May/June 1994 Vol. XIX No. 3

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U.S. Department of the Interior Technical Bulletin Fish and Wildlife Service

United States Imposes Limited Trade Sanctions on Taiwan for Continued Trade in Endangered Species

For the first time, the United States has imposed trade sanctions on an- other country to penalize trade in critically endangered wildlife. On April 4, President Clinton announced his decision to restrict the importation of wildlife products from Taiwan, which last year totalled approximately $22 million in value. The primary rea- son cited in the announcement was Taiwan's insufficient progress in con- trolling its trade in products made from tigers (Panthera tigris) and various rhinoceros species. Although the People's Republic of China also had been warned about possible sanctions, the U.S. decided not to impose sanc- tions at this time because of progress in China's enforcement of laws outlawing the trade. Tigers and rhinoceroses face a dire outlook in the wild. The most immedi- ate and dangerous threat to these species is poaching to satisfy the market in their parts and products, which are used ex- tensively in traditional Asian medicines. At the turn ol the century, the world's population of tigers stood at about 100,000, but the number has plum- meted to only 5,000. Three of the eight subspecies are already extinct, and the largest of all living cats — the Siberian tiger (P. t. altaica) — may be lost soon. Global rhinoceros populations have fallen even more precipitously, from over 100,000 in 1970 to fewer than 10,000 today. The U.S. Fish and Tigers are worth thousands of dollars on the black market, where their parts are sold for use in traditional Asian medicines. The United States hopes that economic sanctions will help to control the trade in tigers and other endangered wildlife. (continued on page 10)

1 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Population and Habitat Viability Analysis Workshop was held May 23- 25, 1994, in Austin, Texas, to combine the resources of, among others, the National Fish and Wildlife Founda- tion, the Lower Colorado River Authority, and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The goal is a revised recovery plan that will lay the biologi- cal groundwork for habitat conservation planning. The FWS recently conducted two public meetings in Bastrop County, Texas, to discuss ways protect the toad Regional endangered species contacts 3-day seminar of public and private while allowing development of a grow- have reported the following news: organizations to focus on consensus- ing community. Region 2 - The Houston toad {Bufo building to promote the survival and ***** houstonensis) will be the subject of a recovery of this Endangered species. A The U.S. Whooping Crane Recov- ery Team met in Rockport, Texas, on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM February 24 and 25, 1994 to review its Washington, D.C. 20240 87103 (505-766-2321); John G. Rogers, Re- gional Director. James A. Young, Assist- progress. Steve Nesbitt of the Florida Mollie Beattie ant Regional Director; Susan MacMullin, Director Game and Fresh Water Fish Commis- Endangered Species Specialist. (202-208-4717) sion reported on the whooping crane Region 3, Federal BIdg., Fort Snelllng, Twin reintroduction experiment at Florida's Michael J. Spear, Cities, MN 55111 (612-725-3500); Sam Kissimmee Prairie. Twelve of the 25 re- Assistarit Director for Mar\er, Regional Director; Johr]B\an\{enshtp, Ecological Services Assistant Regional Director; Bob Adair, leased birds survive, and another 8 (202-208-4646) Endangered Species Specialist. birds are scheduled for shipment to

Jamie Rappaport Clark, Chief. Region 4, 1875 Century Blvd., Suite 200, At- Florida in March. A male and female Division of Endangered Species lanta, GA 30345 (404-679-4000); James W. released as juveniles in February 1993 (703-358-2171) Pulliam, Regional D/recfor; Tom Olds, /4s- have exhibited the characteristics of su- sistant Regional Director; David Flemming, Marshall P. Jones, Chief. Endangered Species Specialist. badult pair bonding, including Office of Management Authority copulation. Although the earliest egg (703-358-2093) Region 5, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035 (413-253-8659); Ronald E. production is not expected until 1995, Lambertson, Regional Director; Ralph TECHNICAL BULLETIN when the birds are 3 years old, this be- Pisapia, Assistant Regional Director; Paul Editor. Michael Bender Nickerson, Endangered Species Specialist. havior is encouraging because it was Assistant Editor. Ann Haas not observed between whooping cranes (703-358-2390) Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal cross-fostered in the Rocky Mountains. (FAX 703-358-1735) Center; Denver, CO 80225 (303-236-7920); Ralph O. Morgenweck, Regional Director; The Team recommended continuing Regional Offices Robert E. Jacobsen, Assistant Regional the experimental release in Florida for Region 1, Eastside Federal Complex, 911 Director; Larry Shanks, Endangered Spe- N.S.I 1th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232- cies Specialist. another year, and it expressed support 4181 (503-231-6118); Marvin Plenert, for changes in captive rearing and wild Regional Director; Dale Hall, Assistant Region 7, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK Regional Director; Cindy Barry, Jim Bartel, 99503 (907-786-3542); Walter O. Stieglitz, release techniques designed to reduce and ViclHawaii. Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington. American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2; Arizona, New [Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Region 3: Illinois, Indiana, predators. Iowa, fvlichigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Region 4: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky. Louisiana, Mississippi. Norlh Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Region 5: Connecticut. Delaware. The Team meeting included a field District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts. New Hampshire, New Jersey. New York. Pennsylvania, Rhode Island. trip to Aransas National Wildlife Ref- Vermont. Virginia, and West Virginia. Region 6: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota. South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Region 7: Alaska. uge on the Texas coast to view the whooping cranes, as well as activities Printed with vegetable-based Ink on recycled and recyclable paper. If you do such as shoreline armoring to halt not keep back issues, please recycle the paper, pass them along lO an interested person, or donate them to a local school or library. (continued on page 20)

2 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Controlling International Trade in Endangered Species

by Marshall Jones

This issue of the Endangered Species While these activities continue, the by an estimated 3,000 delegates from Technical Bulletin details international Fish and Wildlife Service is preparing all over the world. Future editions of efforts, stretching from Washington, to serve as host for the next CITES the Bulletin will address these issues as D.C., to Russia, China, and Taiwan, to Conference of the Parties in Ft. Lau- the meeting grows closer. protect the world's dwindling popula- derdale, Florida, in November 1994. tions of tigers and rhinoceroses. But Issues involving not only tigers and Marshall Jones is Chief of the Fish and Wildlife Service Office of CITES Management Authority. there is more to the story of our con- rhinos, but also minke whales, African He also Chairs the Interagency Coordinating elephants, box turtles, crocodiles, ma- tinuing fight to end harmful trade in Committee involved in the November Conference endangered wildlife occurring outside rine fishes, tropical timber, and many of the Parties in Florida. U.S. borders. Some examples include: other wildlife resources will be debated • On February 28, the Fish and m Wildlife Service's Office of CITES Management Authority initiated another Pelly Amendment review of trade in Asiatic black and brown bears, g Malayan sun bears, sloth bears, clouded and snow leopards, gibbons, and orangutans, all of which reportedly pass through some of the m same markets as tiger bone and rhino horn. A decision on what further action is needed, if any, is pending. • Dialog with CITES authorities in the Republic of Korea continues regarding our expectations of Korea's continued progress in implementing CITES and eliminating the tiger parts trade in that country. Korea now appears to have the largest stockpile of tiger bone. Under threat of Pelly certification, Korea ended a decade- long holdout and joined CITES in June 1993, but progress has slowed The World Wildlife Fund estimates that the population of the black rhino has fallen to fewer since then. than 2,000, due primarily to poaching for the animal's horn. • We are cooperating with the CITES Secretariat in efforts to convince "The Power of Pelly": Middle Eastern countries (Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates) FWS Director Mollie Beattle, testifying May 17 before the House Committee on to stop the trade in rhino horn dagger Merchant Marine and Fisheries, expressed support for the "spirit and intent" of handles, and Southeast Asian countries H.R. 3987, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, a bill co- (Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos) to sponsored by Congressman Jack Fields (R-TX) and Congressman Anthony stop the movement of tigers, leopards, Beilenson (D-CA), and its Senate counterpart, sponsored by James Jeffords orangutans, and other endangered (R-VT). H.R. 3987 would establish a rhino and tiger conservation fund, as well species through their markets. One as institute a new review of countries involved in the trade of these seriously result of these efforts is Viet Nam's endangered animals. recent decision to join CITES. We However, Director Beattie also cited the effectiveness of the current Pelly hope Viet Nam's action will influence Amendment authority. "We have learned," she said, "sometimes it is the power its neighbors to follow suit. of Pelly certification alone, without recourse to actual sanctions, that has been enough to change a country's policies."

3 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) The Siberian Tiger Project: Saving Endangered Species Through International Cooperation

by Howard Quigley and Maurice Hornocker

A few years ago, people in a number of countries were surveyed on their general knowledge about wildlife. Fhe survey crossed cultural, political, and economic boundaries. Of the six or eight species with the highest index of recognition, almost half were endan- gered species. The giant panda, the rhinoceros, and the tiger were on that list, and although all three are the fo- cus of major international efforts to save them from extinction, they con- tinue to decline. It is in Russia where we hope to reverse this trend for at least one of the subspecies of tigers, the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). Over the past 5 years, through the Hornocker Wildlife Research Institute at the University of Idaho, we have A species that is the focus of an international effort to save it from extinction, this Siberian mounted a major research and conser- tiger cub is also a poignant representation of an immediate problem. Poachers orphaned vation effort to save this great cat, the cub by shooting his mother who "probably wound up on a pharmacy shelf." known also as the Manchurian or The Siberian Tiger Project at the Hornocker Wildlife Research Institute, University of Idaho, has been working with several Russian agencies to study the ecology of the species and to Amur tiger. Five years ago, the esti- develop a conservation plan. Now, to complement the habitat preservation initiative, the mated number of Siberian tigers in emphasis is on anti-poaching efforts through acquiring "boots, bullets, and vehicles for Russia was approximately 500, and park guards in Russia," says Project Co-Director Howard Ouigley. Adds Dr. Quigley, "We will have a conservation plan in place, but if we don't halt poaching, there won't be any very little was known in the West tigers to save. We could lose the largest cat in the world in the next few years."

