Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
increases the probability of confrontations with humans. This is likely to lead to
unfortunate consequences for both the humans and the wild creatures. Surveyors
spend a large part of their time outdoors. Having an intimate knowledge of the
wildlife that might be encountered is an important part of the job. It is a subject
not usually taught in courses on land surveying, but if you ask an experienced sur-
veyor about it, you will be likely to hear about encounters with creatures ranging
from bees to bears. When new highways are laid out, new subdivisions created, or
new parcels are severed from larger parcels, surveyors are the first ones to go out
into the field. This sometimes places them in habitats that have been largely undis-
turbed for years. In such cases, the survey crew is exposed to many species of
wildlife. Sometimes a boundary corner may be located in a place that provides the
perfect habitat for a poisonous snake, bees, poison ivy or other potentially harmful
creatures or plants. If the boundary corner must be located or set, a surveyor may
have no way to avoid the location and must walk to the exact spot. A prudent sur-
veyor will be educated on the flora and fauna of the area in which he or she works.
This knowledge will allow the crew to be prepared for any eventuality.
Only a few species have the potential to pose a threat to a survey crew. Indeed,
humans are a much greater threat to wildlife than the other way around. The infor-
mation presented here on dangerous wildlife is limited in scope and it is intended
solely as an introduction to a few of the wildlife types a surveyor may encounter.
Anyone entering an area where dangerous wildlife may exist should seek expert
advice and familiarize themselves with the habits of the creatures, means of avoid-
ing contact and what to do, should contact and/or injury occur.
Worldwide, the greatest wildlife threat to humans is the mosquito, because
of its ability to transmit malaria. The World Health Organization estimated that
in 2010, malaria caused 219 million clinical episodes and 660,000 deaths world-
wide. In spite of malaria having been
eliminated
in the U.S., about 1,500 cases
are reported each year, largely from people returning from travel abroad. Bee
and wasp stings are in second place, mainly because many people have an aller-
gic reaction when stung. Bees account for about 50 deaths per year in the U.S.
Although not a wild animal, dog bites are high on the list, with about 200 deaths
per year. Domestic dogs are found in urban, suburban and rural locations and sur-
veyors should always approach unknown dogs with caution, particularly when
they are loose and display aggressive behavior.
Worldwide, the greatest wildlife threat to humans is the mosquito, because
of its ability to transmit malaria.
Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are carried by ticks. Lyme
disease is carried by the Deer Tick and it is geographically concentrated in the
Northeast with 95 % of cases occurring from New Hampshire to Virginia
(Fig.
10.9
). Although the number of fatalities may be less than 10 per year,
reported cases exceed 30,000 per year. Deaths may be rare but the disease can
be very debilitating, in some cases with long term effects. Rocky Mountain
