Red Wolf by Raul Erquiaga

Save the Red Wolves!

                                                     Canis Rufus

                                       Description and Ecology

The Red Wolf (Canis Rufus) is a smaller and lankier cousin of the more commonly known Grey Wolf. With an average weight of 70 pounds the red wolf makes for a formidable predator. The red wolf's diet is made up of primarily rabbits and rodents, but its also known to eat insects, berries and occasionally deer. They are mostly active at night, and communicate with each other by certain vocalizations such as howling or barking, scent marking, and body expressions. These animals are wary and covert as they hunt alone or in small packs. These packs resemble complex social structures with an alpha male and female as the breeding adult pair that leads the pack. Once a red wolf finds a mate they tend to form pair-bonds for life. The size of the pack is determined by the size of available prey populations. The pack itself is organized into dominant and subordinate animals that makes for better team work. Red wolves often reside in dens located in hollow trees, steam banks and sand knolls. Their mating season is during the late winter and their litter size varies from two to eight pups.

                          Geographic and Population Changes

In the past, red wolves were ranged throughout the southeastern U.S. from Pennsylvania to Florida and stretching west to Texas. Almost being hunted to the brink of extinction, the range of the species has certainly narrowed. Today, wild populations of the red wolf cover around 1.7 million acres around northeastern North Carolina, including Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Don't be fooled by the large amount of land as there are roughly only 45 red wolves throughout this entire area. From data in 2007 there are approximately 207 captive red wolves that reside in 38 breeding facilities across the United States.

Listing Status: Endangered

Listing Date: May, 1973

                          Causes of Listing/Main Threat

1. Habitat Loss: This is mainly due to human development, as the red wolves reside in northern Carolina, an area that has mostly been deforested and domesticated. As nearby cities expand and people purchase land with an expectation for a return on their investment, the habitat is reduced smaller and smaller. Additionally as large areas of land are necessary for this species to thrive, specifically 170,000 acres, their chance to survive becomes even more unrealistic.
2. Hunting: Neighboring communities portray recreational hunting, fishing, and trapping as the norm for many residents. This creates two problems for the red wolf population. First, many hunters seek to kill the renown red wolf for its rarity. Second many hunters kill the prey of the red wolf, and with already a scarce amount of prey the competition pushes the problem further. Additionally these hunting interests have posed big problems for local political movements to save the red wolves.

                           Description of Recovery Plan

The main objective for the recovery of the red wolves is the establishment of 220 red wolves in the wild and 330 in captivity, this would provide enough individuals for genetic stability and maintain the species. For the temporary future it would not be considerable to delist or downlist this species. To meet this objective the criteria would be to establish and maintain three reintroduction projects within the existing range of the red wolf. The individual objectives for each project can be separated into three sections. First to preserve 80 to 90 percent genetic diversity of the species. Second would be to remove the existing threats that have the potential to cause the species to be extinct. Third would be to maintain the red wolf through cryogenic preservation of sperm and embryo banking.

                                        What can you do?

1. Adopt a Red Wolf which supplies the Endangered Wold Center with $135 to help reach recovery objections 

          https://www.endangeredwolfcenter.org/adopt/

 

      2. Become an advocate for policy changes to preserve the red wolf's habitat.

                                        Other Sources

1. http://www.defenders.org/red-wolf/threats
2. https://www.fws.gov/redwolf/
3. https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2017/red-wolf-01-31-2017.php
4. http://thetruthaboutredwolves.com/

Northern Brown Kiwi by Erika DiLeva

Description and Ecology

The northern brown kiwi (apteryx mantelli) are flightless birds with only vestigial wings and no external tail. They exhibit brown spiky feathers, short legs, and claws. Kiwi are endemic to New Zealand and are known to have existed for nearly 65 million years. There are five species of kiwi, each being genetically and geographically distinct. The northern brown kiwi inhabit the North Island. 

Kiwi are nocturnal and rest in hollow logs or under thick vegetation during the day. They are widespread among forests and farmland. More often heard than seen, males produce a high pitch whistle, while females produce a slow and low pitch cry. They make loud cries at night, mainly the first two hours after dark.

Their nostrils are located at the end of their ivory bills, which measure between 65-155mm. The bill is used for food rather than defense. Their diet consists of small invertebrates, fruit, and leaves. 

Adult kiwi form strong pair bonds and are extremely territorial. Depending on the species, territory spans from 2-100ha and life expectancy ranges from 25-50 years.  

