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.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Elephants everywhere are struggling to survive. Poaching will continue to be a problem as long as there is a market for ivory. And conflict with humans occurs more and more often as open land dwindles.

Areas where elephants face serious threats:

Human Elephant Conflict in Botswanna

Elephant Calves DIsplaced in India

Namibia’s unique rural program attempting to address the issue

Thailand’s logging ban causes problems for domestic elephants

Vietnam a Threat to Asian Elephant

Working Elephant Issues

Historically, elephant training has been a brutal activity. However a reduction in working elephant numbers is a mixed blessing. Fewer animals go through the training process but non-working elephants are a luxury that few can afford. This is where sanctuaries come in. These facilities will, however, quickly fill up leaving some elephants uncared for.

Elephant Rehabilitation

In countries where efforts are being made to rehabilitate elephants affected by human activities there are difficulties in finding safe, appropriate habitat to release the animals when they are ready to go back to the wild.

Sri Lanka’s Rehabilitation Program

India’s Rehabilitation and Conflict Mitigation Program

And this is the core of the elephant’s problems. There is nowhere in the world where there is enough space to support large healthy wild populations of elephant species. Which means elephant populations must be managed. How that is done remains to be seen. Culling of elephant herds in parts of Africa has met with serious opposition but there is some hope for contraception programs that are being developed.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The gift that brings joy to recipient, giver and wildlife conservation, adopting a wild animal has become very popular. Donors know their money is being used for a good cause. Recipients get the fun of following their favorite wild animal species and the conservation organization of choice gets much needed funds for its projects.

Those projects may be anything from feeding an individual seal pup, fox kit, or other orphaned wild baby to helping defray the cost of surgery for a wild animal injured by traps or gunshot wounds. These are everyday costs in a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Once the animal is ready for release, tracking via satellite or radio transmitter can help determine if the rehabilitation was successful. It may also provide a glimpse into the world of species that are difficult to capture and fit with transmitters.

For conservation groups the funds go to protecting a species and its habitat.

Here is a sampling of some of the adoption programs to choose from;

Save the Manatee

Whale Dolphin Conservation Society Adopt a Dolphin

New England Aquarium Adopt a Right Whale

Wolf Haven

Born Free Adopt a Primate

Cheetah Conservation Fund

Defenders of Wildlife Adopt a Species

World Wildlife Fund Adopt a Species

If your interest is in your local wildlife, contact the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center to see if they have an adoption program

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Traditional Chinese Medicine is no longer scoffed at by the western medical world. As health care providers recognize the limits of strict science in creating wellness, integrating Chinese medicine is becoming more accepted. While in Chinese herbal medicine, the concept is to bring the body back into balance rather than treating a specific illness, it is becoming more common to do a TCM assessment and then when creating an herbal formula for the individual to use herbs that both fit the person's Chinese medicine patterns and target their western medical diagnosis.

Some of the health problems that TCM is being used for include:

Hypertension/High Blood Pressure

High Cholesterol

Heart Disease

Osteoporosis

Cancer

Diabetes

Multiple Sclerosis

Women's health issues such as:

Uterine Fibroids

Menopausal Symptoms

Mental Health Problems including depression where specific TCM herbs such as frankincense have shown great promise. Children and adults diagnosed with AD/HD are also benefiting from the more integrated approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

TCM is also proving useful in treating diseases such as malaria which are developing drug resistance. By using whole herbs, and most often a combination of herbs the viruses, bacteria and parasites which cause disease have a much harder time surviving.

The added advantage of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that the plants, once used as treatment are not an environmental hazard the way many western drugs are. The biggest concern with Chinese herbs is that they not be allowed to become invasive in areas where they are not native.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

When a dog shows neurological signs it is frightening for the owner.

Difficulty standing or walking, eyes flicking from side to side (nystagmus), circling in one direction and nausea or drooling are all seen in cases of Canine Vestibular Syndrome. But Canine Stroke Syndrome may present with some or all of these signs as well. Determining which syndrome a dog is suffering from is important in deciding the individual animal’s prognosis.

Rear leg weakness and difficulty walking can be symptoms of Canine Wobblers Syndrome and Degenerative Myelopathy. There is now a test for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy so these neurological disorders can be separated, helping dog owners to decide on a best course of action. Intervertebral Disk Disease, also results in difficulty walking but is readily diagnosed.

It is important to work closely with your veterinarian whenever your dog experiences neurological symptoms. Everything from exposure to pesticides or fertilizers to a stroke may cause them.

The vet goes through a process of ruling out possibilities in order to make a definitive diagnosis in each case. Blood work, radiographs and other tests may be necessary. Don’t hesitate to ask questions at any point but when the vet says I’m not sure yet, understand the (s)he is probably being honest. (S)he should be able to tell you what the possibilities (called rule outs) are and what else is needed for an answer. And (s)he should be willing to discuss with you the various options for tests and treatments so you can make an informed decision about the best treatment program for your dog. One possible treatment which is just beginning to be utilized is Canine Stem Cell Therapy. Alternatives such as Traditional Chinese Medicine may also be of value.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The listing of the Cook Inlet beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) as endangered is an important victory for conservation organizations in their uphill battle to ensure that the US government follows its own rules in protecting endangered species.

It was originally thought that reducing the subsistence hunt for the Cook Inlet belugas, one of five populations of white whale found in Alaskan waters, would allow for the population to recover from the fifty percent decline it had suffered between 1994 and 1998. This was not the case as the belugas faced many other threats.

Development, especially gas and oil exploration, is one of those threats. With oil leases being proposed for parts of Cook Inlet, listing this Alaskan beluga population as endangered may help protect the health of many other species found in the same environment.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the federal organization charged with conserving marine mammals, has divided Cook Inlet into three regions to reflect the beluga’s patterns of habitat use.

No doubt this will result in some restriction of how and where the oil and gas leases will be distributed however there have been some habitat use changes as the numbers of belugas in this part of Alaska declined.

The upper portions of Cook Inlet are heavily used by belugas from spring through fall with some important nursery areas for mothers and calves found here. Mid and lower bay areas are use more in late fall and winter. In the early 1990s the belugas used the mid and lower parts of Cook Inlet more extensively.

This suggests that protecting the whole of Cook Inlet may be required if beluga population is going to recover. It remains to be seen whether NMFS will take strong enough action for this to happen.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

When you look at a picture of a humpback whale, the thing that stands out first is the long fins, called flukes. You may have seen them used to slap the water or help the humpback whales to shoot out of the sea in their spectacular breaches. You may not have noticed how bumpy those flukes are. Or you did, and like me, didn’t spend much time thinking about why they might be that way.

I won’t even begin to try to explain how they figured this out but basically those tubercles serve a purpose. They change the way water flows over the fluke, making it easier for the humpback whale to turn without sliding sideways in the process.

But that’s what Dr Frank Fish and colleagues at Whalepower did. They figured out what those tubercles did and then decided to apply it to the blades of wind turbines. Those turbine blades don’t work so well in very low, very high or gusty winds. They tend to stall and break when the wind is not steady and consistently moderate speed.

Redesigning the turbines with tubercle type leading edges has resulted in test blades that produce more power when wind speeds are low, run more quietly (when turbines stall they shake causing a clattering sound) and are generally more stable producers of power in variable winds.

Given the increased interest in wind turbines as a cleaner source of power, this advance, complements of the humpback whale, may just make them that much more useful.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The puzzle of the origin of the pygmy elephant found on Borneo seems to still be unraveling. In 2003, these pachyderms were declared a unique subspecies of the Asian elephant. In 2008, a paper has come out expressing the view that they are actually members of the same species as an elephant once found on Java that is considered extinct.

Putting a conservation spin on that information has resulted in some creative backtracking. The biologists who pushed for their recognition as a separate subspecies based their efforts to protect them on that information.

But some of the ancient specimens used to bolster their case have come into question. One was said to have come from a cave in an area of Borneo where there are no caves. Selling of elephant bones and tusks is centuries old, so relying on old bones not found by paleontologists in their original site is highly suspect.

The new party line is that, if the animals represent a successful translocation (from Java to Borneo), they should be conserved as studying their adaptation may help save other species where translocation to better habitat is a possible option.There is also the question of whether they were moved by humans or whether they came over on a land bridge between the islands that has since disappeared.

Whatever their origin the little elephants of Borneo are certainly genetically unique and their numbers are limited. Seems to me like that’s enough reason to protect them.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Writing about wildlife conservation can get pretty depressing. Another species is declared extinct or endangered, some critically. More habitat is lost. Pollution and climate change add to the toll on the incredible biodiversity of this planet.

So its always fun to spend some time writing success stories. And, hopefully getting more people interested in the lesser known wildlife species. My series on the gibbons is certainly a mix of the good and the bad.

On the downside-endangered black-crested gibbons, critically endangered Javan gibbons and the possible extinction of the white-handed gibbon in China.

But then there are the good news cases- a little female Hoolock gibbon, rescued by the Wildlife Trust of India doing well after release and the work of Kalaweit Gibbons and Siamang Conservation Program in Indonesia.

I confess that up until a couple of years ago all I knew about gibbons was that they were a type of primate. The life took me to India where I was able to see Hoolock gibbons in the wild.

On that same trip I met Chanee (Aurelien Brule), the amazing young man who founded Kalaweit. In his mid twenties he single-handedly founded Kalaweit and has continued to expand its capacity to care for the gibbons of Indonesia.

Knowing that these organizations are working literally night and day to help the gibbons and siamang of Asia keeps some hope alive for these animals.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The recent temporary injunction restoring gray wolves to endangered status shows that concerns that an uncontrolled hunt would allow wolf haters to slaughter animals under the guise of management were justified.

Now, delisting is usually a good thing. It means the population of a species is in good shape, there is enough habitat to support its continued growth and, in many cases, controlled hunting goes back on the agenda.

Please understand, I’m not anti-hunting. Humane hunters do a great deal for wildlife conservation. Ducks Unlimited has done plenty to provide habitat for threatened game species and changed the way rice fields are managed so that water rather than fire (with the attendant air pollution) is used to get rid of the stubble.

In New England, where I grew up I witnessed what happened when deer hunting season was closed-lots of starving and sick females and fawns, not a pretty way to die. A returned to a controlled hunt changed that for the better.

But when it comes to wolves, they’re not a food species. They are predators, and that brings out the worst in some people. Management plans for wolves must take this attitude into account.

Unlike duck and deer hunters, who want a healthy population so they can continue hunting, many of those hunting wolves just want them gone from the planet.

Unless a better management plan is on the table, one that recognizes the antipathy that some people have toward the wolf and puts safeguards for the species in place, the wolf should not come off the endangered species list any time soon.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The old saw –An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure-certainly applies to loss of biodiversity, especially in wetlands. Given that there are very few wetlands that have even had a complete survey done to determine what is there, the chances of replacing everything that is lost would be very low.

We are just learning about the value of wetlands. We spent years draining them because of the disease carrying mosquitoes. Or because we thought the land could be put to better use.

