R.S. Matlack | Geology Reports

USGS2000

The swift fox in rangeland and cropland in western Kansas: Relative abundance, mortality, and body size

We assessed suitability of cropland and shortgrass rangeland for swift foxes ( Vulpes velox ) in western Kansas. Relative abundance and survival were similar for foxes in rangeland and cropland. Mortality resulting from non-traumatic causes, coyotes, and motor vehicles differed significantly between habitats. Predation by coyotes, motor vehicles, and non-traumatic causes were responsible for 45%, 36%, and 18%, respectively, of 11 deaths in rangeland and 20%, 10%, and 70%, respectively, of 10 deaths in cropland. Swift foxes in rangeland were larger and in better condition than those in cropland. Males were larger than females based on mass, standardized mass (mass/body length), body length, hindfoot length, and ear length.

Kansas↗

USGS1999

Health status of a recently discovered population of feral swine in Kansas

Twenty feral hogs ( Sus scrofa ) from a newly discovered population on Fort Riley Army Base (Kansas, USA) were shot and examined from November 1993 through February 1994 to assess the health of the population. The hogs were generally healthy, although serologic evidence indicated that some individuals had been exposed to parvovirus, enterovirus, and swine influenza. We found no indications of brucellosis, pseudorabies, or porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome. Lung worms ( Metastrongylus spp.), round worms ( Ascaris suum ), and whipworms ( Trichuris suis ) were found in nine, four and two of the hogs, respectively. Seven hogs had infestations of lice ( Haematopinus suis ). Fence-line contacts were documented between four wild boars and domestic sows, and in three cases wild boars entered pens containing domestic sows. We recommend that hogs be examined periodically from this and other wild populations to monitor health status since new animals may enter populations through deliberate translocation, escape from shooting preserves or domestic swine producers, or dispersal from other feral populations.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