Brayden White
Fall 2023
Wildlife research is a key component of society a lot of people overlook. For example, wildlife research can aid human and animal medicine, manage wildlife populations, and educate the general public. Also, according to the Final Environmental Statement Operation of the National Wildlife Refuge System wildlife offers an aesthetic value to many people starting from a young age. The book also implies that people will often be passionate about protecting animals that they have never seen. These are just a few reasons why wildlife research is important. If wildlife research is so important then what is Oklahoma State University doing if anything to further this wildlife research? Also, how is Oklahoma State University’s wildlife research benefiting Oklahoma and the world? Based on my research Oklahoma State University’s wildlife research is doing a lot for Oklahoma, and impacting the world in interesting ways.
As I stated earlier, wildlife research is very important. However, let’s take an even deeper dive into why it’s important. First, let’s look at it from an economic standpoint. According to “The Sportsman’s Alliance” hunting and sport shooting produces 149 billion dollars in revenue for the national economy. This is a massive amount of money that is benefiting Americans and wildlife. Wildlife research plays a huge role in hunting as well. According to an interview I conducted with Dr. Sue Fairbanks, Oklahoma State will collect data on Oklahoma wildlife and send it to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation which will then determine the amount of animals that can be harvested per species. This is a very similar process across the United States. Hunting is a very important compentent to managing a species as well. As an avid hunter myself I have seen first hand how hunting can be beneficial to an ecosystem. Also, wildlife research can help create wilderness areas, wildlife refuges, national forests, state parks, and national parks. These places are huge money-makers for the United States. They also create jobs for many Americans.
I stated earlier that wildlife offers an aesthetic value to most humans. People want to be able to see wildlife and help them survive. Especially Oklahoma, Dr. Fairbanks said in my interview with her, “Oklahomans compared to a lot of other states have a higher interest and higher regard for wildlife. They value wildlife more than other states do.” I found this statement to be very interesting coming from a leader in wildlife research. Wildlife conservation is the preservation of a species, its food sources, and the habitat they live in. Endangered species are a main focus for wildlife researchers who want to save the species. According to the Final Environmental Statement Operation of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the United States has even set aside land for Endangered Species to conserve them.
Another reason why wildlife research is important is the educational benefit. Wildlife research can lead to medical breakthroughs that can save the lives of humans and animals alike. It is also important to teach the youth about the world they live in. I remember when I was a kid I would go to zoos and wilderness areas that had zoologists and park rangers that would tell me about the amazing wildlife and ecosystems of the world. These educators played a huge part in my life, and I think educators like that are important to ensure the next generation of wildlife researchers, conservationists, and rehabilitators.
The Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is a key part of Oklahoma State University wildlife research. It was started in 1948 by the U.S. Geological Survey to help train future researchers at the graduate level. The research performed by the researchers is conducted through federal agencies in Oklahoma, indigenous nations, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and Oklahoma State University. However, the majority of the research conducted through the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is performed by Oklahoma State University graduate students. This is a statement from the U.S. Geological Survey of the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, “… we aim to deliver science that meets the needs of all who call Oklahoma home.”
Now that I have explained why wildlife research is important and what program Oklahoma uses to study wildlife I will explain what wildlife research Oklahoma State University has done and how it is benefiting Oklahomans and the world. The first research project I will mention is probably one of Oklahoma State University’s most famous research projects. The bird collision research project was all about identifying why birds would crash into windows and what we could do to stop them. Oklahoma State University was one of the pioneers in this area of research, and the university even changed its infrastructure due to this research. One of the goals of this project was to find which buildings on OSU’s campus were causing the most collisions. Researchers concluded that Noble Research Center and Gallagher Iba Arena caused the most collisions among the buildings on campus. Researchers then added a tint to the windows that reduced the bird collisions to these buildings. Bird window collisions kill billions of birds in North America alone. This research project could end up saving billions of lives across the United States and the world. Research Dr. Tim O’Connell also mentioned, “We often associate bird collisions with big city skyscrapers, but more birds are dying at smaller buildings in communities all over the country.” This means if homeowners would apply a feather-friendly tint to their windows they could save dozens or hundreds of birds’ lives. Now this is a relatively new discovery, but in my opinion, I feel like Oklahoma State University should inform construction companies and homeowners in Oklahoma and the United States about the benefits of using a feather-friendly tint on their windows.
