Big Horns Big Problem

(Ed Prescott 07)

   A Brief Description and Summarized Recovery Plan of the Sierra Nevada Big Horn Sheep 

created by: Jonah Levis

           The Sierra Nevada Big Horn Sheep are a distinct subspecies of the California Big Horn Sheep. Their color ranges from dark brown to white, depending on the time of year. Their short legs restrict them from traveling long distances, but their stocky, muscular build gives them the ability to climb steep elevations. Their hooves have adhesive soles that grip well as they trek up steep rocky mountains. Females are smaller typically, maxing at 155 pounds, and have smaller horns, while males weigh up to 220 pounds and have larger, magnificent horns. 

<http://www.nrdc.org/wildlife/habitat/esa/images/pix_ca_full02.jpg>

          They spend most of their time in open habitats with steep, rocky terrain at elevations up to 13,000 feet. They rely on their keen eyesight to detect predators from long distances, giving them time to climb to safety. They feed on various types of vegetation, which, in order to access, sometimes requires Sierra Nevada Big Horns to descend as low 4000 feet to potentially more dangerous areas where predator detection is more difficult. However, when herds become large in size, about 8 or more, more eyes monitor predators which allows herds to access more feeding areas, and as a result, increases reproduction rates. 

         Female and male Big Horns usually live in separate groups, but meet up during mating season in fall. Big horns occupy large amounts of land which creates “geographically distinct metapopulations” (Schwartz 1986), which means multiple smaller herds together make up a population of one larger geographic range. Inbreeding between the same male and female groups generates low genetic variability, and furthermore, makes many Big Horns susceptible to disease; However, “A small amount of genetic exchange among herds via movements by males can counteract inbreeding” (Schwartz 1986). 

(Mandy Watson)

         Disease and Predation are responsible for low Big Horn population, and consequently, their listing as endangered. Early on, humans hunted Big Horns to low numbers, and now mountain lions are their main threat. The other major threat to Big Horn population is disease, in particular, Pneumonia. By January of 2000 only about 100 Big Horns remained. Their population decrease had gotten some attention prior to 2000, however. In 1878 State legislation implemented temporary hunting restrictions, and in 1883 protection became permanent. Nonetheless, population continued to decline. By 1984 Big Horns were listed threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and on January 3rd, 2000 they were finally determined endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 

         On the recovery priority scale from 1-18, 1 being highest priority, Sierra Nevada Big Horns are ranked at a 3. Immediate actions for recovery include protecting current herds by monitoring predators and promoting population growth. Biologists must promote growth by joining small groups into big groups which will allow Big Horns to feed in more areas because more group members means higher awareness to the presence of predators. Big Horns should be isolated from domestic goats and sheep to prevent cross breeding as well. Biologists must also take action to prevent inbreeding and promote genetic variation. The estimated total cost of this recovery plan implemented over a 20 year span is $21,730,000. If recovery unfolds as planned, workers estimate the species' down listing (going from endangered to threatened) by 2017, and de-listing (becoming a completely independent species) by 2027. Today about 500 Big Horn Sheep inhabit the Sierra Nevada's; recovery is going in the right direction. 

see recovery in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KOMCxxTL6U

Not Your Average House Cat

The Outstanding Ocelot
By Sarah Locati 

Size of an adult ocelot compared to a human.
(http://catsinthewild.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html)

Background
According to the Ocelot Recovery Plan by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the ocelot is a nocturnal, medium-sized spotted cat, ranging from fifteen to thirty-five pounds, with gray, brown, black and white coloring. There are eleven subspecies of ocelot found in twenty-two countries throughout most of South and Central America and very little of the United States. The ocelot is only found in the southernmost parts of Texas and Arizona where two subspecies, the Texas/Tamaulipas and Arizona/Sonora ocelot, occur. Female ocelots have a gestation period of approximately 85 days and have an average of 2 kittens per litter. Their prey primarily consists of small rodents, fish, snakes, and birds (www.defenders.org). 

Geographic and Population Changes

Ocelot range
(http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ocelot_range.png)

As stated previously, ocelots occur very rarely in the United States. However, fossil records show that ocelots may have once roamed all throughout the southern United States. This aside, the range of ocelots throughout time has stayed relatively consistent and simply the density of populations has decreased. Ocelots are incredibly versatile animals whose habitat ranges from tropical rainforest, pine forests, savanna, and marshlands. Ocelot concentration is highest in areas of dense vegetation. Unfortunately habitat conversion by humans especially in the US is destroying much this. 95% of this habitat in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas has been transformed into agricultural land.This habitat destruction is causing isolation between ocelot populations, decreasing genetic exchange and promoting inbreeding. There are an estimated 800,000 ocelots worldwide yet previous numbers are widely debated (http://www.defenders.org/ocelot/basic-facts). Recently, some of the population has begun to replenish since hunting and export have been regulated and controlled.

