Positive Wildlife News 2021

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Wildlife Advocates Declare Victory for Wildlife in Mendocino County, California

Wildlife advocates declared victory when the Mendocino Board of Supervisors voted 3 to 2 on Tuesday to terminate their contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program. Mendocino County, like most western counties, contracted with the federal program to kill native wild animals largely at the behest of ranchers and farmers. This victory comes after nearly a decade of attempts to hold Wildlife Services accountable to the public that funds their lethal activities in the county.

» MEDIA RELEASE: Wildlife advocates declare victory for wildlife in Mendocino County
 
Maleos bounce back in Sulawesi after villagers resolve to protect their eggs

  • The maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), an endangered bird endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, lays a single gigantic egg in a hole that is then incubated solely by the geothermal heat in the sand or soil.
  • Maleo eggs are prized as a high-status delicacy and are frequently dug up to be eaten or sold illegally online, consequently pushing maleo populations into rapid decline.
  • Two community-led projects that protect maleo nesting grounds from poaching and ensure maleos can nest naturally have reported the first sustained increases in maleo numbers due to conservation efforts.
  • The projects have quadrupled and tripled local maleo numbers over a 14-year and five-year period, respectively, and experts are calling for other maleo conservation projects across Sulawesi to adopt this community-led, low-intervention method.
The sound of scuffling from the tangled undergrowth enclosing a secluded sandy coastal clearing heralds a curious event. Two chicken-sized maleos (Macrocephalon maleo) emerge and make their way to the open sand of their communal nesting ground. With primal vigor, the pair dig a deep hole in which the female lays one gigantic egg, the size of a grapefruit. They kick the sand back to cover it up and depart, their parental responsibilities fulfilled.

https://news-mongabay-com.cdn.amppr...-villagers-resolve-to-protect-their-eggs/amp/
 
Florida freshwater mussel gets protected habitat thanks to museum collections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 190 miles of streams and rivers in Florida and Georgia as critical habitat for a rare species of freshwater mussel once thought to be extinct. The new ruling, which went into effect Aug. 2, outlines protective measures for the Suwannee moccasinshell, Medionidus walkeri, whose numbers have been steadily dwindling over the past several decades.

To determine the extent of this decline, biologists with the Florida Museum of Natural History, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey pored over museum specimen data to establish how widespread the species had once been.

“Museum data is critical in providing the historical context of where these things are and how abundant they were. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have a clue as to what’s out there,” said Jim Williams, a research associate at the Florida Museum who helped with the study.

The designation of critical habitat means that any federal agency – or state agency using federal funds – needs to comply with a set of standards when working in and around the mussel environments.

Florida freshwater mussel gets protected habitat thanks to museum collections
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Sumatran rhinos show low inbreeding — but when it happens, collapse is quick

The outlook is bleak for Sumatran rhinos. Decades of poaching and habitat loss have precipitated a steep population decline. Once found across Southeast Asia, from the Himalayan foothills to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, the critically endangered species, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, is now only found in Indonesia. Conservationists estimate that fewer than 100 individuals survive in the wild, living in isolated pockets of forest.

Their rapidly diminishing population, extreme isolation from one another and poor reproductive success have raised fears that the remaining rhinos are likely to suffer from inbreeding problems associated with erosion of genetic diversity.

A new study, published this week in Nature Communications, affords rhino conservationists some respite. The study, led by the Centre for Palaeogenetics in Stockholm and an international team of researchers, revealed that the remaining populations of Sumatran rhinos in Borneo and Sumatra exhibit low levels of inbreeding and higher-than-expected genetic diversity.

Sumatran rhinos show low inbreeding — but when it happens, collapse is quick
Click to expand...

Another article about the research which found the low inbreeding :

Genomics to the Rescue for Sumatran Rhinos - DNA Science
 
Endangered Mottled Duskywing butterfly making comeback thanks to dedicated scientist team

Thanks to recovery efforts, more than 700 butterflies were released this year at Pinery Provincial Park.

A recovery team made up of researchers and organizations from across southern Ontario are working to save a type of butterfly they say was "dangerously close" to being extirpated from the province.

And for the first time in decades, over 700 of the endangered Mottled Duskywing butterflies were released at Pinery Provincial Park this summer.

"Both personally and professionally, it's really rewarding since I've been interested in working with the Mottled Duskywing since 2007," said Jessica Linton, senior biologist with Natural Resource Solutions Inc. in Waterloo.

Endangered Mottled Duskywing butterfly making comeback thanks to dedicated scientist team
 
Thousands of hectares of vital peatland to be restored to help tackle climate change and protect biodiversity

Over £16 million to be awarded through the first round of Natural England’s Peat Restoration Grants.

Thousands of hectares of vital peatland will be restored under ambitious proposals launched today (Friday 27 August) to help tackle climate change and protect biodiversity.

Five new landmark projects to restore England’s peatlands to a natural and healthy state will benefit from millions of pounds through the Government’s Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme.

The Government intends to invest over £50 million in peat restoration, building on its pledge to restore approximately 35,000 hectares of peatland in England by the end of this Parliament.