Now we find that, oops, those wetlands actually serve many purposes, not the least of which is storage of carbon and slowing the decay of organic material.

So we have the chance to do the right thing for some of the world’s remaining wetlands. The Florida Everglades are the subject of a massive restoration project. But that project is unlikely to result in the level of biodiversity that once existed in South Florida. Too much land, and water, has disappeared from the ‘river of grass’ for all the plants and animals to return.

The Pantanal, shared by Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, is just beginning to face some of the development threats that nearly wiped out the Everglades. Stopping them will be expensive, but not nearly as expensive as undoing the damage after it is done.

We know better now, or at least we should.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Its happening in lots of places and the humans are benefiting as much as the animals. People who once survived by poaching endangered species or illegally cutting trees are being paid to stop others from doing the same.

In Sri Lanka, the Turtle Conservation Project (TCP) hires former egg poachers to guard sea turtle nests and trains them in educating the public. With a regular salary and housing for the workers and their families, there is strong incentive to become ‘the good guys’.

In Bangladesh, illegal tree felling was threatening endangered Hoolock gibbons by fragmenting their forest habitat. Now some of the former illegal loggers are part of a patrol to protect that forest. The patrol teams are paid and the project is also helping the villagers develop other means of supporting themselves.

Not only do these types of projects stop some of the poachers and illegal loggers by giving them alternatives, it takes advantage of their insider knowledge to improve protection of the area.

The sea turtle egg poachers know where the turtles nest and what nests look like so they are easily able to find the nests. In areas where the nests can’t easily be protected, they can move the eggs to a safer area, making the nests less visible and leaving the empty nests for poachers to waste their time digging up.

While some ‘wise use’ type projects encourage limited exploitation of the wildlife or habitats that need to be protected, this type of project helps local people truly understand the value of protecting areas while finding alternative means of survival.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

There are approximately 1,200 species of woody bamboo in the world. Half of them may be endangered. If they become extinct some critically endangered animals are likely to follow.

Most people know about the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and its dependence on bamboo. But did you know that the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) also depends on bamboo for a large part of its diet?

Two species of lemur, the golden bamboo lemur (Haplemur aureus) and the greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) feed almost exclusively on bamboo, as their name implies. Another endemic species of Madagascar, the ploughshare tortoise (Geochelone yniphora), requires bamboo forest habitat as well.

Much of the focus of conservation has been on endangered animals but as more people become aware of the overall loss of the earth’s biodiversity, the concern for plant species is growing.

Bamboo has been used for centuries in many parts of the world for various purposes, including homebuilding. Until recently much of it has been harvested from the wild. If endangered bamboo species, and the wildlife that depends on them are to survive, cultivation needs to replace wild harvesting. This will allow bamboo forests to recover without creating a hardship for the people who are also dependent on bamboo.

Those of us in the developed world will need to learn to read labels and choose our bamboo products carefully to ensure that we are supporting a sustainably harvested trade, thus doing one more simple thing to help the world’s endangered species.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Captive breeding of frog species threatened by chytrid fungus disease is the work of the Amphibian Ark project. By isolating populations of healthy frogs in special units around the world it is hoped that, once a method of dealing with the deadly fungus is developed, the unaffected frogs can be returned to the wild.

One of the areas of study has been into levels of resistance to the disease in various frogs. A recent paper shows that Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) plays a role in that resistance. The suggestion is made that captive breeding for this resistance might be the answer to the dilemma.

But the study also noted that the frogs which survived the experimental infection with a common bacterial pathogen often grew more slowly than their siblings who didn’t show the disease resistance. This is an important point. It is not unusual in genetics for a ‘good gene’(one that produces a desired quality) to be paired with a ‘bad gene’ (one that produces undesirable qualities).

So the results of the study need to be kept in perspective. Captive breeding programs need to use this new knowledge in conjunction with the awareness of other genetic qualities needed to ensure long-term survival of endangered frog species. The health problems of carefully bred domestic animals are a constant reminder of that.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The concept of wildlife living in their natural environment is often painted in idyllic terms. It is easy to forget about disease, starvation, parasites, predators and all the other problems wild animals face every day. Despite the struggle for some animals it is still the best option.

The release of the young hoolock gibbon in India was exciting. I had seen her in care at WTI’s Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation some time ago, alone and bored. When I heard that a release was in the works I cheered.

With a tight family structure and the need for physical and mental stimulation that gibbons have, creating an appropriate captive environment would have been difficult under the circumstances. And this animal had not habituated to people.

But I have worked with other animals where I was not sure release was the right choice. One young sea lion continued to return to human company despite our efforts to ‘rewild’ him. Had there been a good facility available to take him I would have pushed for that instead.

In the best of all possible worlds such decisions would not have to be made by us. On a restricted island off of Mexico, I watched the local fishermen’s dogs playing in the surf with wild northern elephant seals. The elephant seals initiated the game, swimming close to shore. As the dogs ran into the water, the seals moved just out of reach, coming back in when the dogs were about to give up.

We can’t have this type of ‘best of both worlds’ situation very often but perhaps we need to be more aware of the individuality of animals when deciding their fate and not just assume that being in the wild is always better.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

California condor habitat just got better protection as Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill that bans use of lead shot by big game hunters anywhere in the endangered bird's range in California.

That’s a good thing, but not good enough.

A nationwide ban on all lead hunting and fishing gear is needed to protect wildlife and humans. Few people realize that humans risk exposure from eating wildfowl, venison, boar and other big game shot with lead. Wasted lead shot adds to soil and groundwater contamination as well.

A ban on lead shot for hunting waterfowl has been in effect nationwide since 1991. But until recently hunters fought against an equivalent ban for big game hunting, concerned about cost and lack of availability of alternative bullets. And lead fishing tackle and sinkers continue to be used, ending up in waterways throughout the US.

The Center for Biological Diversity has launched a campaign to Get the Lead Out. While the campaign is focused on the danger to California condors and other wildlife, it reminds people that they are at risk as well. When so much is being done to promote awareness of lead’s effects on children, it is criminal to allow more lead to be spread into the environment.

Support the Get the Lead Out campaign. It is important for all species, even humans.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Last fall I wrote about Dylan, a loggerhead sea turtle found as a hatchling on Jekyll Island off of Georgia. Originally taken to the Georgia Aquarium, she was being transferred to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, which had recently opened on the island. The plan was to release her back to the wild.

And that has now happened. Dylan was released on June 30th wearing a satellite transmitter. Now nine years old, Dylan is expected to stay at sea for another 20 years before returning to Jekyll Island to lay eggs.

To follow Dylan’s progress visit Seaturtle.org. You can learn more about several sea turtle tracking projects there and even adopt one of the endangered sea turtles to help support the program.

In Malaysia a campaign is underway to end a tradition. The Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Group is asking people to Say No to Turtle and Terrapin Eggs. Malaysians are asked to sign a pledge that they will not eat turtle eggs for the rest of their lives.

Beyond the obvious hope of ending sea turtle nest poaching in the country, the campaign helps raise awareness of the plight of the four species of sea turtles found on Malaysia’s beaches. Which will hopefully pave the way for other actions such as managing coastal development and controlling local fisheries which are also needed if endangered sea turtle are to survive.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

When you think of endangered wild cats, tigers are probably the first species that comes to mind. And tigers are indeed endangered. Their populations are declining rather than increasing. But there are plenty of lesser-known wild cats that may be facing extinction as well.

In Spain and Portugal, the Iberian lynx is hanging on by a thread, with habitat and prey base restoration work providing some slight hope for recovery. In the United Kingdom, the Scottish wildcat is facing similar threats. In the United States, the Florida panther, while better known than the Iberian lynx and the Scottish wildcat, is no better off.

Habitat loss is the biggest issue for all endangered wild cats. The very reclusive nature of these animals makes them unlikely to do well near human habitation. Protecting critical habitat and reducing the number of feral cats in the area reduces the risk of diseases such as Feline Leukemia from spreading to the wild cats. It also reduces the incidence of interbreeding.

The Iberian lynx, the Scottish wildcat and the Florida panther each exist on the fringes of areas with significant human population. Having survived, albeit marginally, in these areas for some time these wild cats will be a good indicator of our ability to learn to co-exist with our wild neighbors.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The ongoing battle to protect ANWR, not just for polar bears, but for all arctic species, has just taken one step up and two steps back. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) has finally been listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

But in the same breath the US government also allowed for oil exploration in prime polar bear habitat. Getting the polar bear listed under the ESA, should have protected critical habitat in areas like ANWR That hasn’t happened.

In Iceland, the return of thick pack ice resulted in a polar bear arriving on land and being shot. Whenever the ice becomes thick in the area between Greenland and Iceland, there is a chance of a polar bear, caught on a drifting floe, to end up in Iceland. Last time it happened was in the mid 90s.

There is no doubt that polar bears can be dangerous but in this case people, coming out of curiosity to see the bear, were allowed to get too close. Rather than controlling them, the decision was made to shoot the bear.

At some point we are going to have to find a way to strike a better balance between our needs and those of wildlife. We can’t claim to care about endangered species and not be willing to make compromises to save them.

Let your government, be it Icelandic or American, know that what has happened/is happening to the polar bear(s) is not acceptable. Don’t let fear mongering-the price of gas or the dangers presented by a wild animal- be used to allow governments to make bad decisions.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

It was a bit of a surprise to read that the Caribbean monk seal is just now being officially declared extinct by the National Marine Fisheries Service. After all, the last confirmed sighting of this species was back in the 60s, so most of us were already calling them extinct. But it is a good opportunity to highlight some other marine mammals that are heading in the same direction.

The list includes the Mediterranean monk seal, the Hawaiian monk seal, and the vaquita, a small porpoise found in the Sea of Cortez. All are endangered because of human activities.

Entanglement is a big problem. And while fishing gear leads the list, other marine debris is also a problem. Junk dumped from pleasure boats, freighters and even from land, entraps these curious creatures.

Then there’s just the simple presence of humans. All three marine mammals tend to be reclusive. The more we spend time near and on the water, the fewer places these animals have left where they can be undisturbed.

So what can we do to help?

The usual litany of conservation applies here- reduce, reuse, recycle means that less debris ends up in the oceans.

For those who are fish eaters, making informed choices and eating only seafood from sustainable fisheries will both decrease entanglement chances and help ensure food remains for the monk seals and vaquita.

Finally, support efforts to establish marine protected areas which will ensure critical habitat for the monk seals and the vaquita.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Last night I rescued a frog from my kitchen. Which got me thinking about how little I knew about local frogs. As avid birders we have multiple bird books, know which birds in our area are threatened or endangered and what is critical habitat for them. But aside from the voices of spring peepers and bullfrogs, I am pitifully uneducated on frogs and other amphibians.

Behind a maze of odds and ends on the counter I found a small and, very handsome, grayish green and black frog. After letting him go in the backyard, a quick internet search found the grey tree frog (Hyla versicolor) was the most likely match. I had added a new species to my wildlife knowledge.

And had been reminded of the importance of campaigns like Five for Frogs which is working to educate all of us about the threats to frogs and other amphibians everywhere. They keep us informed about new species being discovered and ways that each of us can help.

