Sierra Nevada Red Fox Not Warranted for Listing

October 13, 2015 by The Wildlife Society

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced last week that the Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator), a subspecies of red fox, is not warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FWS came to this conclusion after discovering the subspecies was more widespread than originally thought. This discovery was made in part through research conducted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service. Also included in the announcement was news that a Sierra Nevada red fox population located north of Yosemite National Park has been deemed a distinct population segment and warranted of ESA protections. Due to higher priority ESA actions, this distinct population segment has not been proposed for ESA listing, but has instead been placed on the candidate species list where it awaits further review.

Read the Federal Register Notice

Wildlife Biologists Protect Military, Wildlife

October 13, 2015 by The Wildlife Society

It’s something biologists know is a common, but regrettable, occurrence for birds. On Sept. 16 a U.S. Air Force airman witnessed a bird hit a building on a military base in Southwest Asia. Several responding airmen identified the stressed and disoriented bird as a falcon and summoned the USDA Wildlife Services’ (WS) airport wildlife biologist who is on temporary deployment at the base providing airport wildlife hazard management.

Image Credit: USDA

Image Credit: US Air Force

Since November 2009, WS airport biologists have been assisting U.S. military and coalition forces with BASH (Bird/wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard) management at bases in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other SW Asia locations. Each biologist, ranging in age from 24 to 63, has volunteered for these four-month deployments, sometimes experiencing the on-going conflict close and personal. All expressed a commitment to using their wildlife professional skills to assist U.S. military personnel. And all have contributed to decreased aircraft/wildlife strike rates and damage to aircraft at each base where they have worked.

Dave Tresham, the biologist who normally leads the USDA WS team at the Sitka AK Airport, caught and provided immediate relief to the Saker falcon, which he recognized as being outfitted as a falconry bird. He then transferred it to the USAF base veterinarian who cared for the bird until its owner was identified and custody could be transferred.

Image Credit: USDA

Image Credit: US Air Force

Everyone involved was surprised to learn the bird was the falcon of the President of Kuwait, whose staff expressed appreciation for the safe return.

Not every day brings this level of interest, but for almost three dozen USDA airport biologists who were deployed, each day provided a challenge as they applied their wildlife skills to unique species they don’t normally encounter on U.S. airports and to other special challenges.

Wildlife Services is a Strategic Partner of TWS.

Upcoming Southwest Section Webinar to Address Climate Change

October 13, 2015 by Dana Kobilinsky

The Geospatial Advisory Committee that’s part of The Wildlife Society’s Southwest Section will host a webinar on the use of climate projection data in wildlife studies in the Southwest.

The webinar, which will take place on Thursday, October 15, will cover two subject areas: data availability and data selection. Presenters will help explain different climate change scenarios as well as address ways to scale down global climate change models to regional levels.

The webinar will also include information on obtaining and reformatting data and will hone in on issues such as sources of uncertainty and confidence levels when projecting data about important climatic phenomena such as a monsoon. Leland Pierce, past president of the Southwest Section and one of the webinar organizers, hopes the event will help attendees apply climate change information to their own research. “The webinar will provide TWS members important information on the critical choices to consider in the development of proper models of climate change issues …,” Pierce said.

This will be the second webinar led by the Southwest Section. The first, which was in September, examined the effects of wildfires on bats in the Southwest. Thursday’s webinar will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. Attendees can access the webinar by visiting: http://nmsu.adobeconnect.com/geospatial_advisory/.

APU Strategic Partner Relationship to Provide Increased Education Support to Members of TWS

October 9, 2015 by The Wildlife Society

American Public University (APU) and The Wildlife Society (TWS) today announced a Strategic Partner relationship that will increase collaboration on educational options and support for TWS members.

Under the terms of the agreement, TWS experts will continue to participate in APU’s Environmental Science Industry Advisory Council and TWS members will be able to take affordable, quality online courses and earn certificates and degrees from APU.

APU’s Environmental Science program offers master’s, bachelor’s and certificate programs, including a fish and wildlife management concentration designed to help graduates qualify to apply for Associate Wildlife Biologist® certification through TWS, according to APUS Environmental Science Program Director Dr. Carol Pollio.

TWS-Partner“Our courses help industry professionals prepare for this well-respected certification and earn needed continuing education credits,” said Pollio, who earned Certified Wildlife Biology (CWB) certification with TWS and also advises APU’s TWS student chapter, the organization’s only fully online chapter and recipient of the APUS Student Chapter of the Year Award.