Date and Type of Listing

Fun Fact: In Texas, the ocelot is protected by state law.
(http://zooborns.typepad.com/zooborns/ocelot/)

The ocelot was first listed as an endangered species in 1972 by the Endangered Species Conservation Act. It wasn't until 1982 however that it was listed in the United States and is still listed to this day. Today it is priority 5C, meaning because its recovery conflicts so much with development projects, it has a low potential for recovery. They are also considered "Least Concern" because their estimated population is above 50,000. However, the Texas subspecies, meets criteria "D" meaning the population less than 250 adults. The ocelot recovery plan was proposed August 26 of 2010.

Cause of listing and Main threats 

There are five reasons for the ocelot's listing which are all also continued threats. The largest is the destruction of habitat. This is almost entirely the fault of humans through development, logging, and other forms of fragmentation. Second is the overuse of the ocelot for recreational and commercial as well as educational and scientific purposes. Third is disease and predation. Though disease is inevitable for every species, predation is partially due to human hunting. Though hunting of the ocelot is only legal in Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, and Peru, it does occur throughout its whole range. Next is the issue of ineffective regulatory programs in existence prior to the Recovery Plan described here. The final reason for listing is a miscellaneous category that covers barriers such as roads and impenetrable country boarders. Without constant interaction with other groups, the genes of ocelot populations are becoming increasingly similar.

Recovery Plan

Fun Fact: The ocelot is also known as the Painted Leopard 
(http://a-z-animals.com/animals/ocelot/)

The recovery plan of the ocelot is a six part process. The first and main focus of the recovery program is to maintain, reconnect, and restore critical habitat. The program has already partnered with Mexico in attempt to solve this mutual concern.The second part of the plan is to reduce destruction caused by humans. Both of these effect the third part, improving genetic, demographic, and health conditions. Fourth is primarily about connections and education programs. Working with preexisting programs and landowners to educate the public on this issue is crucial in saving the species. The next goal is to monitor recovery and adapt the plan as new information is found. Lastly is the effort to support programs that are working to save the ocelot in the southern regions that we are not able to reach. Though this plan is intended to help ocelot populations everywhere they inhabit, most practically it will be implemented in the southern US and Mexico area. Should all these goals be met, criteria for down listing the ocelot to threatened could be met by 2030 and total delisting by 2040.

*all of the above information was found at http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/100826.pdf unless otherwise cited*

Fun Fact: Ocelots are one of the least known wild feline species in the world.
(http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2010/feb/ed_2/index.phtml) 

Want to know more?

Go to http://www.arkive.org/ocelot/leopardus-pardalis/ for more info

or

Visit http://www.defenders.org/ocelot/what-you-can-do to find out what you can do to help.

A Small but Mighty Treasure

A Small but Mighty Treasure

Western Snowy Plover

(Charadrius alexandrius nivosus)

by Cameron Lober

Michael L. Baird

The Western Snowy Plover is a small bird found along the western coast of North America. It is most commonly spotted along the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, and even down into Baja Mexico. It is generally about 5.9 to 6.6 inches long and weighs between 1.2 to 2 ounces. It receives its name of “Snowy Plover” because of its large white puffy belly. The Snowy plover’s back and wings are grey and it has several dark patches on its neck and shoulders. It has a thin dark bill and its particularly characteristic dark grey or blackish legs. They are usually found on the beaches where they forage for small invertebrates in the sand. They also nest and lay their eggs on the shore. If you have walked on the west coast beaches you have likely seen these little guys running around. The male plover assumes most of the duties of raising the chick but instead of feeding it, he leads it to suitable feeding areas. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

A Threatened Species

The Western Snowy Plover was listed as "Threatened" on the Endangered Species Act in 1993. If nothing is done to protect this species soon they are likely to become endangered. These shorebirds were once widely found along the Pacific coast but their number of breeding grounds has been declining. In Washington, the Snowy Plovers used to nest at five locations along the coast which has now decreased to three only five years later. In Oregon they were found nesting at over 29 locations which has now dwindled down to a mere ten breeding locations. A similar pattern has been found along the coast of California.

