According to a story in yesterday’s LA Times, the Society for Invertebrate Conservation and a UC Davis entomologist formally petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Franklin’s bumblebee under the Endangered Species Act. The group intends to file petitions on behalf of many bee species, however, the Franklin’s bumblebee was chosen first because the decline of its population is well-documented, and notably precipitous.

jenna_jadin Policy, US Fish and Wildlife Service, endangered species

YOUNG BIRDS, RABBITS AND OTHER NEWBORN WILDLIFE EASY PREY FOR CATS

BETHESDA, MD — As young birds, rabbits and squirrels venture from their nests in early summer in their usual vulnerable and generally defenseless state, The Wildlife Society (TWS) and American Bird Conservancy (ABC) remind cat owners that even the most well-fed domestic cats pose serious threats to these small and newly born wildlife. At the same time, free-roaming pets also face dangers that can injure or kill them.
“Cats and other predators probably kill more wildlife this time of the year than any other because newborn prey not only don’t have any physical defenses but they also have not fully developed the danger awareness regarding predators that comes with time,” said American Bird Conservancy Vice President Mike Parr. “This is the most important time of the year for cat owner’s to restrict outdoor activities of their pet,” he said.
“It’s also a common misconception that domestic cats can live easily outdoors,” says Michael Hutchins, Ph.D., Executive Director of TWS. “Well-meaning owners often think it’s okay to let them roam because cats seem independent by nature. And while they don’t always need the same care as dogs, the truth is dramatically different.” Free-roaming or feral cats are at risk of early death or serious injury due to diseases, cars, poisons and predators such as dogs and coyotes. Outdoor cats typically live less than five years, whereas cats kept exclusively indoors can live to be 17 years or older.
TWS biologists have long agreed with colleagues at American Bird Conservancy and state and federal wildlife agencies that domestic cats allowed to roam outdoors have serious, negative impacts on wildlife populations. Even cats that live outdoors part-time pose threats. “Outdoor life is often hard on cats; it’s also tough on native wildlife,” said Mike Parr, Vice President of ABC.
Exact numbers are unknown, but scientists estimate that nationwide, cats kill millions of birds and small animals each year including mammals (rabbits, squirrels, small rodents), reptiles (lizards, skinks, salamanders) and amphibians (frogs).
Birds whose natural movements include time on or near the ground are susceptible, especially those that breed or nest on the ground. Typical prey for cats includes robins, cardinals, blue jays, quail, and warblers. In addition, young wildlife are often most vulnerable as they do not have the experience to avoid cats or the ability to quickly escape harm.
“The top cause of declining bird populations is that their natural habitat is being lost to development, Hutchins notes. “Domestic free roaming and feral cats are close behind. It’s hard for many cat owners to believe their pets are predators, since we are not usually around to see them in action.”
People often believe that cats won’t hunt if they’ve been well fed. Research shows that cats instinctively hunt, no matter how much they’ve been fed, because the hunting instinct is independent of the urge to eat.
“People can do something to help native wildlife in their backyard, and it will likely help their pets live longer,” concluded Parr. “We advise cat owners to spay and neuter their pets, and protect them by keeping them indoors, on leashes, or in outdoor enclosures.”

Affordable products and helpful information make it easy to keep pets contented indoors with a minimum of hassle. Information and resources can be found on the ABC website at www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/index.html.

About The Wildlife Society
TWS is a scientific and educational organization dedicated to enhancing the ability of wildlife professionals to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure the responsible use of wildlife resources for the benefit of society. TWS also is an advocate for science-based wildlife policy. For more information visit www.wildlife.org

About the American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy (www.abcbirds.org) conserves native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas by safeguarding the rarest species, conserving and restoring habitats, and reducing threats while building capacity of the bird conservation movement. ABC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit membership organization that is consistently awarded a top, four-star rating by the independent group, Charity Navigator. For more information visit www.abcbirds.org/

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jenna_jadin Uncategorized, endangered species, feral cats, invasive species

In the words of Fabien Cousteau, a third-generation ocean explorer, documentary filmmaker, and grandson of the legendary Jacques Yves Cousteau, “there is no Planet B.”

With oceans making up 70% of the Earth, Fabien Cousteau felt there were too few programs that concentrate on saving our oceans. Drawing on commercials which advocate planting trees, Fabien created the organization, Plant A Fish (PAF), “an active, hands-on outdoor education and restoration experience.”

While this program was not created as a direct result of the oil spill, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Currently, Plant A Fish has programs targeted at increasing the populations of oysters, sea turtles, mangroves and coral, being coordinated in vital locations around the world. Plant A Fish teams up with local schools, volunteers and environmental organizations to train them the process of “re-planting” these species. Plant A Fish also hopes that by educating participants on habitat restoration and the recording and reporting progress, they will develop a responsibility to protect the oceans, live a more sustainable life and become stewards of their local environment.

Lisa Monrreal Wildlife students, endangered species

If you are in DC on June 8, 2010, check out this free lecture at the National Zoo on the declining populations of tigers and what conservation steps are being taken to ensure the planet doesn’t lose this magnificent creature forever.

This lecture is free and open to the public. RSVP now.

With fewer than 3,500 tigers left in the wild, time is running out to stop their populations from declining. Join a panel of experts from seven countries where tigers live and the co-founders of the Smithsonian’s Tiger Conservation Program and learn what collaborative conservation efforts are being made to combat poaching, habitat destruction, human-wildlife conflict and more.

The international panelists are together to take part in this important global tiger initiative hosted by the Zoo’s Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and moderated by Steve Monfort, director of SCBI.