about the subspecies. Around a camp- In 1992, the Siberian Tiger Project rescued four cubs similarly orphaned. Today, the two fire in a central Idaho wilderness area surviving cubs, a male and a female, are doing well. Named Khuntami, for a landmark in the Slkhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve of Russia, the male cub is at the Omaha Zoo and now with members of the then-Soviet Acad- weighs more than 250 pounds. The female Nadezhda, whose name in Russian means emy of Sciences, we proposed a "hope," is at the Indianapolis Zoo and weighs almost 200 pounds. research project to examine the ecology of this cat in depth. The response was, tober to the end of March. But out- the National Fish and Wildlife Foun- "Nget problem." Over the next 2 side ol those months, only spotty dation — came forward with matching years we organized the field project. information existed. To understand funds to start the project. Field opera- The goal of the project from the be- the cat, and to find answers to help in tions began in January 1992. ginning has been to describe the its conservation, the entire picture had Subsequently, additional funding from ecology of the tiger in detail and apply to be put together. In 1989, we pro- the Exxon Corporation, the National those findings to the conservation of posed to fill those gaps and formed a Wildlife Federation, and private contri- the cat and its native habitat. Russian field team of Russians and Americans butors have kept project activities moving. biologists had been studying the tiger to do just that. The initial problem There are eight recognized subspe- for several years and had accumulated was funding; although the Russian sci- cies of tigers, three of which are impressive banks of information. But entific community was supportive and believed to be extinct. The main fea- the data were limited by one fact: ti- eager to be involved, it could not sup- ture distinguishing the Siberian tiger gers could not be followed consistently ply monetary support. from its cousins is its great size. With when there was no snow on the With borrowed money, we made males reaching recorded weights over ground for tracking. Thus, the picture two organizational trips to Russia. In 700 pounds in the wild, this subspecies of the Siberian tiger's behavior was the meantime, two organizations — is the largest of all felids. To secure the quite good from about the end of Oc- the National Geographic Society and (continued on next page)

4 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) ' i • well. This is the so-called "umbrella effect," which is so often cited when large carnivores are proposed as conser- vation tools. But the Siberian Tiger Project is more than ecology, biology, and sci- ence. It has been an odyssey of experiences that neither we nor our Russian colleagues dreamed of when we began. The initial months of devel- opment, prior to field work, were filled with long negotiating sessions. Like arms negotiators, we were spurred on by some larger vision of moral impera- tive, although at times we questioned •• "V! our judgment about taking on this task. When the negotiations stopped, however, and the field work finally got under way, we found the most gratify- Co-Director of the Siberian Tiger Project at the University of Idaho's Hornoclplants and animals each other's worlds. For instance, we The Siberian tiger occurs in a region from the northern boreal, Asian, and had to trust that it really was good for of Russia about which few people in temperate coniferous life zones. More the pores and skin to be whipped by the West have much information. than 150 species of trees and shrubs willow branches in a hot sauna, or that This area basically is bordered by the exist in Primorye Province (or Krai; a certain tea from native plants would mouth of the Amur River on the Berg, 1950), as well as strange combi- break a fever. And the Russians had to north, and the Chinese and North Ko- nations of northern and southern trust that our drugs would keep a tiger rean borders on the south (Miquelle et species, such as moose and sika deer, or asleep while we worked on it, and that al., in press), and is known as the Rus- marten and leopards. Thus, there is it would walk away healthy after we sian Far East. It is roughly equivalent more at stake than just tigers. gathered our data and attached a radio- in size and topography to the coast The tiger, however, can be an effec- collar. range from San Francisco to Seattle on tive symbol and tool for the We are welcomed into the lives, the west coast of the United States. conservation of biological diversity in homes, and communities of these This part of greater Siberia contains the Russian Far East. With our team people who were once considered our the largest block of contiguous forest of Russian and American biologists, we enemies. It is only through this type of in the world, the taiga forest. Al- continue to gather the information integration that a true understanding though we are focusing on the tiger, necessary for developing a conservation can be generated. And from under- the region has great biological diversity. plan to secure the future of the Sibe- standing and cooperation, we can build While Russia generally experiences rian tiger. Civen the ecological and an effective conservation plan for the cold temperatures, the Far East region space requirements of the tiger, the Siberian tiger from the ground level. is a combination of continental and conservation plan will likely secure the milder maritime climates, strongly in- future of many other organisms as (continued on page 6)

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Siberian Tiger Project ture of the Siberian tiger. But the ad- gal tiger in Nepal. Although we feel (continued from previous page) justment in the current system of the tiger can tolerate disturbance, fully harvesting needed to conserve tiger protected areas will also be as impor- To date, as we begin our third sum- habitat is simply one of sustainability. tant to tiger conservation as wilderness mer of field research, we have captured The taiga is a tremendous resource for or protected areas have been for the nine tigers and released them with ra- the Russian people. For years, it was maintenance of black bear dio-collars that allow us to follow their harvested at a rate that easily met the (f/. americanus) populations in the movements and activities. We have internal needs of the country and southeastern United States or moun- also caught nine bears, both brown made little impact on the forest as a tain lion populations in the West. bears (Ursus arctos) and Asiatic black whole. But wood has become a pre- During the next few years, we will be bears (Ursus thibetanus), and two Amur cious international commodity that the assessing the reserve system of the Rus- leopards (Panthera pardiis orientalis). Russians can sell for foreign currency, sian Far East through a large-scale, The data from these animals accumu- which is so important at this time. landscape approach, looking at each re- late daily and, with the data, our The big question in Russia is not serve, the types of nearby land use, and chances of understanding this ecosys- whether or not to harvest wood, but the connectivity between reserves. tem, as well as ensuring that these how to harvest it. Again, all of these activities are con- animals exist a century from now. We know from our Western experi- ducted through cooperation and Two threats to tigers are apparent at ence, for instance, that we can teamwork between Americans and this point: poaching and loss ot habi- maintain healthy populations of elk Russians. We now employ almost 30 tat. In the past few years, poaching of (Cervus elaphus) and mountain lions Russians, and they have been inte- tigers for the Asian traditional medici- (Felis concolor) under moderate forest grated into every activity of the nal market has been responsible for the harvesting schemes. However, the type Siberian Tiger Project. Training in deaths of dozens of Siberian tigers, in- of forestry currently practiced in tiger such activities as the use of radio-te- cluding one of our adult females. She habitat is hard on tigers and their prey. lemetry, animal capture and crossed the road one night at the Timber is either harvested through immobilization, and the use of our wrong time and was shot by someone very large clearcuts, or through inten- Geographic Information System is tak- in a passing vehicle. Only her radio sive selective harvesting. The trees ing place. collar was found, along with four or- selected are usually important food Development of a truly compre- phaned cubs (Quigley, 1993). sources for tiger prey. hensive conservation plan is not an In Russia, the killing of tigers for We are currently encouraging the easy task, and when we started this money is a relatively new enterprise. maintenance of a controlled harvest project, many people said it simply Now, there is a heavy price on the tiger's area with the construction of a model could not be done. But after nearly 5 head, the borders are open, and the eco- mill to demonstrate sustainable for- years of preparation, we and our Rus- nomic situation is unstable and estry practices. By doing so, we feel sian colleagues are ready to move worsening for most people. The tiger is that methods new to Asia can be intro- forward to make a future for the Sibe- a tempting target, especially in winter duced, and that people will see the rian tiger in the wild. when the animal can be tracked in snow. value in their implementation. It is a For relatively small amounts of fact that the Russian forests will be Dr, Maurice Hornocker has conducted and di- money (by Western standards), we feel harvested. Almost 60 percent of the rected research on carnivores for more than 30 that effective anti-poaching teams can years, including original work on mountain lions, world's softwood inventory is found in bears, and bobcats in North America, and leop- be put in the field. More than a year Siberia and the Russian Far East. Eco- ards in Africa. He is the former Leader of the ago, we delivered the first donation nomics dictates that this resource will FWS Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at the from the West to help in the anti- be used. But economics must be tem- University of Idaho, and currently is director of poaching effort, and now more pered with the technology of the Hornocker Wildlife Research Institute at the University of Idaho. support has been coming. The proper sustainable use, or a unique Russian organization of these efforts in the heritage — the biological diversity of Dr. Howard Quigley has conducted and directed coming months will be important to the Far East — will be lost. research on wildlife for 20 years, including ensure their effectiveness, but we are mountain lions and black bears in North An additional component of our A merica, giant pandas in China, jaguars in Bra- optimistic. conservation plan will be to assess the zil, and a number of vertebrates in Guatemala. The second problem is more com- current reserve system and its potential He currently is president of the Hornocker Wild- plex, and requires more time, for protecting tigers. Our research is life Research Institute. Drs. Hornocker and organization, and energy. Habitat al- showing that the Siberian tiger uses Quigley are co-directors of the Siberian Tiger Project. teration and loss due to overcutting of very large blocks of land, several times the forest are a major threat to the fu- the size of territories used bv the Ben- (continued on page 11)

6 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Russian Rangers Complement International Pressure to Save the Siberian Tiger by Steven R. Galster Tracked easily through the deep snow of the Russian Far East, the Amur or Siberian tiger was hit hard by commercial poachers again this winter, pushing the earth's largest cat a big step closer to extinction in the wild. Rus- sian authorities estimate they may have lost 20-25 percent of their tigers be- tween November and March alone, leaving the current number as low as 150-200. Most experts agree that if this trend continues, the Siberian tiger may, for all practical purposes, disap- pear from the wild within 5 years. Some Russian authorities, pointing to their country's economic situation and tenuous wildlife enforcement struc- ture, give this great predator only 3 years at best, unless political pressure on tiger bone consuming countries "Poachers are enemies of nature," says this sign on a road in the Sil

7 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Note from the Field: A Russian Perspective on Tiger Conservation by Evgeny Smirnov

