Positive Wildlife News 2022

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Delta Waterfowl Applauds Mississippi Lawmakers for Passing Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund

New law will expand conservation efforts, improve outdoor recreation and enhance natural resources across the state.

Delta Waterfowl is celebrating a strongly bi-partisan vote by state lawmakers to establish the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. Polls showed 75 percent of Mississippi voters supported the measure, including a vast majority of resident sportsmen and women.

The historic legislation allocates money to expand conservation efforts, improve outdoor recreation and enhance resources — all while supporting local Mississippi economies.

Delta Waterfowl Applauds Mississippi Lawmakers for Passing Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund - Delta Waterfowl
 
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Return Of Leatherback Turtles To Australia Give Hope To Threatened Species

These sightings off the coast of Bundaberg, Australia, signal that they could be nesting on Aussie shores for the first time in 25 years.

dark grey turtle floating upside down in deep blue ocean

Researchers are hoping that they will spot the sighted mating pairs nesting on the local beaches.

People on a recent whale-watching tour had three sightings of the rare turtle, tour operator Brett Lakey said it was breathtaking.

He also went on to say: “On our last tour of the season, a leatherback came right up between the boat and the whales,” he said.

Return Of Leatherback Turtles To Australia Give Hope To Threatened Species - Science World
 
Mexican natural resources agency releases 4 more wolves in Mexico, brings population to 45

Information taken from news release by Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) PHOENIX — Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) recently released two pairs of endangered Mexican wolves in two areas in the state of Chihuahua, where they are expected to adapt and survive in their native environment.

Mexican natural resources agency releases 4 more wolves in Mexico, brings population to 45 - Opera News
 
President Biden to issue Earth Day order to safeguard old-growth forests

The order, which the president will sign Friday in Seattle, aims to slow climate change by storing carbon in trees

President Biden will sign an executive order on Friday in Seattle laying the groundwork for protecting some of the biggest and oldest trees in America’s forests, according to five individuals briefed on the plan who spoke on the condition of anonymity because it was not yet finalized.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2022/04/21/biden-old-growth-forest-order/
 
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Bison rewilding takes another step forward in the Rhodope Mountains

Three female bison have just arrived in the Rhodope Mountains rewilding landscape in Bulgaria. They will soon join the area’s free-roaming bison herd, boosting its health and viability and positively impacting local wild nature.

European bison rewilding in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria took another step forward at the end of last week with the arrival of three young females provided by the State Forests in Bieszczady Mountains, Poland. The animals will soon join a herd of 12 free-roaming bison in the Rhodope Mountains rewilding landscape, which has been growing since 2019, following the historic reintroduction of seven animals by the local rewilding team. This founder herd has been supplemented by further releases and the birth of new calves, which shows the entire population is acclimatising well.

Bison rewilding takes another step forward in the Rhodope Mountains | Rewilding Europe
 
Washington State to preserve 10,000 forest acres as carbon reserve

Washington state has launched a new program to save 10,000 acres of forest land as a carbon reserve.

The Seattle Times reports the state intends to lease the trees as carbon credits to emitters of greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The DNR is partnering with Finite Carbon, a developer and supplier of carbon offsets, which will verify the effectiveness of the offsets.

https://www-kiro7-com.cdn.ampprojec...ve/VPPSHUCACNHWRMIESWIMCWBUFY/?outputType=amp
 
Florida preserves more land for conservation, wildlife

A trip to Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, just south of Tallahassee, is like stepping back in time to Old Florida, with ancient cypress swamps and one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world.

Now, 313 acres of land adjacent to Wakulla Springs will be permanently protected from development, safeguarding the first-magnitude springs from pollution related to commercial or residential development.

In March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved $32 million in funding for the acquisition and conservation of not only the Wakulla Springs “Protection Zone” but also six additional parcels of land throughout the state.

Florida preserves more land for conservation, wildlife
 
Rare snake found in Alabama for just the second time in 60 years

For only the second time in more than 60 years, the elusive Eastern indigo snake has slithered into Alabama.

The discovery of a wild-born Eastern indigo snake marks the success of an intensive program to reintroduce the reptiles to the state.

