friendly; active at an unusual time of day; in a place you would not normally expect them to occur, etc.); and c) use discretion when approaching stray domesticated animals that appear to be unrestrained pets (dogs and cats). 4. General Procedures 1) Guidelines for acceptable methods of animal destruction are waived when emergency action is required to save human life or prevent imminent injury. 2) When nuisance and exotic animals impact natural or cultural resources (e.g., by predation, habitat alteration, digging, competition with native species), action should be taken to correct the problem. This often requires removal or destruction of the animal. Careful consideration should be given to determine if the individual animal is creating a nuisance that warrants action or is simply acting in its normal role in the environment. 3) In accordance with 68A-9.010, F.A.C., in non-emergency situations permits are required from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to remove certain species including, but not limited to, alligator, bear, deer, migratory birds (additional permits required) and any species listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern by FWC (see For more information on FWC Nuisance Wildlife Permits, see Activities requiring gun and light permits or leg hold traps should be coordinated with the District Bureau Chief in consultation with the Chief of BNCR. 4) Destruction of nuisance or exotic animals is authorized when necessary to ensure the safety of park staff, visitors, or property; protect natural or cultural resources; and after other available methods of trapping and removal have failed or are not lawful, feasible, practical, or effective. Effective July 1, 2008, it is unlawful to transport or release into Florida any exotic wild animal, freshwater fish, aquatic invertebrate, or marine animal unless first permitted by FWC (except fathead minnow, variable platy, coturnix quail, and ring-necked pheasant; , F.A.C.). Once an exotic animal (as specified) is captured it cannot legally be released. 5) Methods of animal destruction must be chosen and implemented in compliance with this standard. Staff should strive for the most humane method that is safe, feasible, practical, and effective. This means that, to the degree feasible, euthanasia (see Definitions) is preferred when destruction of nuisance and exotic animals is necessary on state parks. However, the AVMA Guidelines recognize that many recommended means of euthanasia for captive animals are not feasible for wild and feral animals, and that destruction by methods not defined as euthanasia in the Guidelines are sometimes necessary in field situations. 4

5 ) Disposal of carcasses can include burying in accordance with the Archaeological Resource Management Training Guidelines for Ground Disturbing Activities, or leaving the carcass unburied as long as it remains out of public sight. For details related to feral hog disposition refer to the Feral Hog section below. 7) The following table provides the acceptable methods of destroying nuisance and exotic animals on Division lands, and follows the AVMA Guidelines as much as feasible. For most animals, the preferred method of destruction on parks is through euthanasia by capture in traps, followed by gunshot to the brain so as to render the animal unconscious as quickly as possible. Choice of firearm and ammunition must be appropriate to the size/type of the animal species, the terrain, proximity to other humans and general public safety. 8) Methods of destroying nuisance and exotic animals on state parks that do not involve firearms as discussed in the previous section, or that are different from the methods specified in the table below must be approved by the District Bureau Chief in consultation with the Chief of BNCR before use in any park. Contracts involving animal removal shall be reviewed and approved by the Bureau of Operational Services, the Office of General Counsel, and the Bureau of Natural and Cultural Resources before the contract can be signed by the District Bureau Chief. Table 1. Acceptable field methods A of animal destruction on DRP lands for qualified park staff Species Mammals, Medium-Large (e.g., feral hog, raccoon, feral cat, coyote, feral dog, fox, beaver, armadillo) Mammals, Small (e.g., gray squirrel, exotic rats, mice) Birds (e.g., European starling, house sparrow, cowbird) Reptiles 20* (e.g., alligators, exotic lizards, snakes) Amphibians 20* (e.g., Cuban tree frog, marine toad) Fish (e.g., tilapia, armored catfish) Acceptable Methods AVMA acceptable methods including gunshot to brain 13 AVMA acceptable methods including gunshot to brain, or cervical dislocation 14 (if animals weigh <200 grams, <~1/2 pound) AVMA acceptable methods including gunshot to brain or cervical dislocation AVMA acceptable methods including gunshot to brain (alligators, lizards and snakes). Freezing B (lizards and snakes) also acceptable. IFAS recommendation: Spread a strip of benzocaine ointment about 1 inch long (more for very large marine toad) down animal s neck midline and back - in 5-10 minutes it will be groggy; should be unconscious in min, and close to dead or dead in min; then put animal in a plastic container or plastic bag and freeze it for 3 days. AVMA: Gunshot to brain (e.g., marine toad). AVMA acceptable methods including decapitation AIn most cases the field methods in this table were selected from Appendix 1 and/or text of the AVMA Guidelines as the most practical for park staff and volunteers. The method under 5

