Your weekly roundup of wildlife news from across the country
Hey FWS: Stop Killing the World’s Most Endangered Wolf!
It seems ridiculous that we would even need to ask this of the agency tasked with helping Red Wolves recover, much less go to court over the issue. But sadly that’s exactly what we were forced to do this week. Along with our partner organization, we filed a preliminary injunction asking a federal court to demand that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cease all capturing and killing of Red Wolves in North Carolina, and stop allowing landowners to do the same.
“This species is running out of time. We have a short window to put Red Wolves back on a path to recovery or we will lose the last wild population in America,” said Jason Rylander, a senior staff attorney. “The USFWS needs to get its Red Wolf program back on track and start taking actions that will help, not hinder, recovery.”
Read more about this case >
Pacific Bluefin Tuna Need ESA Protection
On Monday, we joined a coalition of organizations to petition the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect Pacific bluefin tuna under the Endangered Species Act. Why? Studies show the population of this enormous fish has plummeted by a shocking 97% since fishing began. This clearly places the fish at great risk of extinction, but the practices involved in fishing for this species, and the volume by which it is caught, have other impacts as well:
“Nearly a century of indiscriminate and unlimited fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna has not only brought the tuna itself to the brink of extinction, but has also resulted in innumerable marine mammals, sea turtles and sharks being caught and killed by tuna fishing gear.” – Jane Davenport, senior staff attorney
Read the latest about how this species is doing >
Bear-lovers Unite!
Bear experts from around the world gathered in Anchorage, Alaska last week to discuss bear research and conservation. Topics ranged from the latest science on different bear species, to demonstrations of how to effectively use bear spray, to discussions on how to address threats. Some of our own team were in attendance, including Russ Talmo, our Rockies and Plains Field Technician, who gave a great lecture on the methods he’s found effective to safely keep grizzly bears out of garbage, beehives, and other too-close-for-comfort attractants. Our Alaska Program Director, Karla Dutton, was also there to discuss the similar work we’re doing with native communities to find new solutions (now that their traditional permafrost “freezers” are melting) to store their food without attracting polar bears. And our Alaska Program Associate Allison Dunbar shared the latest on our marine mammal spill response work in the Bering Strait Region. All in all, a great event for the bear conservation community.
Find out more about the work we do to help keep bears safe by keeping them out of trouble >
No Bear Hunt in Florida This Year
On Wednesday, experts, conservationists, and concerned citizens gathered at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission public meeting to discuss a number of issues that impact wildlife in the Sunshine State. Elizabeth Fleming, our Senior Florida Representative, testified in front of the agency to encourage them not to hold a black bear hunt in 2016, especially since the impact of the 2015 hunt – the first in decades – on the state’s population of black bears is still unknown. We also encouraged officials to take a closer look at how bears and humans are interacting in Florida, and the many options available to help both live alongside one another – making sure people understand what precautions to take when they live in bear country can go a long way toward building tolerance for these creatures. In the end, the commission voted 4-3 to hold off on the second hunt, and to do more research before determining whether to hold another in 2017.
Read more about the commission meeting >
A Military Victory
Great news! The results are in from the latest season of our nest monitoring project for wild military macaws in Mexico: Not a single nest in the project area was poached, and 15 young macaws hatched and grew to safely join the flock!
Read more about this great project >
California and Washington Get New Additions
Photos from remote cameras have shown evidence of some exciting news in the Golden State – another wolf! Looks like the Shasta Pack – the first official pack in the state, established only last year – could soon have a new neighbor.
Read more about California’s roaming wolf >
And in Washington, biologists have confirmed a new pack: The Sherman Pack, named for the nearby Sherman Pass. This is the 19th wolf pack in the state of Washington.
Learn about the Sherman Pack >
Too Much Trade, Not Enough Amphibians
Did you know that amphibians are the most endangered group of animal in the world? These animals – which include frogs, newts, salamanders and others – face a dizzying array of threats. But there’s one common factor that’s putting pressure on amphibian species around the globe: exploitation for international trade. We’re hoping to make some great strides for some of the most vulnerable species at the CITES meeting later this year.
See what rare and remarkable species we’re working to protect at CITES COP 17 >
Grizzly Cub Killed by a Car
Sad headlines came out of Wyoming this week with the news that the latest cub of the famous “grizzly 399” was struck and killed by a car. Seeing wildlife from the road can be exciting for people – but for the animal, navigating roads is very dangerous. Even in remote areas, roads criss-cross important wildlife habitat, making it difficult for animals to safely get to food, water, shelter from predators, or other groups of their own kind. Thankfully, there are things we can all do to help. Organizations like ours work very hard to preserve wildlife habitat, and to connect safe habitat pieces that may have been cut off from one another by roads. And you can also play an active role in the roads and other projects planned for your area.
Learn how you can keep wildlife safe on (and from) roads >
A Long Range Plan for Florida Lands
With an incredible 20 million people already living there, Florida is one of the fastest-developing states in the country. Right now, landowners, conservation organizations (including yours truly) wildlife agencies and state officials are working on a plan to make sure new development doesn’t lead to the loss of important habitat, or put already imperiled wildlife in more danger.
Learn more about this unique opportunity to help Florida’s wildlife >
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