In the 20th century, the Siberian or (USA) researchers and Sikhote-Alin (nature reserves) and national parks, Amur tiger has survived four wars, rwo Biosphere Reserve (Primorsky Krai, study the biology and ecology of these revolutions, and many hungry people. Russia) researchers have been conduct- beautiful cats in detail, and convince Wars, revolutions, and crises always ing intensive work on tigers for more hunters, farmers, loggers, economists, impact nature, its fauna first. Like the than two years. Nine Amur tigers and politicians, lawyers, and local authori- images in a distorting mirror, the more seven brown and black bears have been ties that tigers have the right to live. disturbed the conditions in which wandering the Reserve in their fashion- And it is necessary to educate this gen- people live, the more desperate the able American collars transmitting eration and the next. If we can do all situation becomes for wildlife. important information. A second this, we can protect not only tigers, but Perestroika in Russia has had some un- group of zoologists has been working also the Ussuri River basin taiga com- fortunate results. Poachers have been in the south Primorsky Krai in the plex. All people must cooperate as we killing tigers, bears, deer, and sable Kedrovya Pad Reserve. Their task is formulate an Action Plan and develop with impunity. Figuratively speaking, even more complicated: to study and centers for information and coordina- tigers have contributed to the ABC's of to conserve not only tigers but the last tion of the efforts. democracy and market economy as ten Far-Eastern leopards. Our plans We have the will and we have the their magnificent skins and bones have and thoughts for further conservation tigers, yet. been sent to China, Korea, and Japan, efforts are only limited by time and the perhaps even to Paris and San Fran- success of fund raising. Evgeniy Smirnov is a biologist with the Sikhote- Alin Biosphere Reserve and Siberian Tiger cisco. The tiger population is diminishing. Project. But perestroika also let the scientists How many tigers are there now—300? of different countries join our protec- Tomorrow there may be only 200. It Editor's Note: The Fish and Wildlife Service's tion efforts, and the Russian-American is necessary to stop the marketing of Office of International Affairs advises that in the Siberian Tiger Project was the first act tiger skins and bones. But it also is past no public access was available to the more in cooperative activity. A group of imperative that we conserve the exist- strictly controlled zaporedniks. Today, however, several zaporedniks allow ecotourism activities. Hornocker Wildlife Research Institute ing reserves, form new zapovedniks

Russian Rangers the military. Reflecting the post-Cold Community outreach will also play fcontinued from page 7) War conversion of some military re- an important part in Operation Amba's poaching program. The tiger is not sources to conservation, there are activities. Gathering information from mentioned directly but is referred to Amba officers with backgrounds in- villages that border poaching areas, as with reverence as "Amba," meaning cluding naval intelligence and army well as compensating farmers who have "Great Sovereign." Funding from the special airborne forces. lost livestock to a tiger, are vital to Tiger Trust and the World Wildlife Three five-man teams rove constantly Amba's success. Amba will also be the Fund has brought Amba salaries up to through nature reserves and other areas liaison with Russian non-governmental $300 a month. Outfitted with new of Primorsky and Khabarovsky Territo- organizations that have tiger education uniforms, equipped with new vehicles, ries, where poaching activity is known and protection programs in progress. but still short on money for fuel and to be a problem. Once they are Amba is fighting a steep, uphill radios, Amba has begun operation. equipped with radios, these brigades battle that can only be won if interna- Consisting of 15 special rangers, a will be able to stay in constant touch tional efforts continue at the political deputy, and a commander, it aims to with one another and their head- level—such as Pelly action—to stamp reduce poaching of the tiger through a quarters in Vladivostok, where their out the tiger trade, and if more re- two-fold strategy: dispatching patrols commander will be collecting and col- sources are injected into Amba's efforts quickly to poaching problem areas, lating information on poaching and on the ground. Current funding for and conducting investigations in cities wildlife trading activity. Mikhail Operation Amba comes from two for- and border areas where wildlife smug- Bibikov, Chairman of the Primosky eign sponsors, the Tiger Trust of glers are known to operate. Amba Territory Ecology Committee, hopes England and the World Wildlife Fund. officers were recruited not only from to add a fourth or fifth team to Amba People who wish to learn more or assist the park ranger system but also from if he can raise the money. (continued on next page)

8 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) International Cooperation to Save Siberian Tigers: Russia and the United States Intensify Conservation Efforts by Steven G. Kohl project to radio-collar tigers in the Sikhote-Alin Reserve to track their movements and gain a better under- standing of their distribution. The project came up against the grim reali- 0} ties of poaching when a transmitter that indicated no movement for several days led to the discovery of four or- phaned cubs. Responding to an appeal from the Russian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of State made avail- able an emergency grant to Russia to strengthen ranger and law enforcement activities in the three reserves. The World Wildlife Fund and other private conservation organizations have con- Tiger skull and bones and rhino horn on a pharmacy shelf in Taipei, Taiwan tributed their own resources and expertise as well, and efforts are under In partnership with a number of Lazovskiy, and Kedrovaya Pad) along way to assist Russia in saving tigers and American zoos, the U.S. Fish and the southern Pacific coast of the Rus- their habitat in the unprotected areas Wildlife Service's Office of Inter- sian Far East. Fiowever, the recent linking the three reserves. national Affairs has been working with economic difficulties in Russia, exacer- Recent articles in Time and National its Russian counterparts for more than bated by poaching and loss of habitat Geographic magazines, as well as other a decade to promote the conservation due to timber and logging operations, publications, have focused international of Siberian tigers in the wild and in- have brought this magnificent species attention on the tigers' plight, and crease the genetic diversity among to the brink of extinction. As a conse- many agencies and organizations, in- those held in captivity. In 1983, three quence, studies of the Siberian tiger cluding the Fish and Wildlife Service, young Siberian tigers born in the Mos- have been reoriented to focus on emer- are promoting efforts to assist Russia. cow Zoo to wild-caught parents were gency steps for their protection and Given the recent sharp decline in tiger transferred to the New York, Omaha, management. abundance in the Russian Far East— and Indianapolis Zoos. Since that In 1990, the Fish and Wildlife Ser- estimated to be more than 50% in just time, the young have successfully vice invited Director Anatoliy Astafyev the last few years—timely help for this mated with tigers at several facilities to of Sikhote-Alin Reserve to visit the species is of the essence. introduce genetic variety and reduce United States. Fiis meetings with Dr. inbreeding. Howard Quigley of the Flornocker Steven G. Kohl, of the U.S. Fish and Widlife Endangered in Russia for many Wildlife Research Institute and repre- Service's Office of International Affairs, adminis- years, tigers were strictly protected in ters the Service's exchange programs with Russia sentatives of the National Geographic three nature reserves (Sikhote-Alin, and China. Fluent in languages including Rus- Society resulted in the creation of a sian and Mandarin Chinese, he is U.S. Co-chair- man of the Gore-Chernomyrdin Working Group Russian Rangers on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use. This group was created to coordinate U. S. - (continued from previous page) Russia conservation policy and management issues Steven R. Galster coordinates "The Investigative between the Government agencies of the two Operation Amba can write to either of Network. " an information cooperative linking these organizations: environmental and human rights investigators • The Tiger Trust, New Market, worldwide. He recently returned from Russia, Suffolk, CBS 8TN, England where he conducted an investigation of the tiger • World Wildlife Fund, 1250-24th bone trade for The Tiger Trust. Street, N. W, Washington, D.C. 20037.

9 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Goes /w^^rnational

by Darv Johnson The National Fish and Wildlife their wintering grounds in Mexico, the Foundation (NFWF), a non-profit Caribbean, and Central America. conservation organization established Jurisdictions and national borders are in 1984, prefers to base its conserva- meaningless in this situation, and a tion strategy on the need to protect conservation solution will only be suc- species before they become Threatened cessful if these "Partners in Flight" C o- or Endangered. To date, however, the o nations are included as full and equal NFWF has supported 143 projects c. partners. dealing with Threatened and Endan- This multi-national perspective is es- gered species, of which 36 are i- sential when examining endangered international in scope. The NFWF species recovery. Any effort to address commitment to species recovery on the the plight of the North Atlantic hump- international level stems in part from fectiveness. The decline of neotropical back whale [Megaptera novaeangliae) the increasing realization that solutions migratory birds, for example, is due on a strictly national scale will meet to natural resource conservation prob- not only to impacts on nesting habitats with little success because the whale's lems must be placed in an in the United States, but also to the migratory patterns are not governed by international context to ensure their ef- deforestation and fragmentation of (continued on page 11)

U.S. Imposes Trade Sanctions The President's statement suggested recommendation. On the other hand, (continued from page I) a number of actions that Taiwan and the CITES Standing Committee noted the People's Republic could take to that the People's Republic of China has WildHfe Service (FWS) believes that demonstrate a commitment to ending made progress in controlling the trade most of the world's tiger and rhino the trade in endangered species. These in endangered wildlife. However, the populations (except the white rhino in measures, which were based on CITES committee said further actions were South Africa) will become extinct in recommendations, included consoli- needed from China as well as Taiwan the next 2 to 5 years if the trade in dation and control of stockpiles, to adequately combat the endangered these species is not eliminated. formation of a permanent wildlife law wildlife trade. Therefore, the Pelly Action to protect these animals ac- enforcement unit with specialized Amendment certifications will remain celerated in September 1993. Based training, development and implement- in effect for both countries. Their on a FWS review of the trade, carried ation of a comprehensive law progress will be evaluated again in De- out under the Pelly Amendment to the enforcement and education plan, and cember 1994, at which time sanctions Fisherman's Protection Act of 1967, establishment of regional law enforce- against Taiwan could be lifted or Interior Secretary Babbitt certified that ment arrangements with neighboring strengthened, and the decision not to Taiwan and the People's Republic of countries. The U.S. offered technical sanction China will be reassessed. China were engaging in trade that pro- aid to both countries to assist them in A notice was published in the April moted the poaching of rhinos and their efforts. Additionally, the FWS 28, 1994, Federal Register to solicit tigers. Such trade undermines the ef- funded and participated in 3 delega- public comments on the range of oth- fectiveness of the Convention on tions sent to China and Taiwan over erwise legal wildlife specimens and International Trade in Endangered the past 4 months to evaluate the products to be covered by the import Species of Wild Fauna and Flora progress in ending the trade. prohibitions. Examples of items that (CITES), an agreement among 122 At a recent meeting, the CITES could be targeted include jewelry made countries to prohibit trade in endan- Standing Committee found that the from coral and mollusk shells, and gered wildlife. In November 1993, minimum requirements have not been leather products fashioned from snake, President Clinton responded by warn- met by the government of Taiwan, lizard, and crocodile hides. ing Taiwan and the People's Republic leaving in place the committee's previ- Additional information is available that the U.S. may impose sanctions ous recommendation that CITES from the U.S. Office of CITES Man- against them unless "measurable, veri- member countries prohibit the impor- agement Authority, Fish and Wildife fiable, and substantial progress" in tation of all wildlife (including parts Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, eliminating the trade was made by and products) from Taiwan. The Room 420-C, Arlington, Virginia March 1994. President's April 4 action follows this 22203.