6 Amphibians involving benzocaine and freezing is from Brandt, L.A. and F.J. Mazzotti Marine Toads (Bufo marinus). WEC 11. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. Agents and methods not mentioned above but considered acceptable by AVMA are also acceptable for DRP staff when practical. BFreezing of reptiles is not recommended in the AVMA Guidelines, but there is presently often no safe, practical, field expedient alternative for removing exotic reptiles from Division lands. 13, 14, 20For information on this method, see relevant discussion on the AVMA Guidelines page corresponding to the footnote number *On page 20 of the AVMA Guidelines, see Physical Methods; also see first sentence on page 21. A. Nuisance Animals 1) Preferred Course of Action in Non-Emergencies In non-emergency situations, the following steps should be taken to resolve nuisance animal problems in all state parks. They are listed in preferred order for taking action. a. Educate. Park visitors and staff should be educated through appropriate interpretive materials and visitor-staff contact to avoid careless or deliberate encounters with potential nuisance animals and thereby avoid exposure to their hazards. Park visitors should be encouraged to properly dispose of food scraps so as not to attract animals to public use areas. Park visitors shall be warned, or if necessary cited, for deliberately feeding any wildlife (see Ch. 62D-2 and 68A F.A.C.). It is critical that park staff not tolerate any feeding of wildlife. Feeding of alligators is specifically prohibited by Florida Law (68A , F.A.C.). See the Alligators section of this standard for more information/guidance. b. Anticipate, detect, and resolve nuisance animal situations before they become critical. Past experience, watchfulness, and good communication among park staff are the keys to proactive management of potential nuisance animal problems. In the case of "friendly" animals, elimination or modification of a food source or visitor behavior that attracts animals may prevent nuisance situations. Nuisance animals that approach humans for food, or that approach high public use areas, should be harassed (e.g., chased or prodded), non-injuriously but repeatedly, to recondition them to avoid humans or the specific high use area. Extreme caution and personal discretion should be utilized when approaching animals while attempting to recondition them to avoid humans. c. Relocate nuisance animals within park. Individual native animals that cause nuisance problems despite the above attempted remedies should be relocated within the park when feasible, practical, and effective. Nuisance animals should not be transported from state park properties to other private 6

