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ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Black August 1980, Vol. V, No. 8 ^—r;:^—" ENDANGERED FISH A WILDUFK NKRVK^K SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Department of the Interior • U S Fish and Wildlife Service • Endangered Species Program, Washmgton, D C 20240 Black Rhino Found Endangered Hunted extensively for its valued horn, the African black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) has been determined by the Service to be an Endangered species (F.R. 7/14/80). Based on avail- able data, the Service believes there may be fewer than 15,000 black rhinos remaining in the world. One of five species of rhinoceroses occurring in Africa and Southeast Asia, the black rhino is the most numerous of the world's rhinos and yet appears dangerously threatened with extinction. In Kenya, probable losses over the last five to eight years have been figured at 95 percent of the black rhino popula- tion in Tsavo National Park, 85 percent in Amboseli, and over 90 percent of those that once survived in Meru National Park. These dramatic losses are due pri- marily to trade in the species' parts and products. East African statistics on the legal export of rhino horn, which are carved into dagger handles or used mm in powdered form for medicinal pur- Kenya's Meru National Park, only two years ago considered a stronghold for the poses or as an aphrodisiac, show that black rhino, is now home to less than 20 specimens. 1.56 tons were exported annually from 1950-1971. From 1972-1976, legal ex- ports jumped to 4.2 tons annually. In supportive comments. The only non- tected under the Convention on Inter- one instance, a single rhino horn re- supporting comment came from Safari national Trade in Endangered Species portedly sold for approximately $15,000. Club International, which recommended of Wild Fauna and Flora (it is on Ap- The biology of the black rhino may Threatened status for the species pendix I), listing under the Endangered also be contributing to its demise. For throughout most of its range except Species Act will provide additional pro- a species that exists largely as solitary Kenya, where they agree the black hibitions against importing the species individuals at a naturally low density, rhino is Endangered. According to the or its parts and products into the U.S., the severe declines cause further prob- Service, the black rhino is in danger as well as restricting transportation or lems by reducing the probabilities of of extinction throughout all or a signi- sale in interstate or foreign commerce. reproduction. Also, the rhino is easy ficant portion of its range (the defnition Listing under the Act will also allow to stalk and those animals that are of Endangered under the Endangered the U.S. to provide, if requested, tech- left show evidence of extreme disturb- Species Act of 1973). Listing this nical expertise for establishing man- ance in response to harassment. rhino as Endangered in p:.rts of its agement and recovery programs and The proposal to list the black rhi- range and Threatened in others would funds to assist in the implementation of noceros (F.R. 10/1/79)—see the No- be inconsistent with the Act's intent. such programs by appropriate foreign vember 1979 BULLETIN) drew mainly Although the black rhinoceros is pro- governments. gatlon program is proving a success. So far 1.8 million fry have been re- leased in the lower Truckee River in Nevada. An expected 2 million fry will be released by season's end. The Oregon Native Plant Society and the Service sponsored a Threat- ened and Endangered Plant Symposium held in Ashland, Oregon. More than 200 attended. Region 2. Of the 41 pups born to the red wolf (Canis rufus) captive breed- ing program during 1980, 28 survived to 3 months of age, a 68 percent survival rate, the highest the program has achieved to date. Region 3. The Northern States Bald REGIONAL Eagle Revovery Team met in New York to view the hacking facilities at the BRIEFS Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, with which they were greatly impressed. The Kirtland's Warbler Recovery Endangered Species Program region- on the Island of Maui, and allowing for Team met to discuss updating the re- al staffers have reported the following future resale to the State. The resale covery plan. activities for the month of July. would be with the provision that the Region 4. State and Service person- Region 1. A cooperative agreement State showed management capability nel began a cooperative effort on July was signed with the Hawaii Department for the Hawaiian waterbirds occurring 21, 1980, to capture the four dusky of Land and Natural Resources, paving at the pond. seaside sparrows (Ammospiza maritima the way for purchase of Kaelia Pond The cui-ui (Chasmistes cuius) propa- nigrescens) sighted during an intensive survey conducted earlier this year in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, Florida, Three have been captured so Washington, D.C. 20240 NM 87103 (505-766-2321): Jerry Steg- far, bringing the total number in cap- man. Acting Regional Director; Robert tivity to five. All six birds are known or F. Stephens, Assistant Regional Direc- Lynn A. Greenwalt, Director