If someone like myself, who has been involved with wildlife issues for many years, is so lacking in knowledge about a species that lives in my backyard, it is likely that others are as well.

And while my gardening (or lack thereof) is wildlife friendly there are probably things I can do to make it better for frogs and other amphibians. Let’s all make it a point to learn about one species a week in our own neighborhood. And then do something to protect it and its habitat.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

There’s a lot going on in the ocean right now and you can be part of it all. Last year the first Great Turtle Race made it possible to learn about the challenges facing leatheback sea turtles and to contribute to their protection.

And it was fun, celebrities got involved and everyone could follow their favorite leatherback turtle as she (they are females leaving the nesting beaches to return to feeding areas) made her way across the Pacific.

This year the leatherback sea turtle race will go live online on June 2. Be there for the start of the race and learn about these amazing (and ancient) sea creatures.

But if leatherback sea turtles are not your thing, there are plenty of other marine animals being monitored by Tracking of Pacific Predators which is a part of the Census of Marine Life. This ten year project will finish in 2010, having gained tons of information about the ocean and its inhabitants.

The TOPPs website lets you follow sharks, whales, seals, fish and seabirds in their travels around the ocean. Follow albatross on their mutlti-year flights over open ocean or dive deep under the sea with elephant seals and whales. Information on the site is presented with an eye to getting basic information out there.

But the data section also provides those of us who have a slightly deeper interest with real-time maps and access to scientific publications on the work being done to understand ocean habitats.

That ocean covers 70% of our planet. It is crucial to the health of the earth. Learn more about it from TOPP and have fun doing it.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Its not every day you get to name a new species, so take the opportunity now. The privilege does not come cheaply but since all proceeds go to saving some of Ecuador’s most endangered amphibians, it is well worth every penny. And if its celebrity recognition you want -how about a personalized Thank You letter from Jeff Corwin?

What you get when you win:

• The chance to name the new frog species
• A photo of the frog engraved with your chosen name
• The letter of thanks from Jeff Corwin
• The chance to visit Ecuador and see endangered frogs in their natural habitat

With one-third to one-half of the world’s amphibian species at risk of extinction, this auction serves two purposes. First it will directly benefit the efforts to protect several species, including the walking frog which will be named. Secondly, the auction highlights the problems faced by amphibians and teaches people other ways in which they can help stop this deadly decline.

The frog to be named, found in the Andes, is distinguished by the fact that it doesn’t hop but rather ‘walks’ on the forest floor. To add to their uniqueness, walking frogs don’t produce tadpoles. Froglets come directly from the hatched eggs.

Amphibian Ark is a partnership effort between zoos and two IUCN specialist groups to develop short term captive management programs for amphibian species which can’t be adequately protected in the wild right now.

Can’t afford to join in the auction fun? Check out Five for Frogs for other ways to help.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Bats in the US are being hit from all directions yet, since very few people really comprehend their importance, efforts to protect them are limited. Probably the single biggest danger to bats is the excessive use of pesticides. Most US bats are insectivores which eat many pest species. Food sources for bats are destroyed when insects are killed with pesticides. And bats may be directly harmed by pesticide spraying schedules.

In the northeast white-nose syndrome has had a significant effect on bat colonies, and the problem is spreading. There is some speculation that, with less food available, the bats are more susceptible to opportunistic infections such as the fungus which is behind white-nose syndrome.

And few people would have predicted that the US Mexico border wall would affect bats. After all, bats can fly, can’t they? But bat colonies are easily disturbed by activity and noise. Startled young bats may lose their grip, fall to the cave floor and be unable to return to their mothers. Some new sections of the wall are being constructed near key bat caves. In addition, border surveillance equipment emits sounds that may interfere with the echolocation that bats depend on for finding their way around and locating food.

The situation bats face is not uncommon. Humans rarely think about the impact their activities may have on other species. We often realize after the fact that we could have done things differently and saved some animals, like bats, in the process. We will need to start doing more proactive assessment of our impacts on other species if we are ever going to slow the extinction landslide we have started.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

A reader has asked what is being done to protect the endangered blue whales in southern California where 5 died last year. This is what is happening so far:

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary(CINMS) has taken the lead in developing plans to prevent this from happening again. Their Scientific Advisory Committee has put together a working group to develop plans for reducing blue whale mortality in and near the sanctuary.

Possible solutions include:

• Increased monitoring of blue whales during migration-a similar plan has helped reduce North Atlantic Right whale ship strikes. Overflights by researchers during migration provide an ‘early warning system’ to let ships know where the right whales are so it is easier to avoid them
• Alterations of shipping channels-the same right whales have been helped in this way as they migrate through the Stellwagon Banks feeding grounds near Boston harbor.
• An observer program on-board ships in the area during migration-this would help ensure that whales are sighted and that speed limits are enforced.
• Education-Informing the shipping industry and local media will help ship captains to be aware of the locations of the whales with public awareness through the media putting pressure on all to follow the guidelines.

Although it is in the early stages, this type of preventive strategy has proven effective for right whales. Lets hope it does the same for the blue whales. As this migration season progresses (July through October) I’ll try to keep you informed.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Until now, there have been no organized efforts to quantify day-to-day ocean noise levels and their effects on marine mammals. But with new bouys being used at the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagon Bank National Marine Sanctuary, that is about to change.

Several years ago shipping lanes into the city of Boston were moved to reduce the amount of traffic within the marine sanctuary in an effort to protect the highly endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, a slow moving surface feeding whale which forages in the area during spring and fall migrations.

The next step in the protection of this whale is to look at the effects of ocean noise within this critical feeding area. Humpback whales, fin whales, minke whales and several species of dolphin, porpoise and seal also frequent Stellwagon Banks. So do fishermen, both commercial and sport, and whale watch boats. When added to the shipping traffic that’s a lot of activity.

Marine mammals are dependent on sound for many things, including predator avoidance, navigation and communication. Ship traffic noise may interfere with those daily activities, but how much noise and what types of noise are a problem is unknown. The buoys are being used to find some of those answers. And that help guide efforts to effectively protect marine mammals from too much ocean noise. We all know how important a little peace and quiet can be.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Elephants are endangered in all of their range states. As megaherbivores they have traditionally traveled long distances, moving to new areas to forage, allowing recently used areas to recover. In fact heir role in maintaining healthy acacia trees is just now being understood.

And its not like the elephants aren’t doing their part to peacefully coexist. In fact, a herd of elephants in Zambia has a huge safari lodge in their territory, which they have left alone. In fact when the lodge expanded, ending up between the herd and their favorite mango tree, the elephants made their way through the lobby without damaging the lodge at all. Now the people who built the lodge may have expected the elephants to go around but the lobby was on the direct route after all.

Unfortunately that’s just one fun story. The others tend to be bleaker, with elephants being harassed or killed as they attempt to travel between feeding areas. Crop raiding is viewed by humans as elephants stealing our food but would they if could still range the long miles they once did?

This is a problem that will not go away and there is no easy answer to it. In some parts of India conservation groups are working to relocate humans away from critical animal habitat but providing a wildlife corridor long enough with enough food along the way for a herd of elephants to live a relatively normal life will be much more problematic.

In the meantime it seems that saving as much land as possible for the elephants is the least we can do, as wel have yet to prove our ability to manage them well.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Instead of doing the hundred other things on my list this week, I went one morning to Sandy Neck to see the north Atlantic right whales feeding in Cape Cod Bay. I shared my spotting scope with several people and talked to them about the right whales and what they were seeing.

The north Atlantic right whales made the front page of the local paper so many people were already commenting on the fact that there are only about 300-400 of them in the whole world. With estimates of 50-100 whales in the bay, that meant we were in the presence of about one-third of the entire north Atlantic right whale population.

The people knew that there were restrictions on activities in the bay and that there were patrol boats to ensure the right whales were left alone. As I left several people thanked me for sharing both the telescope and the information about the whales.

All those people, from toddlers to seniors were learning about one of the world’s most endangered whales. They will remember. And they will be more likely to work to protect the bay because it is a temporary home to the north Atlantic right whale on a long journey back from near extinction. It is true that we protect what we love and we love what we know.

Today was a good day for the endangered northern right whale.

To see footage of the right whales feeding click here

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Animal attacks on humans are not always random and are sometimes very justified. When the individual animal itself has been threatened or hurt by humans or when all or part of their social group is at risk it is no surprise when they retaliate.

The sperm whales that attacked the Essex and the Anne Alexander in the 1800s could logically be assumed to be retaliating as both had been injured by harpoons. Who wouldn’t fight back? It is equally possible that the attacking whales were protecting their pod.

It is common knowledge that working elephants in India most often attack their own mahout (handler) when they go on a ‘rampage’. Elephant training is notoriously brutal, so it makes sense that the person causing the pain would be the prime target when an elephant has finally had enough. In this case, the elephants are outside of their normal social structure so protection of other elephants is less likely.

One of my colleagues from India told me that he has seen entire herds of elephants walk through narrow village streets without causing any damage. Other times, villages are leveled. It would be interesting to compare villages that had aggressively chased elephants away with those that had to see if the attacks could be predicted.

Elephants and whales are intelligent species that live in social groups where they engage in complex interactions. In other words, there are rules. When humans break the rules of conduct, as understood by these animals, it is no surprise that the animals take revenge.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

With the finding that the El Segundo Blue Butterfly is recovering, thanks to protection under the Endangered Species Act, it would seem logical that another tiny butterfly would be afforded similar protection. But the Sand Mountain Blue, which also survives in a very small range with threats from human activities destroying its habitat, won’t be listed as either threatened or endangered.

The El Segundo blue has recolonized an area where dune restoration has brought back its sole food source, seacliff buckwheat along with other native dune species, ensuring a healthy habitat for more species than just the butterfly.

Meanwhile, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which oversees the implementation of the Endangered Species Act, has decided that the Sand Mountain blue butterfly does not need to be listed. In the latest survey of its habitat, more butterflies were found than were expected. Some of the critical habitat for the butterfly has been fenced off from the activities of off road vehicles(ORV) in the Sand Mountain Recreation Area.

But conservationists claim that more than half of the butterfly’s habitat has been destroyed by ORV activities. The concern is that the butterfly is being restricted to an area that is too restricted.. Endangered status would ensure that multiple sites were protected. If disaster struck one area, there would still be viable habitat.

At a time when we are trying to reduce carbon emissions to limit the impact of climate change, why is the US government prioritizing gas powered recreation over habitat protection?

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Climate change had been implicated in the development and spread of chytrid fungal disease in frogs. But the latest evidence shows that movement of animals (and plants) is likely a key culprit in the increasingly rapid spread of this deadly disease. Focusing on only one threat to the environment exposes us to the risk of failing to deal with other issues critical to the survival of the planet.

Climate change is a huge environmental buzzword right now. We know that air and sea surface temperatures are increasing. What we don’t know is how much of that increase is manmade and how much is cyclic. But we do know that there are other things that man is doing that are having significant effects on the environment. And some are easier to control.