Geographic and Population Changes

The historic range of kiwi across New Zealand was more extensive than today. The northern brown kiwi once extended into southern Northland, Mt Pirongia and Mt Hikurangi; however, the species has not inhabited that range since 1970. The current geographic distribution of kiwi remains unchanged in areas. The species experiences remnant populations along with translocated populations to new island habitats.  

The total population was around 35,000 individuals in 1996, but has since decreased across the North Island. Although only one fifth of the population are under species management, they are increasing in proportion to the assumed decline in the unmanaged populations. Recent data indicates a 5.8% decline for brown kiwi. Kiwi hybrids can be found on the island. 

 Listing Status   

Following a taxonomic change that split the species in to apteryx rowi and apteryx mantelli, the IUCN red list classified the northern brown kiwi as endangered in 2014 

Causes of Decline

Maori, the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand

Kiwi have been in decline for more than 700 years since the arrival of Maori to New Zealand. The presence of humans induced species decline with habitat loss from deforestation, predation by dogs , and resource competition with kiore, a Polynesian rat. 

Europeans arrived in the mid 1800s and further accelerated the species decline with more efficient methods of deforestation. Kiwi habitat loss is minimal today, but the species continues to decline due to predation by stoats. The predators pose a problem to kiwi populations with a faster decline in Northland. The high rates of mortality from predation are not offset by the high productivity of kiwis. 

Main Threats

The main threat to kiwi are unmanaged causes of decline outlined in the previous section. Dogs and ferrets cause high spikes in population mortality as they target both juvenile and adult kiwi. Males are more at risk, which results in a skewed sex ratio within the population, adding to the species decline.  An overall small population size increases the risk of disease, loss of genetic diversity, and fecundity.  

Recovery Plan

The northern brown kiwi are currently managed under the third plan implemented for all five species of kiwi. The focus changes with each iteration. The first plan from 1991 prioritized research, while the second plan sought to raise awareness for the species' endangered status. By doing so, the second plan helped involve the public in the conservation efforts. The current plan builds on the efforts of the previous two. 

The current recovery plan follows a ten year term from 2008-2018 and has four main goals to ensure kiwi protection over their current habitat range.

1. highest priority to prevent extinction of any kiwi
2. maintain intraspecific genetic variation and distribution
3. manage within and restore to their natural range
4. gain maximum benefits from the surrounding ecosystem

Long Term Goal

The long term goal of this plan is to restore and enhance the abundance, distribution, and genetic diversity of all kiwi taxa.

Recovery Plan-Period Goals

1. Management

To double the wild populations of rowi and Hasst tokoeka

To halt the overall decline of the great spotted kiwi, tokoeka and brown kiwi

To minimize the loss of distribution and genetic diversity in the wild for all species 

To increase the wild population of the little spotted kiwi by 50%

2. Community Relations and Engagement

To increase and sustain community-led projects for all species across New Zealand

To double corporate sponsorship funding

3. Research and Innovation

To clarify kiwi taxonomy and provide information to manage genetic diversity

To undertake population modeling for all species

To undertake or support research for pest management and monitoring 

How Can You help?

Donate to local organizations like "Kiwis for kiwi" for kiwi protection and habitat conservation. 




Stay informed - click here to read reports and publications about kiwi

If you visit New Zealand

report sick, injured, or dead kiwi to the Department of Conservation (DoC)
minimize the threat of pets
be cautious of kiwi

Other Resources

2008-2018 Recovery Plan
Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 
Department of Conservation - Help Kiwi
Video: National Geographic on Kiwi (2 min)
Video: Kiwi Hatching at the Smithsonian

Works Cited      

BirdLife International. 2016. Apteryx mantelli. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T45353580A95142721. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T45353580

A95142721.en.

“North Island Brown Kiwi.” Smithsonian's National Zoo, 1 Nov. 2017, nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/north-island-brown-kiwi.

Robertson, H.A. 2013 [updated 2017]. North Island brown kiwi. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) 

New Zealand Birds Online. www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/north-island-brown-kiwi

 

Katie Ettl: The California Tiger Salamander

The California Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma californiense - it is cute, colorful, and unfortunately a threatened species. The species, which is endemic to many parts of California, has federally endangered population segments in the Northern Bay Area, Santa Barbara, and on the Central Coast.
This blog will discuss the reasons of why the California Tiger Salamander has become a vulnerable species, provide ways to help support the survival of this amphibian, and spread awareness on the species' endangerment.

