David Richard

The Brown Pelican Restocking Program in Louisiana

The eastern brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) ceased nesting in Louisiana in 1961 and the species completely disappeared by 1963. From 1968 to 1980, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission reintroduced 1,276 pelicans at 3 release sites in southeastern Louisiana. Two restored nesting populations were established, 1 at North Island in the Chandeleur Island chain and 1 at Queen Bess/Camp Island in Barataria Bay. The Queen Bess/Camp Island colony fledged 2,751 birds between 1971 and 1984. North Island production was...

Louisiana's Alligator Management Program

Inventory methods, harvest regulations, tagging requirements, reporting requirements, and a computer program were established to regulate and monitor the harvest of surplus alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in Louisiana and yet distribute the kill in proportion to existing populations over the area open for harvest. Ten seasons were authorized for the taking of alligators between 1972 and 1983. In 1972, only 1 parish was open for hunting; the hunt area was gradually expanded until in 1981 it was statewide. During the 10 alligator seasons, 5,337 licensed hunters harvested 100,712...