10 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) will pool data gathered at sea, thereby for Chinese scientists on implementa- creating a solid scientific foundation tion of CITES programs. The "Buyer for future understanding and manage- Beware" campaign promotes awareness ment of this species. In the case of the of priority international wildlife trade g Atlantic salmon, the result was a issues through public service an- two-year buyout of the West nouncements, publications, brochures, Greenland commercial salmon quota, and other projects. enabling large percentages of these fish Unfortunately, the need for the pro- (more than 120,000 annually) to re- tection of endangered species on an turn to their native North American international level continues to grow. rivers and spawning grounds. This fall, the biennial CITES confer- With a population roughly four ence will be held in the United States times that of the United States in an for the first time in 20 years, present- area one-third the size, India's natural ing a tremendous opportunity for U.S. resources are under enormous pressure. involvement in these conservation and Any conservation initiative in India, enforcement efforts to increase. therefore, is that much more difficult Through this conference, and through to undertake. The first NFWF venture support of international endangered in that region comes through a fund species work, NFWF will continue to established in partnership with the encourage the exchange of scientific U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to sup- data management techniques and ap- port conservation activities in the Near proaches. With this exchange, East and South Asia regions. Through individual countries and communities The Endangered humpback whale our partnership with the Wildlife Insti- can begin to implement increasingly ^egaptera novaeangliae^ is a perfect example of a species that will benefit from tute of India and other conservation effective endangered species programs, a coordinated, multi-nation conservation organizations in the area, NFWF will and shift gears from reactive to effort. This humpback Is shown enjoying the Stellwagen Bank National Marine reap the benefits of their experience proactive species management. Sanctuary In the Gulf of Maine, three miles with recovery efforts for such endan- For more information, write to the off the northern end of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. gered species as the tiger {Panthera NFWF at 1120 Connecticut Avenue, tigris), snow leopard {Panthera undo), N.W, Suite 900, Washington D.C. The NFWF goes /w^^mational and Indian wolf ( Canis lupus pallipes) 20036, or call (202) 857-0166. (continued from page 10) in a climate of intense population pres- sure. Darv Johnson recently joined the National Fish national boundaries. Similarly, North and Wildlife Foundation, where he works on the Similarly, NFWF's support of Sibe- America's stocks of Atlantic salmon development and marketing staff. His article is {Salmo salar), petitioned for listing in rian tiger {Panthera tigris altaica) the first the Bulletin has received via Internet. the United States, cannot be restored research in the former Soviet Union without the cooperation of the has proven to be a rare chance for a Greenland fishermen who catch 235 US/Russia team to study and develop a Siberian Tiger Project tons of the salmon each year. In the conservation plan for the world's largest (continued from page 6) Gulf of California, efforts to conserve cat. These cooperative efforts represent an enormous opportunity for nations the Gulf of California harbor porpoise Literature Cited [Phocoena sinus) and a fish, the to exchange scientific data and man- agement techniques, and may prove to Berg, L.S. 1950. Natural Regions of the USSR. totoaba {Cynoscion macdonaldi), de- MacMillan Co., NY, 259 pp. pend on the cooperation of Mexican be of value in directing our conserva- conservation interests. tion efforts on the domestic front. Miquelle, D., H. Quigley, M. Hornocker, E. The NFWF strategy in these in- The NFWF has also offered support Smirnov, I. Nickalaev, D. Pikunov, and K. Quigley. In press. Present Status of the Sibe- stances is to work cooperatively with for international wildlife law enforce- ment efforts, such as the Convention rian Tiger, and Some Threats to its multi-national partners to develop the Conservation. Proc. XXI Congress of Interna- on International Trade in Endangered best possible management solution. tional Union of Game Biol., Halifax, Nova To address the pressures facing the Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Scotia, Aug. 1993. humpback whale, NFWF is supporting (CITES) and the World Wildlife a three-year research project guided by Fund's "Buyer Beware" programs. Quigley, H.B. 1993. Saving Siberia's Tigers. National Geographic 184:38-47. the Center for Coastal Studies in NFWF has provided three grants in which scientists from seven nations support of CITES, including training

11 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Old-Growth Forests and the Puerto Rican Parrot

by J. Michael Meyers

'['he Puerto Rican parrot The Puerto Rican parrot, a cavity nesting bird, most often uses {Amazona vittatd) is an ex- old-growth trees such as this tremely endangered cavity- ancient palo Colorado. nesting species. Fewer than 40 parrots inhabit the forests of the to produce optimum palo Luquillo Mountains. The birds Colorado trees for nesting par- have nested predominantly in rots, and there are no other palo Colorado {Cyrilla areas in Puerto Rico with old racemiflora) since the early growth forests like those of the 1970's. Palo Colorado, or titi as Luquillo Mountains, growth of it is known in the southeastern the parrot population could be- United States, is a small tree come limited by the supply of (less than 0.3 meter, or 1.0 foot, suitable nesting trees. in trunk diameter) through Can nesting traditions most of its range, which extends change? Birds have been from the swamps of North known to alter their nesting America to Brazil. In the rain patterns if they successfully forests of Puerto Rico, however, raise young at new nesting palo Colorado reaches mam- sites.'' Research and manage- moth sizes, as large as 2.6 ment of potential nesting meters (8.5 feet) in diameter. habitat may be able to expand According to Pete Weaver, a the parrot's use of trees that are forester with the U.S. Depart- more common and widespread ment of Agriculture's than palo Colorado. Fabonuco International Institute of Tropi- and other large trees in Puerto cal Forestry who has studied the photo by Pete Weaver, International Institute of Tropical Forestry. U S. Forest Service Rico could provide nesting palo Colorado extensively in habitat if cavities in these trees Puerto Rico, this species is a slow- older trees as they die. The most re- suitable for parrot nesting are created growing tree that probably is an cent such disturbance was in 1989, or enhanced. With the successful average of 660 years old when its di- when Hurricane Hugo struck Puerto management effort conducted by the ameter reaches 1.0 meter (3.3 feet). Rico. However, studies of potential Fish and Wildlife Service and the For- The palo Colorado trees used by Puerto nesting trees by the Puerto Rico Re- est Service, the parrot population Rican parrots for nesting average 1.1 search Group of the National could approach 80-100 individuals by meter (3.6 feet) in diameter, which Biological Survey after the hurricane the turn of the century. Encouraging means these trees may be more than revealed that on the eastern side of the new nesting traditions may be the key 700 years old. parrots nesting range, palo Colorado may not be replacing itself The hurri- to increasing the population and Puerto Rican parrots have used only cane killed 22 percent of the palo achieving the goals of the Puerto Rican two other tree species for nesting since Colorado that were potential nesting parrot recovery program. the 1970's. One nest in 1974 was in a trees in the eastern mountains (personal large laurel sabino {Magnolia splendens) ' Snyder, N. F. R., J. W. Wiley, and C:. B. Kepler. observation). It is also in this area that tree.' Another nest, used every year 1987. The parrots oFlAiquillo: Natural history a new nest was discovered in a tabonuco since 1991, is in a tabonuco {Dacryodes and conservation of rhe Puerto Rican parrot. tree in 1991 (personal observation). Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology. Los excelsa) tree (F. J. Vilella, U.S. Fish and Angeles, California. 384 pp. Wildlife Service, pers. commun.). There may be enough nesting cavi- ^ Femple, S. A. 1977. Manipulating behavior Puerto Rican parrots obviously use ties for the parrot population in the short term; however, as the population patterns of endangered birds. Pages 435-443 in old-growth forests. However, Weaver S. A. Temple (ed.). Endangered birds management increases, a shortage of nesting sites and others believe that palo Colorado is techniques for preserving threatened species. a late secondary species that may need could develop. A hurricane even University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. openings in the forest for successful re- stronger and more devastating than Dr. Meyers is Leader of the Puerto Rico Research production. This means palo Colorado Hugo may occur at any time and de- stroy more parrot nesting trees. Group, National Biological Survey, Patuxent forests need periodic disturbances to Wildlife Research Center, P.O. Box N, Palmer. maintain their population and replace Because it takes more than 660 years Puerto Rico 00721-0501.