As England’s largest carbon store on land, peatlands play a vital role in trapping carbon and also provide a wealth of wider benefits such as improved ecosystems and biodiversity, better water quality and natural flood management. However, only 13% of England’s peatlands are in a near-natural state. These new projects mark a big step towards achieving our goal to reverse the decline of England’s peatlands and will contribute to the ambitious Nature Recovery Network.

Thousands of hectares of vital peatland to be restored to help tackle climate change and protect biodiversity
 
Caucasian Velvet Scoter population back from the brink

A population of breeding Velvet Scoter in the Caucasus, previously thought to be extinct, is showing signs of recovery.

Historically, Velvet Scoter was known as a breeding species in Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, but a rapid decline at the beginning of the 21st century led to the species's apparent extirpation from all three countries.

After a decade without any sightings in Georgia, a few scoter were found by chance at Lake Tabatskuri in August 2014. Breeding was confirmed on an island in the lake the following year.

With funding from the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP), researchers were able to carry out a more detailed study in 2017, which confirmed that the species was present at just one (Lake Tabatskuri) of seven potential breeding lakes, and that a population of 25-35 pairs existed there. It transpired that a single, 1-ha island in the northern part of the lake was the only breeding location for Velvet Scoter in the entire country, as well as the wider Causasian region.

Caucasian Velvet Scoter population back from the brink - BirdGuides
 
I know that this is from one year ago, but I still felt it was worthy of sharing here.

Gov. Holcomb announces two new state forests

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Division:

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced the establishment of two new Indiana state forests at a ceremony today in Morgan County.

Ravinia State Forest, near Paragon, encompasses 1,500 acres of wooded rolling hills, valleys and restored cropland. The area now known as Mountain Tea State Forest consists of more than 1,150 acres east of Nashville. The state’s public lands now include 15 officially designated state forests.

Holcomb announces two new state forests | The Lintonian
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
I know that this is from one year ago, but I still felt it was worthy of sharing here.

Gov. Holcomb announces two new state forests

From the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Division:

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced the establishment of two new Indiana state forests at a ceremony today in Morgan County.

Ravinia State Forest, near Paragon, encompasses 1,500 acres of wooded rolling hills, valleys and restored cropland. The area now known as Mountain Tea State Forest consists of more than 1,150 acres east of Nashville. The state’s public lands now include 15 officially designated state forests.

Holcomb announces two new state forests | The Lintonian
Click to expand...

Gov. Holcomb establishes two new state forests in Morgan, Brown counties

Two new two new state forests were established Friday during a ceremony outside the new Ravinia State Forest attended by Gov. Eric Holcomb, Department of Natural Resources officers and other Indiana officials.

"It's such a beautiful place for Hoosiers all over the state that I hope that they take part of," Holcomb said.

Ravinia State Forest and Mountain Tea State Forest are the 14th and 15th Indiana forests and the first to be established in 67 years, said Dan Bortner, director of the Department of Natural Resources.

Ravinia State Forest, previously part of the Morgan-Monroe State Forest, is located in Morgan County directly across from Burkhart Creek County Park. It is 1,500 acres and features opportunities to hunt, hike, view wildlife and gather nuts, wild berries and mushrooms.

Gov. Holcomb establishes two state forests in Morgan, Brown counties
 
English Hen Harriers enjoy best year in a decade

Hen Harrier has had its best breeding season in England in a decade, according to data published by Natural England.

A total of 31 breeding attempts were logged, 24 of which were successful, fledging 84 chicks. These are the highest numbers in modern times, and represent the latest in a series of annual increases following a low in 2016.

This is a further increase on 2020's results, which saw 60 chicks fledge from 19 nests. As recently as 2017, the entirely English population was deemed at a critically low level.

English Hen Harriers enjoy best year in a decade - BirdGuides
 
Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump Era Water Rule Change, Offering Hope for Okefenokee

Today, a federal judge struck down a Trump administration replacement rule that significantly curtailed the effectiveness and scope of the Clean Water Act. In a case brought by Earthjustice—representing the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and other tribes in Arizona—Judge Rosemary Marquez ruled that the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule was too flawed and posed too much of a threat of environmental harm to keep in place.

"Today's decision is a remarkable win for the health of wildlife and people," said Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark. "Companies will once again have to go through a rigorous approval process to ensure the environment is protected before they can mine, develop, drill, or pave anywhere near our nation's precious waterways."

Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump Era Water Rule Change, Offering Hope for Okefenokee
 
Islas Marías Biosphere Reserve Becomes Newest Fully Protected Marine Area in Mexico

August 26, 2021—The Mexican government has committed to creating a new fully protected marine area, by banning all extractive activities within the perimeter of the Islas Marías Biosphere Reserve. The reserve is now deemed a no-take area, which does not permit fishing, mining, drilling or other extractive activities surrounding the biosphere reserve area, making it a fully protected area. Covering 6,413 square kilometers—an area over four times the size of Mexico City—this increases the National Geographic Pristine Seas project’s marine protected area count to 24, totalling over 6.5M square kilometers.

