Latest news with #FederalEndangeredSpeciesAct
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
California's growing wolf population triggers new management phase
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The rising number of wolves in California has prompted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to shift to 'Phase 2' of its wolf-management plan, the agency announced Wednesday. The new phase allows the CDFW to consider issuing permits for 'less-than-lethal harassment,' like firing guns or nonlethal munitions to scare off wolf packs hunting livestock. Any permit system would have to follow laws set in the California Endangered Species Act and Federal Endangered Species Act. 'Really Stupid Park': SF commuters use Great Highway park-naming contest to vent The new phase also prompts the CDFW to create an online tool for tracking GPS-collared wolves in the state. The CDFW will also publish its first annual report outlining the conservation and management of California wolves from 2015 to 2024. These changes are expected to occur in the coming weeks and months. 'This tool will greatly facilitate CDFW's efforts, as guided by the Conservation Plan, to provide timely information regarding wolf activity in the vicinity of livestock production,' the CDFW said. '… In the first part of 2025, CDFW has been able to collar and release 12 gray wolves in Northern California. There are now more satellite-collared wolves in California than ever before, which is expected to improve understanding and management of the species in the state.' Wolves naturally reentered California from Oregon in 2011. Wolf populations were wiped out in the region in the early 1900s and were reintroduced in Idaho in 1995 and 1996. By 2008, descendants of wolves reintroduced in Idaho began to recolonize Northeast Oregon, and ultimately Northern California. There are currently seven confirmed wolf packs in California: The Beyem Seyo pack, Diamond pack, Harvey pack, Ice Cave pack, Lassen pack, Whaleback pack and Yowlumni pack. These packs mostly inhabit Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties. However, the Yowlumni pack is found in the southern Sierra Nevada. The success of these packs prompted CDFW officials to enact Phase 2 of the state's wolf conservation plan. 'Five of the seven packs met CDFW's definition of a 'breeding pair' in 2024, meaning two adults and two or more pups surviving until the end of the year,' the CDFW said. 'Because CDFW has documented at least four breeding pairs for two consecutive years, California is now in 'Phase 2' of wolf management, as specified by the state's 2016 Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California.' Chevron to cut 600 jobs at former HQ in San Ramon The CDFW said that it is actively monitoring and tracking gray wolves in the state, investigating wolf deaths and wolf-related livestock attacks, and working to reduce conflicts between humans and gray wolves. In the last five years, CDFW officers have conducted eight investigations into gray wolf deaths. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
Crocodile relocation sparks spirited debate in Miami-Dade neighborhood, residents say
Residents who live near Highland Oaks Park in northern Miami-Dade shared a lake at the center of the park and the surrounding area for years with two American crocodiles — long believed by some homeowners to be a mated pair. On Monday, authorities hauled one of the scaly reptiles away after it got a bit too close to nearby homes. During the early morning hours, one of the two crocodiles, a female, wandered toward a resident's doorstep. It was the second time in recent weeks that one of the creatures came close to a home. Neighbors reported that a man, pedaling his bicycle on a darkened sidewalk, rode over the animal's tail. Local authorities were summoned and a trapper with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission drove over to collect her. The crocodile's legs were zip-tied, and its mouth sealed with what appeared to be duct tape. The trapper tagged the croc, and took a blood specimen from near the animal's snout. With the help of several Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputies — and the resident whose yard the crocodile invaded — the trapper loaded the croc in the flatbed of a pick-up truck as other residents watched nearby. The wildlife agent told the Miami Herald that his agency had seen no evidence of nesting activity by the pair, and the captured crocodile would be relocated away from people. In recent months, the two crocodiles — both of whom neighbors had taken to calling Charlie — strayed from their man-made lake home, where they often sunbathed, to the front lawns of some neighboring homes. The animals have caused controversy between residents who consider them a threat to pets and children and those who believe the animals should be left alone as they are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act. On the NextDoor app, one neighbor said that gates on the canals and waterways that link to the Oleta River, and ultimately Biscayne Bay, do little to prevent the creatures from moving into residential neighborhoods. As some argued over how to handle the problem of 'ambush predators,' others contended humans need to do more for reptiles just trying to find a place to live. 'Poor Charlie,' wrote one resident. 'He probably was just terrified getting his tail run over.' In a more serious vein, she added: 'Please be aware of your are so lucky to be able to have all types of wildlife living amongst us.'