7 or public lands unless approved by the District Bureau Chief in consultation with the Chief of BNCR and in accordance with 68A-9.010, F.A.C. State and federal permits apply and must be acquired. d. Humanely destroy nuisance animals. Destruction of persistent nuisance animals should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with this Standard. 2) Alligators a. Alligator warning signs are available from the Division Sign Shop (Gold Head Branch State Park). Park Managers shall erect and maintain such signs in freshwater areas of the park that are frequented by visitors. b. An alligator entering a high public use area or approaching humans as if looking for food is a nuisance animal and shall be treated as described above (Nuisance Animals, Preferred Course of Action in Non-Emergencies). c. Under certain conditions it may be necessary, in the interests of public safety, to close some public use areas where there is a clear potential for human conflict with non-nuisance alligators. For example, changing environmental conditions such as dropping water levels during droughts may create situations that place the public in closer proximity to alligators. d. In any park area where suspected feeding of alligators occurs, the Park Manager shall ensure that adequate interpretation against feeding alligators is conducted (including signs and visitor contacts). In cases where feeding of alligators is a persistent problem, the Park Manager shall request the assistance of law enforcement to issue warnings, and issue citations when necessary (68A and 62D-2, F.A.C.). To curtail this activity, temporary closure of public use areas should also be considered where there are documented and repeated instances of feeding alligators. e. Any staff observing or receiving a report of an alligator that is aggressive to humans, persistent in approaching or entering heavy use areas, or behaves abnormally in the presence of humans shall immediately (within the halfhour) report that information verbally to the Park Manager or staff-in-charge. f. The Park Manager or staff-in-charge shall immediately (within the half-hour) institute any temporary protection measures (e.g., swimming area closure) that seem appropriate according to the initial verbal report and his/her own assessment. If the initial verbal report indicates a significant concern that should not wait for a formal Alligator Threat Assessment, the Park Manager or staff-in-charge shall immediately contact the appropriate FWC regional office to initiate nuisance alligator trapping. Nuisance alligators can also be reported to this telephone number: 866-FWC GATOR ( ). g. If it is unclear whether or not immediate trapping is warranted by the initial verbal report, the Park Manager or staff-in-charge shall immediately (within the hour) notify and designate a lead staff observer to conduct the Alligator Threat Assessment (Attachment B). If available, district or park biological staff should be consulted during the process. 7

8 h. That designated staff member, as his/her highest priority, shall attempt to locate the reported alligator, inviting other professionals if possible, and make an independent assessment of the threat by completing the Alligator Threat Assessment form. If the suspect alligator cannot be found again for the assessment, the designated staff should continue to search daily until the Park Manager or staff-in-charge agrees that the search should be abandoned. If more complaints are received or the suspect alligator is later found, the assessment process shall be immediately renewed and followed to its conclusion. i. If the initial report of a nuisance alligator is from or through FWC staff or contractors, they shall be invited to continue their participation throughout the Division's assessment process. Nevertheless, the two agencies agree that the decision on whether the alligator shall be destroyed shall be made by the Division of Recreation and Parks. j. The designated staff person shall report his/her completed assessment findings to the Park Manager or staff-in-charge, along with a recommendation on whether the alligator should be destroyed, monitored further, or left alone. The Park Manager or staff-in-charge will make the final decision. Alligators less than four feet in length should not be destroyed except in unusual circumstances. k. If destruction is recommended, the Park Manager (or designee) shall immediately (within the half-hour) consult with the District Bureau Chief (or designee) to reach a final decision on how to proceed. l. If the final decision is destruction of the alligator, the Park Manager (or designee) shall immediately (within the half-hour) notify the appropriate FWC regional office. Nuisance alligators shall be humanely destroyed by trappers specifically authorized by FWC following the standard operating procedures of FWC. The Park Manager (or designee) should inform the District Bureau Chief (or designee) of the trapping results. Any removal of alligators must be included in the park s Exotic and Nuisance Animal Removal Report which is submitted to BNCR. 3) Venomous Snakes For information on treatment of venomous snakebites, see OM Chapter 14, Section 11. All native snakes play an important role in Florida s ecology and are protected on Division lands. Only six of Florida s sixty-plus species/subspecies of native snakes are venomous, and all field staff should be trained to identify the venomous species that might occur in their parks. a. Chapter 62D-2, F.A.C., specifically prohibits the public from killing, capturing, or molesting venomous snakes and authorizes removal by park staff from public areas. b. Venomous snakes, as a possible danger to people, should preferably be relocated using all due caution away from public use and residence areas when found there. The recommended method is as follows: 8