Who is the California Tiger Salamander? 

The California Tiger Salamander is a very distinct creature in regards to both its appearance and the habitats it lives and reproduces in. Its bright yellow spots that pop against its muddy black skin makes this amphibian a unique animal. Previously mentioned, the California Tiger Salamander is endemic to California. Below is a graphic of the species' distribution.

The specific areas where the California Tiger Salamanders live have habitats called vernal pools and/or seasonal ponds that are necessary aquatic breeding sites for the salamander's reproductive cycle. These specific environments are usually fish-less, and are also diminishing. We will go more in depth on the habitat fragmentation that is damaging their ecosystems in a little bit. 

The life cycle of the California Tiger Salamander is a transient one. Adult salamanders spend a majority of their lives living in underground burrows that are abandoned by the other animals that made them, such as ground squirrels or gophers. Adults adopt these burrows because they do not have physical features that are good for digging. Scientists know little about their time underground, and consider it an estivation period. The diet of adult salamanders includes earthworms, snails, insects, some fish, and even small mammals.
The wet season that occurs in late fall and early winter brings adult salamanders out of their underground burrows and into the vernal pools and ponds for breeding. The adults' journeys can take several days, with some traveling as far as 1.3 miles to reach these breeding sites. Once the eggs are laid and fertilized, it takes larva around three to six months to transform into an adult. By then, the pools and ponds they lived in will dry up. The larva are forced to resorb their gills, develop lungs, and leave to find a burrow to claim.

Endangerment & Recovery Plan 

The loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat as the result of human activities are the primary threats to the California Tiger Salamander. Aquatic and upland habitat available to California Tiger Salamanders has been degraded and reduced in area through agricultural conversion, urbanization, road construction, and other projects. California Tiger Salamander populations occur in scattered and increasingly isolated breeding sites, reducing opportunities for inter-dispersal with other ponds. Below is a video providing an example of just how life threatening human activities are to California Tiger Salamanders. This video is an expose on how the salamanders in Sonoma County are being tragically run over because they have to cross a busy road in order to reach their breeding sites.

WARNING: this video contains some graphic content.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGJLDVqdFUM

Besides the habitat loss and alteration due to human use, the California Tiger Salamander is also threatened by disease and predation. Ranaviruses are pathogens which are known to infect amphibians, reptiles, and fishes. Ranaviruses such as ATV (Ambystoma tigrinum virus), have caused tiger salamander die-offs throughout western North America. Diseases such as ATV and other ranaviruses are considered a potential threat because non-native salamanders carrying these diseases can easily be brought into California through the amphibian pet trade or for use as fish bait, and many of these non-native tiger salamanders are known carriers of ATV. 

Bullfrogs and the introduction of mosquitofish, largemouth bass, crayfish, and blue gills in vernal pools and ponds have threatened California Tiger Salamanders through predation. These predators mainly consume salamander larvae. Mosquitofish also compete with salamander larvae and adults for food.

The recovery plan drafted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service focuses on efforts to reduce habitat loss and fragmentation, and to increase the management and conservation of the California Tiger Salamander's current habitats. Because the species range throughout California, the recovery plan separates distinct population segments into four recovery units so each endangered population can receive proper conservation efforts. These four units are The Central Valley Unit, The Southern San Joaquin Valley Unit, The Bay Area Unit, and The Central Coast Range Unit. The ultimate goal of the recovery plan is to outline specific actions that, when implemented, will sufficiently reduce the threats to the California Tiger Salamander, ensure its long-term viability in the wild, and allow for its removal from the list of threatened and endangered species.

Some solutions the recovery plan highlights include ending road mortality by building underground bridges for the salamanders to travel in, implementing management plans that monitor the introductions of ranaviruses and other pathogens, keeping their breeding habitats ephemeral so bullfrogs, fish, and other non-native species cannot establish breeding populations. 

Original Artwork by Molly Eckler.

What You Can Do for The California Tiger Salamander 

A variety of conservation organizations, such as the Pacific Forest Trust, are raising money to help the California Tiger Salamander. To learn more about this organization and donate click here. 

The Center for Biological Diversity is working on a Pesticides Reduction Campaign, challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's registration and authorization-for-use of 46 toxic pesticides in and upstream of habitats for San Francisco Bay Area endangered species, including the California tiger salamander. Click on the link above to read more about their campaign and to support their organization. 