The chytrid fungus that is affecting frog populations around the world is being spread by human activity. The fungus was introduced to South America in the late 1970s. It has been spreading northward ever since. But the pet trade has helped it to skip all the way into the central United States. And at present there is no known way to stop its spread in the wild.

This one should be simple. With climate change we must make choices around our need for warmth and food. But no one needs an exotic pet frog. No one needs to bring plants and animals into new areas, with their exotic diseases tagging along and affecting local wildlife. Its time to think twice about the implications of introduced species before you buy a plant or animal that belongs somewhere far away.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Captive reared black and white ruffed lemurs have been living and breeding in the wild for ten years now on Madagascar. Habitat is being restored for them. A wolverine has been positively identified in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, the first of what was believed to have been an extirpated species. And, sadly, the Maui or Hector’s Dolphin appears to be disappearing from the planet.

This is the world of endangered species work. Small victories, some surprises and too many species living on the edge of existence. In the summer of 2007, the Chinese Baiji was declared functionally extinct. Everyday other species suffer from extinction, some without us ever knowing they existed. The Hector’s or Maui’s Dolphin is likely to be next, at least in the wild. Unlike the Baiji, which never bred in captivity, the Maui dolphin does breed in captivity but whether those animals would ever be able to survive in the wild is subject to question.

The wolverine in California is the surprise. A good surprise, in that the species had been thought to be extirpated from the area. As more land in the mountains of California is being left alone, the door is being opened for the return of some native predator species.

And then the straightforward good news- the success of the lemur reintroduction program. Reintroductions are going to be an increasingly important part of endangered species recovery programs as animals bred in captivity are used to repopulate areas where they have been hunted, poached or driven out by human activity.

I’d like to think we are getting closer to the ‘more good days than bad’ state in endangered species conservation but I’m just not sure that’s true yet.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

In Africa, they are being used to guard livestock from predation by cheetah and leopard. In North America, they protect sheep and cattle from wolves and bears. The most popular breeds for guarding sheep, goats and cattle come from Turkey but the ancestors of the Turkish breeds may have originated in Mesopotamia as much as 6000 years ago. Livestock guarding dogs are weaned into the flock or herd of animals which they will eventually guard. They bond to the species, and as their guarding skills develop, it is these animals they will be most protective of.

In Namibia, the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s Livestock Guarding Dog Program introduced the Anatolian Shepherd dog to the area in 1994. They use the dogs to guard their own flock of goats as well as providing them to herders in the area. This has resulted in a significant reduction in livestock losses. And that means a reduction in cheetah losses as well.

In North America, ranchers and sheep farmers are also discovering the value of the dogs. The use of guarding dog breeds is being strongly encouraged by wildlife organizations anxious to reduce the incidence of livestock predation. By preventing access, the guard dogs decrease the chances of a wolf or bear becoming used to domestic species in their diet.

It seems we are coming full circle on this situation, going back to a process we left behind as we got further and further from the land. I, for one, am glad to see it happen.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

It is only a partial victory but it is a step in the right direction for the whales of Hawaii. A federal judge has ruled that the Navy must restrict their use of sonar in the near-shore waters of Hawaii during their March training exercises. They must monitor for marine mammals and power down when any are present. Powering down is also required in places where it is likely to have an amplified effect.

What happens during these next exercises may help determine how much more the judge will be willing to protect the whales and dolphins who breed and feed in the ocean around the Hawaiian Islands. Judge David Ezra has put some fairly strong restrictions on Navy sonar activities based on evidence that marine mammal habitat should be avoided, having been shown to have negative effects on whales and dolphins.

With 26 species of marine mammals present in Hawaiian waters, including the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and a previous mass stranding following military exercises in Hanalei Bay, the ruling makes sense. It recognizes the damage sonar does to whales, dolphins and other marine life.

And it opens the door to further restrictions, as the judge will revisit the ruling after the March exercises. It is likely that the Navy will be on its best behavior this time but any adverse reactions by marine mammals will go hard against the Navy’s protestations of being good environmental stewards.

In the best case, there will be no incidents and the efforts of the many people involved in bringing the lawsuit will be well rewarded.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

It has been very exciting for me to watch the progress of the one-horned rhinoceros rehabilitation and reintroduction program in India. Two years ago I got to see the two younger females at CWRC. They were still taking milk but had learned to drink from a bucket. Watching them run across the paddock (or boma as it is called there) when the feed bucket appeared was quite comical.

But their potential role is far from funny. It is very important to the Indian rhinoceros and to the part rehabilitation can play in the recovery of endangered species. Translocation has been a controversial subject, as questions about whether the loss of translocated animals from the healthy population is acceptable. But with rehabilitated animals, there is no question. These animals have already technically been lost to the wild population. So they are the most logical choice for translocation and restocking of areas that have been poached out.

If these rhinos do well, other rehabilitated rhinos can be added to the population in Manas National Park, which would recover much more slowly otherwise. Once Manas is restocked, other national parks can be considered for similar reintroductions.

As a former wildlife rehabilitator, it is truly thrilling to see rehabilitation taken to the next step, being part of the recovery of an endangered species. I hope to be able to give you more news like this in the future.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

What do coral reefs and killer whales have in common? Not just the ocean these days. Chemicals we humans have been unintentionally adding to their environment in an effort to keep ourselves safe are causing health problems for these two ocean dwellers.

Killer whales in the Pacific Northwest are full of PBDEs that have ended up in the ocean, carried on the wind, literally. PBDEs are endocrine disrupters. Human health problems caused by PBDE-based flame retardant are becoming an issue and some countries are looking to ban them. The European Union has already banned two forms.

It would seem logical to get rid of them. But what will replace PBDEs as a flame retardant? And what is the greater danger? Items that burn more readily or items that release toxic chemicals even when they aren’t burning?

Then there are sunscreens. Again, it seems logical to try to protect ourselves against sun exposure which is known to increase the risk of skin cancer. But in the process are we exposing coral reefs to damage? And if the sunscreens cause damage to coral, are they really safe for us?

The short answer for most common drugstore sunscreens is no. The very chemicals which damage coral-parabens, cinnamates, benzophenones and camphor- are known estrogenic endocrine disrupters. And, in this case there are safer products available.

It is long past time to take a long look at what we are doing in the name of safety.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Those in favor of selling stockpiles claim that the money from these sales would go toward conservation of endangered species and threatened habitat. But it has been shown that legal trade in banned endangered species products fuels further poaching.

When the ivory trade was closed, poaching of elephants dropped. In India, poaching of tigers is increasing as China puts pressure on to sell tiger parts from farmed tigers. And rhinoceros in Africa and India are facing increased poaching pressure. In North America, poachers have begun taking bears to sell gall bladders as well.

But the problem lies in determining endangered animal parts taken legally from those obtained from poachers. As long as there is money to be made, poachers will try to slip illegally taken animal parts into shipments of stockpiled parts.

To separate out the illegal animal parts DNA testing must be done. Testing every batch of stockpiled animal parts would be prohibitively expensive and time consuming. And corruption in some of the range state countries is an additional concern.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is at the heart of the trade. But there are alternatives to each of the endangered species parts, many of them plants which are not endangered. Its time to stand tough and ensure that legal trade in endangered species parts is not reopened. The world’s wildlife depends on it.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

I started a series of articles on the 10 new species found in the Amazon rainforest. On first read of the information on the new species it seemed an exciting find. Following up on the dwarf manatee in more detail, questions began to arise.

How could so many new species of mammals have remained undiscovered? Who is Dr Roosmalen? With further research it became clear that Marc Roosmalen was a respected scientist. What wasn’t clear, and still isn’t to me, is whether he has abandoned the scientific method in his effort to ‘prove’ that his species are new.

Good science starts with something called the Null Hypothesis. This means that when working on a theory you must attempt to prove yourself wrong. If you are unable to do so you MIGHT be right. This is much harder to do than to prove yourself right.

So, based on whether the Null Hypothesis has been properly applied, the so- called new species may not be new. Some may be subspecies-groups of animals isolated by environment but sharing enough genetic and physical similarity to be of the same species yet slightly unique. Some may simply be subpopulations-again isolation may play a key role in their differences but they may be members of an already established species. And some may truly be new species.

As we continue to examine these Amazon rainforest mammals, it will be important to review input from other scientists and keep the Null Hypothesis in mind. At the same time its good to remember that this work is bringing Amazon rainforest issues into the forefront, which can only be a good thing.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Many years ago Aldo Leopold said,

“The first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the parts.”

Today we are just staring to really understand what he meant. In fact it is likely that even he did not completely comprehend just how complex each ecosystem can be. Ants and elephants have been linked to healthy acacia trees, an idea that flies in the face of logic-that two species that feed on a plant actually are needed to keep the plant healthy.

And scientists enter an uncharted area and find, not one or two, but as many as 50 new species in one region. It quickly becomes clear that our planet is even more interesting than we ever realized. Right now it seems to be the rainforests that are the stars.

We have just begun to really look at many ecosystems, including the forests of North America and Europe. While we are unlikely to find new mammals in these well traveled lands, there are certainly birds, reptiles and amphibians, not to mention insects and plants that are quietly doing amazing things to keep those forests healthy. Ones that we don't even know about yet.

New species cheer those of us involved in wildlife conservation. Too often we sound like broken and depressing records-threats to this species, extinction of that species, habitat loss and on and on. Its great to be able to look at what people like Marc van Roosmalen are doing in Brazil's rainforest and feel some hope for the future.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The southern sea otter is facing an uphill battle to survive. But last year the citizens of California showed their support for this endangered marine mammal by checking the Sea Otter Fund box on their tax forms. Continued funding will go a long way toward improving the health of the otters and their ocean habitat.

Sea otter researchers have shown that there is a link between marine pollution and the continued decline of the southern sea otter population. Some of the funding for these studies came from the tax form fund. While raising money to help the sea otter, the fund has also raised public awareness of the issues surrounding sea otter recovery.

An added benefit that most people are unlikely to think about is how this knowledge may be used to improve the nearshore ocean habitat that many of us enjoy visiting. Swimming in seas full of pollutants is not good for either species. Neither is eating contaminated shellfish. And while we have choices, it would be great not to have to stay away from the ocean and its bounty because of pollution concerns.

More and more it is becoming clear that protecting wildlife habitat is going to be necessary to protect human health. If you live in California, support the Sea Otter Fund. If not, what can you do locally to improve your environment for yourself, and your local wildlife?

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

This year I got a special treat for Christmas. In December I traveled to Greece and had the privilege of meeting Viktoria, a monk seal pup that was rescued in October and is now nearly ready to be released. It was such fun to see a healthy young seal and know that she was going back to the wild.

And the staff of MOm has done an amazing job, given the hospital they have in which to care for pups. Having been in use for many years, the building is small and cramped and desperately in need of repair. The pool and pen area is just barely enough for a big healthy pup of Viktoria’s age.

So, MOm is now struggling to find the money to buy a piece of land and build a better hospital. The hospital will also serve as education center so more people will learn about this fascinating ancient species.

