Danny Baker

Dr. Baker is a professional wildlife scientist and has been conducting scientific research for over 35 years. His early research career began as wildlife researcher for the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), Terrestrial Research Section in Fort Collins, Colorado. At that time, his research generally focused on the nutritional ecology and physiology of wild ungulates (e.g. mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep) and the application of this knowledge to the conservation and management of these species. These studies involved both clinical research with captive animals at the CDOW’s Foothills Wildlife Research Facility in Fort Collins, and applied field investigations with free-ranging wild ungulates in national parks, wildlife conservation areas, and urban wildlife refuges. In 2006, Dr. Baker began collaborative research, as an affiliate faculty member at the Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory (ARBL), on the Foothills Campus at Colorado State University. The focus of this research provided him the opportunity to interact with experts in the field of reproductive physiology and endocrinology and who were also interested in developing, testing, and applying novel fertility control technologies as an alternative management tool for reducing overabundant free-ranging wild ungulate populations. This research included clinical trials with GnRH-toxin in mule deer, clinical and field studies with GnRH- agonist in elk, and GnRH-vaccine (GonaCon) in captive and free-ranging elk and wild horses. This research involved not only assessing the potential effectiveness of these contraceptives but also an evaluation of behavioral and physiological side-effects of treatment. Of particular importance and success for Dr. Baker, was leading an interagency, multi-disciplinary research effort (2009-2020) to evaluate the GnRH-vaccine (GonaCon-Equine) in free-ranging horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park with funding from the Morris Animal Foundation and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Results of this investigation are currently being incorporated into management operations of the BLM to provide a more effective and humane approach for suppression of growth rates of overabundant wild horse populations in the western United States. Dr. Baker has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications, as well as numerous technical reports, and conference presentations, is an active member of Sigma Xi scientific research honor society and has mentored many students.