June 1981, Vol. VI, No. 6

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Department of the Interior • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C. 20240

RECOVERY PLANNING an evaluation of the following questions; 1. What are the greatest threats fac- ing the turtle and its habitat? 2. What do we know about the turtle, Strategy Prepared for and what do we need to know in order to evolve a plan that would eventually have Plymouth Red-bellied Turtle the potential for leading to a change of status (from Endangered to Threat- ened) for the species? Consideration of the immediate This is part 1 of a 2-part series cluded that the red-belly was once more threats to the turtle became of prime im- on recovery planning. The Serv- widespread in eastern Massachusetts. portance because a recovery plan has to ice has placed an increased The turtle's current Endangered deal with problems facing the species in emphasis on recovery and has status is due to Its low numbers, restric- priority order; the highest priority is prepared new guidelines for the ted range, and vulnerability to the more placed on tasks which would prevent ex- development of recovery plans. obvious threats of harassment, tinction. Therefore, we had to decide Part 1, written by Mr. Roger Hogan poaching, shooting, and habitat what to do in the early phases of the of the Service's Region 5 office, modification or destruction. In view of recovery activities to protect the existing describes the method of prepara- this, it was determined that the most turtles while we were learning more tion used by the Regional Office in realistic initial objective of a recovery about the subtle elements essential to developing the Plymouth Red- plan for the species should be to restore the species' long-term survival. Bellied Turtle Recovery Plan. it to a point where it could be classified Part 2 will be a discussion of the as Threatened instead of Endangered. Habitat Protection new guidelines and the new Later recovery efforts were planned One recovery action that could be emphasis placed on recovery in which ultimately would allow the species taken early was to protect an approx- the Endangered Species Pro- to be removed from protection. gram. imately 182-acre portion of the pro- Preparing the Recovery Plan posed Critical Habitat offered for sale by private landowners. The property, adja- In 1869, Mr. Fred Lucas discovered Once these objectives were set, the cent to Myles Standish State Forest, the shell of a strange turtle at a place first step in writing the recovery plan for contained ponds that are largely un- called Sparrow Hill in Plymouth, the Plymouth red-bellied turtle involved Continued on page 3 Massachusetts, a historic community located near Cape Cod. As it turned out, that shell belonged to a rare now known as the Plymouth red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys { = Chrysemys) rubriventris bangsi). The Plymouth red-bellied turtle is found almost entirely in the Plymouth County, Massachusetts, area. Its designated Critical Habitat of 3,269 acres (F.R. 4/2/80) is near the town of Plymouth in pine barrens habitat, inter- spersed with small to moderate sized freshwater ponds. Population estimates for the turtle indicate that approximately 200 may exist. Based on evidence that the turtle's range once extended at least The Plymouth red-bellied turtle, a colorful animal with a dark, humped back, is also 50 miles further north to the Ipswich large, weighing up to 10 or 11 pounds. The plastron (bottom shell) is coral red or River in Essex County, Massachusetts, pink, accented with gray or black markings near the seams, while the dark green and south to Martha's Vineyard, Dukes head and neck have yellow stripes. It is noted for its shyness, which makes it difficult County, Massachusetts, it has been con- to capture in its pond habitat. several thousand live fish remain in the lake. Samples of the dead fish were collected and are being analyzed to determine the cause of death. The State of Oregon has successfully intervened in the only known active peregrine falcon {Faico peregrinus anatum) nest in the State. In cooperation with the falcon propagation facility at the University of California at Santa Cruz, two badly dehydrated eggs were re- moved from the nest and replaced by two chicks from the Santa Cruz facility. A third egg was beyond recovery. The chicks were well received by the adult pair, and the two eggs were placed in an incubator at Santa Cruz. Both eggs hatched in late May. Region 2. The first captive bonytail chubs {Gila elegans) were produced at the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery; 80,000 young survived. Of these, 30,000 were moved to the Dexter Endangered Species Program April. This 10-acre hot springs lake is the Fish Hatchery where they are report- regional staffers have reported the only habitat of the newly described edly doing well. following activities for the month of species. (The Borax Lake chub was May. listed as Endangered with Critical The highest number of young bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Region 1. Several hundred Borax Habitat in an emergency rule on May 28, fledged in central Arizona occurred this Lake chubs (Gila boraxobius) were 1980. The fish was proposed for perma- spring. Eleven young eagles were obser- found dead around the fringes of Borax nent protection on October 16, 1980). ved in known eyries. Lake in southeastern Oregon in late The cause of the die-off is unknown and The highly Endangered Mexican wolf U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Stegman, Acting Regionai Director. {Canis lupus baileyi) bred in captivity for Washington, D.C. 20240 Robert F. Stephens, Assistant Regionai the first time this spring at the Wild Director, Jack B. Woody, Endangered Canid Survival and Research Center in F. Eugene Hester, Acting Director Species Specialist. St. Louis. The only female in captivity (202-343-4717) Region 3, Federal BIdg., Fort Snelling, produced a litter of four pups on May 20, Ronald E. Lambertson Twin Cities, MN 55111 (612-725-3500); 1981. Wildlife biologists were pleased Associate Director and Harvey Nelson, Regional Director-, that three of the pups were females. As a Endangered Species Program Manager Daniel H. Bumgarner, Assistant (202-343-4646) Regional Director; James M. Engel, precaution, two of the pups were moved Harold J. O'Connor Endangered Species Specialist. to the St. Louis Zoological Park which Deputy Associate Director Region 4, Richard B. Russell Federal has special facilities and experienced (202-343-4646) BIdg., 75 Spring St., S.W., Atlanta, GA personnel for hand-rearing the young John Spinks, Chief, 30303 (404-221-3583): Walter O. . The other two are being cared Office of Endangered Species Stieglitz, Acting Regional Director, Alex for by the mother in an isolated den. It is (703-235-2771) B. Montgomery, Acting Assistant hoped that these new females, along Richard Parsons, Chief, Regional Director; Kenneth Chitwood, with the six males in captivity, will form Endangered Species Specialist. Federal Wildlife Permit Office the nucleus of a captive breeding pro- (703-235-1937) Region 5, Suite 700, One Gateway Center, gram. Clark R. Bavin, Chief, Newton Corner, MA 02158 (617-965- Division of Law Enforcement 5100): Howard Larsen, Regional Region 3. The Technical Review Draft (202-343-9242) Director; Gordon T. Nightingale, of the Northern Wild Monkshood Assistant Regionai Director; Paul TECHNICAL BULLETIN STAFF (Aconitum noveboracense) Recovery Nickerson, Endangered Species Plan has been completed. Clare Senecal Kearney, Editor Specialist. Morey Norkin, Assistant Editor Region 4. The Tennessee Valley Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal (703-235-2407) Authority (TVA), in coordination with the Center, Denver, CO 80225 (303-234- Regional Offices 2209); Don W. Minnich, Regional Service's Asheville Area Office, is Region 1, Suite 1692, Lloyd 500 BIdg., 500 Director; Charles E. Lane, Assistant currently working with a private firm N.E. Multnomah St., Portland, OR Regional Director; Don Rodgers, regarding development of telemetry 97232 (503-231-6118): R. Kahler Mar- Endangered Species Specialist. equipment for mussels. This is possibly tinson, Regional Director; Edward 8. Region 7, 1101 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, the only such equipment ever developed Chamberlain, Assistant Regionai AK 99503 (907-276-3800, ext. 495): for invertebrates. The device eventually Director; Phil Lehenbauer, Acting En- Keith M. Schreiner, Regional Director; selected will be implanted internally in dangered Species Specialist. Jon Nelson, Ass't Regional Director; the cavity between the shell and the Dan Benfield, Endangered Species mantle of the mussel. The device will Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, Specialist. NM 87103 (505-766-2321): Jerry hopefully last for several years and allow U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regions TVA to monitor the survival of trans- planted mussels without hampering the Region 1: California, Hawaii, Idaho. Nevada. Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2: Arizona. New f^exico, Oklahoma, and Texas, Region 3: Illinois, Indiana. Iowa, fvlichigan, Minnesota, fvlissouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. success of the transplant due to dis- Region 4: Alabama, Arltansas. Florida. Georgia, Kentucl