If you would like to take on more direct action, you can write to the California Fish and Game Commission to express your support of protections for the California Tiger Salamander and the conservation of its habitats. You can write to them here:

California Fish and Game Commission

P.O. Box 944209

Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 

Lastly, creating awareness for these creatures will help them immensely. Talking about their endangerment with friends, family, and colleagues will increase the California Tiger Salamander's popularity and inspire others to protect these amazing amphibians. 

Resources:

https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Signed%20Central%20CTS%20Recovery%20Plan.pdf
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/amphibians/California_tiger_salamander/index.html
https://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Accounts/Amphibians-Reptiles/es_ca-tiger-salamander.htm
http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/a.californiense.html
https://www.sacsplash.org/critter/california-tiger-salamander 

   

Florida Manatees by Lindsey Cook

Ocelot (Leopardis Pardalis) by Abrielle Cogen

Ocelot (Leopardis Pardalis)

Abrielle Cogen

Source: Texas-Tamaulipas Ocelot

Description and Ecology

     The ocelot in a medium sized spotted cat that weights approximately 7-16 kilograms. Their body length ranges from 55-101.5 centimeters. Its coloring varies from pale grey to beige/brown, and they are marked with a variety of black spot and brown spots with black edges, often in parallel lines. Additionally, they have black rings around their tail, which is 27-45 centimeters long, and two black stripes going down the back of their head between their small, rounded ears. There are 11 different subspecies of ocelot, but only 2 living in the United States, the Texas- Tamaulipas Ocelot and the Arizona-Sonora Ocelot.

    Ocelots preferred habitats are thorn scrub or woodland with over 75% canopy cover.The density of these habitats is ideal for ocelots because it gives them a place to avoid predators, and its prey is more bountiful there. The ocelot eats small terrestrial mammals, such as opossums, armadillos, anteaters, rats, as well as some lizards and birds. They are mainly nocturnal because that gives them the best protection from enemies, along with highest chance of catching food, therefore they utilize their acute sense of hearing and sight to hunt. 

    Ocelots breed year round, but mating season peaks during autumn. Females first reproduce at around 18-30 months, and has an average of an 80 day gestation period before giving birth to 1-3 offspring per litter.      

Source: Thorn Scrub Habitat

Geographic and Population Changes         

   The ocelot resides in extremely southern Texas and Arizona, through Central America, and throughout the entirety of Southern America. They live throughout a range of 22 countries. There are as few as 100 known ocelots living in Texas and Arizona, however, they are more populous in their southern regions. There is an estimated 800,000 to 1,500,000 individuals living today. Previously, their range extended as far as through California, Arkansas, and  Louisiana, this has declined, though. 

Source: Ocelot Range

Listing Date and Type
    The ocelot was listed as endangered on January 4, 1974 by jurisdiction of the Endangered Species Act of 1969. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Ocelot on the Red List as "Least Concern," they acknowledged, however, that populations are threatened and decreasing.  

Cause of Listing and Main Threats

    The main cause of the Ocelot's endangerment is habitat  destruction, which continues to be their main threat. In Texas, 95% of the thorn scrub that ocelots once thrived in has been altered, and Central America has less than half of its original woodland forest cover. Rapid population growth causes changes in land for agriculture and urbanization, decreasing ability of habitat restoration. 

    Ocelots were  also previously illegally hunted for the pet trade for their skins and furs during the 1960s and 1970s. At its peak of fur trade, in 1970, 140,000 ocelot skins were documented by United States customs. They were used for fashion, such as jackets, hats, shawls, and more, and seen as a symbol of status.This commercial exploitation has since been outlawed and seized, however it harmed their existence greatly. 

    Streets have also greatly affected ocelots, as they cause vehicle collisions and isolation.Out of 80 radio tagged individuals in Texas, vehicles were responsible for 45% of their deaths. Roads also reduced dispersal between populations, which leads to genetic and demographic isolation. Ocelots today are threatened mainly by habitat conversion, fragmentation, and  loss due to human population and development, roads, and isolation. 

