| Website © Lisa Selner "Buffalo Annie" |
| Field Experiences |
Uncovering unexpected natural wonders in my own backyard while exploring the
woodland life in my home state of Connecticut, and getting up close and personal
with black bears!
This had to be my most favorite seasonal experience while employed with the
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s Wildlife Division (CT
DEP). I aided the Furbearer Program with a black bear study, conducted radio
telemetry on collared black bears, used radio telemetry to determine winter den
locations, and assisted with black bear winter den visits. During winter den visits
sows were weighed, measured, and radio collars refitted or replaced (bears
immobilized). Newborn cubs were recorded and weighed; while yearling cubs
were weighed, measured, ear-tagged, sexed, and females fitted with a radio collar.
Investigation of nuisance black bear complaints including beehive and birdfeeder
damage, porch break-ins, and livestock predation was another aspect of this
seasonal position. This involved communication with residents who contacted the
CT DEP regarding nuisance bear issues. Persons with concerns were provided
information about black bears in CT and advice was offered regarding deterring
bears from their properties. When bears needed to be removed culvert traps were
set for live capture. Trapped bears were identified if previously tagged, and
released into a nearby state forest.
Necropsies were performed on black bears, bobcats, coyotes, fishers, and river
otters. I also operated pelt tagging stations, and assisted with pelt tagging at a
private game club fur auction. I maintained the wildlife sighting, necropsy, and pelt
tagging databases and participated in wildlife tracking workshops. I also assisted
with cottontail trapping. Cottontail research was being conducted to evaluate home
range size, habitat and distribution of New England cottontail rabbits. Cottontails
captured were weighed, measured, ear-tagged, sexed, and a sample of their DNA
collected before being released.
Field Photo Albums:
woodland life in my home state of Connecticut, and getting up close and personal
with black bears!
This had to be my most favorite seasonal experience while employed with the
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s Wildlife Division (CT
DEP). I aided the Furbearer Program with a black bear study, conducted radio
telemetry on collared black bears, used radio telemetry to determine winter den
locations, and assisted with black bear winter den visits. During winter den visits
sows were weighed, measured, and radio collars refitted or replaced (bears
immobilized). Newborn cubs were recorded and weighed; while yearling cubs
were weighed, measured, ear-tagged, sexed, and females fitted with a radio collar.
Investigation of nuisance black bear complaints including beehive and birdfeeder
damage, porch break-ins, and livestock predation was another aspect of this
seasonal position. This involved communication with residents who contacted the
CT DEP regarding nuisance bear issues. Persons with concerns were provided
information about black bears in CT and advice was offered regarding deterring
bears from their properties. When bears needed to be removed culvert traps were
set for live capture. Trapped bears were identified if previously tagged, and
released into a nearby state forest.
Necropsies were performed on black bears, bobcats, coyotes, fishers, and river
otters. I also operated pelt tagging stations, and assisted with pelt tagging at a
private game club fur auction. I maintained the wildlife sighting, necropsy, and pelt
tagging databases and participated in wildlife tracking workshops. I also assisted
with cottontail trapping. Cottontail research was being conducted to evaluate home
range size, habitat and distribution of New England cottontail rabbits. Cottontails
captured were weighed, measured, ear-tagged, sexed, and a sample of their DNA
collected before being released.
Field Photo Albums:
 | Black Bear Den Visits | |
| Black Bear Trapping | |
| Wildlife Resource Assistant CT DEP Wildlife Division Furbearer Program Connecticut December 2004 to May 2005 |
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