Laura L. Patton

Recovery efforts of river otters (Lontra canadensis) in Southeastern states that have implemented restoration programs are poorly documented in the published literature. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources released 355 river otters among 14 sites during 1991-1994, and a statewide harvest was implemented in 2006. We used damage reports, sign surveys, and harvest data to evaluate the recovery and current status of the river otter in Kentucky. When all census data were combined, river otters were observed in each of the 12 major watersheds in the state. Our data...

Detailed knowledge of habitat use patterns of forest bats in the southeastern United States is needed to predict how habitat changes from forest management and other land use practices affect bat communities. We used Anabat detectors to survey bat activity on the Oconee National Forest, Georgia, among 3 loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stand ages (clearcut, sapling, and mature) and 3 riparian habitat types (creeks, rivers, and open wetlands). We used echolocation calls to assess differences in relative activity and species richness among stand ages and riparian habitat types. We recorded calls...