Wildlife Preservation
- Preventing Blue Whale Ship Strikes
- New Buoys Monitor Ocean Noise
- Endangered Elephants Worldwide
- Northern Right Whale Migration
- Do Animals Seek Revenge on Humans?
- Two Butterflies and the ESA
- Pet Trade Spreads Exotic Diseases
- Dolphins, Wolverines and Lemurs
- Livestock Guard Dogs and Wildlife
- Whales Get Reprieve From Sonar
Preventing Blue Whale Ship Strikes
Posted by
Dawn M. Smith
Dawn M. Smith
Loss of five blue whales in fall of 2007 sparks efforts to prevent recurrence of this tragedy before annual migration brings them into Southern California’s waters again
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:
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.
Posted by
Dawn M. Smith
Dawn M. Smith
Buoys being deployed in the Stellwagon Banks National Marine Sanctuary to record sound levels in important feeding ground for migrating whales and dolphins
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.
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.
Endangered Elephants Worldwide
Posted by
Dawn M. Smith
Dawn M. Smith
Long migrations no longer possible for elephants as human settlements spread. Will small, managed populations be all that is left for this intelligent, generous animal?
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.
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.
Northern Right Whale Migration
Posted by
Dawn M. Smith
Dawn M. Smith
As the whales stop in Cape Cod Bay people learn of their plight. Education plays an important role in conservation by connecting people with animals in need of protection
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
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
Do Animals Seek Revenge on Humans?
Posted by
Dawn M. Smith
Dawn M. Smith
Intelligent animals, especially those who live in complex social groups, are known to go after specific targets, usually ones that have attacked them or their families.
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.
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
Dawn M. Smith
The El Segundo blue butterfly is on the road to recovery. The Sand Mountain blue butterfly numbers are declining but it won’t get help from the ESA.
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?
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?
Pet Trade Spreads Exotic Diseases
Posted by
Dawn M. Smith
Dawn M. Smith
Climate change is not the only danger to the environment. Spread of diseases by exotic pets such as frogs is affecting wildlife health around the world.
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.
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.
Dolphins, Wolverines and Lemurs
Posted by
Dawn M. Smith
Dawn M. Smith
With one species celebrating successful reintroduction, another likely to face extinct and a third moving back into its old neighborhood it’s hard to know how to feel.
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.
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.
Livestock Guard Dogs and Wildlife
Posted by
Dawn M. Smith
Dawn M. Smith
Guarding breeds have been used throughout the world to protect livestock. Guarding dog breeds are an environmentally sound method of preventing predation by wildlife.
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.
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.
Whales Get Reprieve From Sonar
Posted by
Dawn M. Smith
Dawn M. Smith
Ruling in federal court cuts near-shore access by navy during March exercises. Monitoring for presence of whales and stepping down sonar power also required.
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.
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.