12 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Listing Proposals — February/March 1994

Thirty-nine species — 37 animals and 2 plants — were proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Service during Feb- ruary and March 1994 for listing as Endangered or Threatened. If the list- ing proposals are approved, Endangered Species Act protection will be extended to the following:

Pacific Pocket Mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus) This tiny mammal had not been seen in over 20 years until recently, when a small population was rediscov- ered at a site on the Dana Point Headlands, a historically occupied site and a remnant of undeveloped habitat in Orange County, California. One Pacific pocifet mice, which cannot survive in developed areas, now inhabit an area of less documented threat to the mice is pre- than 4 acres. dation by domestic and/or feral cats. The coastal California gnatcatcher of the wetlands the subspecies once in- The most immediate danger, however, (Polioptila californica californica) occurs habited have been diked, drained, or is a proposed hotel and residential at the same site. This habitat, how- filled for agricultural and urban devel- complex, which would destroy almost ever, is not within an area proposed for opment. Other habitats disappeared all 3.75 acres (1.5 hectares) of occu- conservation under the State of when streams were channelized, pied habitat. For this reason, the FWS California's Natural Communities diverted, or inundated by impound- published a temporary emergency rule Conservation Planning Program. ments. Cattle grazing, off-road vehicle on February 2, protecting the Pacific use, and logging in red-legged frog pocket mouse for 240 days as an En- habitat also have damaged riparian California Red-legged Frog (Rana dangered species. During that time, vegetation and degraded the aquatic the FWS will consider a proposal — aurora draytonii) environments with siltation. also published February 2 — to give The largest native frog in the west-, In the 1800's, California red-legged the animal long-term protection. ern United States, the California frogs were considered a delicacy. From Pacific pocket mice cannot survive red-legged frog is found primarily in 1890 to 1900 alone, up to 80,000 in developed areas. They historically wetlands and streams in coastal drain- were taken each year to supply the San occurred within such natural habitats ages. This subspecies requires a fairly Francisco market. Around 1900, how- as coastal dunes, river alluvium, and distinct habitat, combining specific ever, there was a dramatic fall in the coastal sage scrub growing on marine aquatic and riparian components. numbers collected, indicating that the terraces. Once, populations were Adults depend on dense vegetation as- frog had fallen victim to overharvest. known from eight areas in three south- sociated with deep, still or slowly Today, the frog's main predators are in- ern California counties. In Los moving water. troduced fishes and another non-native Angeles County, however, only about 1 Once widely distributed, the frog species, the bullfrog. percent of Pacific pocket mouse habi- occurred in California from Marin Known populations of the Califor- tat remains. Land use patterns in San County coastally, and from Shasta nia red-legged frog larger than 350 Diego County are similar. Approxi- County inland, southward to north- individuals remain in only three areas: mately 150 acres (60 hectares) of western Baja California, Mexico. But Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve in habitat in Orange County are still un- habitat loss or alteration, combined coastal San Mateo County, Point Reyes developed, but surveys have found with overexploitation and the intro- National Seashore in Marin County, the mouse only at the small Dana duction of exotic predators, has Point Fleadlands site. eliminated the frog from 75 percent of its historical range in California. Most (continued on page 14)

13 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) venomous, have a dark brown or sooty back with distinct yellow-orange stripes down the sides. They reach about 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length. The Alameda whipsnake inhabits the inner coast range in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, where it usu- ally is found within northern coastal scrub or chaparral. Historically, the snake was known from 60 locations, but only 25 populations remain. Like the two butterflies, it faces loss of habi- tat from a variety of sources.

Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum) This small amphibian, found only in the Barton Springs system in central Texas, is entirely aquatic. It does not The California red-legged frog is the largest native frog in the western United States. metamorphose into a terrestrial form, but retains its bright red external gills Point Arena. Its six former popula- Listing Proposals throughout its life. The dorsal colora- (continued from page 13) tions have been reduced to one, which tion varies from pale purplish-brown occurs near Point Arena. and canals west of San Francisco Inter- or gray to yellowish-cream. Irregular Extensive habitat modification or national Airport. Because of the frog's pigmentation gives the salamander a destruction is the main reason for the seriously reduced numbers and range, mottled, "salt and pepper" pattern. and the continuing threats, the Service decline of these butterflies. Some Barton Springs consists of a complex proposed February 2 to list this sub- populations were displaced by residen- of springs in Zilker Park, owned by the species as Endangered. tial and commercial development. City of Austin. Three of the system's Others disappeared when off-road ve- four springs are inhabited by the sala- hicle use, unsuitable levels of grazing, Two California Butterflies mander. All three have been trampling, and invasions of non-native impounded for swimming, which itself Two butterflies native to central and plants eliminated the foodplants of the does not seem to have harmed the sala- northern California were proposed butterfly larvae or the nectar sources mander. The main threat to the species February 4 for listing as Endangered. for the adults. The remaining popula- is water pollution. Barton Springs has Both have a typical wingspan of about tions are vulnerable to further habitat good water quality most of the time, 55 millimeters (2.17 inches), and are change and overcollecting. There is an but it is vulnerable to degradation from orange-brown in color with silver and extensive commercial trade in both any contaminants that drain into the black spots on their undersides. They taxa, which are highly prized by butter- aquifer and degrade the ground water. have a limited range: fly collectors. • Callippe silverspot (Speyeria zerene Less than 5 percent of the system's 150 behrensii) - Historically, the Callippe square mile (390 square kilometer) re- silverspot inhabited native grasslands Alameda Whipsnake (Masticophis charge zone has been developed so far. in seven areas of the San Francisco Bay lateralis euryxanthtis) As development in this rapidly growing region. Only two populations remain, Included with the proposed rule to part of Texas continues, so does the po- in a city park and on San Bruno list the two silverspot butterflies was a tential for a catastrophic chemical spill Mountain in San Mateo County. proposal to list the Alameda whipsnake or chronic degradation from urban run- • Behren's silverspot (Speyeria zerene — which inhabits the same general re- off If the salamander is listed, the behrensii) - A related subspecies, this gion — as Endangered. This slender, recovery effort could include measures butterfly once was found on coastal extremely fast-moving snake has a rela- to prevent and/or control pollution dur- prairie habitat from the mouth of the tively large head, which it holds off the ing and after development. Russian River in Sonoma County ground in a cobra-like manner to peer north along the coast to southern over grass or rocks as its hunts lizards. Mendocino County in the vicinity of Alameda whipsnakes, which are non- (continued on next page)

14 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Tanzania. Although rare, its numbers have not been quantified. (T) • Madagascar serpent eagle (Eutri- orchis astur) - a raptor related more to harriers than eagles. The continued existence of this extremely rare bird was confirmed when a specimen was captured and released in January 1994. (E) • Mauritius fody (Foudia rubra) - a The mottled pigmentation of the Barton Springs salamander is accented by its bright red small weaver bird known only from the external gills. island of Mauritius in the Indian Listing Proposals estivate (remain dormant) for up to 3 Ocean. A large-scale logging project has reduced the population to an (continued from previous page) years, and in most years are active only estimated 150 breeding pairs. (E) Any contaminants released into the 3 or 4 days. Dormancy helps the • Rodrigues fody (Foudia flavicans) - recharge area, which is part of the snails survive in the Sonoran Desert a related species endemic to the island Edwards Aquifer, cotxld make their climate. The moist conditions this of Rodrigues, part of the nation of way to Barton Springs. The Texas Wa- species needs when active are main- Mauritius. By the 1980's, only about ter Commission has identified the tained by surface vegetation, the deep 100 individuals remained. (E) Edwards Aquifer as one of the most talus, and the shelter of the hill itself • Djibouti francolin (Francolinus sensitive aquifers in Texas to ground Because of the species' very limited ochropectus) - a ground-dwelling, water pollution. Loss of water quality distribution and specific moisture re- partridge-like bird restricted to poses a threat not only to the sala- quirements, the San Xavier talussnail is highland forests in the country of manders but also the amphipods upon vulnerable to relatively small-scale Djibouti. By 1985, only about 1,500 which they feed. The vulnerability of changes in its environment. Future ac- birds were known to survive. (E) the Barton Springs salamander is exac- tivities on nearby lands could have an • freira (Pterodroma madeira) - a erbated by its restricted range. impact on the species' environment. small seabird native to the mountains The salamander faces several other As a precaution, the FWS proposed of Madeira, an island possession of potential threats as well, including March 23 to list the San Xavier Portugal in the Indian Ocean. Only groundwater depletion and distur- talussnail as Endangered. 20 breeding pairs may remain. (E) bance of the habitat by the use of • Alaotra grebe (Tachybaptus rufola- chemicals and high-pressure hoses for Thirty African Birds vatus) - a small diving bird occurring pool cleaning. Accordingly, the FWS After evaluating listing petitions primarily at Lake Alaotra and adjacent proposed February 17 to list the Barton from the International Council for marshes in Madagascar. Human Springs salamander as Endangered. Bird Preservation, the FWS proposed alteration of its limited habitat has March 28 to list 30 species of African promoted a tremendous increase in San Xavier Talussnail (Sonorella birds as Endangered (E) or Threatened numbers of the related little grebe (T. eremita) (T): ruficollis), resulting in extensive As its common name indicates, this • Amsterdam albatross (Dioniedia hybridization. (E) land snail lives in talus slope habitat amsterdamensis) - a large seabird that • white-breasted guineafowl (Age- not far from San Xavier, a town in breeds only on Amsterdam Island, a lastes meleagrides) - a medium-sized Pima County, Arizona. It has an ex- French possession in the southern ground-dwelling bird related to turkeys tremely restricted range: a 50- by Indian Ocean. Only 5 pairs were and peacocks. Overexploitation of its 100-foot (15- by 30-meter) site on the known to breed each year in the rainforest habitat has reduced this northwestern side of a hill where lime- 1980's. (E) species to small numbers in the Ivory stone and decomposed granite have • Thyolo alethe (Alethe choloensis) - a Coast and Liberia. (E) formed a deep rock slide. The species small, ground-dwelling bird known • Raso lark (Alauda razae) - a song- is known nowhere else. only from submontane evergreen forest bird known only from Raso, one of the San Xavier talussnails have a glo- in Malawi and Mozambique. About islands in the nation of Cape Verde off bose, whorled shell about 19 1,500 pairs are estimated to survive. (E) the west coast of Africa. This once millimeters (0.7 inches) in diameter • Uluguru bush-shrike (Malaconotus common species had declined to 150 and white to pinkish in tint, accented alius) - a small predatory bird occurring individuals at last count. (E) by a chestnut-brown band. They can in the Uluguru Mountains of central (continued on page 16)

