An Interdisciplinary Study of the Effects of Real and Simulated Sonic Booms on Farm-Raised Mink (Mustela Vision)
Abstract
Studies were conducted at three sites on Mitkof Island, Alaska, to determine the effects or three real or three simulated sonic booms of about 6 pounds per square foot over-pressure upon reproduction in farm-raised mink. Control animals were not boomed. No differences (P>.05) were found among experimental treatments for length of gestation, number of kits born per female whelping, number of kits alive per female at 5 and 10 days of age, weight of kits at 49 days of age, kit pelt value and selling price. A behavioral study showed no evidence that the female mink under observation were sufficiently disturbed by sonic booms. Results of necropsy examinations showed no mink deaths attributable to real or simulated sonic booms. Likewise, no evidence was found that bacterial disease was induced in the herd following exposure to sonic booms. The conclusion drawn from these studies is that exposure of farm-raised mink to intense sonic booms during whelping season had no adverse affect on their reproduction or behavior.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0751931
Entities
People
- Hugh F. Travis
- J. R. Leekley
- J. R. Menear
- James Bond
- R. L. Wilson
Organizations
- Agricultural Research Service