Your weekly roundup of wildlife news from across the country
More Trouble for Florida Manatees
They already have to contend with speeding boats, dwindling habitat, and the possibility of less protection under the Endangered Species Act. But now Florida’s manatees are once again also facing the toxic levels of pollution in Indian River Lagoon. Eight manatees have been found dead there since May.
Learn more about the problem in Indian River Lagoon >
Take a Stand against Deadly Wildlife Trafficking
The United States is one of the largest consumers of both legal and illegal wildlife in the world. That means we have a critical role to play in protecting species that are being driven to the brink. Our international team is working hard to improve protections for imperiled species of sharks, amphibians and more, but we need our federal agencies to do the same. Call for U.S. officials to stand strong for devil rays, thresher sharks, and other species at the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties.
A Small Step Forward for Montana Fishers
No, not fishermen. Fishers – those cat-sized, weasel-like carnivores that live in many of our North American forests, but are very sparse in the Rockies. Kylie Paul, our Rockies and Plains Representative, testified at a recent meeting of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission asking them to end all trapping of fishers since so little is known about how many of these animals may be left there. Some of our wonderful supporters in Montana also provided written comments asking the same. While we didn’t see all the results we would have liked, the commission did take some good steps forward. They reduced the number of fishers allowed to be trapped, closed some areas to trapping altogether, and the agency will soon get to work on creating a management plan for fishers, which means gathering some of the important data we need to know how this species is faring in Montana.
Read about the meeting and our testimony there >
A Fascinatingly Ugly Frog
It may not be winning any beauty pageants, but the odd folds of skin that give the Titicaca water frog its bizarre appearance also give it a superpower: this frog can breathe underwater! Sadly, pressure from wildlife trade is putting this creature in serious danger.
Learn about this remarkable frog and what we’re doing to protect it >
Florida Works on Learning to Live with Bears
Not long ago, we shared that – after testimony from many concerned wildlife advocates, as well as our own staff – the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission decided that there would be no black bear hunt in 2016. Now, it looks like they’re taking another step in the right direction by actively pursuing new tools and methods to prevent conflicts between bears and humans. Great news for Florida’s black bears!
Find out more about the work we do to keep bears out of trouble >
Toe to Toe with the Wyoming Toad
One of the most endangered amphibians in North America lives in one very specific spot in Wyoming. Many different factors have combined to cause this species’ brush with extinction, but teams of experts are working to keep this toad on the map. Rockies & Plains Representative Aaron Hall recently joined them for a field survey, and got the chance to see the Wyoming toad up close in the wild – he even caught one on video! As scientists, agencies and conservation groups work to recover the Wyoming toad, surveys like this can give them vital data on how the species is doing.
Read about Aaron’s field work with the Wyoming toad >
What Comes Next for Yellowstone Grizzlies?
A lot has been said about the proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protection for grizzly bears in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Like all large predators, these iconic animals inspire a great deal of debate. But a few things simply aren’t up for debate: To keep these bears on the road to recovery, among other things, they need healthy, connected habitats, and clear management plans in place for each state in question. Right now, the proposal is missing those key pieces.
Read about our take on the proposed Yellowstone grizzly delisting >
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