15 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) • Seychelles lesser vasa parrot (Cora- known population contains several copsis nigra barklyi) - a dark brown hundred individuals. (E) parrot endemic to Praslin, one of the • Bannerman's turaco (Tauraco islands in Seychelles, a nation off the bannermani) - a greenish parrot with a east coast of Africa. By the 1980's, conspicuous crest. This bird is found destruction of its palm forest habitat in the Bamenda-Banso Highlands of reduced the species to about 100 birds. (E) western Cameroon, where its forest • Mascarene black petrel (Ptero- habitat is rapidly being cleared. (E) droma aterrima) - a small seabird • Seychelles turtle dove (Streptopelia native to the islands of Reunion and picturata rostrata) - a bird generally Rodrigues, which are part of the dark grayish purple in color and nation of Mauritius. It had been somehwat smaller than the domestic eliminated from Rodrigues by the 18th pigeon. This subspecies declined century and is very rare on Reunion. through hybridization after a related (E) taxon was introduced from Madagascar • pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) - a in the mid-19th century. The bird about the size of the domestic Seychelles turtle dove may still occur in pigeon but generally pink in color. at least a relatively pure form on This species, which is restricted to Cousin Island. (E) southwestern Mauritius, has declined • Pollen's vanga (Xenopirostris polleni) According to The Peregrine Fund, this is to about 20 birds in the wild, although - a predatory bird somewhat similar to the first photograph ever of a live Madagascar serpent eagle. It was there are large numbers in captivity. (E) the shrikes. It is rare but still relatively captured in January 1994, fitted with a • white-tailed laurel pigeon (Columba widely distributed in the remaining miniature radio transmitter, and released. Researchers are monitoring the bird to junoniae) - a large pigeon known only rainforests of eastern Madagascar. (T) learn more about its behavior and from the Canary Islands. Destruction • Van Dam's vanga (Xenopirostris ecology. of the endemic Canarian laurel forests damii) - a similar bird that is restricted Listing Proposals has reduced this bird in numbers and to a single area of northwestern (continued from page 15) range. (T) Madagascar but still exists in fairly • Madagascar sea-eagle (Haliaeetus • Madagascar pochard (Aythya inno- good numbers. (T) vociferoides) - a fish-hunting species tata) - a diving duck apparently • Aldabra warbler (Nesillas alda- related to the American bald eagle. confined to freshwater lakes and pools branus) - a small songbird found only Only 96 individuals were counted in the north-central plateau of on Aldabra, an island in the nation of during the mid-1980's on the island of Madagascar. Although common as Seychelles. The International Council Madagascar. (E) recently as 1930, this bird is now on for Bird Preservation called the • Ibadan malimbe (Malimbus ibadan- the brink 6f extinction. Until a single Aldabra warbler the "rarest, most ensis) - another small weaver about the specimen was captured in 1991, it had restricted, and most highly threatened size of a house sparrow. This species, not been seen since 1970 . (E) species of bird in the world." which is restricted to southwestern • dappled mountain robin (Modu- Discovered only in 1967, it is confined Nigeria, was once widespread but is latrix orostruthus) - a thrush recorded to about 25 acres (10 hectares) of now very rare. (E) from three remnants of montane forest coastal vegetation. Its habitat is being • Algerian nuthatch (Sitta ledanti) - in Mozambique and Tanzania. The destroyed by introduced animals (rats, a small arboreal bird found only on Mozambique population has not been which also prey on the nests, and Mount Babor in northern Algeria. located since 1932, and those in goats). (E) Deforestation had reduced this species Tanzania may number in the low • banded wattle-eye (Platysteira to about 80 pairs by the 1980s. (E) thousands. (T) laticincta) - a small flycatcher charact- • Canarian black oystercatcher • Marungu sunbird (Nectarinia erized by pale plumage and a wattle of (Haematopus meadewaldoi) - a shore- prigoginei) - a nectarivorous bird bare red skin above the eye. It is bird somewhat like a rail that is known comparable to hummingbirds. It occurs known only from the Bamenda only from the eastern Canary Islands, a only in the Marungu Highlands of Highlands of western Cameroon, Spanish possession oft northwestern southeastern Zaire. (E) where its forest habitat is rapidly being Africa. Although it is uncertain if this • Taita thrush (Turdus helleri) - a cleared. (E) species still exists, four apparently dark-colored, ground-dwelling bird genuine sightings in recent years have apparently confined to the highlands given biologists hope. (E) of southeastern Kenya. The only well- (continued on next page)

16 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Listing Proposals Gesneria pauciflora conservation efforts by State and local (continued from previous page) Another rare plant dependent on agencies, independent organizations, constant moisture is Gesneria pauci- and concerned individuals. • Clarke's weaver (Ploceus golandi) - flora, a small shrub endemic to Puerto Section 7 of the Act directs Federal a bird recorded only from a small Rico that lacks a common name. This agencies to use their legal authorities to forested area on the southeastern coast member of the family Gesneriaceae is further the purposes of the Act by car- of Kenya. At the current rate ot logging, an attractive species, with glossy, dark rying out conservation programs for its habitat could be eliminated within green, trowel-shaped leaves and yellow listed species. It also requires these 15 years. (E) to yellow-orange flowers. The plants agencies to ensure that any actions All 30 of the birds are restricted in grow in stream beds on wet serpentine they fund, authorize, or carry out are range and face habitat destruction, rock. Two'populations are known, and not likely to jeopardize the survival of overhunting, predation by introduced they contain a total of just over 1,000 any Endangered or Threatened species, animals, and/or genetic swamping. individuals. or to adversely modify its designated Most have suffered serious losses in re- Both sites are located within the Critical Habitat (if any). When an cent years. Although the Endangered Maricao Commonwealth Forest. Be- agency finds that one of its activities Species Act cannot prohibit the take of cause the plants are restricted to may affect a listed species, it is required foreign species or the loss of their habi- mountain streambeds, their habitat to consult with the FWS to avoid jeop- tat, it does regulate their importation may be vulnerable to damage from ardy. If necessary, "reasonable and into the United States. The Act also rockslides and floods. Forest manage- prudent alternatives," such as project authorizes the U.S. to provide training ment activities such as trail modifications or rescheduling, are sug- assistance, personnel, and limited fi- construction also could pose a threat if gested to allow completion of the nancial assistance to other countries. the species' habitat is not taken into proposed activity. Where a Federal ac- account. It is not known if G. tion may jeopardize the survival of a pauciflora was more widely distributed species that is proposed for listing, the Parish's Alkali Grass (Puccinellia before the large-scale deforestation of Federal agency is required to "confer" parishii) Puerto Rico in the late 1800's and with the FWS (although the results of Parish's alkali grass, an ephemeral, early 1900's. According to the Center such a conference are not legally bind- dwarf annual growing only at perma- for Plant Conservation, G. pauciflora ing)- nent alkaline springs and seeps, is could become extinct within the next 5 Additional protection is authorized restricted to widely scattered sites years if it is not protected. In light of by section 9 of the Act, which makes it within desert habitat in the southwest. the species' precarious status, the FWS illegal to take, import, export, or en- At present, 10 populations are known proposed February 18 to list it as gage in interstate or international — 7 on Navajo and Hopi lands in Ari- Threatened. commerce in listed animals except by zona, 1 on private land in New permit for certain conservation pur- Mexico, and 2 on private and Depart- poses. The Act also makes it illegal to ment of Defense lands in California. posses, sell, or transport any listed spe- Most of the sites are very small. The Available Conservation Measures cies taken in violation of the law. For Arizona populations, for example, oc- Among the conservation benefits plants, trade restrictions are the same cupy a total area of about 0.2 acre (0.1 authorized for Threatened and Endan- but the rules on "take" are different. It hectare). gered plants and animals under the is unlawful to collect or maliciously The moist habitat of Parish's alkali Endangered Species Act are: protec- damage any Endangered plant on grass is vulnerable to damage from any tion from being jeopardized by Federal lands under Federal jurisdiction. activities that alter the site hydrology. activities; restrictions on take and traf- Removing or damaging listed plants on Water diversions or impoundments, ficking; a requirement that the FWS State and private lands in knowing construction, excess groundwater develop recovery plans and take con- violation of State law, or in the course pumping, and conversion to cropland servation actions; authorization to seek of violating a State criminal trespass are among the threats to this plant. land purchases or exchanges for impor- law, also is illegal under the Act. In One population also was deliberately tant habitat; and Federal aid to State addition, some States have more re- destroyed. Because of the species' very and Commonwealth conservation de- strictive laws specifically against the limited distribution. Parish's alkali partments with cooperative endangered take of State or federally listed plants grass is believed vulnerable to extinc- species agreements. Listing also lends and animals. tion. On March 28, the FWS greater recognition to a species' pre- proposed listing it as Endangered. carious status, encouraging other

17 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Final Listing Rules — February/March 1994

Final rules to list the following 66 plant and animal species as Endan- gered (E) or Threatened (T) were published in February and March 1994:

56 Hawaiian Plants Three listing packages addressing unique plants of the Hawaiian Islands were published during this period. The first, published February 25, listed 24 plant taxa found primarily on the island of Kaua'i. The Hawaiian names, if any, follow the scientific names: • Brighamia insignis, or 'olulu - a succulent in the bellflower family (Campanulaceae); E