Additional field purveys to further terested parties and to the cooperating Recovery Planning define existing populations of the agency, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, for their biological Continued from page 1 Plymouth turtle, and studies to supple- and agency comments. The plan was touched by development and have the ment life history and habitat data were listed as tasks in the recovery process. modified based on their suggestions and potential to be used for restoration ef- Additional habitat preservation activities comments and approved by the Service forts. The property was purchased by included the possible use of land ease- Director on March 26, 1981. the Nature Conservancy to be held until ments to protect important habitat and A recovery plan, it should be noted, is the Service can obtain it as part of the possible fee acquisition should critical not a static document, but will continue recovery process, as funds become parcels of land tjecome available. to be modified as individual tasks are available. Each activity or task was assigned a completed and as new needs become Dr. Terry Graham, who studied the priority to allow the most vital to be ac- evident. It can only be considered to be a species for the Service, was contacted complished early. These tasks and their final document, in the true sense of the for his assistance in writing the recovery priorities were then listed in the imple- word, when the objectives of the plan plan, as was Brad Blodget, Assistant mentation schedule which is the primary have been reached, and the Plymouth Director of Non-game and Endangered "action portion" of the recovery plan. red-bellied turtle and its habitat have Species for the Massachusetts Division Several drafts of the completed been afforded the protection mandated of Fisheries and Wildlife. Both agreed recovery plan were circulated to in- under the Endangered Species Act. that habitat destruction, shooting, and harassment were problems that re- quired early action, concurrent with gathering data on the species' distribu- tion, life history, and habitat require- ments. Public Information Program Because of his interactions with the residents of Plymouth County, Dr. Graham was acutely aware of the need for a public information program. This program would inform residents of the presence of the turtle, its sensitivity to harassment, the need for protecting the species and its habitat, and would en- courage the reporting of turtle sightings. Residents were extremely helpful to Dr. Graham during his past studies, supply- ing valuable information on turtle habitats and sightings. Indications of the degree of interest in the turtle shown by some local residents included the ap- pearance of a red-bellied turtle t-shirt and a red-bellied button worn by con- cerned students from an area school to promote additional protection for the turtle through State action. The public information program then became an The Plymouth red-bellied turtle feeds primarily on aquatic vegetation and may wander important item in the recovery plan due considerable distances over land during the year Much of the red-belly's habitat requirements to its potential for multiple benefits. and life history remain to be determined. 3 STATE REPORT:

MICHIGAN'S ENDANGERED Michigan Department SPECIES PROGRAM of Natural Resources

by Richard Block evaluating areas within Michigan for Crossing State Boundaries future preservation. Dr. Taylor and Mr. Michigan's dynamic and multifaceted Lerg work closely with the inventory staff Dr. Taylor and Mr. Lerg must also endangered species program is foun- in identifying important habitats recor- coordinate activities which extend ded on a long history of protecting and ded in the survey. beyond Michigan. The endangered preserving rare and endangered The first State lists of endangered and species staffs in Wisconsin, Minnesota, species. In the 1950's, the State's threatened species, authorized by the Illinois, and Ontario, Canada, regularly Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 1974 act, were put together by commit- exchange information and discuss acquired habitat to protect the Kirt- tees of specialists in the areas of fishes, management plans for species whose land's warbler and the prairie chicken, amphibians and reptiles, invertebrates, ranges intersect the western Great and passed legislative acts to protect the birds, mammals, and plants. These Lakes region. Employees of Michigan's State's other important nongame technical committees proposed species DNR serve on the recovery teams for the species. In 1970, Michigan recognized for possible inclusion on the State lists Kirtland's warbler and eastern timber the importance of protecting those according to the definitions of the 1974 wolf. The Michigan program is also species which were on the Federal lists act. The species proposed were then implementing recommendations from of Endangered species by passing open to citizen and Departmental com- the recovery plans for the bald eagle, In- Public Act 210 (P.A. 210, 1970). The Act ment, before being sent to the Natural diana bat, and peregrine falcon. did not provide for the management and Resources Commission. Now, one of the Federal aid in wildlife restoration proj- restoration of Endangered populations, major activities of the program is the ects funded and coordinated through but it did provide for their protection. biennial review of these State lists. the State Endangered Species Program In September, 1974, Michigan en- acted its "Endangered Species Act " (P.A. 203,1974), a law designed to complement the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and provide an ef- fective base for a State program.

