Date: 11/19/08
Contact: Lynne Foster
Phone: (775) 688-1997

ATKINSON TO LEAD NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE GAME DIVISION

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has selected Dr. Mark Atkinson as the new Game Division Chief.

Trained as a veterinarian, Dr. Atkinson’s background is in farming and ranching. He is a hunter, angler and conservationist who has worked in the field of wildlife management and research for more than 15 years on three continents.

“Mark’s diverse experience in both public and private sectors gives him a broad, well-informed perspective on wildlife management that uniquely qualifies him to lead the Game Division” said Ken Mayer, NDOW’s director.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” said Atkinson. “Game management in Nevada has a rich and successful history, but human effects, climate change, drought and wildfires are impacting the ability of our lands to support healthy populations of both wild and domestic animals. My goal is to develop a cohesive strategy for the Game Division, bringing together innovative ideas from our staff, our Board of Wildlife Commissioners, and our partners to lead the way for clear, science-based management of Nevada’s game species.”

The Game Division focuses on four current program areas: avian and terrestrial game species management, wildlife depredation control, predator management and wildlife health and disease monitoring. Atkinson plans on a continued push for the use of good science in wildlife management in decision-making, and to emphasize the importance of wildlife and ecosystem health at the agency and state level.

The strong veterinary program Atkinson initiated will continue in all agency divisions: Game, Wildlife Diversity, Fisheries, Habitat, Conservation Education, and Law Enforcement.

“Knowing first-hand the skill, passion and dedication of the talented staff at NDOW I consider it a great honor to represent the Game Division as Chief,” said Atkinson.

Dr. Atkinson is a licensed and federally accredited veterinarian in the states of Nevada and Montana. He began his wildlife career in southern Africa providing management advice and veterinary supervision to the capture and translocation of wild ungulates (hoofed animals) throughout the region. After intimate involvement with rhino and elephant conservation issues in Zimbabwe in the early 1990’s, he transferred to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management to develop that agency’s first wildlife health program.

In addition to his conservation work with rhinos, he became closely associated with many other game and wildlife projects including management, conservation and research programs focused on elephant, cheetah, lion, buffalo, honey badger, wild dog, crocodile and ostrich. Leaving Zimbabwe in 1996, he moved to the United States to become the Director of Wildlife and Conservation Medicine at the Wilds, an international wildlife conservation facility based in Ohio.

In 2004, Atkinson moved to Montana where he was employed as the first wildlife veterinarian with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. There he worked extensively with bighorn sheep, bison, moose, deer and elk, as well as with grizzly bears, mountain lions and wolves.

In 2007, Dr. Atkinson was selected for NDOW’s newly-created Wildlife Health Specialist position. Since joining the department he has focused on establishing wildlife health as a key program area of the Game Division.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.