Wildlife researcher responds to cormorant complaints

by Tom Crann, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — A response to a previous discussion on problems caused by cormorants comes from Linda Wires, a Research Fellow at the University of Minnesota's Dept. Of Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology.

Legislation supported by two of Minnesota's congressmen would make it easier for the state to control the cormorant population.

Congressmen John Kline, R-Minn. Dist. 2 and Collin Peterson, D-Minn Dist. 7 are sponsors of the bill. Kline said he's responding to complaints by Mayor Jim Nash of Waconia and others about problems in their communities they blame on the bird. Among the things Nash blamed cormorants for is reducing the fish population.

The mayor's comments prompted a response from Wires.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 10/05/2011, 5:24 p.m.