Miami Herald
24-03-2025
- Miami Herald
Crocodile relocation sparks spirited debate in Miami-Dade neighborhood, residents say
Residents of Highland Oaks Park in northern Miami-Dade shared a lake at the center of their park and the surrounding area for years with two American crocodiles — long thought to be a mated pair. On Monday, authorities hauled one of the scaly reptiles away after it got a bit too close to nearby homes. During the morning hours, one of the two crocodiles, a female, wandered toward a resident's doorstep for the second time in recent weeks. Local authorities were called and a trapper with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission drove over to collect her. The crocodile had its legs and mouth zip-tied, blood taken, tagged and then placed in the back of a pick-up truck as Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputies and residents watched nearby. The wildlife agent told the Miami Herald that the crocodile would be relocated away from people. In recent months, two crocodiles strayed from their man-made lake home, where they often sunbathed, to the front lawns of some neighboring homes, residents said. According to neighbors, the animals have caused controversy between residents who consider them a threat to pets and children and those who believe the animals should be left alone as they're protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act. On the NextDoor app, neighbors were blaming gates on the canals as a reason for the crocodiles moving into neighborhoods. As some argued over how to handle the problem of 'ambush predators,' others contended humans need to do more for reptiles just trying to find a place to live.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Intense debate erupts over controversial bill that would have big impact on rivers: 'We would be smart to wait'
Wildlife experts and constituents pleaded with Wyoming lawmakers to cease a bill introduced in the state that would end 72 years of protection for river otters, WyoFile reported. The bill passed the House with a 52-8 vote and passed the Senate with a 22-9 vote. Republican lawmakers in Wyoming's State Legislature have proposed House Bill 45, "Removing otters as protected animals," which would do exactly that. The bill, conceived by Andrew Byron, originated from the trouble fishers were having in polluted waters and locals who were "having trouble with otters." If the bill passes, it would remove otters from a list of "protected animals for purposes of hunting regulations." Northern river otters, the only species of otter in Wyoming, according to Cowboy State Daily, have been protected since 1953, prior to the Federal Endangered Species Act. "After they were protected in 1953, you started to see their population spread," said Wyoming Game and Fish director Angi Bruce. According to Bruce, having the bill pass would help authorities deal with "problem-causing otters." Reports of otters in fish-stocked waters or attacking tubers have caused some concern. "Having this tool, in my perspective, allows us to help gain support for more otters," said Bruce. However, wildlife experts and other lawmakers caution that the bill is moving too quickly. Merav Ben-David, a University of Wyoming professor, asked for lawmakers to leave river otters alone. Her plea stemmed from research on otters that were nearly wiped out during the fur-trading eras and slowly reintroducing themselves to their habitats. "In 2021, we had 25% of the otter activity at these latrines compared to what we had a decade ago," Ben-David told lawmakers. "River otters are slowly clawing their way back. Their existence is tenuous, depending on water flow, fish abundance and pollution." " We would be smart to wait until we get viable populations in other places, [like] along the Wind River," Ben-David continued. "I would encourage a change in their status when I start getting complaints from anglers in the Bighorn River or friends of mine who live in Glendale." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. State Rep. Karlee Provenza deferred to Ben-David's expertise: "If the number one scientist that knows what is going on says, 'No,' then I would also urge you to vote no on this bill." The bill passed the committee with a vote of 8-2 before moving through the House and Senate and being signed by governor Mark Gordon. According to the International Otter Survival Fund, northern river otters are listed as "least concern," meaning they are not at threat of extinction. However, this status is supported by the protections otters have had in Wyoming for 72 years. Bill 45 could place river otters in danger of becoming endangered. Removing the protected status allows for the moving and killing of "fish-eating nuisance otters," according to WyoFile. "The first step would be to try to relocate them to somewhere else," Game and Fish chief warden Dan Smith said. "In the end, if nothing works, that still would give us the tool to lethally remove them, but that would be a last step," said Angi Bruce. Food supplies for otters are dwindling due to rising water temperatures. This forces otters to move to different areas for food and to get creative in their search. Researchers even found otters eating foods 35% harder than their teeth are used to and using glass bottles to help break down their