Parks Dept ATVs Dangerous to Wildlife?

The City Parks Department recently trained some employees on proper ATV handling on Randall's Island, but were they putting birds in danger in the process? A Times reporter recently sat in on some ATV training, where one Parks worker mentioned they saw a killdeer plover nest in the vicinity. He said, "Two of her eggs are broken. I hope we didn’t do it." Killdeer plovers are ground-nesting birds and rely on distraction techniques to protect their eggs—techniques which most likely wouldn't work against an ATV. So, should the Parks Department be more careful, or does the plover need to learn to hide a little better?

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By Jaya Saxena in News on May 27, 2010 5:46 PM

Comments [rss]

dadoc

ATV's are fine, as long as they're 4stroke well-muffled versions. Better than SUVs on the beach. Wonder if there's any LNG ATVs? Would be even better. Back rack could even transport a wounded/ill passenger to an ambu, carry a throw ring, AECD, other helpful stuff.

longacre

I don't think there are any LNG ATVs...if you were to run out of fuel in the middle of the woods there'd be no way to fill up. There are, however, some new propane-powered weedwhackers.

greeen

well if they can run over a sunbather, they will surely run over tiny helpless birds

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/long-island-sunbather-run-over-by-suv-during-beach-rescue/19493719