Your weekly roundup of wildlife news from across the country
California Condors Can’t Catch a Break
Since their brush with oblivion in the 1980’s, massive conservation efforts have kept these birds from extinction. The latest measure, you may remember, was a hard-won ban of all lead ammunition across much of their range. Birds feeding on carrion from hunters were coming down with severe cases of lead poisoning, thanks to the lead ammunition in their food. The ban will come into full effect in 2019, and benefiting condors and other wildlife in California. In the meantime, scientists have identified another threat to address: It seems that condors feeding on marine mammals are also being poisoned, this time by mercury and DDT.
Find out more about how marine mammals are passing these pollutants on to condors >
East Fork Wolf Pack May Be No More
Just days after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) enacted a new rule to end aggressive hunting practices of carnivores on national wildlife refuges in Alaska, the National Park Service (NPS) has made a sad announcement: It looks as though all members of the famed East Fork wolf pack, the longest-studied wolf pack in the world, may have been killed. Why? Officials point to the same type of aggressive state predator control program that the recent FWS rule sought to end. While NPS has already finalized a similar rule for national preserves in Alaska, there are those in Congress attempting to block any effort to interfere with the state’s controversial program.
Learn more about the fate of the East Fork Pack >
Changing Attitudes Towards Wildlife
A recent study published in the journal Biological Conservation found that American attitudes towards wildlife are changing for the better. Best of all, the biggest changes are actually for the types of animals that need it most – bats, wolves, sharks, and other animals that serve incredibly important roles in our ecosystems, but traditionally were viewed as creepy or dangerous. Whatever the reasons behind these changing attitudes, we’re glad to see them! These animals certainly need our help.
Arizona’s Rosemont Mine Threatens Only U.S. Jaguar
What happens when a Canadian mining company wants to dig a huge open-pit copper mine on U.S. public land, right where the only jaguar in the U.S. lives? The government agency charged with protecting the animal gives it the thumbs up. Wait – what?
Little Fish, Big Problems
Drought and water diversions are causing problems for all kinds of wildlife in California. But for at least one species, it could mean extinction. Without more freshwater flows, the tiny and endangered delta smelt could soon be a literal fish out of water.
Find out what we’re doing to get the delta smelt the water it needs >
Habitat Decision for Marbled Murrelets a “Mixed Bag”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials recently took another look at the critical habitat designated for the marbled murrelet – a small seabird that has been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1992. Though their confirmation of more than 1 million acres of habitat is certainly good news for the birds, we think it missed out on some opportunities to ensure the marbled murrelet stays on the path to recovery.
See what our Pacific Northwest team had to say about the habitat designation >
Bears on Parade in Alaska
Bears are invading Anchorage, Alaska this month! A new public art exhibit called Bears on Parade aims to celebrate and raise public awareness about bear conservation through a series of decorated, life-size bear sculptures throughout the city. Our own Alaska office has sponsored one of the bears, along with our partners from World Wildlife Fund’s Arctic Program, and Peter Van Tuyn, a conservation attorney. The name of our sculpture is “This Land Was Made For You And Me,” and we hope that when residents and visitors to Anchorage see it, they take a minute to learn about the great work being done to help polar bears, brown bears, and black bears here in Alaska and across the country.
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