Eric C. Hellgren

About

Eric C. Hellgren is associated with the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, specifically within the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation department. He is involved in the Cervidae Health Research Initiative (CHeRI), a collaborative group of scientists working to address health issues affecting cervids, such as white-tailed deer and elk. The initiative aims to promote interdisciplinary science, education, and outreach to improve the health and production of captive cervids in a sustainable manner, while also supporting the health of native wildlife and ecosystems. The research and activities led by Dr. Hellgren focus on tackling problems like hemorrhagic disease, which poses a significant threat to the deer industry in Florida, and involve real-time data collection and resource development to monitor and manage cervid health issues.

Research topics

• Biology
• Ecology

Selected publications

• Illinois resident attitudes toward recolonizing large carnivores

  Journal of Wildlife Management · 2014-05-20 · 67 citations

  articleSenior author

  ABSTRACT Large carnivores are recolonizing portions of midwestern North America given harvest protection and the presence of suitable habitat in the region. Perhaps more so than other species, the successful management and viability of large carnivore populations is as dependent on social acceptance as on biological factors. However, knowledge of human attitudes and perceptions toward large carnivores in much of the Midwest remains unknown. We assessed attitudes and perceptions of Illinois citiz…

  PublisherDOI

• Suitable habitat for recolonizing large carnivores in the midwestern USA

  Oryx · 2015-07-01 · 36 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Large carnivores are recolonizing parts of North America and Europe as a result of modern management and conservation policy. In the midwestern USA, black bears Ursus americanus , cougars Puma concolor and grey wolves Canis lupus have the potential to recolonize provided there is suitable habitat. Understanding where large carnivores may become re-established will prepare resource professionals for the inevitable ecosystem effects and potential human–carnivore conflicts associated with…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Comparing permeability of matrix cover types for the marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris)

  Landscape Ecology · 2015-03-17 · 24 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Matrix land cover types differ in permeability to animals moving between habitat patches, and animals may actually move faster across less-suitable areas. Marsh rice rats are wetland specialists whose dispersal crosses upland matrix. Our objectives were to (1) compare matrix permeability for the marsh rice rat among upland cover types, (2) compare permeability within versus outside perceptual range of the wetland, and (3) explore intrinsic and extrinsic features influencing matrix use and permea…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• River otter and mink occupancy dynamics in riparian systems

  Journal of Wildlife Management · 2019-08-11 · 21 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  ABSTRACT Semi‐aquatic mammals are dependent upon streams and riparian areas, which are a product of the landscapes they drain. Both local stream morphology and surrounding land use are likely to have important influences on current occupancy of semi‐aquatic mammals and potentially affect future geographic distributions. We identified aspects of the riparian system and stream structure at multiple scales that relate to the presence of river otter ( Lontra canadensis ) and mink ( Neovison vison )…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Variation in Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) diet: Effects of an invasive prey species

  PLoS ONE · 2019-10-03 · 17 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Predation is one of the main barriers that exotic species may face in newly colonized areas and may help stop or control the potential negative impacts of invasive species in the environment. We evaluated if the consumption of an invasive prey (armored catfish: Pterygoplichtys sp.) affects the dietary niche breadth and trophic level of a native predator (Neotropical river otter: Lontra longicaudis) in northern Guatemala. We examined otter scats from three rivers: two where the invasive armored c…

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• David M. Engle

  Oklahoma State University

  53 shared

• Paul M. Mayer

  40 shared

• Amy C. Ganguli

  New Mexico State University

  38 shared

• Robert L. Lochmiller

  Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City

  36 shared

• David M. Leslie

  The Alan Turing Institute

  31 shared

• William E. Grant

  Texas A&M University

  28 shared

• Timothy M. Gabor

  Northland Community and Technical College

  23 shared

• Donald C. Ruthven

  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

  14 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Fish and Wildlife Conservation

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  1988

• M.S., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

  Texas A&M University

  1984

• B.S., Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology

  Colorado State University

  1982

Awards & honors

• NSF Regional Variation in Vocal Complexity in Paridae (Summe…
• NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship (2016)
• Animal Behavior Society Funding
• National Science Foundation Funding
• Conservation Leadership Program Funding

Similar researchers at University of Florida

• Emilio Brunah-48
• Corey Callaghanh-42
• Benjamin Baiserh-32