“The Wildlife Society is very appreciative of American Public University’s commitment to join our strategic partnership program,” said Ed Thompson, TWS chief operating officer. “Their support will help us enhance existing education benefits for our members.”

In addition to continued alignment of curriculum and certification programs, the relationship will provide TWS members with access to more than 190 fully online APU degree and certificate programs. Members are eligible to receive additional cost savings through a tuition grant and a waived transfer credit evaluation fee. The two organizations will also collaborate on a series of podcasts featuring TWS experts and APU faculty that will address timely environmental topics.

About The Wildlife Society

For more than 75 years, The Wildlife Society has been influencing the future of wildlife and wild places for the benefit of generations to come. Founded in 1937, the organization’s mission is “To inspire, empower, and enable wildlife professionals to sustain wildlife populations and habitats through science-based management and conservation.” The Wildlife Society enhances our members’ networking and learning opportunities, professional and career development, and provides numerous ways for them to get more involved in creating a better future for wildlife and their habitats. Visit www.wildlife.org to learn more about TWS.

About American Public University System

American Public University System, winner of the Online Learning Consortium’s (OLC) Ralph E. Gomory Award for Quality Online Education and four-time recipient of the OLC’s Effective Practice Award, offers more than 90 online degree programs through American Military University and American Public University. More than 100,000 students, and 50,000-plus alumni worldwide, have benefitted from APUS’s relevant curriculum, affordability, and flexibility in pursuing and earning degrees in a diverse variety of subjects.  For further information, visit www.apus.edu. Information about education partnerships with American Public University System is available at StudyAtAPU/Solutions.

TWS Member Identifies Strategies to Protect Snowy Plovers

October 9, 2015 by Joshua Rapp Learn

Some birds seem to have more enemies than friends.

While coyotes, foxes, crows, ravens and raptors like harriers and owls are always looking to make an easy meal of the western snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus), it sometimes helps to have a little extra protection, and this is just what some wildlife managers aim to do.

“Although many raptor control options exist, there has not been a comprehensive evaluation of which may be best for helping recovery of the plover,” said Bruce Marcot, a research wildlife biologist with the Pacific Northwest Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service and lead author of a USFS report released online.

Western snowy plover chicks on Little River State Beach, Calif. Image Credit: Ron Le Valley

Western snowy plover chicks on Little River State Beach, Calif. Image Credit: Ron Le Valley

Marcot, a member of The Wildlife Society, worked with wildlife managers from seven different federal and state agencies and nonprofit organizations to evaluate and review 26 different humane raptor control methods for two of the primary predators of the bird — the northern harrier (Circus cyaneus) and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) —that could help the recovery of the small birds.

The white baseball-sized shorebirds, which nest along the coast of the Pacific Ocean are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The researchers found that the best ways to control northern harriers and great horned owls were lethal hunting or removal, using certain nets and traps, and combining techniques, though the specific types of traps used for each bird differed slightly in effectiveness and feasibility.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is using the report’s findings to protect the birds throughout their habitat.

Michigan Deer Hunters Help State Tackle Chronic Wasting Disease

October 9, 2015 by Dana Kobilinsky

With deer hunting season underway in Michigan, hunters are beginning to help the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in their efforts to test deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD) — the fatal neurological disease that has infected three free-ranging white-tailed deer in the state since June.

As part of its efforts to eradicate the disease, the DNR is enforcing mandatory check stations for deer hunted in the core CWD area, which encompasses nine townships surrounding the area where the initial case was detected in June. There are three check stations in the core area, and they will be open seven days a week. Outside of the core area, the DNR still encourages hunters to get their deer tested although the testing is not mandatory, according to Chad Stewart, deer management specialist at the Michigan DNR.

So far, the DNR has tested 60 deer that hunters have brought to check stations through October 1 and confirmed that it did not detect CWD in any of them. Since it has been about a week beyond those confirmations, Stewart expects the number of deer collected to be over 100 now. Stewart said that hunters can play a large role in curtailing the spread of the disease to more deer. “I think this year, most hunters do understand they need to help out,” Stewart said. “We’ve had a lot of positive responses to what we’re doing so far. People are seemingly willing to help out and participate with the regulatory process of surveillance.”