Michigan Program

The Endangered Species Program, charged with the administration of Mich- igan's Endangered Species Act, is within the Wildlife Division's "Nongame Unit" in the DNR. Although the program sounds as though it is buried away under a hierarchy of bureaucratic departments, the Michigan program exercises a dynamic approach, reaching all Divi- sions of the DNR, other State and Federal agencies, and the private sector. Dr. Sylvia Taylor, the Endangered Species Coordinator, heads the multi- faceted State program. Assisted by Mr. John Lerg, Dr. Taylor works with such State Divisions as Waterways, Environ- mental Enforcement, Land Resource Programs, Law Enforcement, Forest Management, Parks, Water Quality, and Administrative Services which all have incorporated some aspect of the pro- gram. The Land Resource Program's Natural Features Inventory, initiated un- der Michigan's Wilderness and Natural Areas Act, collects and stores much useful data on endangered and threat- A State listed species, the greater prairie chicken nurnbers less than 25 individuals ened species. The inventory, funded by in Michigan. Management efforts on behalf of the greater prairie chicken the DNR and the Nature Conservancy, is include restricting public access to habitat to minimize disturbance. have included both federally listed as favorable as the eagle survey results. from many southern Michigan counties. species and State listed species. The In all, 117 active nests were identified in These results, combined with an assess- Kirtland's warbler (see BULLETIN, April 1980 with 50 pairs breeding success- ment of potential habitat, indicate that 1981), bald eagle, eastern timber wolf, fully. The successful pairs raised 104 habitat for the Indiana bat is not a Indiana bat, and peregrine falcon have young, a slight decline over the 1979 limiting factor in Michigan. The bats' all received funding under the survey results. As a whole, Michigan's main problems appear to lie in the win- cooperative agreement signed in June osprey population continues to expand. tering caves in more southerly States. 1976 by Michigan and the U.S. Fish and New pairs continue to appear and oc- Wildlife Service. cupy new natural nest sites as well as State Listed Species man-made platforms. Annual fluctua- Osprey/Bald Eagle Research tions in reproductive success probably These long-term research efforts on result from varying weather conditions. federally listed species have been going Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) research on in Michigan for many years, but and management has benefited from the Timber Wolf Research several State listed species have also annual eagle surveys. Because of the os- been receiving much attention. Farming prey's similar food habits and habitat Research and survey worl< on the practices which changed the nature of utilization, osprey surveys have been in- eastern timber wolf (Canis lupus) is the prairies and forest fire control which cluded with eagle surveys. Bald eagle carried out on Isle Royale and Mich- allowed the expansion of forested areas, {Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nesting sur- igan's Upper Peninsula. In 1980, the have almost caused the extinction of the veys have been conducted annually 22nd year of research on the Isle Royale greater prairie chicken (Tympanuchus since 1961, and the osprey survey has wolves, a record high 50 wolves was re- cupido) in Michigan. Now reduced to a been underway since 1965. ported. During the winter of 1980-81, population of less than 25 individuals, In the past year, surveys of both bald however, the wolf population fell by 40 these birds once flourished in the fire- eagles and osprey were completed dur- percent. This decline came roughly a swept native grasslands of the State. ing the spring and summer to determine decade after a major drop in the island's Remnant flocks are found in Illinois and reproductive success of the birds. A win- moose population, which had numbered Wisconsin, and the birds are