Feral hog distribution (Sus scrofa) has increased to 38 states due to high fecundity rates, an omnivorous diet, and translocation by humans; affecting various stakeholders. To assess stakeholder attitudes and feral hog distribution in the United States and within Mississippi, selfministered mail questionnaires were sent to district level state wildlife biologists nationwide (n = 614) and to Mississippi Farm Bureau county presidents (FBCP; n = 79). I used the Wildlife Stakeholder Acceptance Capacity theory to assess what factors (e.g., species presence, perceived density, stakeholder land usage, risk belief, attitudes toward the species) influenced stakeholder preferences for a specific future population trend (i.e., increase or decrease). Wildlife biologists were influenced by attitudes and occupational risk beliefs. Influential factors of FBCP attitudes could not be assessed because no producers wanted an increase in future hog populations.

Feral swine are a nuisance species across the United States that costs around $1.5 billion each year in agricultural, environmental, and personal property damages. In the last ten years the population of feral swine is estimated to have quadrupled and novel population control methods are needed. Furthermore, feral swine are known carriers of zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis, which threatens both livestock biosecurity and public health. Recombinant multimeric gonadotropin-releasing hormone (mGnRH) has been previously used as a subunit vaccine to induce immunocontraception in feral pigs. However, potent adjuvants and large amounts of purified antigen are needed to elicit a robust anti-GnRH immune response and current delivery methods are limited. Brucella suis strain VTRS2 can be used as a novel platform to deliver mGnRH without the use of antibiotic resistant markers. Strain VTRS2 was created by deletion of the LPS biosynthesis gene wboA as well as the leuB gene required for leucine biosynthesis inside the nutrient-depleted intracellular environment occupied by Brucella. Mutations in wboA are known to attenuate Brucella strains such as the vaccine strain B. abortus RB51, however strain RB51 is rifampin resistant and has poor efficacy in swine. Strain VTRS2 confers significant protection against B. suis challenge in mice and additionally shows evidence of protection in feral swine. Furthermore, the mGnRH antigen can be delivered using the pNS4 plasmid (which expresses leuB under its native promoter) thus maintaining the plasmid in strain VTRS2 under leucine-deficient conditions while expressing recombinant antigen in the host. The murine model was used to determine the clearance kinetics of strain VTRS2-mGnRH and to measure vaccine efficacy against challenge by virulent B. suis 1330. Subsequently the effects of the VTRS2-mGnRH vaccine on fertility were assessed in breeding trials in mice. Strains VTRS2 and VTRS2-mGnRH were found to be protective against virulent Brucella suis challenge. Strain VTRS2-mGnRH elicited an anti-mGnRH antibody response in vaccinated mice, though an effect on fertility was not observed. An improved vaccine against brucellosis in swine, which also confers immunocontraception without the introduction of antibiotic resistance, could become an important tool in the management of this nuisance invasive species. / Ph. D.

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) are an invasive species in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV). They cause millions in damage annually to agriculture, and likely negatively affect native wildlife species. Using camera traps, I monitored 36 forest patches within the MAV to assess the effects of swine invasions on native wildlife species richness. I also modified the double-observer point count technique into a new method for estimating swine abundance with camera traps. Feral swine suppressed native vertebrate richness by 26% when compared to uninvaded patches. I validated the new double-observer technique by determining if it could detect an abundance-area relationship in wildlife populations and estimate a known decrease in abundance following swine removal. This technique was sensitive enough to detect the increase and decrease in abundance and estimated the number of individuals removed from the population relatively accurately. This technique may be useful in the future to manage feral swine populations.