Oklahoma State University does most of its wildlife research out in the Oklahoma wilderness. Dr. Fairbanks, a professor at Oklahoma State University, is one of the leaders of wildlife research at the university. She has been working at Oklahoma State University as an associate professor in Natural Resource Ecology & Management for 13 years. One of her main focuses is the Oklahoma black bear. The goal of her research is to find solutions for human and black bear coexistence. In the interview I conducted with Dr. Fairbanks she informed me that there has never been a fatality caused by a black bear in Oklahoma and she would like to keep it that way. However, she did say the majority of the black bear population in the eastern part of the state are curious males who sometimes tear up people’s property. The reasoning for this mostly male population is the bears are coming over from Arkansas and the female bears are more timid to explore the new habitat than the males. The researchers worked closely with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to determine whether an area needs to be protected for the bear or if a nuisance bear needs to be relocated. Researchers also share their data with the department, so that they can determine whether the bear population can be hunted or not. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation also uses the researchers’ data to educate Oklahomans about black bears. On the department’s website, they inform the public about how to be bear aware and where the highest density of bears is. I think this has helped reduce the amount of negative encounters with bears in Oklahoma, and it may even be a factor as to why there has never been a bear fatality in Oklahoma.
That was a look at a project and researcher who has been at Oklahoma State University for many years. Now let’s look at a newer project and a new researcher at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Patrick Stephens has been working at Oklahoma State University as an assistant professor for almost two years. Dr. Stephens was also my professor for my first biology corse at Oklahoma State University. One of his research projects focused on finding the animal host of the Ebola virus. This research project. Dr. Stephens said in our interview, “ This is important and could potentially save lives.” He also stated that this research project could also help people predict where an outbreak of ebola might take place. The animal he and his team determined to be the host of the ebola virus is bats. I think this project is very important because it could potentially save lives in Africa and across the globe which is something Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma can be proud of.
These are just a couple of examples of how Oklahoma State University’s current research is benefiting Oklahoma and the world. However, let’s look at how past and current research is coming together through Oklahoma State University extension offices to benefit Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma State University extension offices have many purposes to enhance the lives of Oklahomans, but one of those purposes is to use Oklahoma State University wildlife research to protect and benefit Oklahoma. One of these purposes is to educate Oklahomans on dangerous pests such as snakes, mosquitoes, ticks, and spiders. An interesting detail I found about these educational articles produced by the extension offices is that they include voices of Oklahoma State University professors and researchers on the topics. This is important so that people will trust that it’s people who have experienced Oklahoman pests and know what they’re talking about. For example, Justin Talley, head of the Oklahoma State University Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, said, “Ticks are active year-round throughout the state, but ticks will be especially active from late spring through the end of summer.” The extension offices also educate Oklahomans by teaching them about pests to wildlife and livestock. An example of this would be the yellow grub parasite which affects fish in Oklahoma. The extension office’s article is keen to mention that the parasite has no human health risks but can be deadly to fish. The website for the extension offices even explains how these pests can be eliminated.
As I stated earlier in the paper, Oklahoma State University cares a lot about wildlife and is willing to research ways to improve its infrastructure to save the lives of Oklahoma Wildlife. Oklahoma State University also wants Oklahomans to be conscientious about how their infrastructure might be negatively affecting the lives of wildlife. Oklahoma State University has how Oklahomans can reduce wildlife casualties caused by infrastructure and has made that information available through their extension programs across the state.