Hemanta Mishra will be unveiling his new book, Bones of the Tiger, on the subject.

Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Russia, and Thailand will participate in the panel.

	6:30-8 p.m	Lecture
	8-9 p.m.	Grab a drink from the cash bar and meet the author and panelists. Dr. Mishra will be signing copies of his book, which will be available for purchase.

Parking is free, but we encourage you to take public transportation to the Zoo.

This lecture is free and open to the public. RSVP now.

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You can see and hear webcasts of some past lectures at the National Zoo via our Webcast Archive.

Sign up for our Zoo Lectures newsletter to receive email notices about lecture series. Zoo Lectures Newsletter

Email Pamela Bucklinger with ideas for speakers or topics.

admin Animal Welfare, Human-wildlife conflict, Wildlife management, Zoos and Aquariums, endangered species, wildlife conservation

An interesting new study, in the most recent issue of Science, reports that lizard populations worldwide are dwindling as a result of climate change. The study, led by Barry Sinervo from the University of California Santa Cruz, reports the disappearance of local populations of lizards in North and South American, Europe, Africa, and Australia.

The evolutionary biology research team did not set out to document extinctions; however, when they noticed declines of many of their study populations, they put their theory of climate change to the test. Using heat sensor s at four sites in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, they found that the hottest part of the day, when lizards must seek shelter to avoid overheating, is growing longer during the critical spring breeding season. This means that the lizards have less time to forage for food, and therefore less energy to grow and reproduce. At extinct sites in the Yucatan, it’s so hot that lizards would have to hide for nine hours each day.

The researchers went on to collect data at 1200 sites worldwide, made a computer model, and developed predictions showing that a staggering 38 percent of all lizard species worldwide would die out by 2080. And if lizards–tough, adaptable, cold-blooded animals that they–are can’t take the heat, what is going to happen to the rest of the feathered and furry creatures on the planet? Let’s, as the authors say, hope their results are dead wrong.

jenna_jadin Amphibians, climate change, endangered species, science

The Salt Lake Tribune recently contained a good article about opportunities presented by the recent decision not to list sage grouse as endangered. The article notes that while some feel that federal protection may be the only way to stop the decline of the species, others believe that federal protection brings major management hurdles. Despite not being listed, there might be at least a partial solution to this problem: the article suggests that Western states should begin by adopting guidance the BLM issued on March 5. This guidance would direct the BLM to “ensure environmentally responsible exploration, authorization, leasing and development of renewable and nonrenewable energy resources within the range of sage grouse.” Because the BLM administers at least half of the sage grouse habitat regionwide, following these guidelines could play a significant role in protecting the species.

For the full article see http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_15041644

jenna_jadin Policy, endangered species, energy development

As oil begins to lap at the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the second oldest wildlife refuge in the nation has closed its gates to visitors. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that Breton National Wildlife Refuge—home to populations of endangered brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), least terns (Sternula antillarum), and piping plovers (Charadrius melodus), as well as many other species of wading birds, sea birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and other wildlife—is no longer permitting public entry. The closure was instituted “to keep the public safe, to minimize disturbance to nesting colonial sea birds, and to allow personnel conducting cleanup operations and recovery efforts to work safely and efficiently” (Joint Information Center).

A massive oil spill—which began with the April 20th explosion of British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf—has grown and traveled slowly toward the coast of the southeastern U.S. The Coast Guard confirmed late on Wednesday that oil had reached Breton’s Chandeleur Islands, a chain of uninhabited barrier islands surrounded by thick marshlands.

Pelicans in Breton NWR had recently shown signs of recovery from Hurricane Katrina, which took a toll on their habitat in 2005. That storm eroded the refuge’s beaches and marshes. But according to the refuge’s website, as many as 2,000 nesting pelicans have been using the refuge in recent years. Here’s hoping they rebound as ably from this latest onslaught.

Katie Unger Oil, endangered species, energy development, wetlands birds, endangered species, National Wildlife Refuges, Oil Spill

The Wildlife Society’s Journal of Wildlife Management is used as a reference tool by wildlife professionals and organizations across the globe. Both Dr. L. David Mech and Joe Burns commented about the publications expertise and educational value so it’s no wonder that the experts profiled in The Washington Post article, “Hair rub technique appears to yield cheaper, more accurate data on grizzlies” have just published a paper containing their findings in the May 2010 edition of the Journal of Wildlife Management.

Certified Wildlife Biologists Katherine Kendall of the U.S. Geological Survey, Christopher Servheen of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and lead author/graduate student Jeffrey Stetz analyzed 13,000 genetic samples from bear rubs in order to monitor and estimate grizzly populations. Click here to read the Journal of Wildlife Management abstract of their article “Evaluation of Bear Rub Surveys to Monitor Grizzly Bear Population Trends.”

Lisa Monrreal The Journal of Wildlife Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife management, endangered species

Darryl Walter Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management and Conservation, Human-wildlife conflict, endangered species endangered species

The Wyoming pocket gopher, a palm-sized, burrowing rodent that carries food in fur-lined cheek pouches, will not be listed under the Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced this week. The animal is among several pocket gopher species in the West, but it is the only one to live exclusively within Wyoming, where it exists in small numbers in a relatively small area in the south-central part of the state. Environmentalists claim that oil and gas development in the area threaten the gophers habitat, however, a study funded by several major petroleum corporations found that no links could be made between landscape threats and detrimental effects on the gophers.

jenna_jadin Human-wildlife conflict, Policy, endangered species, energy development, wildlife conservation