"The snake found yesterday indicates the project is resulting in some thriving and reproducing indigos, just what we wanted!" the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division said Thursday on
Facebook. "Reintroducing a species to its native range is a daunting task, and we celebrate each step of its success!"

Alabama: Eastern indigo snake found in the state for just the second time in 60 years - CNN
 
Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Biden Administration's Move to Protect Western Arctic

Action tosses out 2020 effort to open 82% of the nation’s largest unit of public land to oil and gas leasing

The Biden administration released a new Record of Decision for the Integrated Activity Plan for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska today, reinstating protections that were pulled back by the Trump administration. That 2020 Trump plan would have dramatically expanded oil and gas leasing, along with subsequent industrialization and pollution, in the western Arctic.

“While we are grateful to the Biden administration for appropriately abandoning the reckless 2020 plan for the Reserve, the Western Arctic remains vulnerable to oil exploitation,” said Nicole Whittington-Evans, director of Defenders of Wildlife’s Alaska Program. “We need a commitment to climate solutions and a way forward that protects the remote, fragile wildlife habitat of the Reserve.”

Defenders Applauds Biden Administration's Move to Protect Western Arctic
 
Bilby Census: Populations of Australia’s threatened Easter bunny are growing

Bilby populations inside Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s (AWC) feral predator-free safe havens have experienced a year of growth, according to the results of the conservation organisation’s annual Bilby census.

Recent AWC surveys confirmed that populations of Bilbies, Australia’s home-grown alternative to the Easter Bunny, are experiencing a boom within five protected sites – Mt Gibson (WA), Scotia (NSW) and Yookamurra (SA) Wildlife Sanctuaries as well as two NSW government partnership project areas in the Pilliga and Mallee Cliffs National Park.

From 2021 to 2022, Bilby populations increased across AWC sanctuaries from an estimated 1,230 individuals to 1,480. AWC protects at least 10% of Australia’s remaining Bilby population which is estimated at around 10,000 individuals.

The increase in Bilby populations within AWC sanctuaries can be attributed to the increased rainfall in parts of the country during Australia’s second year of La Niña, which replenished the landscape and provided good conditions for breeding. It is also evidence of the effectiveness of AWC’s safe havens in protecting some of Australia’s most vulnerable species.

Annual Bilby Census: Populations of the threatened species are growing
 
Wildflower believed to be extinct for 40 years spotted in Ecuador

Gasteranthus extinctus had been presumed extinct after extensive deforestation.

A South American wildflower long believed to be extinct has been rediscovered.

Gasteranthus extinctus was found by biologists in the foothills of the Andes mountains and in remnant patches of forest in the Centinela region of Ecuador, almost 40 years after its last sighting.

Extensive deforestation in western Ecuador during the late 20th century led to the presumed extinction of a number of plant species, including Gasteranthus extinctus – the reason scientists gave it that name.

https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...-ecuador-gasteranthus-extinctus-deforestation
 
Largest Known Population of Africa’s Rarest Falcon Discovered in Mozambique Protected Area
  • Thirty-seven Taita falcons found in Niassa Special Reserve
  • Niassa was previously not listed as part of rare bird’s range
A team of conservationists have discovered what may be the world’s largest population of Africa’s rarest falcon living in Mozambique’s Niassa Special Reserve – a protected area not listed in the bird-of-prey’s range.

Researchers from BirdLife International, WCS, and the Peregrine Fund found 37 Taita falcons (Falco fasciinucha) living in an area of Miombo woodland – a landscape dotted with rocky outcroppings known as inselbergs. Taita Falcons nest on cliffs overlooking forests, from which they hunt small avian prey.

Largest Known Population of Africa’s Rarest Falcon Discovered in Mozambique Protected Area
 
Once-threatened cranes make a comeback in South Africa, thanks to conservationists’ efforts

‘Being able to record a positive growth, especially within an endangered species, demonstrates that conservation action and intervention [do] work,’ says Brent Coverdale, the co-author of a recent report by the KZN branch of the International Crane Working Group.