I am only too well aware that there are thousands of important wildlife conservation programs that need funding. But the Mediterranean monk seal is one of the most endangered species on the planet and its recovery is one of the least well funded.

Perhaps it is because so few people even know the monk seal exists. There are no Mediterranean monk seals in zoos or aquariums. I am hoping that the footage of the birth of a pup and the interactions between the pup and the mother in the cave will spark some interest.

It would be great to know that we had done our best for this species, one that we’ve shared the planet with for thousands of years.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

ANWR still needs people to speak up and protect it. Claims of minimal impact are misleading at best and the amount of oil and gas available is probably exaggerated.

The following is the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s own description of why ANWR was created:

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve unique wildlife, wilderness and recreational values; to conserve caribou herds, polar bears, grizzly bears, muskox, dall sheep, wolves, wolverines, snow geese, peregrine falcons, other migratory birds, dolly varden, and grayling; to fulfill international treaty obligations; to provide opportunities for continued subsistence uses; and to ensure necessary water quality and quantity.

Drilling is contrary to everything stated here. Contamination from previous oil exploration on the North Slope has not yet been cleared and further pollution is ongoing, with chemical such as benzene leaking into the ground and airborne pollutants including methane gas and oxides of nitrogen being released.

The pro-drilling contingency claims that only a small area of ANWR would be affected. What they don’t explain that the amount of land may be small but it would likely be spread out throughout the Refuge. Which means that a significant amount of traffic from one to another would result in a much bigger impact.

In 1989, while working with sea otters affected by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, I was first introduced to ANWR and the threat of oil exploration. It amazes and saddens me that we are still fighting this battle, especially in the face of new knowledge of the impact climate change is having on the Arctic.

Read the information from both sides then make your voice heard.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The Campobello Whale Rescue Team (CWRT) has done it again. This time they successfully disentangled what they describe as the worst case they have ever seen. More on this latest rescue can be found on the IFAW Animal Rescue Blog. The news reminded me of a story Mackie Greene of CWRT told me about a situation he had been in.

The boat was 16 feet long, the whale more like 40. CWRT came close to disentangle the young humpback. They shut off the engine to avoid hurting the animal. After they cut away some ropes, the whale began moving the boat around with its nose. The crew held their breath, waiting for the whale to flip the boat over. It didn’t. But it didn’t move away.

The team needed some gear from the support boat to finish the disentanglement. They couldn’t use their engine with the whale circling. The support boat came as close as it could and towed them away. The whale followed but the team still managed to get the tools they needed. Once freed, the whale stayed with the boat. They eventually had to push it away so they could leave.

It’s hard not to be anthropomorphic in this case. Whales are known to be intelligent and humpbacks are highly social. Allowing someone to help them escape entanglement and then staying around to interact would seem to be both a request and a thank you.

Some scientists would find definitions for those actions based on behaviors the humpback whale exhibits in the wild. But, having worked with wildlife for many years, I look at things differently. I have long believed that animals understand a lot more than we give them credit for. And it is time to pay attention when they are trying to communicate.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Amphibians have long been known to camouflage themselves by changing color. But some tree frogs in Costa Rica may also have been using the technique to kill off the chytrid fungus that is devastating amphibians around the world. Comparing these frogs with others who lack this particular pigment may tell scientists whether reduced light levels are involved in the increase in disease.

The scientists are using a new type of scanning mechanism called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to study the changes in the skin of the frogs. Using OCT they don’t have to touch the frogs to get their information, meaning the amphibians are less stressed and the scientists will not unwittingly transmit the chytrid disease by handling the frogs.

The ability to withstand strong sunlight appears to be linked to the presence of a skin pigment known as pterorhodin. The frogs that have pterorhodin also appear to be able to change skin texture to a metallic sheen, which may allow them to withstand higher temperatures, such as those they would be exposed to when basking in the treetops of the rainforest.

Those temperatures may be just what is needed to kill off the chytrid fungus that is affecting frogs populations all over the world. But if, as the scientists suspect, increased cloud cover over the rainforest is reducing the frogs’s exposure to the temperature (or possibly the type of UV light) needed to destroy the fungus, it would help explain why the disease is on the rise.

And give us all one more reason to be concerned about the myriad effects climate change may be having.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Translocation is the capture, movement and release of wildlife from one location to another.

Reintroduction, a specific type of translocation, is the movement of animals back into an area they once inhabited.

Reintroduction can be used:

• To create separate populations of endangered species, improving the species’ chance for survival
• To repatriate species which have been confiscated from illegal trade
• To repopulate areas where heavy poaching has removed many, or even all, of the important species originally found there.

Reintroduction of endangered species tends to be controversial because the results have been mixed. A 1989 US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) report states that:

“The least successful translocations involved short-term releases of small numbers of captive-reared threatened or endangered species on the periphery or outside of historical ranges, in areas of low quality habitat quality where physically similar competitors are present.”

There are at least 5 variables (number of animals, captive rearing, historic presence, habitat quality and competition) listed here that could have an effect on the success of the translocation. Do each of the variable affect success equally or are some more critical than others? To me it seems illogical to move endangered animals into marginal habitat. Removal of just that one variable might create significantly different results.

Another type of translocation involves moving species to mitigate human-animal conflict issues. This is probably the most controversial as it does often result in merely relocating the problem. Careful selection of translocation sites may prevent further conflict.

While some types of translocation have earned a permanent place in wildlife conservation, in general, movement of animals needs to be carefully considered to ensure that the best interests of the individual animals and the species are being protected.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

It is a shame that the record numbers of manatees lost in 2006 were the main impetus for the decision by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to delay downlisting the species from Endangered to Threatened. But the manatee situation helped focus public interest on the underlying problem, a flawed system for evaluating whether a species was endangered or not.

As an example, the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), would also be eligible for downlisting under the present criteria used by the Florida FWCC. This panther is considered one of the most endangered subspecies on earth with less than 100 adults in only one known breeding population.

But the public spoke, nearly 28,000 messages were sent to the governor’s office, asking him to keep the pressure on the commission. For those who made the effort, a very special thanks from the manatee and all the other Florida wildlife that will be helped by this change in attitude.

As 2007 comes to a close it is good to focus on some positive wildlife conservation news. I hope I can share more good news in 2008.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

On both coasts of the United States, sea turtles are receiving some much-needed attention. When an area is designated as critical habitat for an endangered species, increased protections are put in place. This is the goal of two petitions presently before US government agencies charged with safeguarding sea turtles in US waters.

Fisheries interaction is the most important threat sea turtles face. Designation of critical habitat would reduce incidence of fisheries entanglement for sea turtles in both the Atlantic and Pacific.

In the Pacific, a petition to designate critical habitat for leatherback sea turtles would prevent fishermen from gaining access to feeding areas used by the leatherbacks. The areas would still be open for fishing when the sea turtles are not present.

In the Atlantic, efforts are underway to protect both feeding and nesting areas used by the North Atlantic population of loggerhead sea turtles. Two important feeding areas and 4 nesting areas would benefit from decreased fishing. The nesting areas would be protected against other types of human interference, including light pollution which disorients females returning to lay their eggs and hatchlings making their way to sea for the first time.

Lets hope that the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service make the right decision this time. Our oceans are much the richer for the presence of these ancient sea creatures.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The slow moving, coastal dwelling manatee has come up against the powerful boating and development lobbies, both in Florida and nationally. On December 5th, 2007 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) meets to vote on downlisting the Florida manatee from Endangered to Threatened.

Whether the Commission will spend the time at the December meeting in review of their questionable listing categories or go ahead and downlist the Florida manatee remains to be seen. What happens will tell a great deal about Florida’s commitment to protecting wildlife.

Meanwhile there is pressure at the federal level to for the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to downlist the Florida manatee as well, despite the fact that there were record numbers of deaths of this endangered species in 2006.

Let the FWS and the FWCC know that you want the Florida manatee properly protected. Your message will be most effective if you add a personal note or, better yet, if you take the information and use it to create your own message.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Having just spent the long American Thanksgiving weekend showing a guest from India the beauty of Cape Cod and its wildlife, the last thing I want to think about is the December holiday season-travel to visit relatives, gifts to buy, a house to decorate and meals to plan. I’d really rather polish my binoculars and head out the door again.

But I can get ready for Christmas quickly, then go watch the winter migrants arrive or the local creatures settling in for the cold winter, thanks to the Suite 101 holiday event. Started by the Home and Garden writers (who are much more organized than me or their homes and gardens would look like mine) the event has grown to include ideas from all of the Suite101.com topic areas.

The list includes lots of environmentally friendly gifts and decorations, tasty recipes for all palates, travel ideas and ways to maintain your sanity through this busy time. There are also some interesting articles to help understand how all those strange customs got started.

Check it out, then get outside and enjoy a wildlife filled holiday.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Koalas and humans can both be infected by Chlamydia, as can several other very diverse species including horses and frogs. One strain of the bacteria, Chlamydia pnuemoniae, is proving to be the most dangerous to humans. It causes respiratory disease, infertility and more recently has been linked to coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease.

Work with another type of Chlamydia, C. pecorum, which is a problem for koalas, has shown that a vaccine may need to include three different antigens in order to be effective. Producing just antibodies to Chlamydia does not provide protection against the disease. T-cells must also be stimulated.

The research on C. pecorum was done to protect koalas, a species threatened by habitat loss as well as rampant Chlamydia infection. In the long run this work will also benefit humans, as the vaccine trials necessary to ensure the product works for koalas will provide baseline data that can be used in the development of the human vaccine.

Animal testing of products for humans use is often seen as exploitation. In this case, the animals themselves will benefit first.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The Iberian lynx, the world's most critically endangered species of cat, is on the rebound. Its population has gone from a low of approximately 100 animals found in 2 discrete colonies, to the latest estimate of about 250 lynx reported in November 2007. Habitat restoration and further survey work play a part in this recovery.

While details of the new colony are being kept secret, the most important part of the discovery is that the species is not entirely dependent on the two colonies that have long been known to researchers. The more separate groups of lynx found, the better chance that this highly endangered species will not be devastated by a single illness or other disaster. Indications are that the newly discovery colony comprises both adults and cubs.

The births of 44 cubs this year adds to the feeling of encouragement. A healthy breeding population is the cornerstone of species recovery. In the case of the lynx , the breeding population in the wild is being augmented by a captive breeding program in Donana National Park.

Bolstered by a habitat restoration and prey enhancement project, the Iberian lynx is also returning to previously abandoned sites. The majority of the endangered cats are found in Andalusia but Castilla-LaMancha, to the north, now has a small, growing colony as well.

While its important for people to understand now many animals face possible extinction, its nice to be able to report some positive news for a change.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

In and around the forests of the great ape range states efforts are being made to design sustainable use programs whereby local people are able to meet their needs without killing so many animals. The Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP) supports many of these community-based projects.

But these projects are doomed to failure until one critical issue is addressed:

Consumption in developed nations.