Salem-News.com

Causes for Population Decrease

 The populations of snowy Plovers along the coast have been steadily declining. The primary threat of the Snowy Plovers is habitat destruction and degradation. Human disturbance plays a large role in the declining populations. The breeding season for Western Snowy Plovers is during the summer season which is when most people actually spend time on the beach. Many human activities including running, horseback riding, dune riding, and campfires are all factors that are destroying the habitat that they breed, feed, and survive in. Urban development is also laying waste and taking over many of the beaches in which these snowy plovers live. Many condos, houses, and hotels are being built along the coast as well as piers and marinas. These not only remove some of the habitat that Western Snowy Plovers require for survival but it is also making the other areas in which they currently use for survival more unstable and susceptible to the natural forces of the Earth.  European beach grass (Ammophila arenaria) has also taken over much of the habitat that these shorebirds survive in.

Michael L. Baird

Recovery Plan

The recovery plan for the Western Snowy Plover primarily focuses on increasing their population and protecting and monitoring their environment. The main goal to remove the Snowy Plover off of the Threatened list is to increase their population to at least 3,000 breeding adults and to maintain that standard for ten years in three recovery units along the Pacific Coast. During the last five years of recovery there must be a productivity of at least one chick per male. In order to protect their breeding habitats nests and enclosures are set up along beaches in order to protect them from predators. Restrictions on vehicles, dogs, and other beach activities are being enforced near their breeding sites. 

WesternSnowyPlover.org

There is a lot that you can do to help save the populations of Western Snowy Plovers. Volunteer today and make a difference at your local beaches. 

To learn more about the Western Snowy Plover and what is being done to protect this beautiful species visit http://westernsnowyplover.org/.

To volunteer today click here.

Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse

Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse

by: Maggie McGregor

photo: C.D.F.G., 2005

Background: The salt marsh harvest mouse is a tiny rodent; no more than three inches in length and weigh less than half an ounce. Their tails are at least the length of their bodies. The mice have a dusty brown colored back and a gray underbelly. They work with the tides of the marsh, and float or swim when the tide comes in. Harvest mice munch on pickleweed found in the tides. The mouse has two subspecies, which are both restricted to the marshes of three places: San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bay. One of the subspecies, southern, is extremely limited to just the central and south San Francisco Bay, which of course gives the mouse very little chance at a comeback, with such a limited scope of habitat. This subspecies in particular has suffered endangerment due to fragmentation. The second subspecies, northern, lives predominantly in the bays of San Pablo and Suisun. This species of the salt marsh harvest mouse has suffered less loss than the southern subspecies, but still struggles from degradation (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service). 

photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Geographic &Population Changes: The very maximum age for the salt marsh harvest mouse is only about twelve months. The females only birth four young per litter, once a year, which is a recipe for disaster. These mice are not strong in survival in their habitats. Populations seem to be suffering greatly from long ranges of high tides, and a lack of escape. Storms are consistently increasing with harshness and strength, as well as global warming, which could eventually lead to extreme flooding, wiping out the population of the tiny salt marsh harvest mouse. In the 1850’s, there were about 193,800 acres of the necessary tidal marsh. Now, scientists estimate 30,100 acres to remain. The population numbers of the harvest mouse have gone down with those of the tidal marshes (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

Listing Date/Type: The mouse was listed as an endangered species of the United States List of Endangered Native Fish and Wildlife on October 13, 1970. Its recovery plan was drafted on February 10, 2010. The final recovery plan was revised and drafted on February 26, 2014 (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Environmental Conservation Online System). 

Endangerment continued

photo: USFWS
Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse munching on pickleweed

Main Threats to Existence: The main reason for the population decline in the harvest mouse is due to loss of habitat through destruction and vegetation change. The South San Francisco Bay is only two meters deep, while it used to be kilometers deep. Habitat loss tends to be associated with areas known for diking tidal marshes. Rising sea levels are proposing a very serious threat in the long term of the existence of the salt marsh harvest mouse, specifically in the San Francisco Bay (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).

photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
total cost of recovery plan of three marsh species

Recovery Plan: The main goal of the recovery plan is to be able to delist the species from the Endangered Species Act. The secondary goal is to recover the species enough so they can be downlisted from endangered to threatened. The plan to achieve such goals is as follows: 1. Secure the populations. 2. Eliminate the threats that are causing the harvest mouse to be endangered. 3. Restore and maintain a proper ecosystem for the mouse to be able to successfully function. To keep impacts of oil spills to a complete minimum, the San Francisco Bay and Delta Area section of the San Francisco-Area Contingency Plan will be placed on high priority due to the emergency protection of the salt marsh harvest mice. Appropriately sized ecotones are extremely important to salt marsh harvest mice and their wetland habitats. Human activities also need to be kept to the lowest possible minimum, as the recreational trails of outdoor activities: boating, dog-walking, hiking, and more, often attract predators to the harvest mouse (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).

