| Urban Squirrel Study, First of Kind In Texas, Begins at Texas
A&M |
A research project on the ecology of fox squirrel populations on the Texas A&M University campus is beginning this month in an effort to learn more about the animal in urban areas, according to Roel Lopez, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station wildlife researcher. "This project is a unique opportunity that will combine wildlife research with academic training for wildlife undergraduates at Texas A&M," Lopez said. "Studies of fox squirrel ecology on campus will provide basic information needed to manage squirrel populations in urban landscapes throughout the state, and an effective teaching medium for students learning about the population dynamics of wildlife species in the classroom." Wildlife students will participate in trapping squirrels, fitting each with a small radio transmitter, and radio-tracking squirrels on a weekly basis, Lopez said. Students also will conduct population surveys to estimate squirrel density on campus. Information collected by students will be used to reinforce classroom principles in population ecology and wildlife management techniques. Beginning this month, small, wooden box traps will be strategically placed in trees throughout main campus. Once captured, squirrels will be carefully removed from traps and fitted with a small radio collar, Lopez explained. The entire trapping process will take about 15 to 20 minutes. Squirrels will be released at the trap site and monitored weekly for the remainder of the year. Once the project is complete, collars will be removed from each squirrel. Funding for this project is provided by the Experiment Station and the Ed Rachal Foundation. To learn more about and follow progress of the Aggie Squirrel Project, visit the Web site at http://apc.tamu.edu/wfsc403. |
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02/07/02 |