Below are excerpts reprinted from a story in the Las Vegas Review Journal, September 14,1993:

Estimates of the wild duck population by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service indicate another bad year for waterfowl The number of breeding ducks declined by 11 percent in 1993.. .Population declines have been attributed to severe drought and loss of wetlands throughout the North American continent, but recent studies at various wetlands indicate predators (emphasis added) may be having a severe impact

The Wildlife Management Institute reported that studies at a nesting area in North Dakota revealed almost 100 percent of duck nesting area had been bothered by predators. The culprits were identified as foxes, raccoons and skunks.

In Nevada, predator research is being conducted at the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge to learn of the impact on duck populations. Coyotes are thought to be a serious problem, but conclusions are not available.

Also, Ruby Lake biologist Jeff Mackay said he did not think the predator problem at the Hko/White Pine County Refuge was as serious as that in North Dakota.

Ed. note: Is Ducks Unlimited aware of and are they doing anything about the predator problem?