Smalltooth, Big Problems

Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata)

By: Ryan Llamas

Smalltooth sawfish anatomy (http://members.optusnet.com.au/~alreadman/sawfish.htm)

ABOUT

Historical map range of smalltooth sawfish [FLMNH website]

Smalltooth sawfish, first identified in 1794, are one of two sawfish native to US waters (the other being the largetooth sawfish). They are considered part of the ray family but are also  related to sharks. The unique teeth-lined snout, typically ranging from 25-29 in number, of the sawfish is used in a side-to-side swinging motion to stun      or impale the small fish that it preys on and to dig for crustaceans along the ocean floor. Male smalltooth sawfish tend to have wider teeth while females’ teeth come to more of a point and like sharks, these teeth can fall out and be replaced with new ones. In general, the smalltooth sawfish live in shallow waters along coastal mangroves near river mouths. While its historical ranges ran along the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to Florida and even up the eastern coast of the US to North Carolina, today the population of smalltooth sawfish is reduced to the coasts of Florida. The worldwide historical ranges are not exact because many cases of misidentification have occurred between the smalltooth sawfish and other closely related sawfish but a few recent sightings place them in on every coast of Africa from Sierra Leon on the west, South Africa on the southern coast, and Madagascar to the west along with sightings in the Philippines and the north coast Australia. It is estimated that only about 5% of the population remains.

Endangered

            Smalltooth sawfish populations in the US were first listed as endangered on April 1, 2003 and as of Decmeber 12, 2014 the non-US populations were added to the list. The main reasons for the major reduction in population include:

Habitat destruction and degradation

Smalltooth sawfish in the Everglades National Park

http://sawfishconservationsociety.blogspot.com/2014/11/introducing-shark-population-assessment.html

-Smalltooth sawfish juveniles spend most of their time feeding in the coastal mangroves. Recent development of the coast of Florida has destroyed much of this habitat causing the population to be concentrated in the remaining patches.

      -Fertilizer and other chemicals are being washed                                                                                    down rivers in to the Gulf of Mexico and since smalltooth sawfish tend to live near the mouth of rivers they are heavily affected.

Bycatch

Smalltooth sawfish caught in a fisher’s net 

http://www.southfloridasharkclub.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=2945

-Because of the shape of the smalltooth sawfish’ rostrum, getting caught in fishing net has become a major problem threatening this species. While guidelines have been established on how to release properly, for many it is too late.

Natural factors

-Smalltooth sawfish reach reproductive maturity late, have few offspring per pregnancy and have low growth rates so population growth is extremely slow. 

-Small initial population along with continued mortality due to habitat destruction and bycatch makes it very difficult to restore numbers to normal.


Recovery

Recovery zones  

[http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/sawfish/regional3.html]

The goals for recovery are to first change the listing of smalltooth sawfish from endangered to threatened and ultimately to be restore populations to a self-sustaining level and be taken off the list. This is to be done by minimizing human caused mortality, habitat restoration, and continual monitoring over the population. To be delisted 9 of the recovery zones including G, H, I, J, and K must have a juvenile population growing at 5% a year for 27 years or be over 80% of carrying capacity. In addition to reestablished population, state and federal programs must be in place to ensure bycatch and other causes of death are at a level that the species can maintain as well as produce guidelines for safe release if caught. Furthermore for the population to persist at least 95% of shoreline must be maintained and river conditions must be appropriate for breeding and overall survival. Lastly to be delisted the population must increase or maintain for 14 years following the down listing from endangered to threatened. Due to the slow population growth from the natural characteristics of the smalltooth sawfish, the process to recovery is predicted to take 4 generations, finishing in the year 2106 with a total cost of around $70 million.

http://news.caloosahatchee.org/newsletter/?page=prabhnewsletter_email_withoutform&id=103

For more information visit:

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/12/12/2014-29201/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-final-endangered-listing-of-five-species-of-sawfish

àDescription of all endangered sawfish species and the process off which each was classified as endangered along with their recovery plans

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/STSawfish/STSawfish.html

àThe Florida Museum of Natural History describes the smalltooth sawfish along with maps its historical and current world distribution

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~alreadman/sawfish.htm

àDescription of species along with picture of anatomy and ways the rostrum is used.

http://estuaries.noaa.gov/About/LearnMore.aspx?ID=456

àList reasons for endangerment along with characteristics that make recovery slow

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/smalltoothsawfish.pdf

àLists all requirements mandated for smalltooth sawfish to be down listed from endangered to threatened and then taken off the ESA list along with time and cost estimates.