Latest news with #U.S.FishandWildlifeService
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida fighting ruling on manatee protections
A new showdown is brewing over manatee protection. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is fighting back on a ruling requiring Florida to step up protections. It involves a series of steps aimed at reducing the threats manatees face in the Indian River Lagoon. The Florida manatee is already listed as a threatened species. But last month, a central Florida conservation group, Bear Warriors United, got something more. 'The Endangered Species Act allows individuals, businesses, governments, anybody who is going to engage in an activity that's going to result in death or harm to a federally listed species, to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and say, 'Hey, we're doing this,'' said plaintiff attorney Lesley Blackner. The state was ordered to start a health assessment program and a supplemental feeding effort to support the manatee population in the northern part of the lagoon starting this month. The state will also have to submit public quarterly reports on manatee deaths, water quality, seagrass conditions and harmful algae blooms. The court also ordered a temporary halt on new septic system permits in part of the lagoon watershed starting July 17. 'It's plaintiff's position that the court made the correct decision because what's happened in the lagoon is a catastrophe,' blackner said. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection disagrees, saying the state has invested nearly $747 million in community-led projects in the region to improve water quality and restore habitat, which is especially critical in ecosystems like Indian River Lagoon. The state is now asking a federal appeals court to halt that district judge's injunction, saying in part 'The indefinite moratorium on the construction of new septic systems further threatens to impede commercial and residential development in the state.' Bear Warriors United filed the original lawsuit in 2022 after Florida had a record 1,100 manatee deaths in 2021, with the largest number in Brevard County at 358 deaths. Many deaths were linked to starvation. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New manatee threats could spark possible lawsuit
An environmental group Friday filed a formal notice that is a step toward suing the federal government over protecting manatees in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. The Center for Biological Diversity alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act because of understaffing at the refuge, which the notice said serves as a winter habitat for about 20 percent of Florida's manatees drawn by warm-water springs and vegetation. The notice cited potential 'take' of manatees — a term that can refer to such things as harassment, harm and death of animals — and further potential staffing cuts by the federal government. The notice said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is 'authorizing visitation and eco-tourism operation in an understaffed refuge that is inadequately regulated and managed — and that is subject to imminent staff cuts. To remedy current ESA (Endangered Species Act) violations and curtail other potential or actual associated violations, federal violators must either fully staff the personnel necessary to mitigate take from visitors, extend sanctuary boundaries and closure timing to reduce harassment during peak manatee season, or otherwise restrict the activities causing harassment and other forms of unlawful take.' The Fish and Wildlife Service said on its website that the Crystal River refuge is the only national wildlife refuge created specifically to protect Florida manatees. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bad Bunny Shares Cryptic Instagram Message as Tourists in Puerto Rico Go Viral for Allegedly Killing Endangered Coquís
Some tourists went viral on Reddit after bragging about silencing Puerto Rico's iconic coquí frogs The post sparked backlash, with Puerto Ricans calling the act disrespectful to the island's culture and wildlife Bad Bunny responded on Instagram, amplifying the coquí's croak as a subtle but powerful defense of his home, Puerto RicoBad Bunny is once again using his platform to speak out for Puerto Rico, this time not just through his lyrics but through his actions and love for the island. On Wednesday, May 28, the global superstar, whose real name is Benito Martínez Ocasio, shared a cryptic message on Instagram Stories, which many took as a response to a growing controversy about the coquí, Puerto Rico's iconic little frog with the big voice. As per mitú, Bad Bunny posted a black screen with a drawn-out version of his song 'Qué Le Pasó a Hawaii' from his latest album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, that featured the croak of the coquí turned way up. It all started when a Reddit post on the r/PuertoRicoTravel subreddit went viral. A tourist at a restaurant in Condado was reportedly overheard bragging about spraying something at their Airbnb to quiet the coquís. The coquís' nightly song is considered one of the island's most cherished and recognizable sounds. Puerto Rican content creators quickly pushed back, calling the move disrespectful to both local culture and native wildlife. Many locals called out the harmful action in the comments, writing: 'If you don't like the coquí, maybe Puerto Rico isn't the place for you.' Beyond being annoying to a few tourists, this issue touches on something much more serious. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 'Any person that injures, captures, or kills a Coquí guajón destroy its eggs, and/or modify its critical habitat is subject to penalties under Federal law.' Though the Coquí guajón is one species, the common coquí is found everywhere on the island. Nonetheless, their protection matters to both conservationists and island residents. For Bad Bunny, his Story wasn't just about frogs: It was about respect for the island, its culture and the people who live there. He's been sounding that alarm for a while now with Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, specifically his song 'Qué Le Pasó a Hawaii,' which warns against Puerto Rico following in Hawaii's footsteps with over-tourism and outside investments that in his eyes, have chipped away at Puerto Rico's identity. In the song, he sings, 'They want to take the river and the beach away from me ... They want my neighborhood and my grandma gone.' Throughout the track, the coquí's croak echoes briefly in the background. Alongside the album, he released a short film, which was a visual love letter to Puerto Rico. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. It features 'Toad Concho,' a frog mascot that's part playful character and part symbol for the island's vulnerable wildlife. Like the song, the film reinforces what's at stake. For many Puerto Ricans, the coquí isn't just a frog; it's home. And with one simple Instagram post, Bad Bunny managed to remind the world of that. Read the original article on People
USA Today
4 days ago
- Science
- USA Today
Native turtles return to Yosemite after removal of more than 16,000 invasive bullfrogs
Native turtles return to Yosemite after removal of more than 16,000 invasive bullfrogs As part of the study, 16,384 American bullfrogs, larvae and egg masses were removed from Yosemite National Park. Show Caption Hide Caption Yellow-legged frogs make comeback in Sierra-Nevada lakes Non-native fish and the amphibian chytrid fungus nearly wiped out the yellow-legged frogs in the lakes of the High Sierra at Yosemite National Park. A "constellation of eyes" welcomed Sidney Woodruff the first time she went nighttime frog spotting at Yosemite National Park. Her headlamp lit up thousands of eyes that belonged to the invasive American bullfrog, peering up at her from where they lurked in the water. Woodruff, a PhD candidate at University of California, Davis, is the lead author of a recently-published study that analyzed how the removal of American bullfrogs affected the population of native northwestern pond turtles at Yosemite National Park. Over the course of six years, Woodruff and her team removed more than 16,000 American bullfrogs from the park − an invasive species that makes life for the northwestern pond turtle nearly impossible. But now, with less frogs in the midst, the native turtle is reappearing at the park. "We focused on the impact to turtles, but anecdotally, we're out there and can see the change and response in the environment," Woodruff told USA TODAY. "It's really exciting to see that, see what these sites should look like." 'The lakes are alive again': These frogs are back from near extinction Vacation planning: What is the No. 1 national park? Here are the 10 most (and least) visited in 2024. When, why did the American bullfrog invade Yosemite? Native to the eastern United States, American bullfrogs were intentionally introduced to Yosemite in the 1950s, with the first bullfrog documented in The Ahwahnee Hotel's reflection pond in 1955, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Yosemite isn't the only victim of American bullfrogs' invasive nature. In fact, the bullfrog is one of the top 100 world's worst invasive species, according to the Global Invasive Species Database. How do American bullfrogs affect pond turtle populations? American bullfrogs are a "highly successful invasive species," Woodruff said. This is due to their size and particularly, their stomachs. Bullfrogs, which can weigh 2-3 pounds, are adaptable and known for eating a variety of prey, including insects, crustaceans, other amphibians, reptiles, fish, small birds and mammals, Woodruff's study outlines. If it fits in their mouth, they'll eat it. During her research, Woodruff reported numerous instances of small pond turtles found inside American bullfrog stomachs. And the pond turtles that were in the habitats were old and large, indicating that they only survived because they wouldn't fit in the frogs' mouths. How were the American bullfrogs removed from Yosemite? Woodruff's team studied and removed American bullfrogs in areas between Yosemite's Lake Eleanor and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which are about 40 miles north of Yosemite Valley. Woodruff said there were three ways her team removed the bullfrogs from the park: Catching the frogs from shore, riding inflatable boats out to catch frogs further in the water and collecting egg masses from the water. In