The DNR has also implemented other measures to stop the spread of the disease. They placed two billboards on southern Michigan highways that lead out of the state to target hunters who might be traveling to other states to hunt elk or deer. The billboard notifies individuals of carcass importation restrictions from other states. One restriction in Michigan is that anyone hunting in a different state with known CWD in deer or elk can only bring certain parts of the carcass back into Michigan. “The billboards are a not-so-subtle reminder that when you go out of state to hunt, you need to know what you can legally bring back,” Stewart said, adding that the billboard includes a link to the DNR’s website that individuals can visit for more information.

Over the summer, the DNR contracted sharpshooters to remove deer from the immediate area surrounding Meridian Township, where the first infected deer was found. However, they recently reduced the number of sharpshooters and are relying on hunters to help them detect infected deer. “We want and need our hunters to help us with this surveillance,” Stewart said. “They will cover a broader area and a greater number of deer over that area to help support our surveillance efforts.

While Stewart said he won’t be surprised if more deer with CWD are detected, he hopes that hunters’ efforts will be helpful in stopping the disease from spreading further. “The response has been pretty positive,” he said. “There are still many willing participants this year. It will really be helpful in getting deer out of the immediate area and getting samples to see what we’re working with as far as the disease is concerned.”

Report Shows FWS Scientists Feel Political Interference

October 9, 2015 by The Wildlife Society

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has released a report on scientific integrity at the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report was conducted in response to the recent implementation of scientific integrity policies at many federal agencies. The survey results lead UCS to conclude that the ability for scientists to effectively conduct their work without outside interference has in general increased, but that there is room for more improvement. This was especially evident in the survey results submitted by FWS scientists, 73% of which responded that the level of consideration of political interests was “too high.” About 60% of FWS respondents also submitted that the agency “occasionally”, “seldom”, or “never” collects scientific monitoring information to the extent needed to meet its mission effectively.

Read the full Union of Concerned Scientists report.

Red Squirrels Hinder Rusty Blackbird Recovery

October 8, 2015 by Dana Kobilinsky

Shannon Luepold had to cross rickety old bridges, endure flat tires and fight off black flies and other biting insects in order to conduct her research on rusty blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus) — a North American songbird that is still recovering from steep population declines in the 1960s and ‘70s. She was even stranded in a remote boreal forest one night after her 4×4 got stuck in the mud. “This made it more exciting along the way,” she said.

Luepold is lead author of a recent study published in The Condor: Ornithological Advances that examines the breeding ecology and nest predation of rusty blackbirds in Maine and New Hampshire. As part of the study, the researchers, including the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Audubon Society of New Hampshire and Stacy McNulty, Luepold’s graduate advisor at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, installed motion-triggered cameras at 29 rusty blackbird nests that they found tucked away in the remote forests of northern Maine and New Hampshire.

After reviewing the photographs, the team detected a white-tailed deer, a hawk and a blue jay preying on nests, but they mostly detected the rusty blackbirds most prominent predator — the red squirrel. The team also noted that spruce and fir cone production was higher in 2011, which correlated with higher numbers of squirrels that consume the cones in 2012. As a result, there was more squirrel predation on rusty blackbirds in the second year of the study. “There are abundant cones in some years and low cone production in other years,” Luepold said. While squirrel predation isn’t necessarily responsible for the decline in blackbird populations, according to Luepold, “it makes it more difficult for them to recover.”

One of the photos taken from the motion-triggered camera shows a red squirrel preying on eggs in a rusty blackbird nest. Image Courtesy: Shannon Luepold

One of the photos taken from the motion-triggered camera shows a red squirrel preying on eggs in a rusty blackbird nest. Image Courtesy: Shannon Luepold

The researchers also measured vegetation and other habitat variables around blackbird nests to determine their impact on nest success. They found that dense vegetation was the most important predictor of nest survival. As a result, Luepold suggests that practices such as pre-commercial thinning — thinning trees before they are a marketable size to favor the growth of select trees — could potentially negatively impact nest survival since this reduces tree density.

However, the team didn’t find evidence that timber harvesting or clear cutting has an adverse effect on nest survival. “The take home message is that the effects of timber harvesting are more nuanced, and it’s not all bad or all good,” Luepold said. “It’s more complex than that. In terms of nest survival, it seems that ecological factors such as cone and predator cycles have more of an impact than whether the nest is in a regenerating clear cut or not.”

