Dawn M. Smith's Blog

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

While the threats are many and varied, there is work being done to save the world’s whales and dolphins.

Some Endangered or Vulnerable Whale Species

The sperm whale, threatened by hunting and ocean noise

The Alaskan population of beluga whales, threatened by pollution and habitat loss

The endangered blue whales, victims of ship strikes

The humpback whale, which may be recovering from near extinction

The gray whale facing reduced food supply on migration

The Orca or killer whale suffering from high levels of flame retardants

The right whale species, often victims of fishing gear entanglement

Endangered or Vulnerable Dolphin Species

Many of the dolphin species that inhabit inland or coastal waters are struggling to survive. Some dolphins or porpoise may be endangered but too little is known about them.

The vaquita which is considered most likely to follow the Baiji into extinction

The Yangtze finless porpoise whose only hope may be captive breeding

The Ganges River dolphin facing habitat loss and fishing gear entanglement

The Irrawaddy River dolphin, which may be saved because it cooperates with local fishermen

Working to Save Endangered Whales and Dolphins

But there are things being done to try to turn this situation around

In Canada a highly trained team disentangles humpback and right whales.

In the North Atlantic bioacoustic tracking of whale communication is helping with understanding of where right and blue whales travel so shipping lanes can be changed and feeding grounds can be protected.

Around the world more is being learned about whale and dolphin mass strandings in hopes of learning how to prevent these tragic occurrences

In South America and in Asia, surveys have begun to yield information. One piece of good news is the discovery of a healthy population of Irrawaddy River dolphins in Bangladesh.

And in the Pacific an ongoing study is following whales and dolphins to learn more about how they use their ocean home.

Let’s hope these efforts pay off.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Reclusive Habits Make Wild Cats Difficult to Study

When Macho B, the last known jaguar (Panthera onca) in the United States died, some organizations and individuals spoke out against the Fish and Wildlife Service decision to radio collar him when he was accidentally caught in a trap meant for capturing other species for study. But despite the fact that this jaguar was recognizable and occasionally photographed, little was known about where he traveled. This makes it difficult to know what habitat to put under protection because the habitat needs of the jaguar are still not well understood.

Panthers (Puma concolor) in Florida have been radio tracked for many years as efforts to prevent their extinction continue. The date from these radio-collared animals has allowed wildlife corridors to be developed in prime panther habitat, reducing the number of panthers killed on Florida roads.

Habitat and Food Sources Critical for Wild Felines to Survive

In India, tiger (Panthera tigris) numbers are decreasing as poaching continues to take its toll. But another factor in the loss of tigers and leopards (Panthera pardis) in India, snow leopards( Panthera uncia or Uncia uncia) in the Himalayas, Amur leopards (Panthera pardis orientalis) in Russia and clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi) in Borneo and Sumatra.

Habitat loss and with it, a reduction in the amount of prey available, are making things very difficult for big cats. Deforestation, land put into agriculture and livestock being grazed in prime wild feline habitat have changed the way the big cats behave. Tigers and leopards learn to prey on the livestock because they are unable to find their natural prey. They learn that livestock is easy prey but are then killed by the livestock owners.

Smaller wild cats like the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) are also affected by habitat and prey loss. The rabbits(Oryctolagus cuniculus) they depend on for food have been decimated by disease. The rabbits’ grazing activity also creates good scrub habitat for the elusive lynx to hide in. The small wild feline is one of the luckier ones as the lynx population is beginning to increase.

Wild cats are often keystone species whose presence is vital to a healthy ecosystem. Protecting their habitat benefits many species.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The Florida Everglades and Its Endangered and Threatened Species

The Florida Everglades, the famous River of Grass, is in the process of recovering from many years of efforts to drain them for agriculture and flood control. This recovery process will take time ad money. Meanwhile, within the Everglades and Big Cypress National Parks, the highly endangered Florida panther’s survival is still in very serious doubt. Meanwhile the American crocodile and its close relative the alligator are making a return.

Endangered and Endemic Florida Keys Species

The isolation of the islands of the Florida Keys has produced a number of endemic species, many of which are endangered or threatened. Development on the Keys will continue to be a problem for these species.

Endangered Species in Florida Waters

In the waters surrounding the state, the Florida subspecies of manatee still faces possible extinction despite efforts to downlist the species from endangered to threatened, although recent manatee survey results are potentially encouraging. Controlling boat traffic in critical manatee habitat will be crucial to their continued existence.

Five species of sea turtle, all of which are listed under the Endangered Species Act, share these waters as well. Loggerhead, green, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley and hawksbill sea turtles all nest on Florida beaches where light pollution remains a significant problem.

These unique species and habitats will continue to be threatened as humans continue to move to Florida in large numbers. Balancing the interests of humans with the needs of these special habitats and wildlife species will require constant vigilance. In the long run those efforts will be worth it.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

For members of the Cape Cod Stranding Network (CCSN) holiday celebrations being interrupted by marine mammals in trouble are nothing new. I know because I’ve been a volunteer with them for a couple of years now.

Two years ago we spent New Year’s Eve and the following night with stranded dolphins in Cape Cod Bay. In October, during the Columbus Day holiday weekend, Dennis the Manatee kept CCSN busy.

But I’m new. Many of the Stranding Network volunteers have been doing this for years, since the mid-1980s, in fact. Whale and dolphin stranding responses run amazingly smoothly as so many people can simply step in and do what is needed.

On Christmas morning five common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) came ashore. Two died very quickly and a third had to be euthanized as it was in very poor condition. This is, sadly, not an uncommon result in whale and dolphin strandings as their health deteriorates rapidly on land.

But two dolphins swam away. And there was hope that Christmas dinner could still be salvaged for most of the staff and volunteers. Unfortunately, before we even finished dealing with the dead dolphins, a report came in of more animals further up Cape Cod Bay. This time it was 3 Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus). Christmas dinner would have to wait until tomorrow.

By the time the dolphins were assessed and transported to a beach on the ocean side where the risk of them restranding would be much less it was dark. Outfitted in fluorescent vests with glo-sticks around our necks we made our way into the water with the stretchers. The three dolphins swam away. Gear was loaded back into the trucks.

With hugs and good wishes all around, we made our way home, the spirit of Christmas honored.