9 Lift or prod the snake into a full-size cool garbage can using a snake hook or loop, or a long-handled tool. 2. Place a tight-fitting lid on the can. 3. After securing the can in a truck bed, immediately transport the can to the relocation site 4. When the relocation site is reached, lay the can on its side, facing away from yourself and others. 5. Push the can lid off with a long-handled tool and back away. c. In rare cases, if attempting to move a venomous snake out of a public use area or residence area fails or is not feasible, destruction of the animal is allowed, and should be conducted using good professional judgment and according to the General Procedures section of this standard. 4) Bears The Florida black bear (state Threatened) is almost always shy and docile, and only rarely becomes a nuisance or threat. However, like alligators, once bears lose their natural fear of humans and learn to associate us with food, they can become a nuisance. While there are no documented bear attacks in Florida, black bears are large, powerful animals, and have occasionally attacked people in other states. Bears have a keen sense of smell, and almost all bear problems in Florida arise when bears are fed by humans, or find food (including pet food, garbage, and seed at bird feeders) near human habitation. a. A nuisance bear is one that has lost its natural fear of humans and/or learns (becomes habitualized ) to depend on or seek out food provided (intentionally or not) by humans. Nuisance bear activity includes raiding garbage cans, eating pet food, entering buildings or campsites to get food, causing property damage, and occasionally killing livestock. b. Interpretive materials on Florida black bears are available at the FWC website In parks with regular bear occurrences, the Park Manager shall ensure that adequate interpretation against feeding bears (intentionally or not) is conducted by providing written material, installing signs, and visitor contacts. See the FPS Information Library ( under headings starting with Bears for Division-specific materials, including a camper fact sheet, dumpster sign, and park neighbor fact sheet. c. The key to preventing nuisance bears or attracting bears to public use and resident areas is to prevent bear access to all human-provided food including garbage, pet food, and bird feeders. It is illegal to intentionally feed bears in Florida (68A F.A.C.). As with alligators, if feeding of bears by visitors is known to occur, the Park Manager shall request the assistance of law enforcement to interpret the law, issues warnings, and issue citations when necessary. In parks where bears regularly occur, bear-proof garbage cans and dumpsters should be utilized. 9

10 d. Any bear entering a public use area, residence area, or approaching humans seeking food is a nuisance animal and measures shall be taken as described in the section above entitled Preferred Course of Action in Non- Emergencies. Bears in Florida can usually be frightened away by loud noises such as air horns, pot lids clashing together, etc. However, the effects will be only temporary until the food source is removed. e. HAZING: As human-bear interactions increase in state parks, more proactive measures may be needed to deter nuisance behavior of bears. In some cases, FWC Law Enforcement, Park Police and / or park staff may need to create loud noises, shout, chase, and use shotguns to fire nonlethal rubber, bean bag, or other projectiles at bears. The intent of this aversive conditioning or hazing is not to harm bears but to protect human life and property and to protect bears by deterring nuisance behavior that may otherwise require bear removal. 1. Each district will identify a Bear Hazing Coordinator if there is a potential need for hazing activities in the district. Coordinators will be the point of contact for park staff; identify aversive conditioning training needs; coordinate training events with FWC; and keep the District Bureau Chief and Chief of Natural and Cultural Resources apprised of any hazing events that occur. 2. Only properly trained and permitted staff may perform aversive conditioning/hazing on a problem bear, and only in accordance with the conditions set forth in Division s Aversive Conditioning and Hazing Bears Permit, issued by FWC and maintained by the Bureau of Natural and Cultural Resources. Staff wishing to take the training and be added to the permit should contact their district Bear Hazing Coordinator. 3. All staff who are trained and authorized to perform hazing actions are required to be in possession of the following three items of documentation: The Certificate of Completion of an FWC Aversive Conditioning and Hazing of Black Bears training course A copy of State Permit A copy of the sub-permittee Letter of Authorization Park staff working in their home unit must ensure that these documents are kept on file in the park office. Anyone working outside of their home unit must be in physical possession of these three documents while performing hazing activities. 4. Prior to initiating hazing, staff must ensure that there is no humanprovided attractant; that other methods of deterrence have been tried; and that there is no further action other than hazing that will result in deterrence of the nuisance animal. Once it has been determined that hazing must occur, staff will notify the district Bear Hazing Coordinator of the intent to haze prior to carrying out the action. 10