still fairly ter survey of bald eagles was also con- over 1,100 animals. The 1980 census in- common in some areas of the Great ducted to determine the wintering pop- dicated that there were 650 to 700 Plains. ulation within IVIichigan. moose on the island. The dynamics of Management efforts to date have in- Aircraft, flying 300 to 400 feet above the predator-prey relationship between cluded the purchase of 815 acres of the ground, were used to conduct the the wolves and moose has been the land, working with share-croppers on nesting survey. Ground checks were focal point of the years of study and has methods of farming conducive to prairie made to supplement the aerial survey contributed much to the understanding chicken populations, and posting por- which had located pairs on active nests. of the ecology of the wolf. Additional tions of habitat against public entry to Later in the nesting season, a second funding for the important research on minimize disturbance of the birds. aerial survey was conducted to deter- Isle Royale comes from the National Limited funding has been the greatest mine the number of young produced in Park Service, the Wildlife Management single barrier to the furtherance of a each nest. In all, 83 active nests were Institute, the American Petroleum In- prairie chicken management program identified in Michigan in 1980. Fifty-two stitute, other foundations, organiza- for Michigan. One thing which might be pairs of eagles successfully bred and tions, and individuals. of benefit to the dwindling population is raised a total of 80 young for an average the gradual change from corn cropland of 0.99 young produced per occupied Peregrine Falcon Survey to pastureland. nest. The 1980 figures are a near perfect Pine Marten Reintroduction match to the encouraging 1979 survey Despite timing problems in funding, a results. historical survey of American peregrine Once common, the pine marten falcon (Faico peregrinus anatum) eyries The osprey survey results are equally (Martes americana) was thought to be was completed in the Upper Peninsula. locally extinct by 1929. In 1980, 38 pine Kent Christopher, a graduate student at martens were released into the Upper Michigan Technological University, sub- Peninsula, the third such attempt to rein- mitted the work as his Master's thesis (A troduce this species to a portion of its Survey of Peregrine Falcon Habitat in former range. The previous two releases Upper Michigan with Emphasis on met with questionable success because, Reintroduction Potential). There are although there have been sightings of records of 20 nestings at 13 different pine martens, the population density ap- sites (eyries) in Michigan's Upper Penin- pears to be too low for breeding and sula, including an eyrie active in 1971. relatively few females were released. Historic eyries and potential sites were evaluated as a preliminary survey for Plant Program possible reintroduction, an activity which would be coordinated through the Michigan has 16 endangered and 197 American Peregrine Falcon Recovery threatened native plants on its State list Team (Eastern Population). of protected species. American ginseng Iris lacustris (dwarf lal

NATIVE BIRDS Tule white-fronted goose Anser albitrons elgasi Alaska, California Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk . Accipiter striatus venator Puerto Rico Puerto Rican broad-winged hawl< . Buteo playtpterus brunnescens Puerto Rico 'Marianas gallinule Gallinula chloropus guami Mariana Islands *Guann rail Rallus oustoni Guam, Mariana Islands Palau Nicobar pigeon Caloenas nicobarica pelewensis Pacific Trust Territorlties, Palau Island group Radak Micronesian pigeon , Ducula ocenaica ratakensis Marshall Islands Truk Micronesian pigeon Ducula oceanica teraoki Caroline Islands 'Marianas fruit dove , Ptilinopus roseicapillus Mariana Islands Ponape short-eared owl Asia flameus ponapensis Ponape, Caroline Islands Virgin Islands screech owl , Otus nudipes newtoni St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. Johns, Vieques