total, Woodruff and her team collected and removed 16,384 bullfrogs, larvae and whole egg masses from Yosemite, the study states. Once removed, the frogs were "humanely euthanized," Woodruff said. "It is very unfortunate with invasive species work, particularly when you are dealing with the numbers we had," Woodruff said. "There's just no other solution, unfortunately." What's happening now? What's next? The sites where Woodruff and her team removed the bullfrogs are "completely different," she said. Northwestern pond turtle hatchlings and youth are swimming about, the native California red-legged frog has reappeared and several other native species are back − ones that would have previously been eaten up by bullfrogs. Woodruff said the National Park Service is continuing the monitor the areas and their habitats and more bullfrog extraction may occur in the future. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
USA Today
4 days ago
- Science
- USA Today
Native turtles return to Yosemite after removal of over 16,000 invasive bullfrogs
Native turtles return to Yosemite after removal of over 16,000 invasive bullfrogs As part of the study, 16,384 American bullfrogs, larvae and egg masses were removed from Yosemite National Park. Show Caption Hide Caption Yellow-legged frogs make comeback in Sierra-Nevada lakes Non-native fish and the amphibian chytrid fungus nearly wiped out the yellow-legged frogs in the lakes of the High Sierra at Yosemite National Park. A "constellation of eyes" welcomed Sidney Woodruff the first time she went nighttime frog spotting at Yosemite National Park. Her headlamp lit up thousands of eyes that belonged to the invasive American bullfrog, peering up at her from where they lurked in the water. Woodruff, a PhD candidate at University of California, Davis, is the lead author of a recently-published study that analyzed how the removal of American bullfrogs affected the population of native northwestern pond turtles at Yosemite National Park. Over the course of six years, Woodruff and her team removed more than 16,000 American bullfrogs from the park − an invasive species that makes life for the northwestern pond turtle nearly impossible. But now, with less frogs in the midst, the native turtle is reappearing at the park. "We focused on the impact to turtles, but anecdotally, we're out there and can see the change and response in the environment," Woodruff told USA TODAY. "It's really exciting to see that, see what these sites should look like." 'The lakes are alive again': These frogs are back from near extinction Vacation planning: What is the No. 1 national park? Here are the 10 most (and least) visited in 2024. When, why did the American bullfrog invade Yosemite? Native to the eastern United States, American bullfrogs were intentionally introduced to Yosemite in the 1950s, with the first bullfrog documented in The Ahwahnee Hotel's reflection pond in 1955, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Yosemite isn't the only victim of American bullfrogs' invasive nature. In fact, the bullfrog is one of the top 100 world's worst invasive species, according to the Global Invasive Species Database. How do American bullfrogs affect pond turtle populations? American bullfrogs are a "highly successful invasive species," Woodruff said. This is due to their size and particularly, their stomachs. Bullfrogs, which can weigh 2-3 pounds, are adaptable and known for eating a variety of prey, including insects, crustaceans, other amphibians, reptiles, fish, small birds and mammals, Woodruff's study outlines. If it fits in their mouth, they'll eat it. During her research, Woodruff reported numerous instances of small pond turtles found inside American bullfrog stomachs. And the pond turtles that were in the habitats were old and large, indicating that they only survived because they wouldn't fit in the frogs' mouths. How were the American bullfrogs removed from Yosemite? Woodruff's team studied and removed American bullfrogs in areas between Yosemite's Lake Eleanor and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which are about 40 miles north of Yosemite Valley. Woodruff said there were three ways her team removed the bullfrogs from the park: Catching the frogs from shore, riding inflatable boats out to catch frogs further in the water and collecting egg masses from the water. In total, Woodruff and her team collected and removed 16,384 bullfrogs, larvae and whole egg masses from Yosemite, the study states. Once removed, the frogs were "humanely euthanized," Woodruff said. "It is very unfortunate with invasive species work, particularly when you are dealing with the numbers we had," Woodruff said. "There's just no other solution, unfortunately." What's happening now? What's next? The sites where Woodruff and her team removed the bullfrogs are "completely different," she said. Northwestern pond turtle hatchlings and youth are swimming about, the native California red-legged frog has reappeared and several other native species are back − ones that would have previously been eaten up by bullfrogs. Woodruff said the National Park Service is continuing the monitor the areas and their habitats and more bullfrog extraction may occur in the future. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
