Erin Zulliger
Wildlife Biologist
Blue Lake Headquarters
Erin Zulliger (formerly Erin Nigon)
Education
M.S. - Wildlife Biology, Humboldt State University, May 2020
B.S. - Wildlife Biology, Colorado State University, December 2013
Research/ Career Interests
I joined IWS as a wildlife biologist in May 2024, where I have been working to support some of the organization’s long-term projects such as wolverine reintroduction to the Sierra Nevada mountains and analysis of the San Clemente Island Fox data.
I have worked as a wildlife biologist since 2012, which has given me the opportunity to work with a variety of species in some incredible places. This has included capturing and collaring bighorn sheep across Arizona, assisting with long-term recovery programs for endangered species such as bobwhite quail and Sonoran pronghorn, assisting with mammals research in Colorado, and examining the population dynamics of elk across northern California. Most of my professional background has been focused on big game management, where I’ve developed a keen interest in ungulate ecology, wildlife health, novel monitoring techniques, and movement ecology.
In 2020, I completed my master’s work examining calf survival and morality factors of elk along the northwestern coast of California and further expanded my skills working as an elk biologist for the State thereafter. My research interests include utilizing non-invasive techniques to monitor populations, spatial use, integrated disease surveillance, and connectivity.
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the world in a variety of ways. Hunting, fishing, snorkeling, camping, backpacking, and horseback riding are just some of the ways I enjoy the outdoors.
Professional Presentations
“Spatial effects of hunt pressure on elk – Siskiyou Elk Management Unit.” Butte Valley National Grasslands Manager’s Conference, May 2023, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
“Estimates of calf survival and factors influencing Roosevelt elk mortality in northwestern California.” The Wildlife Society, February 2019, Fish Camp, California.
“Abundance and population characteristics of elk in northwestern California.” Tolowa Dunes Stewards’ conservation series, August 2018 & August 2017, Crescent City, California.
“Plagued by epidemics: how cats, woodrats, and human debris make the case for a One Health approach in Arizona.” The Wildlife Society, February 2016, Flagstaff, Arizona.
“Techniques for wildlife disease sampling.” University of Arizona Student Wildlife Disease Association workshop, November 2015, Phoenix, Arizona.
Publications
Nigon, E. M. 2020. Estimates of calf survival and factors influencing Roosevelt elk mortality in northwestern California. Thesis, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, USA.
Moriarty-Graves, S., E. Zulliger, T. Batter, and C. Found-Jackson. 2023. Utilizing the time-to-event framework to estimate elk abundance over a large spatial scale in the Klamath Mountains of California. California Fish and Wildlife Journal 109:e10.
Lanman, R., J. Kilber, J. Cann, C. Hilson, E. Zulliger, J. Bush, F. Weckerly, and T. Batter. 2022. Road and highway under crossings as potential critical linkages for California’s elk populations. California Fish and Wildlife Journal 108: 158 – 169.
Mohr, A., J. Ewanyk, O. Hardy, J. Windsor, E. Zulliger, C. Hilson, M. Gunther, and W. Bean. 2021. A multi-metric movement model for identifying elk parturition events. Wildlife Society Bulletin 46:12
Contact
ezulliger@iws.org