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Nation/World Shi:i ION 2 • II I'l.AIMU AI.I.H IIIHAI It Wl.l*Nj.-.IM , I K.ltlt • M? « It IW. Biologist keeps tabs on Maine's moose population By Jeffrey Sim«k United Prats International CARATUNK, Maine -- On some of the coldest days of Maine's winter you find BUI Noble in a tiny QiwklllllA _ * * _ ^ I -- MIV M VVVVI/W av nearly 100 mph. He's looking for a half-ton needle in a 2,300 square- mile haystack. Noble is one of only a handful of wildlife biologists in Maine who spends parts of his winter coun­ ting moose. From the rear seat of the plane Noble Jostles around with a too- large map in a too-small cockpit and scans the countryside for his quarry. "We're trying to make an estimate of the average density of TV use needs watching By Patricia McCormack United Press International NEW YORK - The American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Children and Television says TV has become a powerful tool to promote learning, create aspirations and induce pro-social behavior. In a policy statement, "Children, Adolescents and Television," the task force said TV deals well with medical topics, passing on messages that promote health or prevent illness. On the downside, however, it also says TV advertising and pro­ gramming can adversely affect learning and behavior in a number of significant areas. To wit: --"Repeated exposure to televised violence promotes a pro­ clivity to violence and a passive response to its practice." --"Television viewing increases consumption of high caloric densi­ ty snacks and increases the prevalence of obesity." --"Although the evidence that TV may have a deleterious effect on school performance may be confounded by other factors, lear­ ning from TV is passive rather than active, and detracts from time spent reading or using active learning skills." -- "Television conveys unrealistic messages regarding drugs, alcohol and tobacco and in­ directly encourages their use." . --"The portrayal of sex roles and sexuality on TV is unrealistic and misleading: sexual relation­ ships develop rapidly; the risk of pregnancy is rarely considered; adolescence is portrayed as a con­ stant state of sexual crisis. These characteristics may contribute directly or indirectly to the risk of adolescent pregnancy and clearly alter age-dependent experiential learning with respect to sexuality. Pornography on cable TV is a par­ ticularly important concern." --"TV promotes ethnic and racial stereotypes and does little to promote a sympathetic understanding of handicapped people." --"Television conveys an unrealistic view of problem solv­ ing or conflict resolution." The task force recommends that the academy educate pediatri­ cians about all of the above and develop materials to teach same to medical students and others who deal directly with the health of children and adolescents. The pediatricians also expect to continue and expand their ap­ proach to counseling children, adolescents and their families regarding effects of television. But that's not all. The task force wants the academy to encourage legislative activity to increase ! quality programming and reduce ' advertising directed at children. "Establish liaisons with net- '. works, producers, writers and ; other professional organizations • to improve the quality of pro- • gramming and advertising and to - act as a resource for these • groups," the task force instructed ; the academy. "Provide an ongoing review of new technologies that enable ; families to alter or control their • children's TV viewing habits. I "Encourage involvement by • local and chapter groups to in- ' teract with network affiliates, in- ! dependent television stations and » cable companies to improve local ; programming and advertising ; directed at children." Next to family, the task force ; said, TV may be the most impor- ; tant source of information for children and a principal factor in­ fluencing their development. That's the reason for so much concern. Here's another: Authorities say children 2 to 12 ; in the United States watch approx­ imately 25 hours of TV weekly. On an annual basis, kids spend more time in front of their TV sets than they spend in school. moose in a 2,300 square-mile area," he said. "It will give us an idea of how many moose can be harvested." And "harvesting" moose has become a big business in Maine. Moose hunting was outlawed in the state in 1935 when the herd became depleted. In 1982, however, when the herd was back to a strength of about 18,000, the Legislature authorized the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Depart­ ment to resume the annual fall hunt in large sections of northern Maine. Last year, more than 60,000 sportsmen paid for a chance to win one of 1,000 licenses issued in a lottery-style drawing. For the department, the hunt means more than $400,000 in revenue. For guides and outfitters, it means millions. The latest census is being con­ ducted in a section previously off- limits to moose hunting. But if biologists establish the herd is far­ ing well, the hunt could be expand­ ed. Noble explained that a com­ puter randomly selected sample plots within which to conduct the census. "When we go to the plot, we cir­ cle the boundaries and look both for fresh tracks and moose," No­ ble said. "Then we go back and forth in parallel lines about 60 feet apart." Even as large as they are, fin­ ding # moose from a fast-moving plane is difficult. Noble said it is also difficult to discern the bulls from the cows because the males shed their antler racks each fall. Under a sunny sky, it's surpris­ ingly easy to spot moose tracks -- especially in high traffic areas -- what the biologists call "dancing grounds." In the first 47 square miles covered of the latest plot Noble spotted 52 moose. "We underestimate what's there. You can't see all the moose in an area," he said. "But if that average density holds up, it would mean that area exceeds the densi­ ty in some parts of Canada that are being hunted." Biologists say the aerial survey gives them a chance to keep tabs on the changing landscape and its effect on other wildlife. It also keeps them doing what they love. "I wanted to have a job with variety. I didn't want to be bound to a desk," Noble said. Save 20 % -50 % and More! Thru Monday only Sale 40% off Save $12-S34 » Misses Country Suburbans® Coordinates Sale 17.99-49.99, orig. $30484. Springy career looks at savings you can enjoy right now. Stripe, pattern and solid color jackets, skirts, pants, blouses and sweaters. Sizes 8-18. Sale 15.99 Save $6 Men's Belted Farah® Slacks Reg. $22. Tailored of a year-round polyester fabric, styled for all-day comfort, and topped off with a coordinating leather tab belt. Basic colors in waist sizes 32-42. Save 43%-71 % Mart ex* Bath Towels If pad. $7-$14. Practical bath beautifiers in a wide array of solids, prints and jacquards. Slight imperfections won't affect beauty or wear. Cotton and cotton/polyester. 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