Vertebrates Assessment Summary Table

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Species	Common Name	P¹	R²	W³	NR⁴	ii⁵	SAG Final Recommended Classification	SAG comments (bold is recommended, italics are comments from DNR staff)⁶	Council Recommendation 10-17-07
¹ number of prohibited votes, ² number of restricted votes, ³ number of caution votes, ⁴ number of non-restricted votes, ⁵ number of insufficient information, ⁶ part of the recommendation, the non-bold text comment from the group
VERTEBRATES
SAG Members - Present - 1) Dr. Scott Walter, UW-Richland 2) Jason Suckow, USDA-Wildlife Services 3) Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt, DATCP 4) Brian Maloney, pet trade, retired Absent - 5) Roger Sabota, WI Conservation Congress 6) Joel Trick, US Fish and Wildlife Service 7) Jim Bleuer, WI Game Breeders Association 8) Jonathan Gilbert, GLIFWC Facilitator - Tiffany Lyden, UW-Extension, Lakes DNR Staff - Dave Matheys, Wildlife Management, Tom Hermann, Wildlife Management Meeting Date - September 25, 2007
Carduelis carduelis	European Goldfinch			4			CAUTION	Isolated occurrences in WI but not currently breeding here. No known/documented negative ecological effects. Ban release of this species if not already illegal.	CAUTION
Carpodacus mexicanus	House finch				4		NON-RESTRICTED	Species well established in WI. Purple finch may be most negatively impacted native bird. DM - consistency suggests Restricted rating.	RESTRICTED
Columba livia	Pigeon (Rock Dove)				4		NON-RESTRICTED	Too integrated for practical control. Disease and health concerns.	NON-RESTRICTED
Cygnus olor	Mute swan	4					PROHIBITED	Trap-neuter-release may be used to control wild populations. Potential for population expansion without controls. Prohibited status is consistent with status in other states. Species impacts local ecosystem. Competes with native trumpeter swans, which DNR is attempting to restore to WI, and other native waterfowl. Allowed to be possessed via DNR permit.	PROHIBITED
Lepus townsendii	White-tailed jackrabbit			4			CAUTION	Group re-writing book "Mammals of WI" not including species because there is no known self-sustaining population in WI. Potential to be included in grassland community restoration. Do they interfere with prairie chickens?	CAUTION
Martes foina	Stone (Beech) marten				4		NON-RESTRICTED	Do not cause much damage. Range has not expanded in 35 years post-release. Do not think they compete with native mustelids. Only know population in North America is SE WI. Recommend "caution" and monitor population for expansion, growth, damage. Perhaps a greater risk in northern forested areasof the state with pine martens and fishers. DM - consistency suggests caution rating.	CAUTION
Mus musculus	House mouse				4		NON-RESTRICTED	Seemingly little effect on native ecosystems. Species is too integrated into the environment to effectively control. Localized control may be effective and warranted under certain conditions. Some level of public education may be desireable. DM - consistency suggests Restricted rating.	RESTRICTED
Myiopsitta monachus	Monk parrot (parakeet)	4					PROHIBITED	Species not currently breeding in WI, but there are known populations just south of the IL/WI border. Population increases exponentially and poses a significant risk. Move rapidly to eliminate species if/when it is found in WI. Damage potential is unclear, but caution is warranted. Some economic impact to pet trade if sale of species is prohibited.	PROHIBITED
Parus major	Great tit			4			CAUTION	Like to exhibit minimal amount of damage. Sporadic records of presence in SE WI. Has demonstrated ability to breed in WI, even with low numbers. Could compete with numerous native bird species. Caution is warranted.	CAUTION
Passer domesticus	English (House) sparrow				4		NON-RESTRICTED	Difficult to assess damage, as effects have been felt for many years. There may have been effects to other species in the past that were undocumented. Affects some native nesting birds - bluebirds, tree swallows. Species is too integrated into the environment to effectively control. Localized control may be effective and warranted under certain conditions. Some level of public education might be desirable. DM - consistency suggests Restricted rating.	RESTRICTED
Passer montanus	Eurasian tree sparrow			4			CAUTION	Not currently found in WI and establishment potential is apparently low. Damage potential appears minimal. Exclusion and harassment techniques useful for controlling problems/damage.	CAUTION
Phasianus colchicus	Ring-necked pheasant				4		NON-RESTRICTED	Significant economic benefits. Competes with some native birds - prairie chickens, sharp-tailed grouse, bobwhite quail. Provisions should be allowed for pheasant control in native grassland bird (prairie chicken) or community restoration areas.	NON-RESTRICTED
Rattus norvegicus	Norway rat				4		NON-RESTRICTED	Species is too integrated into the environment to effectively control. Localized control may be effective and warranted under certain conditions. Some level of public education might be desirable. DM - consistency suggests Restricted rating.	RESTRICTED
Streptopelia decaocto	Eurasian collared dove			4			CAUTION	Species should be included in the mourning dove hunting season - have a generic "dove" hunting season. This is often the white dove released at weddings. Educate public that this practice is illegal and harmful - potential to spread diseases, compete with native birds, and hybridize with native birds. No established populations in WI yet. Seems to occupy a niche between pigeons and mourning doves. If species has protected status, remove legal protection and allow year-round hunting. Note: species not protected by Migratory Bird Treaty Act.	CAUTION
Sturnus vulgaris	European starling				4		NON-RESTRICTED	Species is too integrated into the environment to effectively control. Localized control may be effective and warranted under certain conditions. Some level of public education might be desirable. Responsible for more damage costs than any other bird in US - agriculture and air transportation industry. DM - consistency suggests Restricted rating.	RESTRICTED
Sus scrofa	Feral pig	4					PROHIBITED	Uncommon but population can expand rapidly. Illegal to hunt pigs in confined (fenced) area. High potential for establishment and harm to wildlife and ecosystems. Have good potential to prevent establishment in WI.	PROHIBITED
Trachemys scripta elegans	Red-eared slider			4			CAUTION	No known breeding population in WI, despite many releases of pet turtles over the years. Climate change may allow for spread into WI. Species present in IL but has not yet spread to WI from IL. Currently no need for controls, but future situation may change and require some sort of control.	CAUTION
SUMMARY: TOTAL SPECIES: 18 Prohibited = 3, Restricted = 0, Caution = 6, Non-Restricted = 9

Last Revised: Wednesday April 23 2008