Sådana system i en organisation som inte är sanktionerade kallas skuggsystem. I detta arbete har vi genomfört en fallstudie vid Försvarets materielverk FMV för att undersöka vad som orsakar att skuggsystem uppkommer. I studien har ett antal skuggsystem identifierats och möjliga orsaker har analyserats. Det är viktigt för en organisation att skaffa kunskap om skuggsystemens existens för att kunna hantera dem och därför är det viktigt med en förståelse för orsakerna bakom. / Systems in an organization that are not formally sanctioned are called shadow systems. In this paper we have conducted a case study at the Swedish Defence Material Administration FMV to better understand the drivers behind the creation of shadow systems. The study has identified a number of shadow systems and possible drivers have been analyzed. It is important for an organization to gain knowledge about the existence of shadow systems in order to manage them. Therefore it is important to have an understanding of the drivers behind shadow systems.

Although healthcare information systems improve healthcare and efficiency they are often complex and provide a limited service. For these and other similar reasons, users often take it upon themselves to create their own solutions. These user created solutions are called feral information systems. It is not always that these feral information systems meet the standard requirements of healthcare information systems and as a result of this they have the potential to create risk that might put the patient, management and the organization at risk. This is an undergraduate thesis that aims to research the risks that can rise when feral information systems fail to meet the standard requirements of healthcare information systems. The report is an interpretive case study that focuses on three different feral information system within a regional healthcare organization. Ten standard requirements of healthcare information systems are described and written from three distinctive divisions – Technique oriented, information oriented and user oriented requirements. Information is gathered using a semi-structured interview with the developer of the three systems, a user of one of the systems and two managers from the maintenance department of the organization. The data gathered about the feral information system is then interpreted and analyzed using the ten requirements of IT system in healthcare from the perspective of the three different divisions. As a result of the research we have come to the conclusion that the failure to meet the user and information and technical oriented requirements have the potential to create certain risk in some aspects but not all. Feral information systems in health care services can pose a risk to patient safety and that there are probably several of these systems that violate the patient data act or personal data law. Failure to handle data integrity and follow the patient data law in feral information systems often results in lacking user traceability. In addition, there is an extra cost to maintain systems that are usually not analyzed by the operations. We see that feral information systems often uses self- defined healthcare terminology which obstructs the ability to integrate with other systems. The lack of documentation obstructs the use of the system without a special training. These trainings take time, resources and are often not free. Making the organization more and more dependent on the experienced users. Furthermore, the lack of documentation also obstructs the possibility of further developing the system.  However, the potential of feral information system to cause risk is often neglected and underestimated. This is because feral information systems often fulfill only a small and particular need within a certain division of the organization. / IT-system inom hälso- och sjukvård förbättrar vården och effektiviteten. De är dock ofta komplexa och ger en begränsad service. Av detta och andra liknande skäl skapar ofta användarna egenutvecklade IT-system. Dessa användarskapade IT-system kallas feral information systems. Det är inte alltid så att dessa feral information system uppfyller de krav som ställs på IT-system inom hälso- och sjukvård och som ett resultat av detta har de potential att skapa risker för patienten, förvaltningen och organisationen i helhet. Denna kandidatuppsats syftar till att undersöka de risker som kan uppstå när feral information systems inte uppfyller de krav som ställs på IT-system inom hälso- och sjukvård. Studien är en tolkande fallstudie som fokuserar på tre olika feral information systems inom en regional hälsovårdsorganisation. Vi har tagit fram tio kriterier som vi anser IT-system inom hälso- och sjukvård bör uppfylla. Dessa kriterier beskrivs och uttrycks från tre kategorier: teknikorienterade, informationsorienterade och användarorienterade krav. Vårt empiriska material samlas in med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer med utvecklaren av de tre systemen, en användare av ett av systemen samt två chefer från organisationens förvaltningsorganisation. Insamlade data om dessa feral information systems tolkas och analyseras sedan med hjälp av de tio kriterierna vi tagit fram för IT-system inom hälso- och sjukvård och summeras i de tre kategorierna. Feral information systems i vårdverksamheter kan innebära risk för patientsäkerheten och att det troligen är flera av dessa system som bryter mot patientdatalagen eller personuppgiftslagen. Brister i att hantera dataintegritet och patientdatalagen leder till att feral information systems ofta saknar spårbarhet. Dessutom finns en kostnad för att underhålla systemen som oftast inte är analyserade av verksamheterna. Vi ser att feral information systems ofta följer sina egna definitioner av begrepp vilket försvårar integrationen med andra system. Avsaknaden av dokumentation leder till svårigheter i att använda systemen utan utbildning. Utbildningen tar tid, så denna resurs är oftast inte gratis. Detta gör att verksamheten blir beroende av de mer erfarna användarna. Avsaknaden av dokumentation skapar även svårigheter i övertagandet av existerande feral information systems samt vid behovet av vidareutveckling. Eftersom feral information systems oftast uppfyller små och nischade behov inom en verksamhet, försummas och underskattas systemets potential att skapa risk.