Luepold also said that the songbirds likely have been losing habitat on their wintering grounds or throughout their migration, which is something that needs to be studied further.

Western States Seek Larger Role in Resource Management Decisions

October 8, 2015 by Zachary Sheldon

“We share the belief that solutions developed at the local level – by the people who live in the state and are impacted the most – are typically more effective and lasting than those developed by officials who live and work hundreds or thousands of miles away,” said Governor Gary Herbert of Utah to the House Natural Resources Committee during a hearing titled “Respecting State Authority, Responsibilities and Expertise Regarding Resource Management and Energy Development” on September 30.

Governor Herbert was one of four representatives from the Western Governors Association (WGA), an organization representing 19 governors of western states and 3 U.S. territories. Governors Matt Mead of Wyoming, Steve Bullock of Montana, and Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota joined Herbert to provide testimony on a range of topics from the sage -grouse listing decision to the Clean Power Plan.

Of interest to many Representatives were the governor’s perspectives regarding the “unwarranted” listing decision for the greater sage-grouse. Mead (WY) expressed that the decision was good news for Wyoming, as a listing would have severely impacted energy development in state. Herbert (UT) was not as enthusiastic, expressing disappointment that Utah’s investment of $3 million to create a state plan to conserve sage-grouse went “down the tube” after the Bureau of Land Management finalized its own land-use plans that superseded Utah’s.

Broader questions regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA) were also discussed. Mead (WY) and Bullock (MT) addressed a Senate briefing on improving the ESA the day before, and repeated many of their points at this hearing. Daugaard (SD), when questioned on how much feedback federal agencies request on ESA listing decisions, said that the states are invited to comment but that he feels their suggestions are discarded.

Committee members also requested the governor’s thoughts on how state comments are being incorporated into the federal rule making process. Here the governors were more united in stance. Bullock (MT) discussed how he had felt there were “real opportunities” in the Clean Power Plan draft but was frustrated and surprised by the final rule, which he felt was vastly different than the draft. Daugaard (SD) added that he got the impression that the Service collaborated with non-government organizations more strongly than the states. Herbert (UT) added that states were tired of being treated by the federal government as “junior partners”.

Conflicts between state governments and federal agencies over the management of natural resources have been increasing. Contentious federal rules, such as the Waters of the United States Rule and ESA listing decisions, have led to court room showdowns between states and federal agencies. Use of the Antiquities Act to designate large areas of state land as federal protected without state input have added to the tension as well.

Read the written testimony of the Western Governors Association submitted to the Committee.

Tropical Amphibians Face High Extinction Rates, Study Says

October 7, 2015 by Joshua Rapp Learn

A combination of habitat destruction, deadly diseases and climate change may spell doom for amphibians in many parts of the world, according to new research.

“There’s pretty good agreement that the biggest threat for amphibians is the [chytrid] (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) fungus,” said John Alroy, an associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Macquarie University in Australia and author of the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week. “However, I think habitat destruction might have a bigger role than people realize — and future climate change is going to have huge and unpredictable consequences.”

Alroy looked at specimen samples from museums of amphibians and reptiles in nine different geographical regions in the world and compared them to published observations to estimate the number of extinct species in those areas. Alroy used conservative counts, but still estimated around 200 frog species have gone extinct around the world in the past 30-40 years.

Some of the hardest hit regions were in Latin America, potentially due to the chytrid fungus.

Alroy also calculated the probability of continuing extinction rates and found that hundreds more frog species could go extinct within the next century.

The Southeast United States was also surveyed, but had relatively low extinction rates for reptiles and amphibians, he said. This could be that “rampant deforestation” during the 18th and 19th centuries in the region could have wiped out many species before they were ever described scientifically, but the intense glacial activity in North America during the Pleistocene could also be to blame.

“I think conservation efforts in the U.S. and Canada have been pretty successful,” he added.

Reptiles were surveyed as well but faced relatively low extinction rates in most areas. Alroy said his data suggested potential extinctions in Madagascar and other places, “but this is definitely a case where more research is required.” He said habitat loss is the main threat to reptiles.

He said that he hopes this draws more research to these animals in many parts of the world.

“I hope this information can be used to leverage more resources for conservation in those areas. I think people weren’t aware of these extinctions because the baseline data are so poor,” Alroy said.