2001 SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE By: Albert, Chuck, Jennifer & Victor

Herd Management Oryx at White Sands Missile Range Predator/Prey Our Challenge Project PicachoAlamogordoCubaTaos PACT

We had many questions. ????????????????

So we made a concept map.

Oryx Herd on White Sands Missile Range I. Species Statistics II. Habitat III. Food IV. Reproduction V. Life Span VI. Herd Management VII. Questions

CONCEPT MAPPING

There are many variables that affect the dynamics of a herd's population. Many of these are uncontrollable by human management methods. One method that can be controlled is the number of animals taken from the herd by hunting. Can a population of game animals be managed by controlling harvest rates when no natural predator exists? ABSTRACT

In 1969 New Mexico Game Dept. introduced the African ORYX into White Sands Missile Range. This herd of ORYX is the only free ranging herd outside of Africa.

This is the African habitat of the Oryx.

This is the New Mexico habitat of the Oryx.

  Desert Grasses   Yucca   Mesquite bean pods   Tumbleweeds FOOD

They can go 30 days without water and raise their body temperature to 116 degrees Fahrenheit. They have a 20 year life span. Their gestation period is 9-10 months. Females can have up to 22 young in a lifetime. Breeding occurs throughout the year.   Sexual Maturity   Females at years   Males at 5 years

New Mexico Predators None

Well, Almost none. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish wanted to introduce exotic big game and establish hunts.

In 2001, the State issued 790 permits. Original Number = 93 Current number = 3000 Oryx Population

INTERIM REPORT Problem Definition: There are many variables that affect the dynamics of a herd's population. Many of these are uncontrollable by human management methods. One method that can be controlled is the number of animals taken from the herd by hunting. Can a population of game animals be managed by controlling harvest rates when no natural predator exists?

INTERIM REPORT Background: This project explores the population variations of the Oryx gazella, a large African antelope, that now lives in southern New Mexico on White Sands National Monument and on the Missile Range. Recent information obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the Soccoro office, states that the Orxy has migrated up as far as Bosque del Apache. Newspaper accounts tell that the animal has made inroads in the McGregor firing range, which is a part of Ft. Bliss, also in southern New Mexico.

INTERIM REPORT Assumptions: Some basic assumptions that will be made are that the herd population changes almost every 9 to 10 months because the Oryx is able to reproduce year round, for as long as 18 years. The Oryx is classified as an adult at the age of 2. Death rates will result from natural causes and hunting.

Math Model: The adult oryx are affected by three factors: adult survival rate, the harvest rate, and the number of new borns that mature. Of course, the largest effect on the population is going to be hunting. Unlike the Oryx natural habitat of Africa, seasonal changes are not a factor in death rate or birth rate. INTERIM REPORT

Conclusion: We wanted to know if a species of animal with no natural predator can be properly managed through natural causes and hunting. We introduced a limited number of hunters into the scenario. We expect that the end results will show that human factor is not the optimal method for controlling or managing herds. There are similar scenarios in other states such as Florida, in which exotic animals have been introduced into an ecosystem with no natural predators.

MATH MODEL VARIABLE DEFINITION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS NASA Thank you Willard Smith COMPAQ SIEMENS NEW MEXICO TECH Thank you Mike Topliff CONSULT Betsy Fredrick Celia Einhorn Eric Ovaska David Kratzer Gina Fisk CRAY Thank you Mike Davis

2001 SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE Albert, Chuck, Jennifer & Victor THE END?