11 The hazing event must be reported to FWC within 48 hours, as per paragraph 3.2 of the FWC permit. Within one week the written report must be submitted to the FWC Regional Wildlife Assistance Biologist. Contact information for the regional offices is found in Attachment B of the FWC permit. 6. Staff are encouraged to utilize the Division s Incident Report Form, found on DEPNET ( under: Forms / Protection / Safety Reports Enter the following information on the report: a) Location and contact information of the FWC Biologist receiving the report b) Date and time of aversive conditioning or hazing event c) Reported behavior of the bear prior to hazing and behavior observed upon arrival d) Anything on scene that could be attracting the bear such as garbage, pet food, bird seed, compost, fruit trees, etc. e) Identifying characteristics of the bear (e.g., large, female, scar on nose) f) Actions taken to aversively condition or haze the bear (i.e., yelled and shot three bean bag rounds) g) Bear behavior in reaction to aversive conditioning or hazing h) Additional important comments or observations 7. In addition to FWC, a copy of the report must be sent to the Park Manager and to the district Bear Hazing Coordinator. The district coordinator will notify the District Bureau Chief and the Chief of Natural and Cultural Resources. 8. The hazing permit and sub-permittee authorization letters are stored in \\tlhdrpres1\sys\resource_management\bear_hazing. f. Habitual nuisance bears in state parks should be reported to the nearest FWC regional office for technical assistance and removal or euthanizing as needed. 5) Bats in Structures Florida s 13 indigenous bat species are important components of the state s native wildlife. Because they are primary predators of night-flying insects, they are also enormously beneficial. Bats occasionally seek shelter in human-made structures instead of natural roost sites (e.g., hollow trees and caves). Various species will 11

12 roost in attics, soffits, louvers, chimneys, under siding, eaves, roof tiles or shingles, and behind shutters. a. Bat roosts in park structures should be reported to district biological staff for an on-site assessment. b. Exterminating or entrapping bats within structures is strictly forbidden on Division Lands; doing so is not only inhumane (leading to animal death by starvation or dehydration), but can result in a persistent odor problem. c. Often there is little reason to evict bats from buildings or need for haste in developing a removal strategy. If eviction is determined to be necessary (due to noise or odors from larger colonies) eviction should be carefully planned and humanely conducted in consultation with park or district biological staff and consistent with 68A-9.010, F.A.C. d. Prior to eviction of bat colonies, an attempt should be made to provide a nearby alternative roost. Be sure to review "Bat Houses, Criteria for Success" in the Information Library ( B. Exotic Animals 1) Preferred Course of Action in Non-Emergencies a. Exotic animals shall be eliminated from Division lands by capture and removal, as feasible. Staff should follow the General Procedures section of this Standard, with priority for removal being given to destructive and invasive species. Relocation of exotic animals into the wild is not allowed ( F.A.C. and , F.S.). b. The Park Manager should attempt to capture domestic pets or livestock that appear on Division lands. The animal owner, if known, shall be notified to retrieve the animal without delay. If the animal's owner cannot be contacted after reasonable efforts or is contacted but fails to recover the animal after a reasonable time, the Park Manager is authorized to deliver the animal to (or arrange for pickup by) the local animal control facility. Specific individual animals that repeatedly visit parks may be delivered to (or picked up by) the animal control facility without an attempt by the Park Manager to contact the owner. If no animal control facility exists within a reasonable distance, or if the animal control facility is unwilling to receive an animal, or if capture of an animal is unsuccessful after reasonable efforts, and the animal poses a risk to park natural resources, cultural resources, or visitor safety, the Park Manager may authorize the humane destruction of the animal in the park by park staff. c. The following sections address animal species that warrant special attention on state parks, and/or that have resulted in considerable discussion and a 12