Americans, as the largest per capita consumers in the world, must recognize the fact that nearly every person in the US consumes as much as an entire family in some parts of the world. And while we may not eat bushmeat, the workers who log those forests do. That logging provides the cheap furniture many of us have. And the rest of the developed world is not that far behind America in consumption. And the developing nations are scrabbling desperately to catch up to the standard we have set.

Each time we make choices about cars, food and furniture, we affect wildlife somewhere in the world. If the world’s charismatic megafauna are to continue to grace this planet, each of us needs to make the hard choice more often. For the great apes, our less is their more.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The Eastern Atlantic population of the Mediterranean monk seal is found in Morocco, Mauritania, Spain and Portugal. Morocco and Mauritania have a long-standing border dispute. Spain and Portugal, well, they never have really seen eye to eye on much. So the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the four countries during the Western African Talks on Cetaceans and their Habitat (WATCH) is historic on many levels.

The signing comes two years after the Action Plan was approved by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) but cooperative efforts did not wait for either the approval of the CMS or for the MoU to be signed. In 2005, a survey of areas of the Atlantic coast of Africa between the known colony at Cabo Blanco and the city of Dakhla, initiated by CBD-Habitat of Spain, was carried out in conjunction with Moroccan and Mauritanian researchers, using the IFAW research vessel Song of the Whale.

The disappointing but not surprising news was that no new colonies of monk seals were found. The good news was that the trip reinforced in the minds of government officials the importance of protecting potential habitat. This has made the primary objective, the creation of a Network of Special Areas of Conservation for the Monk Seal (SACMS) more readily embraced by the governments involved.

The Mediterranean monk seals has not done well in captivity so habitat protection may be the most important step that can be taken for the species.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Satellite tracking has become much more safe and cost effective in recent years. Transmitters are now compact and lightweight so that concerns about animals dealing with excess drag while migrating are greatly reduced. Tracking projects to study leatherback turtles, Magellanic penguins and various marine mammals will help determine where the animals go and where they are most at risk.

Because marine wildlife spends most of its time in and over the water, it has been difficult to be sure where they go. Seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals can all swim very quickly and stay underwater for significant periods of time, making it difficult to track them by boat.

The Great Turtle Race is now officially over, but data from some of the leatherback turtles involved continues to help scientists understand migratory routes, feeding areas and the potential dangers these sea turtles face. You can still follow the turtles at the Tagging of Pacific Predators (TOPP) website, where you can also find out about tagging projects involving elephant seals and sharks. Other tagging project footage is in the works.

The Magellanic Penguin Project’s tracking study is happening right now in South America. Results of the study will be used to help guide the formation of marine protected areas and determine optimum shipping channel and commercial fishing zones to protect the dwindling penguin population.

And we are learning much more about the individual species being tracked. Often there is a basic knowledge of what the majority of the animals do, but the animal that goes somewhere unexpected may be the source of information that will be critical to the survival of them all.

By tracking marine wildlife on line, all of us can have fun learning a bit more about our ocean going neighbors.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Before you set out on a whale watch, it is important to do your homework. There are good whale watching tours and not so good ones. In many countries, there is a Code of Ethics or Whale Watching Guidelines designed to keep the boats from disturbing the marine mammals they watch.

Choosing a tour that is part of a research program gives twice the bang for your buck. Often the naturalists on board the boats are collecting data on the whales that are seen. Photo identification books allow for non-invasive information gathering. Noting other marine mammals in the area such as dolphins, porpoise or seals adds to knowledge of the whole ecosystem.

The naturalists will be able to tell scientists which whales are in the area, which females have calves and where they are feeding.

On the other hand, I have been on whale watches where multiple boats came rushing up on a lone whale, disturbing its rest, or have harassed a feeding group until they dispersed. While it may be frustrating to watch other boats zooming around chasing the animals, in the long run, the responsible boats often get longer, more rewarding views because the whales are less likely to move off when the boats move more slowly and allow the animals their space.

So find out which tours watch whales responsibly and which are helping gain scientific data that can be used to help marine mammals and support their work. I guarantee it will be fun.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Introduced non-native species are causing problems wherever they are found. Some experts suggest including them in the local diet. But others contend this creates a ‘market’ leading to further spread of the species.

If people begin to make money by selling the species as food, whether it be crayfish, grey squirrel, rabbit or even plants like Japanese knotweed, there may be a temptation to ensure a continued supply by introducing the non-native into another area, compounding the problem. With plants, ensuring that seed is not accidentally spread during ‘harvest’ is also an issue.

For some species, such as rabbits and squirrels, a reduction in population results in an increase in breeding, mother nature’s response to fill a void. So any removal program needs to keep up its level of action until a ‘tipping point’ is reached where the numbers are so low that the reproductive rates can’t keep up.

But a properly designed program might just be the answer where it is clear that complete extirpation of a species is highly unlikely. It is environmentally positive on several levels. Removal of alien species usually results in increased biodiversity, reduced pressure on native species and, because it would be ‘harvested’ locally, the food miles are minimal.

So what’s on the menu near you?

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Just before the latest outbreak of fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) began, scientists announced the finding of 6 new species in an area that has been inaccessible since 1960 due to ongoing fighting. The area has a fairly small human population, probably largely due to the longstanding conflict, resulting in nearly 1000 square km of undisturbed forest. Animals found in the area include 2 species of frogs, two shrews, a bat and a rodent. The area also hosts numerous other mammals, birds and reptiles although some of the species traditionally utilized for food are only there in low numbers.

The renewed fighting may bring the expedition to a halt but it may also mean that the area will remain relatively safe. Human fighting may result in the devastation of species, as is being seen with the mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park. Or it may end up being a sad form of protection as with the Mediterranean monk seals in Mauritania, who for years were left alone because access to the coast was through minefields.

In this case the concern is that the latest round of fighting is preventing farmers from planting this year’s crops, which may result in exploitation of wildlife in the area for food.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Deforestation is a problem throughout the world. From rainforests to mangroves, trees are being lost at an incredible rate. Trees that are needed to help combat increasing CO2 levels. In the developed countries cheap furniture from Southeast Asia lures us into contributing to the loss of forests. But in the developing countries, it is often the basic needs of food and warmth that drive deforestation.

And it is this issue that needs to be looked at more closely. The developed world can easily stop buying wood products from the rainforests of Asia. But how do we ensure that people’s basic needs are met so that they are not forced to gather wood in protected areas? This is critical, as once the easily gathered wood from the ground is used up, trees are cut down. Many national parks and protected areas around the world are constantly being encroached on for just these needs.

There are no easy answers. Providing employment for people near the protected forests has helped in some cases but it is not the complete solution. Conservation and humanitarian organizations will need to work together to come up with creative ways of saving forests and their wildlife.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

With about 190,000 volunteers, trained and equipped by the Sierra Club, checking on water quality at their designated sites the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is getting lots of help.

Critics of the Water Sentinel Program point to the lack of scientific standards, which can result in data that may not be rigorous enough to enable the agency to convict violators. What they fail to acknowledge is that, without the volunteers, many watersheds would have no data at all.

Rather than the usual ivory tower attitude, doubters would be better served by meeting some of the volunteers. They might be pleasantly surprised at how many intelligent, highly educated people serve programs they are passionate about.

If the EPA and state environmental offices aren’t completely satisfied with the quality of data, they should aid in improving the training and equipment provided to the volunteers. This would, in the long run, be more effective, and less expensive, than increasing the number of employees doing water quality monitoring.

The volunteers are likely to be more aware of local issues that could affect the future of their waterways. Utilizing them effectively rather than criticizing makes more sense.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

In a classic bad news-good news situation, a hunter killed a grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) while hunting for black bear. Until this incident occurred hunters were being told there were no grizzlies in the Selway-Bitterroot ecosystem.

The bad news is that a member of a threatened species has been killed. Some conservationists will use this incident to further their contention that grizzly bears should not have come off the threatened list at all. It will also make it even more important that Montana and Idaho develop reasonable management plans if they ever hope to get the grizzly delisted in their states.

The bear will undergo DNA testing to determine whether it was originally from Cabinet-Yaak or the Northern Continental Divide area, which includes Glacier National Park. In either case, the bear came from the population which is still listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. A separate population in the Yellowstone ecosystem has been delisted since April.

The good news is the grizzly bear is moving into Selway-Bitterroot. The US Fish and Wildlife Service had been attempting to determine whether the grizzlies were repopulating the area on their own as expected. This killing confirms that at least one bear has. More are likely to be in the area as well.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Understanding of the mechanism that creates the toxin behind the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) known as red tide is increasing rapidly as scientists at MIT recently found a way to synthesize brevetoxin. Brevetoxin is the molecule produced by the dinoflagellate Ptychodiscus brevis that causes a neurological syndrome commonly called paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in humans. Symptoms include numbness of lips, tongue and extremities, and in severe cases, respiratory failure.

Red tides have been associated with the deaths of manatees and dolphins in the US, especially along the Eastern seaboard. Now there is some evidence that marine wildlife continues to be affected for some time after the dinoflagellate is detectable. In Africa, critically endangered Mediterranean monk seals were badly affected by an HAB in 1997. Marine mammals consume fish which have eaten the algae. If enough algae is taken in this way, the animals suffer from neurological problems and respiratory failure. Seabirds also suffer from consuming fish that have eaten red tide algae.

Being able to predict, and eventually prevent, the dinoflagellate from producing brevetoxin would be a huge step forward in efforts to save marine animals. It will be interesting to watch this developing line of research.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Coming off the Endangered Species Act list means the end of federal funding for monitoring, human-animal conflict mitigation and population management efforts of formerly endangered species. The US Fish and Wildlife Service grizzly bear and wolf management costs for 3 states runs into the millions of dollars. Those expenses fall to the individual states after a species is delisted. The trust fund proposal would ease this burden.

The idea behind the trust makes sense: people from all over the country come to the Rockies to see wolves and grizzly bears. Individual states shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of management costs for a national resource. If it is set up and handled well, the program would be expanded to other species in other states. Individuals and conservation organizations could contribute knowing that the money is earmarked for former endangered species management. Changes in government would not affect the funding. When individual state legislatures are expected to come up with money funding levels vary. When those funding levels are low inadequate management is the result.

It makes sense to take the long term care of our special species out of direct government control and put it in the hands of a trust fund board made up of wildlife biologists, conservation groups and financial specialists (somebody has to make sure the fund keeps earning sufficient interest). More stable, consistent programs are likely to result.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is making its way back into Washington state, having been sighted in the Cascade and Selkirk mountain ranges. Given the controversy that surrounds this species, state officials are wisely getting input from residents as they develop a management plan.

In addition to the public comment period, an eighteen member working group will be aiding the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) in deciding how to proceed as wolf numbers increase.

By taking these steps now, it may be possible to avoid the problems faced by states where the wolf was introduced under federal mandate. In those states some resentment remains because it was felt that the wolves were forced on them.

Issues that the DFW will be addressing include how to deal with wolves and livestock, wolves and wild game, human-animal interaction and population objectives.