• Cyanea asarifolia, or haha - a shrub Clermontia lindseyana in the bellflower family; E • Delissea rhytidosperma - a shrub in • Nothocestrum peltatum, or 'aiea - a • Clermontia peleana, or 'oha wai - the bellflower family; E tree in the nightshade family an epiphytic shrub or tree in the • Diellia pallida - a fern in the (Solanaceae); E bellflower family; E spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae); E • Solanum sandwicense, or • Clermontia pyrularia, or 'oha wai - • Exocarpos luteolus, or heau - a popolo'aiakeakua - a large shrub in the a terrestrial tree in the bellflower shrub in the sandalwood family nightshade family; E family; E (Santalaceae); E • Phyllostegia waimeae - a climbing • Colubrina oppositifolia, or kauila - • Hedyotis cookiana, or 'awiwi - a shrub perennial in the mint family a tree in the buckthorn family in the coffee family (Rubiaceae); E (Lamiaceae); E (Rhamnaceae); E • Hibiscus clayi - a shrub or tree in • Pteralyxia kauaiensis, or kaulu - a • Cyanea copelandii ssp. copelandii, the mallow family (Malvaceae); E tree in the dogbane family or haha - a shrub in the bellflower • Lipochaeta fauriei, or nehe - a (Apocynaceae); E family with the habit of a woody vine; E perennial herb in the aster family • Schiedea spergulina var. leiopoda - a • Cyanea hamatiflora ssp. carlsonii, (Asteraceae); E shrub in the pink family or haha - a palm-like tree in the • Lipochaeta micranlha, or nehe - a (Caryophyllaceae); E bellflower family; E perennial in the aster family; E • Schiedea spergulina var. spergulina - • Cyanea shipmanii, or haha - a • Lipochaeta waimeaensis, or nehe - a a large shrub in the pink family; T shrub in the bellflower family; E perennial in the aster family; E • Cyrtandra limahuliensis, or • Cyanea strictophylla, or haha - a • Lysimachia filifolia - a shrub in the ha'iwale - a shrub in the African violet shrub or tree in the bellflower family; E primrose family (Primulaceae); E family (Gesneriaceae); T • Cyrtandra giffardii, or ha'iwale - a • Melicope haupuensis, or alani - a • Peucedanum sandwicense, or shrubby tree in the African violet tree in the citrus family (Rutaceae); E makou - a sprawling herb in the family; E • Melicope knudsenii, or alani - a tree parsley family (Apiaceae); T • Cyrtandra tintinnabula, or ha'iwale in the citrus family; E On March 4, a package was pub- - a shrub in the African violet family; E • Melicope pallida, or alani - a tree in lished listing 21 plant taxa that occur • Lschaemum byrone, or Hilo the citrus family; E primarily on the island of Hawai'i (the ischaemum - a perennial in the grass • Melicope quadrangularis, or alani - "Big Island"): family (Poaceae); E a shrub or small tree in the citrus • Clermontia lindseyana, or 'oha wai • Lsodendrion pyrifolium, or wahine family; E - a terrestrial or epiphytic shrub in the noho kula - a shrub in the violet • Munroidendron racemosum - a tree bellflower family; E family (Violaceae); E in the ginseng family (Araliaceae); E (continued on next page)

18 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Final Listing Rules These Hawaiian plant species have • Auerodendron pauciflorum - an ever- fcontinued from previous page) declined in numbers and range, and green shrub or small tree from the face a variety of threats: habitat de- island's northwestern limestone hills; E. • Mariscus fauriei - a perennial in the struction by feral or domestic All three species are threatened by sedge family (Cyperaceae); E introduced animals; competition from agricultural and tourist development. • Nothocestrum breviflorum , or 'aiea - introduced plant species; soil erosion; fire; and predation by non-native a stout tree in the nightshade family; E Holy Ghost Ipomopsis goats, rats, and insects. Some of the • Ochrosia kilaueaensis, or holei - a (Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus) tree in the dogbane family; E species listed above now have fewer This plant, a biennial to short-lived • Plantago hawaiensis, or laukahi than 10 surviving individuals. perennial in the phlox family kuahiwi - a perennial herb in the (Polemoniaceae), is known only from a plantain family (Plantaginaceae); E Four California Plants single site in the Sangre de Cristo • Portulaca sclerocarpa, or po'e - a A February 4 rule listed four plants Mountains of San Miguel County, perennial herb in the purslane family native to central coastal California. New Mexico. Its small numbers, re- (Portulacaceae); E Three of these are spineflowers, wiry stricted range, and proximity to • Pritchardia affinis, or loulu - a fan- annuals in the buckwheat family (Poly- human development make the species leaved tree in the palm family gonaceae) that produce a branched vulnerable to road construction or (Arecaceae); E inflorescence from a basal rosette: maintenance and pesticide or herbicide • Tetramo lop turn arenarium - a shrub • Ben Lomond spineflower (Chori- use. A March 23 rule listed the Holy in the aster family; E zanthe pungens var. hartwegiana); E Ghost ipomopsis as Endangered. • Zanthoxylum hawaiiense, or a'e - a • Monterey spineflower (Chorizanthe tree in the rue family (Rutaceae); E pungens var. pungens); T • Silene hawaiiensis - a sprawling Tidewater Goby (Eucyclogobius • robust spineflower (Chorizanthe shrub in the pink family; T robusta); E. newberryi) Finally, on March 28, a third rule The fourth plant is a biennial, or oc- A relatively small fish, the tidewater listed 11 plants found primarily in the casionally an annual, plant in the goby is endemic to the freshest of Ko'olau Mountains on the island of mustard family (Brassicaceae); brackish water habitats in coastal la- O'ahu: • Ben Lomond wallflower (Erysi- goons along the California coast from • Chamaesyce deppeana, or 'akoko - a mum teretifolium); E. Del Norte County south to San Diego shrub in the spurge family (Euphor- All four taxa occur in coastal habitats County. Within this range, coastal de- biaceae); E in southern Santa Cruz and northern velopment has eliminated the goby • Cyanea truncata, or haha - a shrub Monterey Counties. They are imperiled from nearly 50 percent of the coastal in the bellflower family; E by residential and golf course develop- lagoons it once inhabited. Continuing • Cyrtandra crenata, or ha'iwale - a ment, conversion of habitat to threats led the Fish and Wildlife Ser- shrub in the African violet family; E agricultural uses, sand mining, military vice to list this species on February 4 as • Cyrtandra polyantha, or ha'iwale - activities, and/or encroachment by non- Endangered. a shrub in the African violet family; E native plant species. • Eugenia koolauensis, or nioi - a shrub or small tree in the myrtle family Hungerford's Crawling Water (Myrtaceae); E Three Caribbean Plants Beetle (Brychius hungerfordi) • Hesperomannia arborescens - a A February 18 rule listed two Carib- This small, rare beede is found in shrubby tree in the aster family; E bean evergreen trees in the myrtle low numbers within two Michigan • Lobelia oahuensis - a shrub in the family: streams and a river in Ontario, bellflower family; E • Myrcia paganii - a species known Canada. It inhabits cool riffles of • Lycopodium nutans, or wawae'iole - from three sites in the limestone hill clean, slightly alkaline waters. Man- an herbaceous epiphyte in the area of northwestern Puerto Rico; E agement of the streams and adjacent clubmoss family (Lycopodiaceae); E • Calyptranthes thomasiana - found habitats that may alter these aquatic • Melicope lydgatei, or alani - a small on three islands: Vieques, a small islet conditions threatens the survival of the shrub in the citrus family; E off Puerto Rico; St. John in the U.S. water beetle. The species was listed • Rollandia crispa - a shrub in the Virgin Islands; and Virgin Gorda in March 7 as Endangered. bellflower family; E the British Virgin Islands; E. • Tetraplasandra gymnocarpa, or Another Puerto Rican plant, a mem- 'ohe'ohe - a tree in the ginseng family; E ber of the buckthorn family, was listed March 2:

19 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) THE FAR SIDE By GARY LARSON Regional News (continued from page 2) marshland erosion along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, prescribed burning of uplands to promote their use by cranes, and the creation of coastal marsh using dredge spoil mate- rial. Shoreline armoring involves using concrete mats to protect the shore from boat-wakes and wave erosion, which have caused the loss of between 3 and 4 acres of marshland habitat an- nually. Bill Lishman reported on his re- THE FAR SIDE copyright 1986 FARWORKS, INC./Distributed by UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. search on training Canada geese (Branta canadensis) to follow a Q preselected migration route and use a c specific wintering site. The Team en- dorsed Mr. Lishman's research proposal to train sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) to follow a similar migra- tion route, and the National Biological Survey staff from Patuxent Wildlife Research Center has agreed to provide sandhill crane eggs for the study in 1994. If results of the sandhill crane research are favorable, the technique will be tested on Endangered whoop- ing cranes {Grus americana) to see whether it might be used to reintro- duce captive-reared whoopers in a migratory situation.

In flight: Shown during their fall 1993 migration, these captive-raised Canada geese followed Bill Lishman in his ultra-light aircraft from Ontario to Virgina. In early April 1994, The annual meeting of the Whoop- the "ultrageese" took the initiative and made the 400-mile journey home without their ing Crane Conservation Association mechanical leader. Today, Canada geese; tomorrow, sandhill cranes? (WCCA) followed the U.S. Whooping ously low level. Since 1983, the num- Crane Recovery Team meeting on Feb- Region 3 - The 1993 survey for the ber of Great Lakes pairs nesting in the ruary 25. Illinois cave amphipod {Gammarus State has ranged from 12 to 19. Lynn Starnes (the FWS Deputy Re- acherondytes) resulted in bad news for This year, the Michigan Department gional Director), Dr. Jim Lewis this category 1 listing candidate: not a of Natural Resources will be contacting (Recovery Team Leader), and four Re- single specimen was found. This small private landowners in plover habitat to covery Team members spoke at the crustacean is known from only 6 caves provide educational material. The meeting. in Illinois. The entrance to one cave FWS East Lansing, Michigan, Field The WCCA and World Wildlife was bulldozed by the landowner and Office also will develop an updated Fund-Canada (Fund) announced fa- could not be searched. brochure and interpretive signs for use vorable reviews of grant applications ***** at public access sites in prime plover for assistance in continuing the guide- In Michigan, State and Federal bi- habitat. Biologists will expand protec- bird experiments for the Rocky ologists are intensifying their research, tion efforts to include locating, caging, Mountain population of whooping management, and outreach efforts on and monitoring every nest. In addi- cranes in 1994. The WCCA will pro- behalf of the Endangered Great Lakes tion, a lab under contract to the vide $5,000 and the Fund $15,000 population of the piping plover Patuxent Analytical Control Facility is (Canadian) for the project, which they {Charadrius melodus), now at a peril- (continued on next page) supported at similar levels in 1993.