13 need for a more detailed written standard. Omission of a particular exotic species does not imply that this Standard does not fully apply. 2) Feral Hogs Feral hogs (feral domestic swine) are descended from the wild boar (Sus scrofa) of Europe, and were first introduced to Florida by early Spanish explorers. Feral hogs are the most prolific large mammal in the United States; a sow can have two litters per year with an average of five pigs per litter. These animals are extremely destructive when rooting in the soils of natural biological communities and pose a serious threat to rare and endangered plants. They compete for food against native animals such as deer, turkeys, squirrels, and wood ducks, prey on park wildlife such as small mammals, snakes, and salamanders, root up and eat the eggs of endangered marine turtles, and can transmit disease to other native wildlife. They also can create severe ground disturbance in public use areas, nature trails and road shoulders, thereby impeding visitor and staff access and promoting exotic plant colonization. a. The Division of Recreation and Parks considers the occurrence of feral hogs on state park lands to be incompatible with its basic land management objectives. To protect important natural features and state property, aggressive action shall be taken to eliminate feral hogs from state park lands. b. Feral hogs should be prevented from entering state park lands by appropriate fencing in critical places, as is feasible. c. Hog removal efforts should be accelerated seasonally or when flooding or other natural events make the hogs more vulnerable to removal. d. Hogs may be removed by trapping, catch dogs, and/or by shooting according to the General Procedures section of this Standard. All trapped hogs will be treated as humanely as feasible, whatever removal method is chosen. Live traps should be used whenever possible and, once baited, traps must be checked every 24 hours. Catch dogs may be used only in instances where other methods of removal have failed, and only after obtaining approval from the District Bureau Chief. Dogs must not run through public areas or chase native wildlife. Trailers used to transport live hogs must be constructed with non-skid flooring. Any trapped hogs that are to be shot, or any injured or ill hogs that are to be euthanized, must be killed with a gunshot to the brain with an appropriate firearm, in accordance with the AVMA Guidelines. e. All park staff and volunteers working with hog removal shall be made aware of the occurrence of swine brucellosis in feral hogs and methods to avoid exposure. Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 620, U.S. Department of Agriculture, entitled "Wild Pigs - Hidden Dangers for Farmers and Hunters" is recommended for information. This publication may be found in the DRP Information Library ( under Hogs USDA Ag Bulletin 620). f. Because of the possible transmission of swine brucellosis and pseudorabies between feral hogs and domestic swine herds (and other animals) in Florida, all hogs trapped on park lands and transported live from the park are 13

14 regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). To transport these hogs, the transporter (contractor, non-profit agent, staff, or volunteer) must consent to FDACS requirements and shall provide the Division of Recreation and Parks (DRP) with a current and valid Feral Swine Dealer Identification Card ( Card ), which is provided by Division of Animal Industry, Bureau of Animal Disease Control and is obtained at a Division of Animal Industry District office. A Division of Animal Industry District Office Location Map and contact information can be found on RPCOMMON\NON-PURGED under Agreement Templates\Feral Hog\Attachment 3. The Contractor shall maintain a current and valid Card and shall provide the Park Manager with a new Card at the time of annual renewal. The Contractor s failure to provide the Card within five (5) calendar days of renewal shall result in automatic termination of the Contract without prior written notification. g. Hog Removal Contracts: When determined appropriate by the District Bureau Chief that a sufficient number of hogs are present on park property to warrant contract removal, a contract should be initiated. The Standard Hog Removal Contract is available in RPCOMMON\NON-PURGED under Agreement Templates\Feral Hog. Standard contracts shall be reviewed and approved by Bureau of Operational Services, Office of General Council, and BNCR before the contract can be signed by the District Bureau Chief. Upon execution, a copy of the contract must be sent to the Chief of BNCR and to the Bureau of Operational Services, Visitor Services Section. The contractor will be responsible for all permits and possession authorizations required by other government agencies, including FDACS. For each removal event, the contractor shall sign the standard Hog Disposal/ Removal Receipt and Trip Ticket Form. The contract manager, usually the Park Manager, shall maintain receipts on all animals removed. h. Agreements with Governmental Agencies or Private Non-Profit Organizations: When appropriate, the District Bureau Chief may authorize hog removal by other governmental agencies or private non-profit organizations, specifically to reduce or eliminate hogs from state park lands. Removal by private non-profit organizations or their agents requires a signed Receipt for Donated Hogs (Attachment C), which shall include certification of non-profit use and release for the Division of all responsibility. The Park Manager shall maintain receipts on all animals removed. i. Removal by Park Staff or Designated Volunteers: Hogs may be removed by authorized park staff or designated volunteers. Such authorization must be in writing and must be on file in the park office. 1. Removed hogs may be donated to charitable non-profit organizations. The Park Manager shall maintain receipts on such animals (Attachment C). Interested charitable organizations should be contacted in advance of scheduled removals to maximize the chances that the hogs or carcasses can be transported and used effectively. 2. If donation to charitable organizations is not feasible, shooting and disposal of hogs in the park is authorized. Only those staff or volunteers who have written authorization from the District Bureau Chief may carry and use a firearm for humane destruction of 14

