On today's show...
A pest is in the eye of the beholder, according to Bethany Brookshire, author of "Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains."
She discusses what makes a pest and explores a six-ton pest that farmers deal with half a world away. The elephant is dangerous and damaging — but also protected (1:00 to 22:30).
We then meet a few of South Dakota's pests. Greg Wolbrink, a wildlife damage specialist, and Brad Baumgartner, a regional wildlife manager, with South Dakota's Game, Fish and Parks Department join us.
They talk about the beaver, which offers huge benefits to ecosystems (up to a point). Plus, what is perhaps the most intelligent pest in the country: the coyote (22:30 to 39:55).
And Mike Klosowski, regional wildlife supervisor with GFP, shares the management options for an ecosystem engineer, the prairie dog (36:55 to 49:11).
