Lots of buzzing in recent months! In May, I attended the 14th European Vertebrate Management Conference in Slovenia, where I presented a paper on Rewilding herbivores: could fertility control and other interventions help? with UK and Australian colleagues and co-authored two more: Evidence of density dependence on wild boar reproduction in Mediterranean populations, led by Joana Colomer; and Invasive species management strategies in a One Health system, led by Katie August. The conference attracted 250 attendees from 45 countries, with a record 88 talks and 72 posters.
News from BIWFC Europe Germany: another story of pigeons
Similar to the story we reported last spring on fertility control for pigeons in Belgium, this time it’s the turn of the German city of Bielefeld. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Veterinary Office will implement a plan using the oral contraceptive Ovistop to manage the local pigeon population. The city prohibited feeding the pigeons and expects the first results of the 75,000 €/year operation in 2–3 years.
The UK Squirrel Accord Big Anniversary
In June, the UK Squirrel Accord (UKSA) celebrated its 10th anniversary in style, with a two-day conference hosted by the University of Greenwich. UKSA is a UK-wide partnership of 45 leading conservation, forestry, and land management organizations and UK government and non-governmental agencies, including the BIWFC. I kicked off the full session dedicated to grey squirrel fertility control with a talk on overview of fertility control efforts around the world. The combination of skills and expertise among attendees—and the general willingness to learn from each other—was a testament to the success of this event.
Giovanna Massei