15 nuisance or exotic wildlife. Because of the health risks of handling hogs, the effort required to bury carcasses, and the possible disturbance of archaeological resources, at the Park Manager s discretion hogs may be left unburied in areas where they are shot, as long as the animals are out of public view. The Park Manager shall closely monitor disposal operations and complete, with the shooter's signature, the form entitled Disposition of Feral Hogs (Attachment D). 3. Park employees and volunteers shall not use the meat, or in any way benefit from the use of these animals. 3) Pet Species a. The presence of feral or free-roaming domestic cats, dogs, and any other species kept as pets or livestock shall be minimized by all available means to prevent their adverse impacts on populations of native species (Authority: Ch. 258, F. S. and 62D-2 F.A.C.). Feral and free-roaming pet cats are often of high concern because cats are especially significant predators of native wildlife and are potential vectors of wildlife disease. b. Interpretation. Division staff should use interpretive materials and techniques to minimize problems. c. Removal. Any free-roaming cat or other pet species on Division-managed lands shall be removed. The animal shall be taken to a local animal shelter if feasible. If capture and transport to a shelter is not feasible, the animal should be euthanized according to the acceptable methods of destruction as outlined in this standard. d. Visitor Pets. The public shall be prohibited from bringing domestic cats, dogs, or other pets onto Division-managed lands unless on a leash or otherwise restrained. e. Resident Pets. Resident staff may keep pets in their homes in accordance with the Division s housing policy. If a pet is taken outdoors, it must be on a leash, otherwise restrained, or confined within an escape-proof, covered enclosure. 4) Coyotes a. The coyote has expanded into the southeastern U.S. and Florida and is classified as an exotic species; as such it is not protected on state parks. The range expansion has occurred due to factors which may include human modification of habitat and introductions of coyotes for hunting purposes. b. Control of coyotes can be problematic and should be a high management priority only in cases where the species is known to significantly impact natural resources or park operations. Removal of coyotes should be a high priority when rare and imperiled species (e.g., marine turtles, shorebirds, or beach mice) are being impacted or the potential for impact is high. As with all species, removal should be done according to the General Procedures section of this Standard. 15

16 ) Lionfish While currently more of a problem in Southeast Florida, projections for the potential spread of this highly invasive exotic species include the Gulf of Mexico. Any staff engaged in removal of lionfish must adhere to the safety guidelines included in the Department s Underwater Operations Manual (UOM), found under the DEP Diving Information link on the Department s Safety and Loss Control Management web page: 16

17 Attachment A Blank Memorandum for Request for Approval to Use Firearms Memorandum Florida Department of Environmental Protection [Insert date here] TO: [Insert your Bureau Chief s name here], Bureau Chief Bureau of Parks, District [insert district number here] Division of Recreation and Parks FROM: [Insert your name, title and park here] THRU: [Insert your Park Manager, title and park here] SUBJECT: Request For Firearm Approval I am requesting permission to possess and use the following firearm(s) to remove nuisance and exotic animals on [insert park name or names here]. Firearms Type(s) and Caliber: [e.g., rifle or pistol and caliber; shotgun and gauge] I certify that: 1) I have read and understand the Division Standard Nuisance and Exotic Animal Removal, and that I will abide by it. 2) I have read and understand the methods and procedures outlined in the latest AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. 3) I have read and understand the Job Safety Analysis for exotic/nuisance animal removal (includes trapping, euthanasia, disposal, and use of firearms). 4) I have not been convicted of a crime that hinders my civil rights to possess, care for, or control a firearm or any other weapon per F.S. 5) Firearm Training: I have completed and attached proof of the required training outlined below: 17

