This music score was submitted for the Kaleidoscope 2020 Call for Scores, an open access collaboration with the UCLA Music Library.

This music score was submitted for the Kaleidoscope 2020 Call for Scores, an open access collaboration with the UCLA Music Library.

Although the muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus, is native throughout most of the United States and has been a mainstay of the fur business, in recent years it has become a serious pest causing extensive damage to some specific crops, as well as to earthen water-holding structures. Damage caused by muskrats to rice crops, food fish, and bait fish reservoirs In Arkansas was estimated in 1967 to be almost $900,000. A control program begun in October 1967, directed principally at muskrat control, proved a significant aid in reducing damage. This program provided Arkansas farmers and landowners with practical, effective methods and techniques which could be utilized by them or their labor force to control or eliminate damage attributable to muskrat depredation.

Anticoagulant poisoning is only one of several causes of hemorrhage in dogs. Hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease, liver diseases, and infections are cited as additional causes of hemorrhage. The duration of anticoagulant activity determines the treatment protocol. The half-life of warfarin is 19 hours; diphacinone, 30 days; brodifacoum, 180 days. The treatment of anticoagulant poisoning requires doses of vitamin K1 at the rate of 5 mg/kg, initially intramuscularly, then orally. Warfarin intoxication is treated for 4 days; diphacinone and brodifacoum for 30 days. Where hemorrhage is present, the prognosis is guarded, and fresh whole blood transfusions are indicated.

Measurement of palatability and rodent acceptance of oral baits is a controversial subject. Particularly with anticoagulants, effectiveness requires the bait be consumed by the target species, and this is of increasing interest to the industry as well as to regulatory agencies. This paper explores the role of sex of the test animal, the significance of difference between assay methods, and the number of observations during an assay. Factors affecting bait palatability are discussed, including the toxicant, formulation and mixing methods, and shelf life.

The impact of vertebrate animal damage on agricultural production of row crops, forests, horticulture, poultry and livestock production, other wildlife, health of humans and domestic animals, and the protection of human interests is a vital concern of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Department recognizes that it is an old and complex problem that does not lend itself to easy answers. Animal damage problems will continue to be a significant concern of USDA and will probably always be controversial, requiring intensive research, educational, regulatory, and assistance programs. The objectives of the Department are to develop and maintain viable programs in animal damage control that are safe, effective and environmentally sound and to cooperate with programs of other departments and agencies, both federal and state, to alleviate the impacts of animal damage on people and their interests.

The use of pesticides as one of the management tools to assist in the prevention and control of damage caused by vertebrate wildlife is certainly not new, nor has it become any less controversial in recent years. In fact, throughout the recent history of pesticide uses for control of vertebrate damage to the production of food and fiber, the prevention of potential epizootic diseases, and other potential threats to man's well-being and to the habitats and management of other wildlife resources, the use of pesticides as well as other management tools have generally been reviewed and monitored by professionals. Justifiably, there has been a significant amount of research conducted to monitor both direct and indirect hazards or potential hazards to nontarget vertebrate wildlife species. It is essential to assess, research and monitor these hazards to other vertebrates, as well as to evaluate the cost benefits and risk benefits of pesticide use. How can we put these concerns or potential occurrences into proper perspective? I'm not sure about many of the potential concerns because knowledge, experience and common sense use by professionals should prevent most nontarget risks. However, I do believe that by providing consideration for a review of nontarget wildlife losses to pesticides as well as other losses to vertebrates we might become more professionally cautious while concurrently improving our competence and confidence in the use of pesticides to prevent and control vertebrate wildlife damage.