Source: Ocelot Fur Jacket

Source: Ocelot Crossing

Recovery Plan
1. Evaluate, and determine how to protect and restore ocelots and their habitats along the borderlands of the US and Mexico, recover them to an extent to support populations of ocelot 
First, a habitat model must be created to asses populations and their habitats, this includes mapping the thorn scrub in Texas and Tamaulipas to see where it is suitable for ocelots currently, or could be reestablished.  Then, the current condition of the ocelots must be considered, along with the viable future condition based on area necessary to support them, predators and prey relationships, and ocelot dispersal behaviors. After all is considered, strategies must be created and executed in order to grow habitat, and restore thornscrub. This can include conservation easements, invasive grass control, planting native seedlings, ensuring water sources, and monitoring development. 
2. Reduce the effects of human population growth on ocelots and their mortality
Affects of humans on ocelots must be identified and quantified, such as the impacts of roads and international borders. Optimal areas for ocelot crossing structures will be found, designed, and constructed for maximum habitat connectivity. United States-Mexico borders impacts on ocelots shall be reduced through appropriate border crossings and enhanced habitat near the border. Additionally, future urbanization will be avoided through collaborations between wildlife management agencies and private landowners, developers, and companies to further protection. 
3. Advancement and progress in genetic fitness, demographic conditions, and health
Genetic variability between ocelots must be increased through translocation and/or artificial insemination, and populations should also be strengthened in numbers. Ocelots also must be protected from disease, parasites, and injury by collecting data on the physical health and reproductive standing, and accordingly creating a database, researching and instituting procedures for cures. Furthermore, studying will be done on ocelots and their competitors to create optimal habitat improvement. Environmental contaminations will also be evaluated to determine toxicity problems. 
4. Ensuring long term growth and activity for ocelots through education, regulations, partnerships
Partnerships with with citizens/ landowners, conservation organizations, and recovery teams should enhance ocelots ability to thrive. If necessary, institute regulations, especially if there are risks from oil or gas developments that could effect ocelots. Working with the Ocelot Recovery Team, education and outreach efforts should be made directed towards schools, private landowners, hunters, non-governmental organizations, and legislators. 
5. Continuous monitoring of recovery
Continuous, comprehensive, systematic, monitoring of ocelots must be done, and highly prioritized. Reports should be made on their progress annually, and should be analyzed and updated accordingly. 
6. Support international ocelot efforts in benefit of the ocelot
Support and provide conservation recommendations for other countries in which ocelots reside. 
Recovery Criteria
Down listing: 

• Qualify for "Least concern" under IUCN red list criteria for 5 years, and have threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal poaching reduced, therefore reducing future endangerment risk 
• Texas-Tamaulipas Management Unit: At least 200 ocelots in Texas and 1,000 in Tamaulipas for 5 years 
• Arizona-Sonora Management Unit: At least 1,000 ocelots for 5 years 

De-listing: 

• Qualify for "Least concern" under IUCN redlist criteria for 10 years, with stable or growing populations, and have threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal poaching reduced, therefore reducing future endangerment risk 
• Texas-Tamaulipas Management Unit: At least 200 ocelots in Texas and 1,000 in Tamaulipas for 10 years 
• Arizona-Sonora Management Unit: At least 1,000 ocelots for 10 years 

What can you do?
-Learn about ocelots
-Spread information and awareness, built support for ocelots in your community
-Use social media to gain awareness
-Communicate with local elected officials and share your concern
-Go to http://www.defenders.org/ocelot/what-you-can-do

More Resources
Ocelots in action!
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AtwPh0iKW0
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtrKE6ous5o
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS4fRKFYDsg

Fun Facts!
-http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-ocelots/

Sources
“Basic Facts About Ocelots.” Defenders of Wildlife, www.defenders.org/ocelot/basic-facts.


Bradford, Alina. “Facts About Ocelots .” Live Science, Purch, 15 June 2016, www.livescience.com/55072-ocelot-facts.html.


Haemig PD  2012    Ecology of the Ocelot and Margay.  ECOLOGY.INFO #9
“Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis).” Wildlife Arkive, 18 Jan. 2011, www.arkive.org/ocelot/leopardus-pardalis/.

Paviolo, A., Crawshaw, P., Caso, A., de Oliveira, T., Lopez-Gonzalez, C.A., Kelly, M., De Angelo, C. & Payan, E. 2015. Leopardus pardalis. (errata version published in 2016) The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T11509A97212355. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T11509A50653476.en. 

“Recovery Plan for the Ocelot (Leopardis Pardalis).” Environmental Conservation Online System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, July 2016, ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/Ocelot%20Final%20Recovery%20Plan_Signed_July%202016_new%20(1).pdf.




Note: I apologize for the minor formatting errors (text colors and size varying, spacing issues, etc...), I attempted to fix them but when I publish the blog, it reverts back.