Islands 'Guam Micronesian kingfisher .... . Halcyon cinnomomina cinnamomina . . . . Guam, Mariana Islands Truk monarch . Metabolus rugensis Truk group, Caroline Islands Rota bridled white-eye , Zosterops conspicillata rotensis Rota, Mariana Islands Truk greater white-eye . Rukia ruki Tol, Truk Islands Amak song sparrow . Melospiza melodia amaka Amak Island, Aleutians Palau blue-faced parrotfinch . Erythrura trichroa pelewensis Palau groop Palau white-breasted woodswallow , Artamus leucorhynchus pelewensis Palau group 'Marianas crow . Corvus kubaryi Guam, Rota FOREIGN BIRDS Colombian grebe . Podiceps andinus Black petrel . Procellaria parkinsoni New Zealand Reunion petrel . Pterodroma aterrima Reunion Island, Indian Ocean New Zealand Cook's petrel . Pterodroma cookii cookii New Zealand Chatham Island petrel . Pterodroma hypoleuca axillaris Chatham Islands Magenta petrel . Pterodroma magentae Chatham Island Galapagos dark-rumped petrel ... . Pterodroma phaeopygia Galapagos Islands Hermit ibis . Geronticus eremita eastern Europe to central Africa Madagascar serpent eagle . Eutriorchis astur Madagascar Madagascar sea eagle . Haliaeetus vociteroides Madagascar Utila Ortalis vetula deschauenseei Honduras White-winged . albipennis Peru Cauca guan . Penelope perspicax Colombia Cantabrian capercaillie . Tetrao urogallus cantabricus Spain, Portugal Cheer pheasant . Catreus wallichii Pakistan to Nepal Gorgeted wood-quail . Odontophorus strophium Colombia Italian grey partridge , Perdix perdix itaiica Italy Takahe(rail) . Notornis mantelli New Zealand Barred-wing rail . Rallus poeciiopterus Fiji Chatham Island oystercatcher .... . Haematopus chathamensis Chatham Islands Canarian black oystercatcher , Haematopus moquini meadewaldoi Canary Islands Black stilt . Himantopus novaezelandiae New Zealand Laurel pigeon . Columba junoniae Canary Islands Marquesas pigeon , Ducula galeata Marquesas Islands Pink pigeon . Nesoenas mayeri Mauritius Seychelles turtle dove , Streptopelia picturata rostrata Seychelles Islands Red-tailed . Amazona brasiliensis Brazil Seychelles lesser Coracopsis nigra barkiyi Seychelles Islands Orange-fronted parakeet , Cyanoramphus malherbi New Zealand Norfolk Island parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae cookii . . . Norfolk Island Uvea horned parakeet Eunymphicus cornutus uvaeensis Loyalty Islands Southeastern rufous-vented ground cuckoo Neomorphus geoffroyi dulcis Brazil Soumagne'sowl Tybosoumagnei Madagascar Lanyu scops owl Otus elegans botelensis Taiwan Chilean woodstar Eulidia yarrellii Chile Klabin farm long-tailed hermit .... Phaethornis margarettae Brazil Black barbthroat (hummingbird) .. Threnetes grzimeki Brazil Okinawa woodpecker Sapheopipo noguchii Okinawa Black-headed antwren Myrmotherula erythronotos Brazil Fringe-backed fire-eye (antbird) . . Pyriglena atra Brazil Black-capped bush shrike Malaconotus alius Tanzania Van Dam's vanga Xenopirostris damii Madagascar Pollen's vanga Xenopirostris polleni Madagascar St. Lucia forest thrush Cichlherminia Iherminieri santaeluciae . . . St. Lucia Southern Ryukyu robin Erithacus komadori subrufa Ryukyu Islands Dappled mountain-robin Modulatrix o. orostruthus and M. o. amani Mozambique, Tanzania Grey-headed blackbird Turdus poliocephalus poliocephalus Norfolk Island Eiao Polynesian warbler Acrocephalus cafferaquilonis Eiao, Marguesas Islands Moorea Polynesian warbler Acrocephalus caffer longirostris Society Islands Long-legged warbler Trichocinchia rufa Fiji Codfish island fernbird Bowdleria punctata wilsoni New Zealand Uapou flycatcher Pomarea mendozae mira Marguesas Islands Kabylian nuthatch Sitta ledanti Algeria Gizo white-eye Zosterops luteirostris luteirostris Solomon Islands Cherry-throated tanager Nemosia rourei Brazil Rodrigues fody Foudia flavicans Mascarene Islands Mauritius fody Foudia rubra Mauritius Lord Howecurrawong Stephanomaria graculina crissalis Lord Howe Island ' Data in this petition for these five birds are considered as comments to an earlier notice (F.R. 5/18/79).