20 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Regional News By contacting 200 orga- (continued from previous page) nizations about 70 insect species that are candidates analyzing 26 addled plover eggs. Pre- for listing, the FWS vious analyses indicated that high Asheville, North Carolina, levels of environmental contaminants, Field Office gathered infor- such as PCB's, mercury, and selenium, mation about the status, may be causing embryo death, thus location, and threats affect- hindering recovery of the species. ***** ing each species. All the insects occur within Ken- The recovery team for the Endan- tucky, North Carolina, gered Karner blue butterfly {Lycaeides South Carolina, and/or melissa samuelis) met for the first time Tennessee; some occur in on February 23 and 24, uniting repre- other States as well. sentatives from public and private FWS biologists collected organizations to begin drafting a enough information to recovery plan. Most widespread in warrant proposed category Wisconsin, the butterfly can be found changes for some species. in portions of Indiana, Michigan, In fact, FWS staff members Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New found this en masse ap- York, and may also be present in Illi- proach to surveying so nois. effective and economical Indiana bat Along with FWS personnel, team that they plan to use it for members include faculty from three crustaceans and other "low visibility" Of note this winter was an increase universities (and one student). State in the number of M. sodalis hibernat- taxonomic groups. natural resources department biolo- ***** ing in Martha's Cave, also in gists, and The Nature Conservancy Pocahontas County. In the 1950's, as Region 5 - West Virginia Depart- staff FWS field offices represented are many as 180 M. sodalis were seen in ment of Natural Resources (WVDNR) Green Bay, Wisconsin; Bloomington, Martha's Cave, but the number had biologists conducting winter bat sur- Indiana; Cortland, New York; and the dropped to 23 by 1980. After the cave veys counted 113 Indiana bats {Myotis Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. entrance was fenced to control distur- sodalis), including a new population in The team expects to complete the first bance, the number began to increase. a cave in Pocahontas County. Other draft of a recovery plan by the end of By 1992, the 210 total exceeded the bats hibernating at the site were 2,382 the year and a final plan by June 1995. historic level. The winter 1993-94 sur- ***** eastern pipistrelles (Pipistrellus vey found 241 bats. suhflavus), 738 little brown bats Region 4 - The FWS and The Na- ***** (Myotis lucifugus), 1 small-footed bat ture Conservancy are developing a (Myotis leibii), and 15 big brown bats Also in West Virginia, nest box in- Partners for Wildlife cooperative agree- (Eptagicus fiscus). spections resulted in the discovery of ment to eliminate pollution in the (continued on page 22) Clinch River. A Tennessee River tribu- tary in eastern Tennessee, the Clinch River contains a diversity of freshwater fish and mussels that are being affected by poor land use practices. The pri- mary source of pollution is silt caused by the removal of riparian habitat and by cattle that crush stream banks and wander into streams. Under the coop- erative agreement, the FWS will be able to help fund The Nature Conservancy's attempts to assist local landowners in minimizing or eliminat- ing siltation.

Virginia northern flying squirrel in flight

21 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Regional News

(continued from page 21) new localities for the Endangered northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus). Monongahela Na- tional Forest biologists captured three squirrels at new sites in Pocahontas County — one near Clubhouse Run and two at Mountain Lick Creek. Dr. Edwin Michael of West Virginia Uni- versity captured a single northern flying squirrel in Canaan Valley, Tucker County. A WVDNR biologist discov- ered an additional site when he found a dead flying squirrel impaled on a barbed wire fence near White's Cem- etery in Randolph County. ***** What biologists thought was a defeat in their attempts to reestablish the Delmarva Peninsula for squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) in Virginia may turn out to be a victory. A single fox The Fish and Wildlife Service is woridng to develop population estimates in southeast Alaska for seabirds such as this marbled murrelet, along with other category 2 listing squirrel, spotted after 100 hours of in- candidates. The light coloring is typical of young birds. tensive "feeder-watch" program, servancy, and the New Jersey Natural small ponds within an approximate 1- confirmed that the Endangered ani- Heritage Program have agreed to allow hectare (2.5-acre) study area. mals have successfully reproduced at a FWS offices to become "nodes on the Biologists also surveyed the second release site on Virginias Eastern network" of the Biological Conservation Chickamin, Unuk, and Taku Rivers to Shore. Before abandoning recovery ef- Database. This database contains the determine the presence of spotted frogs forts at the site, team members from most comprehensive compilation of and other amphibians. The 1993 sur- the Nature Conservancy and Virginia candidate and federally-listed species in- vey is the first documentation of Department of Game and Inland Fish- formation available in New Jersey. unconfirmed reports on the Taku eries conducted what they suspected Installing the database into River, where the frogs were seen at sev- might be a final vigil to determine if Service offices will provide a shared ref- eral locations. any of the two dozen Delmarva Penin- erence that should help unify efforts to ***** sula fox squirrels released during the protect rare, Threatened, and Endan- Region 7 has increased efforts to de- early 1980's had survived. gered species in the State. velop a population estimate for two Biologists will continue their efforts ***** Category 2 listing candidates — to document the existence of fox squir- Region 7 - Continuing amphibian marbled murrelets {Brachyramphus rels at this location, and may introduce field studies initiated in 1991, FWS marmoratus) and Kittlitz's murrelets more of the animals to increase genetic Juneau Field Office biologists surveyed {Brachyramphus brevirostris) — along diversity. Before attempting to estab- four southeast Alaska rivers during with other seabirds in southeast Alaska. lish a second population, the FWS 1993 for spotted frogs {Rana pretiosd), Little information is available on succeeded in reintroducing the species a Category 2 listing candidate in the which to base current status analysis at Chincoteague National Wildlife State. Investigations included a mark- for most seabirds in this area. Refuge. recapture study to estimate abundance During 1993, Juneau Field Office ***** at one area on the Stikine River where biologists initiated surveys for A new database agreement among spotted frogs had previously been ob- murrelets and other species in Sumner public and private agencies in New Jer- served. During 1991 and 1992, the Strait, Icy Strait, and Glacier Bay. Bi- sey will help endangered species species was documented along this ologists will expand survey efforts in conservation in the State. The FWS river and on several islands near its 1994 and subsequent years to establish New Jersey Field Office and Delaware delta. Preliminary analysis indicates baseline information and monitor Bay Estuary Project, The Nature Con- that about 800 spotted frogs occupy 7 population trends. (continued on page 24)

22 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) npccfeS A i> I <> II r. < ^f/ I It V

The Road to Recovery, a new full-color poster illustrated by artist Dorothy Mlchele Novick, depicts some of the progress being made in the effort to restore our nation's vunerable wildlife. It features six threatened and endangered animals and plants—from the bald eagle to the western prarie fringed orchid—that are now stable or even improving in status. The 26-by-39-inch poster is available for $6.50 by writing the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, or by calling 202/783-3238. Ask for product number 024-010-00702-8.

BMlletin Can Now Receive Manuscripts Via Internet

You can now send us your articles through Internet. The Fish and Wildhfe Service (Service) has access to the Internet electronic mail service via the Service's Wide Area Network. With this service, we can send and receive messages from Internet users worldwide. Our Internet address is "[email protected]." In order to prevent possible duplication of articles, please let us hear from you before submitting a composition. We would appreciate receiving brief biographical material to provide a context for your work, and we can send you style information. Please mention your e-mail address.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Bulletin Staff

23 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994) Regional News (continued from page 22) BOX SCORE *****

In mid-December 1993, the FWS LISTINGS AND RECOVERY PLANS received a petition to list the Alexander Archipelago wolf { Canis lupus ligoni) as ENDANGERED 1 THREATENED 1 LISTED SPECIES Category Foreign i Foreign i SPECIES WITH Threatened. A smaller, dark-colored U.S. Only ' U.S. Only 1 TOTAL PLANS subspecies of gray wolf that inhabits 1 Mammals 56 251 1 9 22 1 338 37 the Alexander Archipelago and coastal Birds 73 153 1 17 0 1 243 73 mainland of southeast Alaska, the Ar- Reptiles 16 63 1 19 14 1 112 30 Amphibians 6 8 5 0 19 9 chipelago wolf preys primarily on Sitka Fishes 63 11 1 38 0 1 112 63 black-tailed deer, a species whose pre- Snails 14 1 1 7 0 1 22 27 ferred habitat is old growth forest. Clams 50 2 6 0 58 40 Crustaceans 11 0 1 2 0 1 13 4 Petitioners contend that logging of old Insects 19 4 1 9 0 1 32 16 growth forests will cause significant re- Arachnids 4 0 ' 0 0 ' 4 0 Plants 375 1 1 83 2 1 471 184 ductions of deer and wolf populations, and that the extensive road system TOTAL 697 494 1 195 38 1 1,424* 483** constructed to accomplish timber har- 1 Total U.S. Endangered 697 312 animals, 385 plants) vest will cause increased killing of Total U.S. Threatened 195 112 animals, 83 plants) wolves because of legal and illegal Total U.S. Listed 892 424 animals, 468 plants) hunting and trapping. Separate populations of a species that are listed both as Endangered and Threatened are Although Archipelago wolf numbers tallied twice. Those species are the leopard, gray wolf, grizzly bear, bald eagle, piping plover, appear to be stable at present, petition- roseate tern, chimpanzee, Nile crocodile, green sea turtle, and olive ridley sea turtle. For the purposes of the Endangered Species Act, the term "species" can mean a species, ers believe that the relatively small subspecies, or distinct vertebrate population. Several entries also represent entire genera population, estimated at 700-1,000 in- or even families. dividuals, may not remain viable in There are 377 approved recovery plans. Some recovery plans cover more than one species, many areas because of the segmented and a few species have separate plans covering different parts of their ranges. Recovery nature of the landscape, territorial be- plans are drawn up only for listed species that occur in the United States. havior of the animal, and other behavioral traits. A decision on the pe- Number of CITES Party Nations: 122 tition is expected soon. June 3, 1994

May/June 1994 Vol. XIX No. 3 FIRST CLASS POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PERMIT NO. G-77

Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Technical Bulletin Washington, D. C. 20240

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24 ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIX No. 3 (1994)