A vegetation assessment was conducted to understand the effect of feral goats (Capra hircus) on the vegetation of Isolated Hill Scenic Reserve located in Southern Marlborough. New Zealand forests evolved without the pressure of mammalian herbivores but following human settlement they became subject to intensive browsing following the introduction of exotic mammals. This study focuses on the presence of feral goats. Interest arises from the settlement of other countries and the subsequent liberations of feral goats which are now considered to be responsible for the significant removal of native vegetation as well as playing a dominant role in erosion. Changes in plant communities have occurred with the pressure of goat browsing as well as secondary effects such as habitat degradation The purpose of this research was to investigate the changes in plant species composition since the initial and subsequent research conducted in 1985 and 1994. An analysis of previous work on the diet of multiple introduced ungulate species was also conducted. Previous studies were not limited to only feral goat studies and included other introduced herbivores to provide a broad overview of diets. The New Zealand Forest Service implemented a programme for monitoring the seral forest in Isolated Hill Scenic Reserve using standard Forest Service vegetation quadrants. 32 quadrants were established, including three exclosures, in various locations around the Reserve to allow assessment of feral goat impacts on seral forests (forest whose constituents are of varied age classes). Nine forest service plots, including three exclosures were re-measured and an additional nine plots were measured. Given the progression of vegetation change that has been observed during the course of this study, both analytically and observationally, Isolated Hill Scenic Reserve in its current state, involving the notable presence of feral goats and the vegetation types will continue to diminish in diversity.

This thesis expands on the model presented in Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka’s Zoopolis for how companion animals might be treated as co-citizens in a post-Animal Rights world. I will attempt to clarify the distinct political obligations owed to companion animals throughout their lifetimes by individual caregivers and by the state. In particular, I argue that there is nothing in the genetic make-up of most companion animals that precludes them from being “autonomous agents” in adulthood, meaning that if allowed to develop their agency, most animals would be able to lead flourishing lives independent of human companions. I suggest that, for young companion animals, guardians have political obligations to develop the autonomous agency of their dependents, with help from the state. That said, for adult animals which develop autonomous agency, I argue that both a human caregiver and the animal have a right to sever their relationship with each other, just as we give adult children the right to leave their parents’ care and also give parents the “right to kick out” adult children who are capable of supporting themselves. However, while advocating for human caregivers’ rights to sever relationships with autonomous pets, I nonetheless maintain that the state will always retain obligations to its citizens to provide them with a basic level of welfare, and these obligations extend to companion animals as well. Thus, the thesis will consider ways that companion animals can flourish without human companionship. Questions I am concerned with are: Can companion animals lead worthwhile lives without human caregivers? What obligations do caregivers and states have to raise animal young? When and how can these obligations be terminated? And lastly, how might we restructure our public and political institutions to accommodate animals who voluntarily or involuntarily leave relationships with caregivers? / Thesis (Master, Philosophy) -- Queen's University, 2013-11-15 09:18:40.613

