An oil and gas refinery in Nueces County, TX, requested 
assistance from ADC to resolve a problem with roosting 
birds. A power substation had been adopted as a roosting 
site by about 1,000 grackles. The birds’ droppings onto the 
transformers caused a power outage at the refinery, 
resulting in an estimated production loss of $10 million. 
Parts of the plant had to be shut down to repair the 
substation. ADC recommended harassment techniques to 
frighten the birds from the area, and these proved 
successful in resolving the problem. 
About 1,000 coots caused considerable damage to a golf 
course in Santa Barbara, CA, by feeding on the greens and 
tee areas and by defecating on and digging up the greens. 
ADC had previously provided technical assistance to golf 
course officials in the past on various harassment 
techniques to frighten the birds away, but the coots became 
accustomed to these efforts. ADC specialists used the 
chemical immobilizing agent alpha-chloralose to tranquilize 
and remove a number of the birds to prevent further 
damage. 
At the request of city officials in West Des Moines, IA, ADC 
prepared a beaver management plan for the city after 
beavers damaged numerous trees along a greenbelt 
managed by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. In 
addition, ADC conducted beaver control activities and 
removed seven problem beavers. ADC personnel also 
interviewed with local television reporters on four occasions 
to help inform the public about the control project. 
Protection of Human Health and Safety 
ADC has been active in its role to protect human health and 
safety through the control of animal-borne diseases and 
wildlife hazards to aircraft. We have removed a number of 
dangerous animals, such as black bears and mountain lions, 
from public areas. ADC biologists assist State and local 
health departments in controlling animals in areas where 
wildlife disease outbreaks threaten public health. We also 
conduct programs at airports, where collisions between 
wildlife and aircraft pose a serious safety hazard to 
passengers. 
Public Safety 
A resident of San Luis Obispo County, CA, was in his 
backyard barbecuing with several guests when a small 
mountain lion ran into the yard and attacked the family dog. 
The lion dropped the dog and retreated into a canyon after 
the homeowner and several of the guests grabbed sticks 
and tools and hit the lion. The homeowner contacted the 
CDFG about the incident and then took the dog toa 
veterinarian’s office, where it was treated. About 2 hours 
later, the host and his guests went outside again and 
witnessed the family’s pet cat running through the yard with 
the mountain lion in close pursuit. This time, the people 
used lawn chairs to force the lion to retreat. The 
homeowner called CDFG, and the warden contacted ADC. 
The local ADC specialist arrived at the scene a short time 
later and used dogs to quickly locate the lion. 
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ADC Program Highlights, 199613 