Perhaps in this case, a sound, reasoned management plan can be developed that Washington residents, and their wolf neighbors, can live with.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is not an endangered species but it is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and may not be hunted, except by native subsistence hunters. There is a prohibition included in the subsistence hunting law against wasteful take, ie a certain percentage of the animal must be utilized. This prohibition was specifically included to prevent animals from being killed for their tusks.

This year there have been twice as many headless walrus carcasses found on Alaska’s beaches as any other year in the last 10. Removing only the head and tusks is obviously wasteful take. But it is unlikely that there is any market for the rest of the walrus anymore. Carved ivory pieces, however, are very popular. A quick online search showed at least seven different companies selling Native American ivory carvings. So the temptation to take only what will be used is great.

Added to the wasteful take issue is a report that sea ice melts in areas of the continental shelf where walrus feed, are causing separation of mothers and calves. For the first time lone calves were seen swimming alone. Walrus calves rest on the sea ice while their mothers feed. Continued loss of resting places results in separation of mothers and their calves who are dependent on milk for two years.

If we are to prevent species from ending up on the Endangered list or going extinct we will have to look at threats to species before they reach the point of being endangered. For the walrus, the traditional subsistence take has not been a problem. Wasteful take combined with climate change are a different matter.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The announcement of the results of an extensive survey of the Yangtze late last year are only making official what has been suspected for some time. The Yangtze River Dolphin or Baiji (Lipotes vexilifier) is now considered Functionally Extinct. The Three Gorges Dam, heavy boat traffic and fishing on the Yangtze have spelled the end for this rare freshwater dolphin. The Baiji has been listed as Critically Endangered since 1996. Efforts to find and trap a small Chinese baiji population for captive breeding and protective care in a sheltered oxbow called the Shishou Reserve began in the mid 1990s. But the survival rate was poor and when the famous QiQi, a lone male baiji residing in a pool in Wuhan’s Institute of Hydrobiology, died in 2002, hope faded even further. Now the hope is gone, despite a rebuttal by the lead scientist on the survey, saying that there was a chance that a few baiji could still be alive. It is highly unlikely that the species can endure. If finding baiji for captive breeding was difficult when the population estimates were over 100 animals, there is little likelihood that new efforts will succeed. Planned interviews of fishermen and others living and working along the Yangtze River may turn up so anecdotes and leads but the river is so badly polluted, so heavily trafficked and fished, that any surviving baiji are unlikely to reproduce. The worst of it is, this is just the beginning. There are a number of other species hanging on by a similar thin thread, some of them will not survive either.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, plenty of change followed. Coyote populations dropped while fox numbers increased. Elk and deer numbers went down while aspen stands recovered. When white-tailed prairie dog towns were wiped out, the black-footed ferrets went with them. When disease hit rabbits in Spain and Portugal, the Iberian lynx was pushed to the brink of extinction. In the Pacific Ocean the sea otter's presence allows kelp beds to thrive.

What is a Keystone Species?

In each case the species removed or added was a keystone species. The keystone in architecture is the stone in the top of the arch that locks the rest of the stones in place. In the cases of the wolf and the sea otter it is clear that they are keystone species which keep the ecosystem in balance. The wolf functions as the top predator and the sea otter's consumption of shellfish protects the kelp beds.

Prey as Keystone Species

In the other two situations the keystone species are the prey. In the example of the prairie dog, biologists were not aware of how vital a role they played in their habitat. They knew that the prairie dog was a food source but not how much the ecosystem depended on them.In addition to the ferrets utilizing their burrows, plovers and burrowing owls take advantage of them for nest sites. The burrows also drain rainwater, preventing erosion.

The same was true in the case of the Iberian lynx. The rabbit was a keystone species, necessary for the survival of the lynx both as a food source and for their effect on the habitat. The rabbits’ browsing and burrowing behaviors kept the areas from becoming wooded. The lynx prefers grass and shrub lands. The removal of rabbits and prairie dogs in their respective habitats caused problems for many species sharing the habitat.

In architecture keystones come in many shapes, sizes and styles. In nature, keystone species are equally varied.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Much attention has been focused on the loss of homes and tourism business in the wake of this week’s blazes on the Canary Islands. But 30 endemic species of plants and animals have also been badly affected by the wildfires that have swept through Gran Canaria. Tenerife seems to have been hit less hard but only post fire surveys will tell the real damage toll on either island.

Islands are often home to rare species. Animals and plants that end up on them diverge genetically from mainland species in very short time, becoming specialized to the local habitat and food sources. Darwin’s finches are probably the most famous example of this phenomenon. On Gran Canaria one of those seriously threatened by the wildfires is the blue chaffinch (Fringilla teydea polatzeki). Researchers in prime chaffinch habitat were the first to have to be evacuated from the forest when the blazes broke out. With only 250 or so birds of this local subspecies (another subspecies- Fringilla teydea teydea- lives on Tenerife but its population is larger), every one is valuable. Their habitat and major food source is an endemic pine (Pinus canariensus), which is also under threat.

The worst part of all this is that the Gran Canaria fire was set by a forest ranger whose contract was about to expire. The EU Action Plan for the blue chaffinch specifically mentions the need to prevent forest fires in order to protect the species, as previous fires had eroded their diminishing habitat. A jail term for the offender will not bring the plants and animals of this unusual island back.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Kaziranga is the oldest national park in India and it has enjoyed a long history of cooperation with nearby villages. This year, as the worst poaching in a decade is occurring, a local Village Defence Party (VDP) is aiding the park in protecting the Indian one-horned rhinoceros population. Kaziranga is home to nearly 80% of the world’s one-horned rhinos, with 1,800 animals counted in the 2005 census. Village Defence Parties are volunteers authorized by the state guard their villages at night.

So far, ten rhino have been killed by poachers, one poacher has been shot by park authorities and two poachers captured by the VDP. The villagers have several reasons to be involved. They are very proud to have such a vigorous rhino population in their area. They have been supported by the park staff and the staff at the Wildlife Trust of India’s Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation in their efforts to co-exist with the animals that wander out of the park. And park staff is often hired from the community so the wardens risking their lives to stop poaching are neighbors, friends or family.

Monsoon season makes it easier for poachers to capture and kill the animals, as they are concentrated in areas that are not flooded, some of which are very close to major roads. And it also makes capturing the poachers more difficult as flood waters may separate the various teams of park wardens and police from each other, delaying the arrival of backup help.

The effort made by the local community in protecting Kaziranga’s rhinos is an example of how powerful citizen involvement in wildlife conservation can be.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Carbon footprints and food miles have become common concepts in recent years. Seafood watch tells you which fish are harvested in a sustainable way. Everyone seems to be planting a tree to compensate for flying around the world. But how much of this is realistic?

The new proposal for mitigating marine life losses in fisheries is a good example of a process that can work, if it is used along with preventative measures. And that is the key to good mitigation, it must include some preventative actions,

Seafood watch is very straightforward. If you eat this fish you are contributing to its potential extinction. Carbon footprints help you see where you are consuming the most energy and, more importantly, find ways of cutting that consumption.

Evaluating food miles and making the choice to consume locally produced, in-season foods from sustainable sources (Whew! That’s a lot to think about) is another straightforward way to help.

But anyone who thinks they can make up for an around the world flight by planting a few trees is deluding themselves. What trees are being planted and where has a tremendous impact on their value as carbon filters. Planting a non-native species in your garden while the rainforest disappears is not going to help. Before you buy into any of the many tree planting projects have a good look at the information the program provides.

Each mitigation program needs to be evaluated. Does it really help or is it a way to feel good about doing what you are going to do anyway?

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Anyone growing up in rural New England heard -Use it up, Wear it out, Make do without it-long before Reduce, Reuse, Recycle became fashionable. Then Yankee frugality was the driving force, not ecosystem preservation. Now recycling is the norm for many people. But focusing on recycling misses important things each of us can do to preserve the environment.

There are good reasons to concentrate on reducing and reusing first. Recycling takes energy. Recycled materials have to be processed in some way. Reusing is next best. In India, when we bought honey it was sold to us in a jar that had held Horelick’s® candies. Rather than taking the jar to a recycling center to be melted down and reformed, it was simply cleaned and disinfected. An environmentally conscious winery in England told me that they would love to do that but Health and Safety requirements were so stringent it was cost prohibitive. We need to look harder at balancing these issues.

Best of all is to reduce-consume less in any way you can. Most people pick the easiest thing for them-drying clothes on the line, not in the dryer for example. Turning off the water when brushing your teeth. Lenox, Ma has declared itself a no idling zone. That means you are expected to turn your car off, not leave the engine running to fuel your air conditioner or heater, while you run errands. Which is a great place to start. Modbury, in the UK has led a ban on plastic shopping bags, another great idea.

But we all need to do more. It’s time to pick one thing that is a bit harder. Trading your gas guzzling SUV for a smaller vehicle is great but actually leaving that vehicle parked and walking whenever you can-so much better. So start thinking Reduce first.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

A trip to the Okavango Delta before the waters come down from Angola means lots of walking, rather than travelling in a mokoro (dugout canoe). Walking on charred ground in an area known for its water felt strange. Fires built to flush bees out so that honey can be gathered, fires for cooking, fires for warmth at night and to keep the wildlife out of the camp get out of control.

What impact does burning have on the balance of the delta ecosystem? Water will be arriving in a month or two, guaranteed by the flooding in the north, so the fast growing plants will recover.

But what of the trees? Home to many of the animals of the area, trees are being lost to these accidents as well as to cooking and heating fires. The biggest concern is the loss of leadwood (Combetum imberbe). These trees can live for several thousand years but they grow very slowly. They are valued as firewood, as they burn slowly with very intense heat. They are also termite resistant, a big asset for building in the bush.

This year there is a ban on cutting leadwood in the Okavango. Like the redwoods, these trees need to be protected so they can continue to play their role in this unique ecosystem.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The Fourth Waterbird Population Estimate was recently released. The results showed that 44% of the 900 species surveyed around the world were decreasing. Of the species in decline, 12 families, including plovers, storks and shoebills are decreasing by half or more globally. And these numbers are worse than the last survey, where 41% were in trouble.

What is causing these declines? Human development along the coasts is the most important reason. Habitat destruction through urban sprawl, wetlands being drained for building, and the secondary pollution these activities cause means there are fewer places for birds to nest undisturbed. Fish and shrimp farms also reduce area available for birds to feed and nest., and contribute to the pollution problems.

Sadly, most waterbirds are long distance migrants, so what happens in one country affects bird populations in other parts of the world. Not surprisingly, Asia shows the highest rates of decline or extinction (62%), as population increases and poverty put ever more pressure on land and water. Africa follows at 48%. In these places, the answer lies in linking wetland management to poverty reduction. Finding ways for people to survive without further loss of wild habitat is a key part of the work of Wetlands International.

North America comes in at 37%, not that much lower than the other continents. Still, more species are stable or increasing on here, largely due to increased awareness of the importance of saving or recovering wetlands.

Clearly more needs to be done worldwide if our waterbirds are to thrive.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Red tides, now more properly called Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) as they come in many colors, are implicated in many marine animal deaths. These HABs are responsible for human illness, and occasionally death, as well.