GPO 341-580 Export Findings BOX SCORE OF SPECIES LISTINGS Continued from page 6 ENDANGERED THREATENED SPECIES Foreign Foreign TOTAL ments on both sets of proposed findings Category U.S. U.S.& U.S. U.S.& Only Foreign Only Only Foreign Only will be solicited by the Service. Mammals 15 17 224 3 0 21 280 OSA Criteria Challenged Birds 52 14 144 3 0 0 213 Reptiles 7 6 55 8 4 0 80 The criteria used by OSA in advising Amphibians 5 0 8 3 0 0 16 whether export will not be detrimental to Fishes 29 4 11 12 0 0 56 the survival of the species (summarized Snails 2 0 1 5 0 0 8 in F.R. July 10, 1980) were challenged by Clams 23 0 2 0 0 0 25 the Defenders of Wildlife, Inc. with Crustaceans 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 regard to bobcat exports resulting from Insects 7 0 0 4 2 0 13 Plants 48 2 0 7 1 2 60 the 1979-80 harvest season. On TOTAL 189 43 445 45 7 23 752 February 3, 1981, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of * Separate populations of a species,listed both as Endangered and Threatened, are Columbia Circuit held that the findings tallied twice. Species which are thus accounted for are the gray wolf, bald eagle, Amer- set forth by OSA are Invalid and are set ican alligator, green sea turtle, and Olive ridley sea turtle. aside to the extent that they are not based on reliable estimates of the bob- Number of species currently proposed: 18 animals cat population and data showing the 11 plants total number of bobcats to be killed in Number of Critical Habitats listed: 48 each of the States involved. Number of Recovery Teams appointed: 68 Number of Recovery Plans approved: 41 The Service finds the courts require- Number of Cooperative Agreements signed with States: ments to be a departure from wildlife 38 fish & wildlife May 31, 1981 management as It has traditionally been 10 plants practiced In almost all States. Such re- quirements have not been used In managing elusive widespread species extent that they are able to make such Supreme Court to review the decision. such as the bobcat, which are very dif- estimates. However, because resolution of this ficult to census. The Service believes The Service regards the court's legal issue might not be reached before that findings based solely on the court's second requirement (information the next bobcat harvest season, the requirements would not be meaningful regarding the total number of animals to Service has initiated interim measures to and that It Is Important to consider cer- be harvested In a particular season) to attempt to meet the court's require- tain other types of Information that the be very similar to one of OSA's previous ments. Service has sought In the past. minimum requirements for a manage- Although the court's decision con- The court gave "the Scientific ment program, which is that States must cerns only bobcats, OSA findings on Authority considerable discretion to determine their harvest level objective lynx, river otter and American alligator determine the method by which that es- annually. Additionally each State will be could also be subject to legal challenges timate may be made and in evaluating its asked to submit an estimate of its If they do not meet the court's require- reliability." Accordingly, the Service in- current total bobcat population, to the ments. Therefore, the Service has re- tends to allow States the greatest possi- extent It Is able to make such an quested that each State submit the same ble latitude in selecting methods of es- estimate. types of information on these species as timating their bobcat population, to the The interveners have asked the for bobcat.

ENDANGERED "•rife"* SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN POSTAGE AND FEES PAID US DEPABTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Department of the Interior • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C. 20240 Int 423 June 1981, Vol. VI, No. 6