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Show NEWS Sept. 27, 1 991 H.Iitop Times 3 Researchers study effects of noise on animals correlation between heart rate, body by David W. Harris temperature and stress. "For years we have needed solid Environmental Management Directorate Anyone who has been in close proximity to a sonic boom knows what a jarring experience it can be. But w hile a loud sonic boom may momentarily frighten us, few humans suffer any permanent effects from this acoustic phenomenon. But what about animals? What effects do sonic booms have on them? How do other loud noises affect them? In a search to answer these questions, Hill AFB and Utah State University have combined efforts to study the effects of aircraft noise on wild animals. Hill is responsible for the 1.1 million-acrUtah Test and Training Range located in the desert in Western Utah. The desert is home to many species of animals, including antelope, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes and mountain lions. The study's purpose is to determine how the wild animals living in the mountains and valleys in and near the range react to the stress of aircraft noise, including sonic booms. Biologists are concerned that the stress induced by aircraft noises could have long-teradverse effects on some species of wild animals. Past studies have indicated that prolonged elevated stress levels could affect the animals' breeding practices or even reduce their resistance to disease. According to those conducting the study, this is the first project of this scope ever done and is an important step forward in understanding how animals react to noise. V scientific Y and environmental impact statements," Sant said. "This study finally gives us what we've needed." Three types of animals were used in the study elk. pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep. The animals were monitored for their reactions to four types of aircraft noise sonic booms, l flyovers, helicopairter flyovers and small fixed-wincraft flyovers. The preliminary results have pleased researchers. While the noises, especial- r t t s s fit I r si - I high-spee- d low-leve- g 5 .... ... 'i. ly from helicopters, frightened the e m data to use in environmental assessments animals, most returned to normal heart rates within minutes. Some noises, such as sonic booms, got little or no reaction from the animals. But perhaps the most startling observation was the animals' adaptability to the noise. According to Sant. while animals' heart rates increased, the increase was not as dramatic and the recovery time was faster with each successive test. ' r . v'. I " trf , - i j - :: U S Air Force pho'o by David W Harris Hold still Murray Sant, left, holds down an elk that's scheduled to have a transmitter placed in its chest as part of a noise test. "Previous studies have been done, but they are mostly a collection of opinions derived from observation," said Murray Sant, Hill's natural resources manager. This time, instead of merely observing the animals, researchers surgically implanted tiny transmitters in the animals used in the study. The transmitters continuously send information to computers on the animal's heart rate and body temperature. Preliminary studies have shown a direct Researchers hope that what is learned from this study can be applied to other environmental assessments currently being written at Hill and other bases. "Now that we have the data, we can apply it all over the world," Sant said. "In the future we hope to be able to test other species." Already there is a demard for the data. "We've gotten requests from the Navy and even from the University of Sweden for the data," Sant said. V uv a GOLDEN CHOICE BUFFET and get a STEA K DINNER for only CHOOSE A 5 V2 OZ. U.S.DA CHOICE SIRLOIN OR CHICKENCOUNTRY FRIED STEAK Choice of Potato or Rice Pilaf PLEASE NO SHARING. LIMITED TIME ONLY AT PARTICIPATING GOLDEN CORRAL RESTAURANTS. E7L i99i Gdkn Grai Corpoodcn Great Taste, Great Prices, Great Value 293 South State, Clearfield |