Another organization that works closely with Oklahoma State University which I have mentioned several times throughout the paper is the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation does a lot to benefit Oklahoma and its wildlife, but according to my research, it is the best educator on invasive species in Oklahoma. Invasive species can be a huge problem for a state such as the Burmese pythons in Florida. One invasive species that affects most of the United States and especially Oklahoma is feral hogs. According to A-Z Animals, Oklahoma has the second most feral hogs out of any state with 1.5 million hogs in Oklahoma alone. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation explains that the reason for this huge population is that feral hogs can become sexually active at 6 months of age. According to the USDA, feral swine can have two liters a year with 4 to 12 piglets per liter. This is a staggering number of hogs but what is even more staggering is the cost of the damage caused by feral hogs. According to A-Z Animals, feral hogs cause 2.5 billion dollars in damage each year in the United States. Feral hogs can tear up property and crops in their search to eat 4% of their body weight a day. According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, feral hogs once infected with brucellosis or leptospirosis can pass the disease on to humans. It’s not just humans that feral hogs are affecting, it’s livestock and wildlife as well. Feral hogs can spread diseases to dogs, livestock, and wildlife. Wildlife in certain parts of the country and Oklahoma have been put under stress to compete for food with the hogs. They have even been documented preying upon native wildlife. Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have worked together to research how to eliminate this animal. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation even gave landowners the right to file for a night shooting exemption for feral hogs. This is the only animal in Oklahoma the department has allowed this exemption for. Oklahoma will never be able to eradicate this invasive species, but hopefully, the combined power of Oklahoma State University wildlife researchers and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will be able to reduce the damage done by these nuisance animals.
Overall, Oklahoma State University is using old research and new research to benefit Oklahoma and the world. Oklahoma State University also teams up with other Oklahoman and national organizations, so that they can create the best and most effective research that they can. Oklahoma State University cares deeply about Oklahoma and its wildlife, and they realize that Oklahomans feel the same way. Improving the lives of Oklahomans through wildlife research is a major concern for Oklahoma State University, but the university also wants to improve the lives of wildlife through its research. Is Oklahoma State University doing anything to further its wildlife research, and does its research benefit Oklahoma and the world? As I’ve made very clear throughout the paper, wildlife research is very important, and Oklahoma State University is furthering its research to benefit Oklahoma and the world. Dr. Fairbanks told me,” Wildlife research is important because we need to understand how humans and wildlife coexist.” I found this to be a powerful statement. Humans and wildlife having a mutualistic bond will improve the lives of humans, wildlife, and the planet that we share.
Works Cited
“Economic Impact of Hunting and Shooting in America by Legislative District.” Sportsman’s Alliance, 17 Feb. 2022, sportsmensalliance.org/news/economic-impact-of-hunting-and-shooting-in-america-by-legislative-district/#:~:text=A%20new%20report%20by%20the,wages%20and%20income%20in%202020.
Fairbanks, Sue. Interview. Conducted by Brayden White. 31 October 2023.
Fairbanks, Sue. “Mapping and Modeling the Components of Human Tolerance for Black Bears in Eastern Oklahoma.” Journal of Environmental Management, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112378.
“Feral Swine – Identification.” U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 2 Jun. 2020, www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage/operational-activities/feral-swine/feral-swine-identification#:~:text=Feral%20swine%20can%20breed%20year,population%20management%20is%20so%20important.
“Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.” Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 27 Sept. 2023, http://www.wildlifedepartment.com.
“Oklahoma State University Changes Infrastructure to Protect Wildlife.” Oklahoma State University AG Research, 14 Aug. 2023, agresearch.okstate.edu/news/articles/2023/oklahoma-state-university-changes-infrastructure-to-protect-wildlife.html.
Operation of the National Wildlife Refuge System: Department of the Interior Final Environmental Statement. United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, 1976.
Stephens, Patrick. Interview. Conducted by Brayden White. 1 November 2023.
Stephens, Patrick. “Traits, Phylogeny and Host Cell Receptors Predict Ebolavirushost Status among African Mammals.” Journal of Virology, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010993.
“U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, http://www.fws.gov. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.
“U.S. Geological Survey.” U.S. Geological Survey, 8 Nov. 2023, http://www.usgs.gov.
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