18 Memorandum Page 2 of 2 [Insert date here] a. Rifle or Shotgun - Completion of either the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) Florida Hunter Safety Course or the National Rifle Association (NRA) Basic Firearm Training Program: Rifle or a pre-approved Division sponsored firearms training class, or have previous firearms experience in either military or law enforcement capacities. b. Pistol - Completion of the NRA Basic First Steps: Pistol or a pre-approved Division sponsored pistol training class or have previous firearms experience in either military or law enforcement capacities. 6) I understand and agree that if I have requested use of a firearm, the firearm shall be used only for the ethical killing of nuisance and exotic animals and a. use of pistols is restricted to the ethical killing of animals located within a trap; b. a trigger lock will be in place on all firearms when not in use; c. the firearm shall be secured at the park in a location other than simply a locked vehicle (i.e. gun safe, locking file cabinet, locking desk drawer, lock box inside of a locked vehicle where the lock box is secured to the vehicle); d. the firearm shall only be removed from the secure location for the above stated purpose and shall be secured as soon after as is practical; e. the firearm shall only be loaded prior to use and promptly unloaded after use. Printed name and position title Signed name Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks Approved By Date District Bureau Chief, Division of Recreation and Parks cc w/ attachments: Park and District Files Attachments: documentation of completed training specific to the type of firearm to be used (as per paragraph 3. A. 5. of the Nuisance and Exotic Animal Removal standard) --Approval Will Expire Five Years From The Date Signed Above-- Revised

19 Attachment B Alligator Threat Assessment DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION OF RECREATION AND PARKS Alligator Threat Assessment Do NOT use this form if an alligator poses a clear and actual threat to public safety, and you can identify the alligator that poses the threat. In such cases the Park Manager or staff-in-charge shall immediately (within the half-hour): 1) institute any temporary protection measures that seem appropriate (e.g., close swimming area) and 2) contact the appropriate FWC regional office to initiate nuisance alligator trapping. Nuisance alligators can also be reported to this telephone number: 866-FWC GATOR. If it is unclear whether immediate alligator trapping is warranted based on park staff first-hand observation or verbal report from staff or visitors, the Park Manager or staff-in-charge shall immediately (within the hour) notify and designate a lead staff observer to conduct a threat assessment using this form. Name of Observer(s) Date Time Phone # Park Details of Field Inspection: 1. Specific Observation Location (attach map if needed): 2. Date(s) and Time(s) Seen: 3. Estimated Length and Identifying Marks: 4. Is identification reasonably positive? 5. If feasible, reenact the situation leading to the original observation/complaint. Describe the reenactment and the alligator's response: 6. While at a sufficient distance to avoid scaring the suspect alligator (at least 60 ft. if possible), try to attract it by pretending to offer it food by throwing an object in the water in front of you. Describe its response: 19

20 While still at this distance, try to attract the alligator by splashing in the water with your hand. Describe its response: 8. When the above tests are concluded, approach the alligator until it flees and describe its behaviors and the distances when they occur: 9. Describe any other observed behaviors relevant to determining a nuisance status of the alligator: 10. In consultation with the Park Manager or staff-in-charge and if available biological staff, determine if the alligator should be destroyed because it appears to be attracted to or unafraid of humans and poses a potential safety risk. If the alligator must be found again for destruction or further monitoring, attempt to record all distinguishing markings. The above observer should continue to follow the Division s Nuisance and Exotic Animal Removal standard. Any removal of alligators must be included in the park s Exotic and Nuisance Animal Removal Report submitted to BNCR FPS -R008 Revised