food. According to the National Environmental Education Foundation, river otters, as predators, are ecologically important as they help control populations of kelp and other species. They even help control the spread of invasive species. But they are also susceptible to "environmental contaminants," such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls. In England, scientists found high levels of toxic chemicals in dead otters due to waste. With less protection, otters can be more susceptible to these environmental hazards and have a harder time finding their food supply. Even though the bill was passed, there still are protections in place. According to Wyoming Public Media, the bill doesn't allow an open season on otters. "There are fears out there that this is an all-out attack, this is a free-for-all," said Rep. Byron. "It's really, really not the case." First steps would be to use electric fences and other mitigation practices before resorting to lethal methods. "I personally believe that when we are able to go in and address conflict situations with landowners, it helps build support for that species as they become more popular across the state," Angi Bruce said. According to River Otter Ecology, there are plenty of ways you can help protect otters on a personal level. These include picking up trash, not using chemical fertilizers, and supporting conservation groups and political candidates. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Federal officials kill Colorado reintroduced wolf after it killed sheep in Wyoming
A wolf recently reintroduced in Colorado was killed by federal officials in Wyoming after depredating on sheep. Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists received a mortality alert for the male gray wolf GPS collar 2505-BC on March 16, the agency stated in a Thursday news release. The agency confirmed the mortality took place in north-central Wyoming. Tanya Espinosa, a spokesperson for the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Wyoming, told the Coloradoan in an email that Wildlife Services responded to a sheep predation event on private lands in north-central Wyoming. She stated evidence consistent with wolf depredation was observed at the site, including wolf tracks, struggle sites, carcasses with premortem hemorrhaging and bite marks consistent with known wolf predations. The adult wolf killed five adult sheep, including one sheep that was heavily fed upon. Late on March 15, Wildlife Services removed a wolf at the predation location and upon closer examination showed the wolf had a collar from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, she wrote. It is legal to kill wolves in Wyoming, where wolves receive no federal or state protection. More: The Coloradoan's behemoth beer bracket. Vote for your favorite of these 64 brews. CPW's news release said 2505 was part of the group of wolves captured in British Columbia in an area where there is no overlap between wolves and livestock. It is the first confirmed death of one of 15 wolves captured in British Columbia and released in Pitkin and Eagle counties in January during CPW's second round of wolf releases as part of the state's reintroduction of the predator. At least three of the six siblings born to the North Park pack were legally killed in southern Wyoming in the fall of 2022. CPW's release stated wolves are known to travel long distances to find food or mates, including into other states. The release said the agency does not comment on wildlife movements, operations or regulations in other states, instead, directing questions to APHIS, regarding the wolf found dead in Wyoming. CPW has an agreement with Utah, New Mexico and Arizona where gray wolves could be recaptured and returned to Colorado. The agreement was put in place to protect the genetic integrity of the Mexican wolf, a separately listed entity under the Federal Endangered Species Act, the news release stated. CPW does not have a similar agreement with Wyoming. CPW did acknowledge a wolf released in January had wandered close to the Utah border in western Mesa County earlier this year. CPW has not publicly said if that wolf was captured in Utah or if it remained in Colorado. Reports from ranchers in the area indicated it had moved east away from the Utah border. Three of the original 10 wolves captured in Oregon and released in Grand and Summit counties in Colorado died in December of 2023. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services conducted necropsies on all three animals. It was determined the breeding male of the Copper Creek pack (2309) died in early September of 2024 as the result of a gunshot wound. That death is under investigation with a reward established for information leading to the person or persons responsible for the gunshot wound to the animal's hind leg. Results of the necropsy regarding the death of wolf 2307 was released in November of 2024. It revealed the male wolf was likely killed by another wolf or wolves. It had a healed gunshot wound. The agency found it dead Sept. 10, a week after wolf 2309 died. Wolf 2303, an adult male, was likely killed by a mountain lion in mid-April in northwestern Larimer County, according to a necropsy. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado reintroduced wolf killed by federal agents in Wyoming