Not too long ago the numbers of most crane species in South Africa were threatened. Thanks to consistent conservation efforts, including 23 years of aerial surveys and bird counts, there has been a steady and significant increase in the population size of three of South Africa’s crane species, a recent report by the KZN branch of the International Crane
Working Group confirms.

Whether or not you are a birder it’s good news, says the report’s co-author, Brent Coverdale of Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife.

BACK FROM THE BRINK: Once-threatened cranes make a comeback in South Africa, thanks to conservationists’ efforts.
 
Rare butterfly, thought to be extinct in Canada, making a comeback on Vancouver Island

Taylor’s checkerspot, with its exquisite black, orange and white patterns, was once abundant in Greater Victoria. Then it disappeared.

A rare butterfly thought to be extinct in Canada is making a comeback on Vancouver Island, and getting some human help on Hornby and Denman islands.

The Taylor’s checkerspot, with its exquisite black, orange and white patterns, was once living in Greater Victoria and north to Hornby, with pockets of the insects in coastal regions of Oregon and Washington.

Taylor's checkspot butterfly, once rare, making a comeback - Victoria Times Colonist
 
Oregon Habitat Conserved for Roosevelt Elk Herd

What was a 447-acre private inholding is now in the public’s hands in northwest Oregon. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation collaborated with a private landowner to purchase and convey the property to the surrounding Siuslaw National Forest for management and recreational use.

“The Forest Service (USFS) designated this landscape as a critical inholding since it provides important habitat for Roosevelt elk and other wildlife species,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “We appreciate the previous landowner for their wildlife and conservation values and helping complete this conservation transaction.”

The property is located within the Hebo Ranger District southeast of the small community of Hebo, approximately 85 miles south and west of Portland.

Oregon Habitat Conserved for Roosevelt Elk Herd | Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
 
The parrot clawing its way back from the brink, one nest at a time

Just a few years ago, only 17 orange-bellied parrots remained in the wild. Today the outlook is brighter than it has been for a long time.

You hear them before you see them; a metallic tinkling sound and a rush of rapidly beating wings as the small flock of parrots swoops down and alights on the wooden feeding platform.

They’re sleek and alert, ready to launch into flight at the first sign of danger. The males have emerald-green feathers on their back that become deep yellow on the breast and blue above their beaks, with a distinctive splash of orange on their bellies. On females, these hues are more subdued

https://amp-smh-com-au.cdn.ampproje...brink-one-nest-at-a-time-20220407-p5abk7.html
 
For the first time in 4 years, a litter of red wolf pups was born in the wild

U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff in North Carolina welcomed a litter of six red wolf pups into the world earlier this week. It's the first time in four years that a pair of wild red wolves — a species teetering on the brink of extinction — gave birth to a litter in the wild.

The newborn pups, four females and two males, were found in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge along the coast of northeastern North Carolina. Staff at the Red Wolf Recovery Program announced the paw-sitive news on Facebook Thursday.

"This new litter is the first wild-born litter of red wolves since 2018. This red wolf pair was formed through the combination of several management actions and the two red wolves subsequently following their natural instincts in pairing, establishing their territory and mating," the post read. "Every generation yields a new born hope for the red wolf...a cause for joy and celebration!"

Before settlers arrived in North America, red wolves thrived throughout the Southeast U.S, from Florida to the Great Plains and the Ohio River Valley, according to national conservation organization
Defenders of Wildlife. But through hunting, extermination and the expansion of cities and towns, humans drove the species to near extinction.

For the first time in 4 years, a litter of red wolf pups was born in the wild
 
Historic return of Rhinoceros to Mozambique

The Governments of Mozambique and South Africa are pleased to announce the planned reintroduction of rhinos to Zinave National Park in 2022. After becoming locally extinct more than 40 years ago, diversified resources company, Exxaro Resources, and southern African NGO, Peace Parks Foundation, is spearheading a project to reintroduce both the critically endangered black rhino and the near threatened white rhino to the park. Zinave, which is co-managed between Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) and Peace Parks, will not only host the first founder population of both rhino species in a national park in Mozambique, but is also set to become the first “big five” national park in the country.

https://clubofmozambique.com/news/historic-return-of-rhinos-to-mozambique-215093/
 
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