Numerous trap designs have been used in efforts to capture wild pigs (Sus scrofa); however, drop-nets have never been examined as a potential tool for wild pig control. I implemented a 2-year study to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of an 18.3 x 18.3 m drop-net and a traditional corral trap for trapping wild pigs. In spring 2010, treatment units were randomly selected and multiple trap sites were identified on 4,047 ha in Love County, Oklahoma. Trap sites were baited with whole corn and monitored with infrared-triggered cameras during pre-construction and capture periods. Unique pigs using trap sites were identified 5 days prior to trap construction and used in mark-recapture calculations to determine trap effectiveness. Three hundred fifty-six pigs were captured in spring of 2010 and 2011. I documented maximum captures of 27 and 15 pigs with drop-nets and corral traps, respectively. I removed 86 and 49% of the unique pigs from treatment units during the course of the study using drop-nets and corral traps, respectively. Catch per unit effort was 1.9 and 2.3 h/pig for drop-nets and corral traps, respectively. Wild pigs did not appear to exhibit trap shyness around drop-nets, which often facilitated the capture of entire sounders in a single drop. Use of drop-nets also eliminated capture of non-target species. During my study, damage by wild pigs was reduced by 90% across the study area, verifying control reduces damage on native rangelands. Population monitoring for pseudorabies virus, brucellosis, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome resulted in exposure rates of 24, 0.4, and 0.4%, respectively. Removal of wild pigs reduced rooting damage and probability of encountering pig borne diseases of importance to livestock and human health. My research confirms drop-nets can be an effective tool for removal of wild pigs.

Demographic, biological and behavioural knowledge, together with information on the ecological interactions and impact of a species is fundamental to effective management of most mammal species. In this study, these aspects were investigated for a population of feral horses in the Namib Naukluft Park of Namibia, which lies within a part of the Namib Desert. An attempt was made to evaluate the justification of the continued existence of this exotic species in a conservation area, as well as to provide baseline information and recommendations regarding management of these horses. The study investigated the botanical component and grazing capacity of the area inhabited by the horses, as well as the demography and quality of life of the horses. The study further examined the possible negative impact the horses may have on the natural biodiversity of the area. Finally, it looked at the historic, scientific, aesthetic and economic values of the horses. The collected data was then used as a technical basis for the development of a draft management plan during a stakeholder workshop. The study proposed a range of grazing capacity values related to the total rainfall of the preceding twelve months, based on grass production in response to rainfall in different plant communities. The horses, as well as the native large herbivores, utilized the study area according to the patchy rainfall patterns typically found in the Namib Desert. The population size of the horses fluctuated between 89 and 149 over a ten year period. The social structure of the population was more significantly influenced by artificial interference than natural disasters which had implications on natality, mortality and genetic viability. Termite activity, measured as utilization of grass provided in bait boxes, did not correlate with horse density and seems, instead, to be influenced by soil properties. The results of ant and tenebrionid beetle species composition surveys and analyses did not indicate a significant negative impact from the horses on the study area. No indication could be found that the horses threaten the survival of any native species in the area or that they change the vegetation structure. It appears as if the biodiversity of the area is subjected to large natural stresses due to the continued and frequent desiccation in the desert environment. The impact of the horses is therefore probably minor to that of the climatic stochasticity. It also became apparent that the horses have developed significant historical, scientific and tourism value. The general public opinion is that the horses should be managed as a wild population with minimal artificial interference. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Zoology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The thesis studies the quantity of feral pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) and their daily activities in the locality of Smíchov in Prague. The research was focused on finding whether there is only one group of pigeons bound to the locality by daily activities connected to their consistent alimentary habits or whether there are two subgroups, one of them staying in the locality and the other one leaving to get food further from the city. A method of wing tags with further tracking and modern GPS telemetry was used for the research. A total of 10 birds was caught and marked by a wing tag and one subject was tracked by GPS telemetry. Using these methods, it was found that the pigeons are divided into two subgroups in the locality, one of them sticking to their overnight area even during the day and getting fed on garbage or by people and the other one leaving to get food on the fields 6km away from the city. In the sowing period, the whole group took part in leaving to get the food in the fields further from the city. Key words: feral pigeon, abundance, telemetry