The Islas Marías is a Mexican archipelago of four volcanic islands, located in an area between the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean. Uninhabited except for a former penal colony, this unique archipelago is flush with rich nutrients allowing marine life and endemic species to thrive among the rocky reefs and hard corals. In 2000, the Mexican government declared the Archipelago a Biosphere Reserve, but allowed some fishing activities in the area. The latest commitment by the government designates the area as fully protected, completely banning extractive activities.

Islas Marías Biosphere Reserve Becomes Newest Fully Protected Marine Area in Mexico
 
Landmark Environment Bill strengthened to halt biodiversity loss by 2030

New strengthened Government commitments to protect the environment for future generations made today in landmark Environment Bill amendments

The Government has strengthened its commitment to protect the environment for future generations and build back greener with new amendments to the landmark Environment Bill that will see the UK build on its reputation as a global leader in conservation.

Following work with parliamentarians and wider stakeholders, new amendments tabled yesterday (26/08) include strengthening the duty to set a legally-binding target to halt species decline by 2030.

Landmark Environment Bill strengthened to halt biodiversity loss by 2030
 
White River National Forest and The Conservation Fund Announce Sweetwater Lake Acquisition in Colorado

Today the White River National Forest completed its acquisition of the 488-acre Sweetwater Lake Ranch in western Colorado.

This new land acquisition, facilitated between The Conservation Fund and the U.S. Forest Service, will protect wildlife habitat and create new recreational access to Sweetwater Lake for the general public to enjoy boating, fishing, swimming and camping.

“Sweetwater Lake has been cherished in this region for decades. We are thrilled to expand the public access to this area and very grateful for all the local support we received for this acquisition,” said White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams.

Colorado's Sweetwater Lake Officially Protected | The Conservation Fund
 
Colorado Leads States in Protecting Wildlife Migration Corridors

Highway crossings, research, and other actions are making roads safer for drivers and animals

On Aug. 21, 2019, in a canyon west of Denver, wildlife experts, transportation officials, and a parking lot full of stakeholders gathered to watch Colorado Governor Jared Polis sign an executive order that catapulted state agencies into a frenzy of action focused on identifying and conserving wildlife migration corridors. Since then, Colorado has developed some of the most advanced and groundbreaking migration policy in the nation.

In the spring of 2020, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) released the first of two reports, mandated by the executive order, that summarized current knowledge and the best available science regarding the state’s big game herds and the challenges of conserving these animals. And this summer, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is expected to release a second report that will recommend additional policy, regulatory, and legislative initiatives to build upon the order.

https://www-pewtrusts-org.cdn.amppr...protecting-wildlife-migration-corridors?amp=1
 
Snail darter, tiny and notorious, is no longer endangered

The snail darter, a tiny fish that notoriously blocked a federal dam project in Tennessee decades ago, should no longer be on the endangered species list, federal officials announced on Tuesday.

Arguing that the fish is no longer in danger of extinction, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has begun the process to delist the species, a move backed by the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group that has favored lifting protections for the fish since 2019.

“The Endangered Species Act was passed to ensure all wildlife, even species that some might view as insignificant, deserve to be preserved for future generations,” said Martha Williams, the federal agency's service principle deputy director. “It is very fitting that this fish, which was once a source of controversy, became the subject of cooperation and partnerships to save it.”

https://www.heraldsun.com/news/nation-world/national/article253880713.html
 
Sustain Our Great Lakes Partnership Announces $8.3 Million in Conservation Grants for Great Lakes Restoration

Sustain Our Great Lakes partnership today announced $8.3 million in competitive grant funding for 34 projects that will restore key habitats for wildlife, improve water quality and enhance urban greenspace throughout the Great Lakes basin. The grants will leverage approximately $11.8 million in additional project support from grantees, generating a total on-the-ground conservation impact of $20.1 million.

Sustain Our Great Lakes Partnership Announces $8.3 Million in Conservation Grants for Great Lakes Restoration
 
"Judge throws out Trump/Biden drilling plan in Alaska.

Via America's Lawyer, a federal judge strikes down a controversial pipeline project in Alaska after it was determined the Trump administration failed to account for its impact on Arctic ecosystems. Mike Papantonio and Farron Cousins discuss more."

 
Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep population thriving after decades of absence from Yosemite

Yosemite National Park rangers spotted two Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep – the rarest mountain sheep in North America.

There are around 500 of them wandering around the mountains today, and about 75 within Yosemite National Park. They’re typically found in elevations about 10,000 feet, the National Park Service says.

Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep population thriving after decades of absence from Yosemite
 
Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release Means Hope for Sea Turtles

Did you know that Florida is globally important for sea turtles?

Florida’s beaches provide nesting habitat for five of the world’s seven species of sea turtles: loggerhead, green, leatherback, Kemp’s ridley and hawksbill, which are all listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. More than 90% of all sea turtle nesting in the continental U.S. occurs in Florida.

That’s why Defenders of Wildlife works to preserve nesting beaches and foraging sites along Florida’s Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Supported by our members and donors, we work to improve coastal development policies and lighting practices that can harm sea turtles and their habitat.

Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release Means Hope for Sea Turtles
 
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