Fish and invertebrates eat algae. Most of the time that’s not a problem. It becomes a problem when the HABs appear. They are called harmful because they contain toxins. Most people are familiar with Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, one of the common types of HABs. The toxin is released when the fish or invertebrates are eaten by humans, birds or marine mammals.

The Mediterranean monk seal loss of 2/3 of its largest colony was a direct consequence of an HAB. Rockhopper penguin declines have also been linked to HABs. Dolphin mortality events on the eastern US coast in recent years have coincided with HABs. Marine mammals and seabirds, including the brown pelican, in the eastern Pacific suffer from domoic acid poisoning, a by-product of one type of algal bloom which causes liver damage and is often fatal. While most of these animals face multiple challenges, the HABs can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

But these HABs are natural, so why should we be concerned? Because nitrogenous waste from agricultural fertilization or sewage outfalls has been linked to increasing HAB occurrences. These nitrogenous wastes provide food for the algae. And, unfortunately, it seems that some species of algae prefer this human produced form of nitrogen over natural sources. As more and more of us spend more time near the coast, the problem will only get worse. Unless we clean up our act.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Its nearly time for my long awaited return to Africa. After three years I am returning to South Africa and seeing a bit of Botswanna for the very first time. We’ll be camping on the Okavango Delta and travelling through Kruger National Park, so it may be a while before I can answer emails or join in discussions. But whenever I can I will send news of wildlife preservation, African style.

And I look forward to bringing back plenty of new topics and issues to share with you. South Africa is a very highly managed country, with wildlife numbers carefully controlled, even in the parks. It will be interesting to compare that with how Botswanna deals with its wildlife.

And I will return to a project that I visited 3 years ago, a baboon rehabilitation facility near Kruger Park, CARE (Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education). If you are like I was before the visit, you probably think that baboons are one of the tough guys of the primate world. The opposite is actually true, although they are certainly capable of violence, they are much less aggressive than chimps. More on baboons and CARE either from the road or when I return.

Our final leg of the journey will be into the Drakensberg to enjoy some birdwatching in a slightly more civilized but no less grand setting. And by the time I get back, at the end of February, the winter cold might have eased a bit here on Cape Cod.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The grey wolf delisting debate tries to force us into one camp or the other-pro or anti wolf. But there is more to the debate than conservationists versus hunters and ranchers. In talking to people who are not heavily involved in conservation issues, the response tends to be ‘delisting is a good thing’. It means the species has recovered and, importantly, that the Endangered Species Act actually works. People need to believe that we can do, and have done, something to protect wildlife. They see evidence of the wolf recovering and think, ok time to move on. There are so many other species that need our help.

The peregrine falcon is an example of a species that has been delisted. The North Pacific population of the gray whale is delisted but the remainder of the species stays on the endangered list. The bald eagle is downlisted to threatened. These three different scenarios take into account the status of the entire species, distinct populations and/or slow but steady recovery, moving away from complete protection as is appropriate.

Yes, keeping a species listed as endangered protects them. But eventually we need to learn to live with these animals as part of our world. Allowing limited control is going to be necessary for the big predators as we continue to encroach into their environment. (for another view on delisting large predators see Delisting the Grizzly)

Finding a balance between complete protection and complete annihilation is the way to keep the average person supporting the ESA, and the money spent protecting endangered species. As with the boy who cried wolf, we must be careful not to alienate less rabid supporters by overstating our case.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The world of wildlife science and preservation has made the biopsy dart a routine tool of the trade. A high powered crossbow similar to that used to deliver the initial blow to an animal in the later years of the whale hunt is shot at the animal. The difference is that instead of a harpoon intended to cause deadly injury, a fine stainless steel needle takes a tiny bit of blubber and skin then falls into the water. The animal swims away free and the floating dart is retrieved from the water.

Painful? Possibly. There are reports of animals showing a short term highly excited reaction, biologist-speak for pain as far as I'm concerned.

How then do we justify this pain when we are supposed to be protecting and preserving these animals?

The good of the species.

By learning all we can without actually capturing each individual animal. Every animal that we get a biopsy from tells us about the individual (which can also tell us about health issues in the species) and, more importantly, how this animal fits into the population genetically.

Genetic information.

Many endangered species populations consist of a few hundred animals. Genetic bottlenecks with the accompanying potential for magnifying flaws are a huge concern, especially with the higher mammals. The Florida panther ( Felis concolor coryi) was nearly lost because inbreeding had reduced overall health and reproductive capability.

With species like the North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales, we don’t even know if there is a genetic bottleneck but it is certainly highly likely. By using a biopsy dart gun, causing a few minutes of discomfort to the animals involved, it is possible to get information about the health of a population. So we do it. And hope for the best. For the individual. For the species.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

Designating the North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) as a distinct species was a triumph for modern genetic science. Two separate (mitochondrial and nuclear) DNA tests confirmed what scientists suspected. The animals of the North Pacific did not share enough genetic material with the North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) to be the same species. In some ways this is just a technicality. Data gleaned from any studies of right whales is bound to help in making decisions regarding their protection.

But there are differences. The North Pacific right whales spend most of their time in the Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, and Sea of Japan. They are less often seen and much less studied than their North Atlantic and Southern (Eubalaena australis) relatives. Abundance and population trends, calving and feeding grounds (critical habitat), migration routes, etc. are not completely understood. Their needs and threats are not known. For example, we know that human interaction (ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement) are key issues for the North Atlantic species but this doesn’t appear to be the case for the North Pacific whales. Has this species simply been hunted beyond its ability to recover? At this late stage, with the species facing likely extinction, we may never know.

More importantly, if one of the world’s great whales, a charismatic mega-vertebrate, is that poorly understood, what of the many less ‘sexy’ species which are as important, if not more so? Perhaps by protecting habitat, in this case the North Pacific Ocean, the species we know, at least a little, can be protected along with the species we have yet to know. With new species being discovered every day, it’s worth a try.

Sources:

Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessments, 2005, North Pacific Right Whale www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/sars/ak2005whnr-pen.pdf

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

A wildlife corridor doesn’t have to be as big as the Y2Y. We have a wildlife corridor between our house and the neighbors. A stand of trees separates us and makes a safe place for birds and mammals, giving them (and us) some privacy. I didn’t think of it as a wildlife corridor when we first moved in, but as I watched the birds and squirrels, I noticed they used it to make their way from the feeders in the back yard, which are in close to the woods, past our big open front yard which offers no protection from predators, and on to other green sections of our neighborhood. Even the fox that trotted down the driveway stuck close to that side as he made his way through.

The nice thing about a wildlife corridor is that it doesn’t need a lot of fussy gardening. Native plants will grow if left to their own devices. Shrubs and trees make great places for animals to hide and nest and may help keep your yard cooler. Plants that produce berries or nuts are great food sources, especially during the lean winter months. You’ll have the reward of seeing local native wildlife close up and, perhaps enjoy that little extra privacy that hedges, shrubs and trees provide.

So how do you make a wildlife corridor? The key is to leave as wide an area as possible, keep the vegetation natural, and, if you can, keep artificial lights off the area. An alleyway next to the garage is often wasted space. Let it get a bit overgrown, then sit back and watch who comes through.

For further information on urban wildlife corridors: The Center for Biological Diversity

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

A study of elephant calf displacement in India between January 2001 and November 2004 showed an average of 20 calves per year being separated from their herds. There are many ways a calf can get into trouble but the three most common reasons are:

1. falling into manmade ditches/channels/trenches
2. getting left behind when the herd (often crop raiding) is being chased
3. being swept away in floods

These three situations account for 2/3 of all displacements listed in a recent study done by the Wildlife Trust of India. Of them, only flooding is a natural occurrence, and that situation is aggravated by human encroachment. As more people build homes on the high ground above the flood zone, the area where the animals can retreat to decreases. In Assam, Kaziranga National Park is in the flood plain. The elephants live there in the dry season as food is plentiful. But once the floods come, the high ground that was traditionally their wet season habitat, is a difficult and dangerous place. To reach it, a major road must be crossed. Once across the road, there are tea gardens to be negotiated. And to find food in a highly developed area often means crop raiding. So here, in an area with the protection of a national park, the animals still must cross into human inhabited areas to survive. It can be much worse in other places.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

The Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS, also known as the Bonn Convention), and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These are just a few of the many agreements between nations to protect threatened, endangered and at risk species.

But to enforce these treaties requires money. We think that putting a species on a list that is agreed to among the countries involved will protect them. It doesn’t. But it helps. It raises awareness of the problem and allows governments or non-government organizations (NGOs) to push for funding for the protection that has been agreed upon.

Funding is needed to pay for anti-poaching teams in national parks for example. Poachers can make huge amounts of money for the animals they kill. Or worse yet, for just specific parts, such as rhinoceros horns. As long as there is money to be made someone will try to make it.

Everyday in national parks or reserves all over the world, people put their lives on the line to protect the animals in their care. Some are killed in the line of duty, often leaving dependent family behind. In many of those parks, the anti-poaching staff salaries and/or support costs are paid for, at least in part, by NGOs because the governments don’t have enough money. To preserve wildlife takes money but the treaties don’t deal with that part of the problem. Supporting legislation to put financial teeth into the agreements might help. Or it might prevent countries with limited funds from even signing on to the treaties.

Supporting NGOs and national parks or preserves (yes even in the more developed world, parks suffer from lack of funding) is one way each of us can help. Think about it the next time you visit a park or preserve. Or when your favorite NGO is looking for funding.

Posted by Dawn M. Smith

In 1998 I sat on the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean monk seal breeding caves in Africa. Looking through the ID book (drawings of animals seen regularly) with one of the researchers who had been there before the die-off in 1997, page after page the same comment, muerto-dead. Two thirds of the known local adult population of this critically endangered species had died within a few months. The colony had come perilously close to extinction.

Watching from the cliffs we could see the animals swimming in and out of the caves, often watching the watchers. The species is noted to be shy. That is, no doubt, due to years of persecution. First they were hunted for fur and food. Then they were killed in large numbers because they were competition for food and caused damage to fishing gear. But their normal curiosity is not dimmed. Team members must climb partway down the cliffs to look into the caves and count animals. As I stood lookout for the climber, she noted only one seal in the cave. Motioning to look behind her, I pointed out 8 animals gathered at the entrance. Once she was back up on the cliff they proceeded to enter their home. Later, we watched them body surf the waves, diving underwater just when it looked like they would smash into the rocks. For me the thought of losing these creatures forever is unacceptable.

From 1993-1996 44-58 pups were born each year. In 1998, the year after the die-off, only 24 pups were born. In 2006, 46 pups were born by mid-November. Nearly 10 years later reproductive rates have just recovered. Numbers of animals seen in the caves is also increasing to pre die-off level with 89 animals observed in one cave during a recent survey.

So there is hope but the survival of the Cabo Blanco population still hinges on a few more years of continued growth with no disease outbreaks or natural disasters. And the continued vigilance by everyone involved in the Mediterranean monk seal recovery project. Read my article on what CBD-Habitat is doing to protect these ancient sea mammals to learn more.