presumed to be males. Development of tor; Jack B. Woody, Endangered Spe- (202-343-4717) captive breeding and sperm preserva- cies Specialist. Ronald E. Lamberston tion techniques are currently in prog- Region 3, Federal BIdg., Fort Snelling, Associate Director and ress (see our April 1980 Special Re- Endangered Species Program Manager Twin Cities, MN 55111 (612-725-3500); (202-343-4646) Harvey Nelson, Regional Director; port). Harold J. O'Connor Daniel H. Bumgarner, Assistant Re- A total of 417 snail darter (Percina Deputy Associate Director gional Director; James M. Engel, En- tanasi) juveniles captured last fall in dangered Species Specialist. (202-343-4646) the Tellico Dam project area, and held Region 4, Richard B. Russell Federal John Spinks, Chief, over winter in the Morristown State Office of Endangered Species BIdg., 75 Spring St., S.W., Atlanta, GA Fish Hatchery, were stocked into the (703-235-2771) 30303 (404-221-3583): Kenneth E. Richard Parsons, Chief, Black, Regional Director; Harold W. Elk River, Giles County, Tennessee. federal Wildlife Permit Office Benson, Assistant Regional Director; The Elk is the third river to receive a (703-235-1937) Alex B. Montgomery, Endangered Spe- substantial number of snail darters cies Specialist. Clark R. Bavin, Chief, since the transplant program was Division of Law Enforcement Region 5, Suite 700, One Gateway Cen- started in 1975. (202-343-9242) ter, Newton Corner MA 02158 (617- 965-5100): Howard Larsen, Regional Region 5. Service personnel met with State officials, university profes- TECHNICAL BULLETIN STAFF Director; Gordon T. Nightingale, As- Morey Norkin, Acting Editor sistant Regional Director; Paul Nicker- sors, and representatives of The Na- son. Endangered Species Specialist. (703-235-2407) ture Conservancy to explore possible Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Fed- protection of segments of the St. Johns eral Center, Denver CO 80225 (303- River in Maine. Ongoing research on Regional Offices 234-2209); Don W. Minnich, Regional Director; Charles E. Lane, Assistant Furbish lousewort (Pedicularls furbi- Region 1, Suite 1692, Lloyd 500Bldg.,500 Regional Director; Don Rodgers, En- shiae) populations was reviewed and N.E. Multnomah St., Portland, OR dangered Species Specialist. population inventories conducted with 97232 (503-231-6118): R. Kahler Mar- Alaska Area, 1101 E. Tudor Rd., Anchor- U.S. and New Brunswick (Canada) of- tinson, Regional Director; Edward B. age, AK 99503 (907-276-3800, ext. 495): ficials. Keith M. Schreiner, Area Director; Jon Chamberlain, Assistant Regional Direc- Rhode Island has been declared eli- tor: David B. Marshall, Endangered Nelson, Ass't Area Director; Dan Ben- Species Specialist. field, Endangered Species Specialist. gible for Endangered Species Coopera- tive Agreements for plants and for fish U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regions and wildlife. They will be the 11th Region 1: Calltornia, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada. Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2: Arizona. New Mexico. Oklahoma, and Texas Region 3: Illinois. Indiana. Michigan. Minnesota. Ohio, and Wisconsin. Region State involved in the program once the 4: Alabama, Arkansas. Florida. Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana. Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, agreements are signed. Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands Region 5: Connecticut, Delaware. Maine. Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey. New York. Pennsylvania. Rhode Island. Vermont. Virginia, and West Virginia. Region Region 6. The total population (seven 6: Colorado. Iowa. Kansas. Missouri. Montana, Nebraska. North Dakota. South Dakota. Utah, and Wyoming. Alaika plants) of Phacelia argillaceae, an En- Area: Alaska dangered plant in Utah, was reduced to The ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN is published monthly by the four plants in May because of trampling U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. by sheep. The remaining population is being fenced for protection. CAPTIVE-BRED ANDEAN CONDORS RELEASED IN PERU Michael Bender formed four pairs, scientists discovered actions with the wild birds. Before their The first release of Endangered, cap- ways to double, and in some cases even release, the introduced condors were tive-bred Andean condors (Vultur quadruple, normal egg production. The fitted with small solar-powered radio gryphus) into wild habitat has been resulting chicks became part of a small, transmitters which will allow researchers an apparent success. Shortly after the self-sustaining captive population from to track them through the remote moun- six young vultures were set free several which the six juveniles were selected tains for up to 5 years. Under contract weeks ago, they joined a small exist- for the reintroduction effort. with the Service, Dr. Stanley Temple ing population in the coastal mountains On July 11, the young condors were and Michael Wallace of the University of Peru, soaring alongside the older flown from Dulles International Airport, of Wisconsin are directing the release birds and adopting their feeding habits.
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