Your weekly roundup of wildlife news from across the country

 

Wild stories from the Week:

 Some adorable news to brighten up your day! This is the first monk seal to be born on a Waikiki beach in decades: http://dfnd.us/2tuDTs5

 We’d like to introduce you to a new wolf pack in Northern California, the second of its kind in 90 years. This family includes a female wolf, her mate, and at least three pups! Read more about this exciting development: http://dfnd.us/2tvyte3

We’re working to help restore an icon to the plains, the bison of Badlands National Park. Its rugged landscape of layered rock formations and sprawling grasslands, offers the perfect backdrop for bringing back the bison to its native range: http://dfnd.us/2tN7KMO

The Florida panther has been on the endangered list since 1967. In a routine five-year review, the USFWS is now going to reconsider that status while opening up a public comment period: http://dfnd.us/2tLE8z4

An endangered fish, a powerful federal agency, and the future of America’s longest free-flowing river:

 

 Our Defenders in Action:

 In Florida:

Mike Adams, Florida Senior Representative participated in the June 21-22 inaugural Striped Newt Working Group meeting organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in Jacksonville, Florida. Like many amphibians these newts inhabit ephemeral ponds and wetlands. These habitats have been impacted not only by development, but often by other land uses such a forestry and agricultural.  The striped newt is currently listed as a candidate species by the USFWS. The agency is embarking on an 18-month Species Status Assessment (SSA) to determine further listing based on current population, development pressure, captive breeding and repatriation and conservation opportunities. Many amphibians are “Key Species” for us and a major priority for our conservation efforts in the Southeast.

 

In Montana:

Russell Talmo, our Rockies & Plains Program Associate, was on the ground last week working alongside our project partners (Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, landowners), installing electric fences at conflicts sites within the Cabinet/Yaak ecosystem. These projects fall within our Electric Fence Incentive Program, as part of our coexistence work that is assisting grizzly bear recovery by reducing bear conflicts with humans. Our conflict migration work continues to receive high praise and great recognition by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, as sighted in the most recent executive meeting in Choteau, MT.

 

In Florida:

Kent Wimmer, our Northwest Florida Representative, attended the 2nd Annual Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Festival in Port St. Joe on July 2. He chatted with visitors and passed out information about sea turtle conservation, the Gulf County Habitat Conservation Plan, conservation of habitat areas in Gulf and Bay counties, and co-existence with black bears. There was a great deal of interest in black bears as many residents have seen them or had them in their trash cans. He promoted locking up trash cans or contacting Gulf County about its trash can retrofit program established through a FWC bear wise grant.

 

 

 

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